Word of the Week: Greatness!

 

 

 

"The greatness comes not when things go always good for you. But the greatness comes when you're really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes. Because only if you've been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain."

 

-Richard Milhouse Nixon

 

 

"Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness."

-Oprah Winfrey

 

 

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but really great people make you feel that you too, can become great.

 

-Mark Twain 

 

 

***

 

 

 

I can't think of anything that inspires me more to consider life's endless possibilities and opportunities, than gazing at a beautiful sky.

 

 Greatness.

 

What an encompassing and beautiful ideal to aspire too.

 

We all have the potential to be great. Even if it applies to only one talent, skill, gift... isn't it worth aspiring too? 

 

I hope these quotes will inspire you to explore and discover your own path to greatness, this week and every week.

 

 ***

And some new posts at my other blogs:
 

 

Veggies, Yarns & Tails: Mr. Cheddar and the Scoop on Pet Food Storage

 

My Poetic Path: Autumn Feast. A Tau-Ku Poem

 

My Real Life Reviews: Sea Glass Hearts (book review)

 

 

Word of the Week: Catch-Up!

 

 

 

 

 

I'm planning for a catch-up week that might stretch to more like a month. LOL 

 

My desk "pile" (overflowing into a box now...) has gotten a bit "unruly" as of late. LOL In particular, a backlog of books and also some products to review, over at: My Real Life Reviews .

 

I'm also waiting on several book reviews pending for my two new poetry books and more review copies coming in the mail right now, so I know how frustrating it can be to wait. My apologies to anyone who's sent me a book that I haven't reviewed yet. It is NOT forgotten.

 

I'm also working on my novel. Still going great but every time I think I'm almost done, the plot "takes off" in another direction! I'll take it though. So much better than the blank screen/page/mind syndrome. ;<) We've all been there, right?

 

I have a gazillion projects on the go but I know so well that focusing and finishing one at a time, is always the best course of action, if at all possible. Or alternately, having a goal of a portion to complete, on any given day. That works too, especially for larger projects.

 

So, it's catch-up week here. I hope I've inspired you to work on your own pile of projects too. It's soooo satisfying to get them completed!

 

Happy Week, G :<)

Word of the Week: Talisman

 

 

Do you believe in talismans?

 

  

This gorgeous "sachet" type talisman above was made for me by a friend who is a good (white)witch. It contains various herbs and plants believed to ward off evil.

 

 I have it on the back of our front door, along with: a rosary, cross, (very) small totem ...covering all the bases, so to speak. ;<)
 

This lovely talisman is also an ongoing reminder of my friend's concern and support, while I was going through a very difficult time. That kind of friendship is a gift and a treasure. Her thoughtfulness in making this personal and unique gift for me meant so much.

 

 

 

This is my writing talisman.

 

 I wear it when I'm working on creative writing projects. Another gift. I love the symbolism of the sun, the light, shining....all good.

Some writers wear hats, a certain T-shirt etc... I like my sun necklace.
 

 

I'm also sharing an archive haiku/haiga over at My Poetic Path today, featuring the theme: talisman. Hope you'll stop by to see that too.

 

 

 

I wish you a week filled with wonders of all kinds, including luck and good fortune.

 

 

Don't forget your talisman! ;<)

 

 

 

 

Talisman:

- an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune

 

- something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects

 

Definition courtesy of Merriam Webster.com

 

 



 



A LOL with Mr. Cheddar and His New Pal !!

Mr. Cheddar and his new pal JJ !!

 

 

Feel free to leave a caption if one comes to mind.

 

 

For me, it's: RIDE THE CHAMPION!

 

Remember those mechanical horses they use to have at malls and grocery stores? Maybe they still do! I loved riding the Champion. Looks like JJ does too.

 

I don't know if the Chedster is all that amused though. ;<)

 

 

Wishing you a happy week with LOTS of LOL's.

Word of the Week: Focus

FOCUS

 

It's so easy to get distracted, isn't it?

To have our thoughts go in all different directions, instead of being focused on one thing at a time. This is an issue I am constantly working on.

But I know how important it is to be focused. In theory at least. ;<)

If we are going to do our best work on any kind of project or task, we can't also be mulling over: what to make for supper, whether the plants need watering, filing nails at the same time...the list goes on and on.

