Do you guys know about the Optimist Creed?  It was written over 100 years ago by Christian Larson.  I love it when something so old is completely and totally relevant today…such a classic!  It’s beauty also lies in the fact that this can be used for anything…illness & disease, business, sports, motherhood, fatherhood, relationships, teachers…it’s just a great over all way to live.

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Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

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I think I’ll print this out and add it to my mirror so I can read every morning and night!!

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So I got sucked into the movie Castaway with Tom Hanks the other night.  I had forgotten what a great movie it is.  For those who haven’t seen it, basically he gets into a plane crash and gets washed up alive on a deserted island.  Most of the movie is just him on this island and how he survives for over 4 years there and eventually makes it back home.  He says something at the end of the movie (once he’s back home) that I think is so powerful.  Here’s the quote:

“We both had done the math. Kelly added it all up and… knew she had to let me go. I added it up, and knew that I had… lost her. ‘cos I was never gonna get off that island. I was gonna die there, totally alone. I was gonna get sick, or get injured or something. The only choice I had, the only thing I could control was when, and how, and where it was going to happen. So… I made a rope and I went up to the summit, to hang myself. I had to test it, you know? Of course. You know me. And the weight of the log, snapped the limb of the tree, so I-I – , I couldn’t even kill myself the way I wanted to. I had power over *nothing*. And that’s when this feeling came over me like a warm blanket. I knew, somehow, that I had to stay alive. Somehow. I had to keep breathing. Even though there was no reason to hope. And all my logic said that I would never see this place again. So that’s what I did. I stayed alive. I kept breathing. And one day my logic was proven all wrong because the tide came in, and gave me a sail. And now, here I am. I’m back. In Memphis, talking to you. I have ice in my glass… And I’ve lost her all over again. I’m so sad that I don’t have Kelly. But I’m so grateful that she was with me on that island. And I know what I have to do now. I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?”

Sometimes we can feel so hopeless, and all your logic may be telling you you’re completely screwed but if you just keep breathing, if you just keep living in the breath, and stay, at the very, very least, neutral (not positive or negative), you never know what will open up for you.

According to the Accurate and Reliable Dictionary (compared to all those phony, unreliable ones), hope is defined as a desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy. 

Next time you feel like you have no control, or you’re just feeling really lousy, whatever you do, don’t give up hope because you never know what the tide will bring!

I am so thrilled!  I won 4 tickets to take a ride on Thomas the Train!!  I’m excited for my little guys, but I’m super excited because I actually won something, and super duper excited about how I did it!

It’s a pretty cool story about how it all came about.

I have this video downloaded on my computer and it’s been sitting on my desktop for months and months now (maybe even years), but I hadn’t viewed it.  So last week, I realized it was there (for the 100th time) but this time I decided to check it out.  I had no idea what it was.  So I hit play and began listening to this 83 year old woman named Helene Hadsell (I had to google her to find out who she is!).  She blew me away.  She actually sorta kinda reminded me of my grandmother…Nanny B!  Anyway, she had my full attention.

She is known as the “Winning Sage“.  Her whole life she has been winning contests, sweepstakes, whatever you want to call them…she wins!  Here’s how she does it (and how I did it): S.P.E.C.

S: Select it.  (What is it that you want?  Pick it out.)

P: Project it.  (See yourself with the thing you selected.  How does it feel?  Visualize yourself wearing it, using it, riding on it (Thomas the Train), whatever it is, you have to project it out there.)

E:  Expect it.  (Have complete faith and trust that you will get what you want.)

C:  Collect it.  (It’s yours…go get it!)

This was taken in 2008 when we drove to Rusk, Tx to see Thomas.

So I watch the video, google her to find out who this amazing woman is, and then I decide to go to a site that I frequent called Moms Like Me.  Right there on the home page is a contest to win Thomas tickets.  So of course I enter!  I wanted to take the boys on this awesome train ride.  I saw us riding the train and visualized the reaction on my kids faces when they see it’s a real live Thomas.  I expected to win.  I would have bought tickets, but I just knew I was going to win so I didn’t.  Then yesterday I get an email saying I won and my tickets will be at will call for whatever day I want to go!!

HAHA I would say I can’t believe it, but I can!  I knew I would win.  I did exactly what Helene (my new grandmother, by the way told me to do.

I am just so thrilled by this!  You know, she’s really just using the Law of Attraction to get what she wants.  She never mentioned LOA on the video I viewed or anything that I saw online about her, but that’s exactly what she does.  I just love it!

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Unfortunately the file size is too big for me to post the video.  I really wanted you to watch it, but doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to get it on here.  (I’ve been trying to get it to upload for some time now, but my server isn’t allowing me that space…my computer knowledge doesn’t extend beyond that

And as a side note…this picture of my family in front of Thomas was when we drove to Rusk, Tx in 2008.  Since the boys are older now and Miles (my little one) is totally diggin’ Thomas I think this time will be even better!

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Firsts are always exciting, always fun, and always eye opening.  This is my first blog post where I’m featuring someone.

