Tag Archives: life

Balance, Balance, Balance…yeah, yeah!! This word has appeared in my life more within the past week than ever before. There’s been a lot of hype surrounding Sheryl Sanberg’s book Lean In and how she believes that “work life balance” is difficult to achieve (I’m on the fence if will read her book). Then an article popped up in my in-box about “achieving balance in your life”, along with another one about stress-free living and an out of balance life. The Universe is trying to tell me something, guess I better listen.

I don’t believe in coincidences, so I believe that the reason why Balance keeps smacking me in my face is because my life is out of balance. Usually, my attention span is like that of a toddler running from one toy to the next and not calming down until nap-time. Believe it or not, I’ve gotten used to it and have learned to work with the randomness; however, lately the train has jumped the tracks and has gone off in so many different directions that I can’t keep up. My new reality consist of a lack of focus and virtual paralysis.

I am living in denial in this world of being a college student with assignments to complete. I am in my last semester of my master’s program with four research papers and a thesis due in April, so I can graduate in May. I haven’t been motivated one bit to focus on these papers because my mind is occupied with all the other things that needs my attention, such as: planning a major relocation, selling a house, researching my next job, coming up with topics for my blog, helping to take care of a toddler, and having bouts of anxiety on a daily basis.

Since the creative process has come to a stand still and I now realize that I am out of control, I’ve decided to make a few adjustments in order to maintain some sort of sanity. I will: 1) remain in the moment, 2) return to a consistent meditation practice, 3) start back to my daily walks/runs because being outside always gives me energy and calms my nerves, 4) get at least 6-8hrs of sleep each night, which means no more staying up past midnight, 5) put my blog posting on hold for a month or two, 6) do something fun – all work and no play just do not work for me. Last but not least, avoid things (brain drains – Pinterest, Internet surfing, watching TV/movies, daydreaming, etc.) that I have allowed to distract me from working on my assignments.

So, my first act is to let everyone know that I am taking a break and putting my blog on hiatus. This will be my last post for a bit (unless I get ambitious and have a pressing topic). I can’t make space in my brain for everything so this is the first to get suspended. Now, I don’t have to worry about staying current with my posts or try to develop my long list of topics.

I can’t believe I have four major papers and a thesis to complete in four weeks. People keep telling not to freak out, yeah right…easier said than done. I’m kidding. 🙂

I am basking in all the well wishes and encouragement I’ve received from everyone.

Getting to work! See you when I come back up for air.

My new reality

Mindfulness

What Will You Offer The World Today?

Gallery February 22, 2013 Own The View Cr8ives

The first thought that entered my mind this morning was, “What Will You Offer The World Today?”

I was surprised to have this thought because each morning I open my eyes, I thank the Universe for another day and another opportunity to do the right thing. Asking what will I offer the world puts a different spin to my day. Instead of thinking about what I need to do during the day, I feel strongly that I should be on the alert for opportunities to do for others; however, since I am home with the flu and have been homebound this entire week, I asked myself, how can I offer anything to the world when I can’t leave the house? I thought and thought and then it dawned on me, “that’s narrow thinking, think outside your four walls”. Of course I can offer something, how about updating my blog. So here I am.

“Get out of yourself and be of service to others.” Chaka Khan said this to the audience at a recent award show. Sounds eerily similar to my morning thought, doesn’t it?

I pondered, “What does it mean of service to others?”. I’ve been shown the obvious, volunteering; consequently, I thought being of service had everything to do with physically being in the presence of another person and helping them with something that they need. Also, giving your time, giving your money, visiting the sick at hospital, etc. Well, my view on service is evolving.

Presently, I believe that Being of Service can come from a singer who offers the perfect song for that person who needs to hear it without realizing that their song may touch somebody and make a difference in their life. For example, I’ve listened to songs that have cheered me up. I know that the singers don’t know who I am or how their song affected me, but they had the wherewithal to put out that particular song that turned my frown around.

Potentially it’s the artist who felt a tug to paint a picture and share it with the world, not knowing that someone who views the painting may be inspired to pursue art; helping someone invent their future.

Perhaps it’s the photographer who snaps a picture of a homeless person, shared that picture with others and someone was moved by the image enough to go volunteer at a homeless shelter.

Conceivably it’s the poet who recites their poem that makes someone stop to think and ponder its meaning. It affects another enough to go deeper, internalize the words; something shifts within and they emerge with an appreciation their life.

Could be the street musician playing on the sidewalk or in the subway sharing their songs with passersby who stops to take a breather, listen to the music, and enjoy the moment before getting caught up in the rush of the day. Later one of those pedestrians reflect on how the music made them feel happy, which in-turn, makes them treat someone warmly.

Or maybe, just maybe it’s an author who writes their biography, someone picks up the book on a whim and finds out it was meant for them. Another person purchases the same book and was able to glean information that helps them through an issue that they could not find answer to before. Still another person gives the same to book to a friend because the story reminds them of their friend’s life experience; meanwhile, the recipient is relieved to know that they are not the only person certain things have happened to; they no longer feel so alone.

Being of Service doesn’t have to only mean that I need to help an elderly person cross the street, or serve food at a homeless shelter, or take a friend to an appointment, or donate money to charity. Don’t get me wrong, those are all great service-oriented acts of kindness. Yet, doing something you love and that brings you pleasure, which happens to benefit others, even when you don’t know who those “others” are, can also be considered – Being of Service to others.

Today, being of service is getting out of my head and sharing these thoughts with whoever may stumble upon my blog and want to read this post.

Do what you love, share it with the world…Be of Service to others.

What will you offer the world today?

Mindfulness

The Invitation

Gallery January 25, 2013 Own The View Cr8ives

While browsing in the bookstore a few years ago, I came across this little book. I was intrigued by the cover because I love sunflowers. Then I noticed the author’s name Oriah and wondered if it had a meaning. It turns out that Oriah means “light of God” in Hebrew. I opened the book and saw the first line of the poem and I was hooked.

At the time of coming across this book I had someone in my life who constantly felt the need to, in my opinion, brag about what other people had and what they did for a living. Great that he knew influential people, but I don’t care what other people have or have not, their occupation, or their status. I want to know people’s heart and go below the surface of a person to get to know who they truly are, not what they project. So, this poem came right on time for me.

The Invitation

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,  if you have been opened by life’s betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Perspective

My 2013: Change it, Improve it, Make my mark upon it!!

Gallery January 3, 2013 Own The View Cr8ives

Steve Jobs is an interesting personality. Since his death I’ve become enthralled in his story. I would love to sit down with him for a chat. His philosophy of life speaks volumes and connects with the way I live my life. During a 1994 PBS interview Jobs essentially says that people try to form your world for you as you are growing up and that society doesn’t really want you to have your own thoughts or personality. You must conform!

I, like Jobs, do not believe that conformity is the key to a happy life, it actually limits your life. Jobs says, “…everything around you that you call life, was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, mold it, you can influence it…shake off this erroneous notion that life is there and you’re just gonna live in it, versus embrace it, change it, improve it, make your mark upon it”.

The earlier chapters in my story consisted of going along with status quo: college, marriage, kids, and working. I don’t regret any part of those events because they’ve made me who I am today and have laid the foundation for the next chapter in my life, which will consist of helping people heal their past, embrace the present, and shape a more positive future. That will be the mark I leave on this world. I am so excited to embrace all possibilities in 2013!!

Steve Jobs in interview for PBS‘ ‘One Last Thing’ documentary, 1994

“When you grow up you tend to get told the world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money.

That’s a very limited life. Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact, and that is – everything around you that you call life, was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it….”