 I have also been making an effort recently not to get signed up for too many "extras" online, that take up time and often in rather trivial ways including: too many newsletters, email alerts...lots of distractions. I'm also not a fan of Facebook or Twitter anymore. I know a lot of people just love these social media sites but for me, they were just more ways to waste precious time.

On the other hand, I don't consider blogging a waste of time, at all. I find it energizing and stimulating. Writing posts and visiting my (many) fav blogs. These pursuits add to my day, in a positive and productive way. Within reason for blogging time, of course!!! LOL 

I have a number of wonderful and diverse creative projects on the go right now that I am really excited about. I'm swamped, but in a good way! But in order to proceed with all of them productively, I need to have a plan each day what I'll be working on.

 Focusing...instead of randomly trying to work on several tasks and getting diverted and distracted along the way.

Multi-tasking appears to be productive but apparently it isn't. That's been proven again and again. I blogged about multi-tasking vs chunking  previously here.

I hope you find this word/mantra for the week helpful with your own creative pursuits.

WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND PRODUCTIVE WEEK!  :<)

Word of the Week: Open

OPEN

 

Being open to new ideas, suggestions, opinions...I think it's so important.

 Something that I've noted in my own life, again and again. When I had a belief, opinion, sometimes a misconception... about a particular topic, then did a complete "360" after talking to someone or reading an alternate opinion. Sometimes right away and sometimes, it took some time.

 

Being open keeps us "in the loop" vibrant, young at heart. Not that it isn't good to have personal beliefs that don't change and are part of who we are. But there are so many things that aren't "written in stone". That might at some time, be good to take another look at. Listen with an open heart.

 

Nothing is more beautiful than a flower, just opening it's beauty to the world.

Here's to being open and as fresh as a blooming flower, throughout life.

Makes things interesting too, don't you think? :<)

 

Wishing You a Wonderful Week! 

Word of the Week: Evolve

I'm participating over at One Single Impression today. The prompt this week is shortcut.

I loved the prompt and wrote a haiku for it.

One of the words I used in my haiku was: evolve. Another word I love.

You can see my One Single Impression post here.

As I said in my haiku, we really do evolve "all in good time" I think. There are no shortcuts.

When we try to rush things, strain against the supposed "obstacles" that come up along the way, it rarely seems to work. Struggling to speed things up, in terms of where we think we should be heading and what we should be doing.

To evolve....to continue to learn, grow and improve. 

Wishing you a wonderful week on your life's journey. Namaste!

Word of the Week: Productivity!

I've been away from blogging for the past month, working on a number of offline projects.

It's been a most productive month! :<) 

I finished up a number of craft projects that have been "in the works" some for a long time including a couple of gifts I sewed. Book orders ready and sent. Proposals I'm working on....

The crafts, I'll  be sharing over at Veggies...in the near future, with photos.

 The weather was for the most part was toooo hot to enjoy much outdoor activity so I wasn't tempted to venture outside all that much. I am not a fan of overly hot weather.

I also completed my haiku poetry book: Haiku Reflections; The Four Seasons, now available for sale over at Amazon. Again, another project I was happy to complete and also happy with the results.

And I've been working through the edits of my novel. Again, going very well. I'm really feeling hopeful and positive about the story I've written. Some knowledgeable (former and new) contacts in the book biz. have "surfaced" recently, so I'm getting some pointers/advice how best to proceed after I'm finished with all the edits and ready to go from there. 

 I was procrastinating on this project, truth be told. After I had finished my first draft, I was excited and at the same time, apprehensive about the next step in the process. But now that I have gotten past that hurdle and have actually started working to finish the book, I am really feeling good about my work.

A long time ago, a man I was involved with shared this quote with me, apparently credited to L. Ron Hubbard, of Scientology "fame". I'm NOT a fan of Scientology but I did like this quote and I never forgot it:

"Production is the Basis of all Morale"

I don't know about the ALL part but being productive is so energizing, when it comes to creative projects. Taking an ordinary or even bad day and turning it around for the better.

Another quote I like:

"Just begin, the inspiration will follow."

This one shared by a famous Canadian painter I had the privilege to interview years ago.

Sometimes, we don't feel like starting. I know that only too well. But the inspiration DOES follow. The best way to begin, is, to begin (my quote) and it's so true.