I love it when I find people that are living their passion, and Gina Marie Dunn is doing just that!  She is an artist living in Dallas and I ran across her work at a cool little (affordable!) art gallery called Artisan Style (where my jewelry is being sold as well).  I noticed her art earlier this month at the gallery…she has an awesome heart collection that I just love (no pun intended!).  It’s not only perfect for Valentine’s month, but perfect for when you need a splash of red on your walls!

Gina Marie sells online through Etsy and does custom work.  Check it out!  She’s truly fantastic.

*Education: BA in Communitcations/Public Relations from Loyola University New Orleans, Minor inStudio Arts

*Current City/Hometown: live in Dallas, originally from Brooklyn, NY

*Tell me about your work in one sentence: With the subject matter of my paintings varying from cellular abstractions to modern landscapes, there is a dreamlike, organic aspect to my work that is always apparent.
*Describe your normal day. What would your *ideal* day be like? On a “Normal” day, I am up at 6:00 a.m. to get in a run before my husband and three kids are up at 7:30 (I am training for my sixth half marathon), then hubby is off to work and the kids and I spend the morning either hanging out outside if weather permits, playing with toys, or going to and from activities.  If the planets aligns and everyone takes afternoon naps at the same time I usually get some time to paint out in my studio. Painting time has been very limited lately with the arrival of our third child just three and a half weeks ago, but I look forward to painting more when the baby gets on a more regular schedule in the next few months.  Right now I am just enjoying my kids as much as possible because they grow so fast.

*What are your passions? my family and friends, art, yoga

*What are your goals? to become an internationally recognized artist and to raise a happy family in a loving home

*Who are your creative influences? Marc Chagall, Vincent Van Gogh, Joseph Cornell, Frida Kahlo

*Are there any other relevant experiences that shaped who you are today and what you do? It is in my blood to create. My mother is an amazing artist who has taught me so much about painting. I still have so much to learn from her.  She’s the only one in my family who will give me an honest critique!

*Is there anyone (celebrity, dead, alive, in your life) that you really look up to as an inspiration? While pregnant with my third child, I have painted more than I ever have in my life. The pregnancy was a very difficult one, full of concerns and worries, and to process all of the stressful news we received I took the term “art therapy” to a whole new level.  I painted through bouts of insomnia and turned them into productive hours in the studio. Luckily our prayers were answered and our son was born perfect and healthy, but the experience of carrying him has changed me forever, and I lovingly call him my little muse.  I feel some of my best work has been created in the past nine months.

*What motivates you on a daily basis?  Do you have a “guilty pleasure” that you can’t miss out on to get you going? On a daily basis, I am motivated by fresh air, sunshine and the laughter of my children. My “guilty pleasure” comes at the end of the day when the kids are in bed and my husband and I cuddle on the couch and indulge in our favorite TV shows and nightly dessert of chocolate chip cookies or an ice cream sundae.  I would rather run five miles every day mainly so I can enjoy dessert at night!
*What’s your working style?  Do you work for 12 hours straight nonstop, or do you take lots of breaks? Although I could easily work the day away if given the opportunity (I have too many ideas for my own good sometimes),  being the mother of three children under four simply does not allow for that.  My family is and always will be my first priority. Instead, I work in spurts, whenever I can carve some time out of the day, whether that is late in the evenings, early mornings, on Fridays when I have help at home, just whenever.
Website: web.mac.com/utopiapkwy
Art Blog: http://utopiapkwyarts.blogspot.com/
Etsy site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/UtopiaPkwyArtStudi0
Twitter: @lvartmom
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32300883549&ref=ts

As I hope you know by now, I contribute to a great non-profit organization called Spirit Jump.  Their mission is to give hope and comfort to the many men, women, and children battling cancer.  They do this by sending cards and inspirational gifts to lift the spirits of those experiencing that difficult time.

I sent many cards and Self Symmetry jewelry to cancer patients in 2009, but this year I want to step it up a bit!  I’m leading a team in the 1st annual Cards 4 Cancer Day, which is April 10, 2010.  What I’ll be doing is gathering cards from now until then.  Then on April 10th, I will be delivering all the cards to Texas Oncololgy – Medical City Dallas.

So, I need your help!  I’m looking for team members.  All you have to do as a team member is gather cards.  These cards don’t have to be anything fancy.  They can be homemade or store bought.  They can be scribbles from a 2 year old, a fun drawing from a 5th grader, or an uplifting message from your coworker.  It doesn’t matter.  I don’t know who will get what card, so it doesn’t have to be addressed to anyone in particular.  The only requirement is that the message be positive!  It would also be great if “Spirit Jump” was somewhere on the card so the recipient will know what organization it came from.  If they find the card helpful and it lifted their spirit then they can log onto Spirit Jump’s website and register to receive more cards and gifts.

If you’re a team member all you have to do is help me gather cards.  You can gather 5 or 500, I don’t care!  You can ask your child’s school or classroom, your coworkers, church, family, friends….basically anyone you can think of.  Would be fun to have a card making party too!  Or, if you don’t necessarily want to be a team member but want to buy or make a card you can do that as well.  Just send me the card and I’ll get it to a person battling cancer.

