Catherine Massaro, in a previous life as a previous wife (a doctor’s wife and wildly funny artist, specifically) shares an anecdote for the creative pride in all of us.
why politics, artists and children don’t mix
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Author Archives: Mental Messages
fail to plan and you plan to fail
Jay Jacobs shares how a universal wisdom unexpectedly reveals itself at a routine business conference.
the all has spoken: this is my job
Jef Beuhler shares an excerpt from his book of poetry that literally came to him from nowhere and speaks volumes.
just a memory away
Just when you’re having a lonely moment, your memories can have a way of being there for you.
food, food, food
Alicia Eaton Lewis recalls an out-of-the-blue project that took on a whole new meaning and yielded a surprising result.
when we were kids
According to a real-life laundry list, those of us who were kids in the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s or even the early 80’s, probably shouldn’t have survived.
you’ve got to find what you love
Steve jobs said you have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let him down, and it made all the difference in his life.
enjoy the journey
“I had no idea what lay ahead…” Designer Ann Willoughby explores the amazing power of collaboration. Her rules of the creative road? Make a place where ideas flourish. And trust the process.
feel the fear and do it anyway
Many things we avoid because of fear of the outcome, the experience, the sorrow and pain. The list goes on and on and on. I’m sure you’ve heard it said, “feel the fear and do it anyway!” Well, that’s right. There are times, and you know when they are, that it’s easier to avoid the pain of conflict or sorrow and swallow our feelings to go about as status quo, not spoiling the apple cart. Well all this does is perpetuate the problems we’ve been avoiding. It allows them to fester, and that can be awful, as festering gets uglier the more you let it happen. A clearing, a breakthrough, a weight lifting off your shoulders doesn’t happen by letting things go by the wayside. It takes some heavy lifting to move the unpleasant obstacles from our lives. But once we address them, look them straight in the eye and confront them once and for all, they will almost undoubtedly run away so fast that they won’t know what hit them. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be! Because if they were really so big and hairy, they’d stand up to your command and come right back and bite you in the arse!
The tears that accompany this let you know this is something that really bothers you, it hurts. The the fact that the inner turmoil exists is why we cry. Life s meant to be wonderful and when we cry, it’s telling us something feels bad. And almost as soon as we have the cry, the tears flow, and what seemed almost insurmountable can pretty much disappear. Once you faced the demons, they’re not so scary any more. Out them, shame them, erase them. You’ll feel 100% better. And if they creep back up, keep steadfast to your feelings. Don’t let them get the best of you. You’re stronger than you think. It’s been said that “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle” and we’re all FAR MORE CAPABLE of taking on way more then we ever thought we could, believe you me! Even if it takes some persistence on your part, the more you look the devil in the face, the easier he’ll slink away!
At the beginning of this brand new year, we’ve all committed to resolutions, plans to make us fell better about ourselves and others. And there is no better time than RIGHT NOW to put your assertions out there, fearful or not, and stand up strong in your conviction! Feel the fear and do it anyway! Be the best you can be, in all things you choose as no one can get in the way of your dreams. And if the demons decide to visit again, have another go at them. They WILL go away, with their tails between there legs, and you can relish in the comfort of knowing that you’re stronger than them, better than them, and way more capable than you think! And take that!
365 Tao, messages to live by
As the holidays pass and the year comes to a close, we all look for new resolutions to ring in the new year, those addressing our hopes and dreams for a fresh, new start. There is no better time to begin the cultivation of your inner self and look within for your answers. This year, start the year on a brand new journey and give yourself the gift of YOU.
Taoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao, which is the mechanism of everything that exists. The word “Tao” is usually translated as “way”, “path” or “principle”, although the word also means “nature” as in the nature of all things as well as the natural world.
In 1992, Deng Ming-Dao created a book that was very different than those that came before it. 365 Tao was a guide into the tenants of Taoist philosophy through guided meditation. It’s intent was not to be read in one sitting. Instead the reader was encouraged to read one page a day for a year and use the readings as a basis for their daily meditation. My husband, Jay and I have found great comfort in 365 Tao ever since our first life-altering tragedy back in the early 90′s, and it was then that we developed a stronger interest in self-cultivation. Since then, we’ve tapped into it throughout our lives, as it’s a wonderful little nugget with passages of guidance for every day of the year. The principle of 365 Tao is to encourage you to explore the fundamentals on your own, as that’s where the true experience lies. Paraphrased from the introduction, there are thousands of people exploring Taoism for answers they can’t find in their own culture. In this worthy search, 365 Tao can be such a companion, especially when life appears discouraging.
A gift to you for 2012. It’ll be one of the the best 10 bucks you’ve ever spent!