Best of luck with all your creative pursuits too! When we encourage and support each other, it's even easier to be productive I believe. Positive vibes and energy, love it!!!!

I'll be catching up with all my blog visiting this week.

Happy Week!

Word of the Week: Goodness

I decided to resurrect my "word of the week" posts, to share a word that's been on my mind a lot lately:

goodness.

I tend to be overly sensitive and regularly get "bogged down" when I read or see stories about violence, cruelty, inhumanity....They come to mind, again and again and often stop me from sleeping too. I'm not one of those lucky people that can "hit the pillow" and be out like a light. My mind tends to go into overdrive on many a night and often not with happy, peaceful thoughts.

At the same time, this simple but rather profound thought came to me a while back and it has helped me to cope a bit more when dark thoughts come to mind.

And that good thought is how things in the world seem to balance out and still favor the goodness of people in general. The stories that aren't always front and center. There are lots of them. The inspiring people who do more than their share to "do the right thing" and make a difference for the better, on a regular basis.

Yes, the darkness, the evil is always there. The free will that has gone so far astray for too many people, for whatever reasons.

But the goodness, the light is always shining too and hopefully, still out-weighing, the bad things that happen in this world. Miracles, good deeds, beauty, ethics, truth, intergrity....it's all there. 

 

***

 

 

PS: I'm taking a blog break starting this week, for the rest of July.
Time to get outside and off the computer.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

A Rainy Week Haiku

We've had a week of almost non-stop rain, here in Interior BC and more to come.

I was going through some previous haiku posts over at My Poetic Path this past week and noted this one. Thought it was in keeping with the current weather and forecast too. It's one of my favs actually.

 I remember taking this photo and wondering at the time if it would show up as well in a photo as the reality was. I think it did.

Hope you have a lovely week. :<)

And hope to see some of you over at One Single Impression too.

The prompt this week is: crystal. My suggestion, so I will definitely be there LOL.

It's a Sunny Sunday!

It's a sunny day, here in Interior BC. I hope it lasts.

What a treat to see the clouds roll away....

  Happy Summer Solstice too! :<(

A Cool Summer Haiku!

This is especially for those of you who are enduring hot, summer weather right now.

A haiku/haiga that's been getting quite a few page views in recent days, over at My Poetic Path. I hope it helps to bring cooling thoughts to mind.

Here in Interior BC it's far from hot. I'm still wearing a sweater this morning. But I have lots on the go so the weather is not a distraction like it would be, if it was a perfect, sunny day. LOL

Happy Thursday. :<)

BRRRRR.....Baby, It's Cold Outside!

The forecast for Interior BC continues to be rain, rain and more rain.

A predicted HIGH today of only 9C! BRRRRR....

Wowsa. I'm no hot weather fan when it gets to the other end of extreme but I am getting tired of wearing sweaters in June. Speaking of sweaters, I haven't even bothered to take my summer clothes out for this year. If this keeps up, I probably won't have to.

What's your weather been like?

Oh well, a good weekend to stay indoors and get lots of things done online and in the kitchen, etc...and I've got plenty of projects I'm working on!

Happy Weekend, whatever your weather brings. :<)


PS: Monday June 11th. Happened to notice this video on the Weather Network. SNOW in Manitoba!!! I'm wondering if that's headed this way too. Weird weather indeed.

A Serene Scene and Excellent Book to Recommend

I'm currently finishing my haiku book. I also started re-reading: Haiku Mind by Patricia Donegan recently.

Ms. Donegan brings up a good point in Haiku Mind, reminding the reader to be in the moment, savor the moment...in even the mundane, every day tasks we do each day. Taking out the garbage, she stopped to commune with a butterfly. Enjoying the quiet before beginning a busy day. Just one example from the book that really made me think.

One of the aspects of haiku that I like the most is how a single moment or experience can be expressed/revisited, in only three short lines/ 17 syllables, in the traditional haiku form. It really is a magical form of poetry in my opinion!

Life IS the journey, not the destination. So true. We can miss a lot along the way that can bring us joy, peace....right here, right now; if we are always dwelling on the tomorrows and our plans for the future.

If you haven't read Haiku Mind, it's an excellent book. I reviewed it last year at My Real Life Reviews. You can read the full review here.

Hope you savor a tranquil moment; enjoying this "serene scene" and have a great week!