The longer I avoided it, the harder it became to finish what I had started. It was becoming a monkey on my back or what I would later call a HURDICLE, which is my expression for writing an article, struggling to complete it and allowing the struggle to become a hurdle. It did not feel good. I found it interfering with my thought process during the day. It would also pop up in the middle of the night. Actually, it was so heavy on my mind that it awakened me. I would scribble suggestive ideas onto my notebook on my nightstand, but in the morning I would shy away from completing the project. Why? Sometimes we think it is easier to quit than it is to work hard and push through the obstacles that are standing in our way. Quitting never works. Quitting becomes your secret failure and it is a bummer. That lousy feeling hangs around forever no matter how much you pretend not to care. Deep down you feel like you have failed. That secret will never fade and whenever you think about the fact that you walked away from that hurdicle, it will affect your next project negatively.

The very next morning I started the project over and completed it the same day. I felt liberated. Triumph!

A few tips on what to do about the desire to quit when you are faced with a hurdicle?

• The best way not to quit is to reignite the passion you had about the project in the beginning. Ask yourself, why you loved the idea in the first place?  Have you changed your opinion?  Be as honest with yourself as possible.

• Start over with a renewed point of view. That will works most of the time.

• What does work is to reward yourself when you have finished the job.  Yes, it’s just that simple. Make a promise to yourself that at the end of the job you will give yourself something special that excites you. That will keep the passion going and you will remain motivated.

• I read an article about this very subject which I enjoyed and found to be true. Check it out.

Share/Bookmark

On June 29, 2010, I had the personal honor of speaking to yet another outstanding Rotary club. The Rotary of West Palm Beach.  

I am a polio survivor since 1953, one of the lucky survivors. When I learned of the $200 million challenge grant awarded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, I had to try to help. I felt that I had to contribute in some small way to this wonderful cause.  Telling my personal story is my way to contribute. As of May 2010, Rotary has raised $127.4 million towards their goal of $200 million. The total funds devoted to eradicating polio worldwide by The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, the Rotary and their partners will be $555 million dollars.  We are almost there. Remember that as long as this virus can cripple or take the life of even one child anywhere, every child is at risk.  But we still need the public’s support. It is so easy to help. Let’s all work together to help eradicate polio forever.

Share/Bookmark

True love

As we mature and develop relationships that make us feel safe, respected, needed, we say that we are falling in love. Initially what is commonly referred to as [love at first sight] is nothing more than physical attraction. The object of our attraction then becomes the mirror image of the perfect mate that we have fabricated in our minds. Unfortunately, when we discover that we have simply projected our fantasies into this new relationship, the passion seems to dissipate. Most of the time we move on searching for the high that you feel at the beginning of any new relationship, while your imagination hopes and dreams run amok.

Have you ever asked yourself why you love another living creature? Could it possibly be simply because they make you feel good? When we’re happy our brains release a chemical called dopamine.

How about the love affair we have with our pets?

Dopamine is also stimulated in our pet’s brains when we feed them, play with them, stroke and groom them. Our egos tell us that these domesticated animals love us. But if love is simply the feeling we get because another living creature makes us feel good then it stands to reason that your pet will love anyone else that took really good care of them also. That’s not such a pleasant thought, is it? However it’s reality.

The bottom line is that we love because the object of our attention makes us feel good, whether it’s our parents, lover or our pet. Love is a two-way street, so if you want to be loved in return hopefully you will make your partner, a human being or not, feel really fantastic. Some of us prefer the simplicity of relationships with our pets to the complicated relationships with other humans. But remember you really do have to invest some time and effort to cultivate any relationship, even if it’s with your puppy.

Share/Bookmark

Share/Bookmark

Creativity weighs in at 60%

Creativity is the answer! Creative thinking is the key! Fast Company magazine did a poll of CEOs and public-sector leaders across 16 nations and 33 industries. Creativity tips the scale with over 60% of the poll weighing in heavily for creativity and integrity coming in a close second at 52%.

I strongly recommend this article to anyone who may question his or her own ability to be creative. Please visit http://www.fastcompany.com/1648943/creativity-the-most-important-leadership-quality-for-ceos-study. Another wonderful website to visit is http://thecreative-edge.blogspot.com/

I have always believed that without creativity, progress and leadership becomes stagnant. On a personal level becoming aware of your own creativity and your ability to enhance your creativity is crucial. While I totally enjoyed the copy and paste function on my computer and use it regularly, I am also aware that it is all too simple. You need to exercise your mind in the same way that you exercise your body. Creativity is a mindset. Challenge yourself to find new and innovative ways to do things, especially in your business or on your job! If you’re looking for some interesting reading, pick up a copy of The Rise of the Creative Class: And How It’s Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life by Richard Florida.