I don’t have a number for a goal in mind, but let’s just say this…I want to gather a ton of cards.  This is so easy, so thoughtful, and it can mean so much to someone.  Just think how cool it would be to go to a radiation treatment and have a card or two waiting for you.  The thought of knowing that people care about you and are praying for you right before you have a procedure or right after you get some news about your disease.   It really can make the difference in someone’s day.

Let’s show those battling cancer how much we love and care for them.

If you’d like to be a team member, let me know!  Leave a comment, email me, let me know on FB, tweet me…just let me know!  If you just want to send a card that would be awesome too.  Again, just let me know.  I’ll get you my address.

I’m looking forward to gathering cards and doing some good.  Thank you SO much!

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One of my favorite book of poems is by a guy that I randomly met at one of the yoga studios I taught at.  He wasn’t a yoga student (of the studio), but he was there promoting his book at an event the studio was having.  His name is Dan Coppersmith.  I was trying to find my favorite poem of his, but I literally could not pick my fav.  They are ALL so good and beautifully done.

I’ve had this book for 5 years or so, and I always go back to it.  At times, I read from it to my yoga students and when I do I always have someone ask me what I was reading from.  So…I randomly picked one today to share with you.  Here it is:

Food For Thought

Sometimes we whine
Gripe and complain
Singing the victim’s
Familiar refrain

Blaming the world
For all that’s wrong
Each new day
The same old song

It’s a trap we crawl into
A place where we hide
Keeping our spirit
Stuffed deep inside

Somehow forgetting
We determine our fate
That the life which we lead
We chose to create

Each decision we make
Each thought we embrace
Affects the complexion
Of the world we face

If our food for thought
Is a negative meal
That is what
We will taste as real

If we dwell on anger
Injustice and pain
We’ll tend to attract
More of the same

If we suffer, hopeless
At the mercy of all
We are the ones
Keeping us small

Placing the blame
On somebody else
Puts the solution
Outside of ourselves

Recognizing
We are Source
Awakens the captain
To master his course.

Dan Coppersmith

I highly recommend this book.  It’s called “The Elusive Here & Now”.  And, as a bonus, Dan is an amazing nature photographer and the book is filled with beautiful pics.  You can click here to buy it.  Or, go to his website (which I have been browsing and loving) and look at all the amazing nature shots he has gotten!

Have a great weekend you guys and don’t forget…You are the captain!

Okay, so I’m limited in time today to write something profound and genius like I usually do…haha  But – this came into my inbox and I find it so enlightening (no punn intended…read more and you’ll see what I mean!).

“Enlightenment means literally aligning to the Energy of my Source. And genius is only about focusing. Law of Attraction takes care of everything else. Physical humans often want to make enlightenment about finding some process and moving through the process that has been pre-described. But true enlightenment is moving to the rhythm of the internal inspiration that is coming in response to the individual desire. Enlightenment is about allowing my connection to the Source that is me for the fulfillment of the things that I have individually defined here in my time/space reality. That’s as good as it gets!”  –Abraham

Excerpted from an Ester & Jerry Hicks workshop in Boulder, CO on Saturday, June 7th, 2003

Sweet, huh?  So your job (and mine) is to know what you want, know what you desire, get in touch with your Source Energy, and then just let go and allow! Aaaahhh, so sweet~

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So I’ve always considered myself a very motivated person.  In fact, I’m sure somewhere on one of my old resumes “self-motivated” is on there!  Then it occurred to me just recently that being motivated isn’t a bad thing necessarily, but to be motivated means that I’m pushing myself to do something that I don’t really want to do, or that there’s some incentive to doing something that I wouldn’t typically want to do.  Hummmm… Sometimes I’m motivated to clean the house (I don’t really want to do that).  I need to get motivated to clean out my closet (I don’t really want to do that either).  When I was in sales I was motivated to make cold calls (Yuck, I hated doing that!).  I was motivated to make sales calls because if I didn’t then I wouldn’t make any money and I’d be fired.  So really motivation comes out of a feeling of fear, lack, and negative repercussions.

If you’re not motivated to do anything then eventually you have nothing, right?  But what about inspiration?  What if you were to take inspired action, rather than action out of negativity?

Inspiration comes from a place within.  It is always within you, it just has to be found.  It’s part of your inner light that wants so badly to shine, but life happens, stress happens, ego happens, and it gets lost in all the darkness.  When you find your inspiration, you know what do to and you want to do it.  You’re inspired!

Inspired action is easy, and fun.  You feel like you’re not doing anything, but rather you’re just being you.  I was inspired to write this.  I don’t feel like it’s “work” (even though that’s what I told my son I was doing…I should reword that to him next time!).  I don’t feel like I have to do this or else.  I am writing this because this is what I want to do!

What’s cool is that when you align to your inner being, you know exactly what it is you want.  When you clearly know what you want, inspiration is there.  You don’t have to motivate yourself to do anything.  You just do it.  (Side note – Nike really had something there.  I wonder if they actually knew what they were saying??… Things I ponder!)  You want to do it.  When you find that inspiration and take action out of that, everything else lines up for you.  Things, people, places, whatever, are lined up for you so that your inspired action is easy, and you get the outcome you want.

“F” this motivation stuff…I want to be inspired!

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