Archive for Creative Living
Walking Your Talk-Jigme Norbu on Walk for Tibet
Posted by: | Comments
I had the honor to interview Jigme Norbu on his imminent Walk for Tibet Florida event and understand the wider causes he supports: World Peace, Human Compassion & Tibetan Independence.
Here is the replay of the interview. http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=17203125
Jigme, like many, is using his voice and in his case his legs, to literally Walk the Talk. To stand up for what he believes in and tirelessly spread the global message for which he walks, and talks, and walks and talks.
Some people get excited to ask ‘what would you die for’, when a more empowering question may be ‘what would you live for’?How about you? What do you stand for, and stand up for?
Creative Civility, Compassion & Communication
Posted by: | CommentsToday is officially set aside to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his message; his dream made all the more urgent with recent events in Tuscon which had President Obama pleading for more civility and care in our relations with each other.
This requires we draw upon personal resources of kindness, tolerance and goodwill that psychologists are expressing concern our current youth lack. Rather, according to reports, they have grown into a generation of self absorbed narcissists who feel entitled to meet their needs before (or without) considering the common good.
From my perspective as an educator, I recognize that many behaviors stem from role models. This spreads responsibility to parents, teachers and other adults to demonstrate appropriate behavior. I know from my work with companies that many adults feel the humanity squeezed out of them by relentless demands at work, coupled with Read More→
Breed Productivity in Environment of Awesomeness
Posted by: | Comments
I have a new ‘friend’ Phoebe who has called me twice now. She calls and tells me I’m awesome…pretty cool, if ticklish. Ironically, I nearly hung up on her the first call, assuming she was a nice but psychologically astute salesperson.
Now this is, to my knowledge, nothing kinky, but rather part of a service by a company called www.AwesomenessReminders.com. Apparently someone has paid to have this message anonymously delivered to me weekly for a period of time unknown to me. They may be trying out the free 7 day trial offer, or maybe the one month subscription.
The sender is kept a secret, although if you request to know who it is by email the company may tell you. I suspect the sender gets the option to allow the unveiling or not.
So it got me thinking…is there any advantage either to know who is sending me these messages or NOT to know? When I consider my pantheon of friends, colleagues or clients who might be sending me such lovely messages, it seems to me Read More→
Jumpstart Your Joy with Creative Play!
Posted by: | CommentsTake a few moments out to jumpstart your joy by taking a peek at this video. Pretty funny bit of feline fabulousity!
Laughter, along with physical movement, re-awakens your energy system too. Tarzan knew what he was doing by thumping his chest- he was stimulating his immune system! You try it! (Tarzan yell recommended, but optional!)
Creative Inclusion for Jolly, Productive Holidays
Posted by: | CommentsHolidays are often anticipated and experienced as jolly and joyful.
However, they can also often be fraught with frustrations over strained or estranged relationships, with social activities you may or may not want to attend but feel obliged to, with having to dress and participate in activities that are not your usual choice of how to spend time, and also by NOT being invited to certain activities. This can leave you feeling left out, unpopular or ostracized.
I just read that the definition of ostracize comes from Read More→
Creative Focus on 2011-Cruising or Full Steam Ahead?
Posted by: | Comments2011 is upon us, yet there is still time to assure not only a prosperous end to 2010, but also setting the scene for a most rich and satisfying 2011, in every sense of what is meant by Creative Living.
One key will be your ability to FOCUS on what really matters to you along with PLANNING YOUR WORK & WORKING YOUR PLAN utilizing key strategies designed to support your desired outcomes. You could ‘cruise’ into the new year or charge ‘full steam ahead’, or both!
So here I am, writing to you from the shores of Barbados while on a working (yes, really!) cruise with fellow Internet Marketers. Along with playing ‘hard’, we are, indeed, carving out time to work hard (I know, relative term!) too. So while I am cruising in one sense of the word, I am actually charging full steam ahead with focusing and planning for success in terms of how I’m spending my time and focusing my mental energy. While appearing to be lounging on deck, my brain is actually churning out projects and imagining next steps.
So how about you? What areas of work or life would it behoove you to give more Focused Attention to? Your health? Your career? Cashflow? Technical skill development? Family life? Love life? Community involvement? Household honey-do items that have languished undone far too long? I know I have lots yet to do in several of these areas to close out my year in good consciensce.
So go ahead, use the Spotlight Frame (thinking tool) to identify some key Focus areas- both broad overview type focus areas as well as tight and narrow focus areas. Then map out a range of steps overall which would take you from idea to implementation. And then, specify several next steps for each area of focus. Set a timeframe to TAKE ACTION on them, and get started!
You’ll simultaneously feel a welcome sense of completion while also gaining momentum for the year to come.
(No, Virginia, this is NOT the North Pole!)
Healthy Brain Chemistry Creates Equal Opportunity Business
Posted by: | CommentsRelating male-female relationship dynamics to productivity in the workplace may initially seem a stretch, even though we all know how motivation and morale are affect by how people get along in any environment. Dr. John Gray, of Mars Venus fame, puts it down to brain chemistry. Healthy brain chemistry leads to better relationship dynamics, which in turn leads to greater effectiveness and productivity. The thing is, the process is not automatic. However, once the dynamic is known, individuals or businesses can design in activities or systems to support the best of brain chemistry outcomes.
Dr. Gray’s studies led him to understand that in order to stimulate certain hormones, we need a combination of doing what we need for ourselves along with receiving input from others we work and relate with. In this day and age of potential for labeling something as sexist because it treats males and females differently, we must be clear that brain chemistry is equal opportunity. In a similar way, equal opps was taken to ridiculous extremes that lead to installing the same number of stalls in male and female restrooms. The reality is, Read More→
Perceptual Shift: ‘Ladies First’ Creates Equal Opportunity Relationships
Posted by: | CommentsWe have become used to the conversation over the last two to three decades of gender differences, accompanied by a range of why’s and wherefores. Now John Gray of Mars Venus fame is back with ‘Venus on Fire,Mars on Ice’, giving us a rationale based on biochemistry and hormones. What? Reduce love, sex and the rocky road of relationships to that? “How unsatisfying!”, say the reporters and romantics who just don’t get it. If you can hang on long enough to get past the scientific language, the underlying concepts are fairly simple and provide a roadmap of sorts to allow both sexes to get what we want and need from each other. Ironically, one of the biggest shortcomings in relationships falls back on us as individuals; that old adage of being willing to take responsibility for our own happiness. But, I digress.
The crux of the matter is that our modern lifestyle breeds Read More→
Authentic Performance as Creative Living – No Debate!
Posted by: | Comments
Recently I was a parent judge at a regional high school debate (forensics) tournament at which over 600 students participated. I continue to be amazed at the high caliber of student performances, whether the events were Lincoln-Douglas or Public Forum Debates, extemporaneous speaking, dramatic literary performances of poetry, prose or speeches, or Duo interpretations.
We judge on various criteria: performing within the rules of each event, time keeping, complexity of material, presentational use of voice and gestures in expressing the material and coordination of partners in Duo performances.
Across events, I noted that, all other factors considered, the key underlying factor in whether a student ranked highly was their ability to Read More→
Brain Chemistry in Your Relationship Lab
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve had the chance to spend some time with Dr.John Gray of Mars Venus fame. He’s due to come speak in my city soon, and while excited about welcoming an author of his celebrity status, local reporters so far seem not to ‘get’ what his core message is. The science is confusing them. His new book, Mars and Venus on Ice, discusses the impact of bio-chemistry on relationships.
He asks why it is that most women love to meander and socialize while shopping, whereas most men prefer a quick ‘go in-get what they need and get out’ approach? Believe it or not, the reasons are rooted in both neurochemistry and evolution.
Women have traditionally been nurturers and gatherers, working in gaggles searching out the best options for their families. Meanwhile, men were the hunters, out for the kill to bring home. Their pride was stroked and stoked by rapid results.
Maybe it’s a chicken and egg thing, but Read More→