Share/Bookmark

young artist taking action

The creativity block is something that almost everyone who has ever created anything on a regular basis experiences. As an artist, I’ve experienced this feeling many times. I’m not totally sure what triggers this emotion and I can tell you that it is not a pleasant experience. The easiest way to describe it is to say that suddenly or perhaps not so suddenly, your mind seems to go blank. No matter how hard you focus, the energy that you need to ignite your creativity seems mysteriously missing. If you’re a writer, you may be staring at your computer screen and having absolutely no idea where to begin your next chapter or blog post. When the creativity block hits me as an artist, a blank canvas can become intimidating. It’s that blank surface before you even pick up a brush. Did you ever wonder if Beethoven ran out of ideas for his symphonies? Did Picasso ever take a blank canvas and hide it in the closet because he didn’t know where to begin? Maybe they did give to this emotional downer for very brief periods of time. However, masters are also masters at getting over the creativity block.

Let’s talk about the first step you need to take to rid yourself of this dreadful creativity block

First of all, you have to be honest with yourself and recognize that you haven’t suddenly become uncreative because brilliant ideas don’t seem to be popping into your head at the moment. That’s the easy way out. Recognize that what you are doing is making excuses. Buckle up guys and get ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work being creative again. Make no mistake, if you want to get over your block and get over it quickly here are the steps you must take.

Take action

Creativity and Fun are Synonymous

Create something. Anything whether it is  good or bad. That’s right, I said;” anything”. If you feel stuck, you’re going to experience a little bit of brain pain at the beginning. But that little bit of pain is worth it. It’s been my experience that its best to begin with a small project first.  It’s easy to start and easy to finish. For example, if you’re a writer, just make an outline of the first thing that pops into your head. Walk away for a while. Maybe even for a few days. Then come back and evaluate what you have begun. I’ll bet you anything that even if you’re not so pleased with your first attempt to break out of the creativity block, you’ll begin forming new ideas on how to amend and re-structure your outline. It’s your first action step and a lot better then whining about being uninspired.

Inspire yourself by letting others stimulate your mind

If you are a musician, listen to your favorite composer. If you’re an artist, try a trip to the museum. The time spent will really pay off. A good book works every time for me. Reading, listening, viewing and absorbing other people’s brilliance and creativity is a contagious habit. A very simple way to say this is; “every artist at some point or another has been inspired by another artist”. You’re not copying someone else’s work; you are just letting their art and creativity motivate you.

Always start something new before you finish your current project

An Inspired Author

A sure way to end up in the stuck mode is to finish your current project with no idea about where you are going to go from there. While there is a sense of satisfaction with what you have just accomplished, if you have not taken the time to plan your next venture, what follows is usually nothing.  Yes, nothing or what is commonly called The Creativity Block. Avoid this problem by planning ahead and outlining your next project.  You’ll soon find that you can’t wait to finish what you are working on and begin work on this new idea.

Don’t blow goal setting off

Goal setting has gotten a tremendous amount of attention through the years. It’s not something to be taken lightly because it really works. I found that I set a goal for myself that I was going to write a least one blog post a week, complete at least one page in the book that I am writing every day, and create at least one new painting every 3 to 4 weeks. Think about what you’ll have at the end of the year. Do not set your goals too high because in doing so you may underachieve what you set out to do. There is a danger in setting your goals too high. Falling behind creates a feeling and a sense of failure within you. Be careful, this is a negative mindset. Negativity begets negativity and success begets success. As you progress and achieve your goals you will find that you will more than likely overachieve what you set out to accomplish. I don’t know about you, but that works for me every time. You’ve just started that ball rolling.

A simple notepad and pen

When I was a kid and in school I always had a little note pad and pen. This was a separate from the larger notebook that I would take to my class and use to take notes during a lecture. This little notepad served as my Idea reference or recall pad. Great ideas seem to pop out of nowhere and float across our mind, but very often they don’t linger very long. If you don’t write them down at that very moment you may find they just dissipated into thin air. Save all your notepads and when you’re mind becomes void of ideas go back and review all the little notes that you’ve taken and never acted on. I bet she’ll find some pretty stimulating ideas just waiting to be developed into your next project.

A cluttered mind may need a break

Sometimes the opposite happens when you’re planning your next project. Instead of experiencing a blank mind you experience a mind that’s over active. Too many creative ideas! Is that possible?  Yes, in my opinion. If there’s too much going on in your head and you are unable to focus the results may end in a creativity block. Take a break!  Stop everything for a while except for writing down your new ideas. Have some fun doing something totally different. Then plan the day and time you will begin creating again. When you set the exact time to begin your new project you will be armed with lots of new ideas.

Are starting to look like your mom?

I’m not quite sure when I started to feel my mortality. When did it happen for you? For many people the realization that you will someday look like your mom or your dad comes around the age of 50. Usually the awakening, as I refer to it, is just a fleeting glance in a mirror. Perhaps for you it was an unflattering photograph taken unexpectedly. It’s that “oh gosh, I look like my mom” moment.

One thing that is vitally important to realize and the great common denominator for all of us, is that you are still around to consider aging a problem!

Are you getting fat?

What about the great suit you just dragged out of the closet from a few years ago and found that it was just a little too snug? No, it’s not possible you got that big in so short a time!  Let’s blame it on the dry cleaners. They must have shrunk it.

Excuse me, what did you say?

Do you find that you have to turn the TV up a notch or two? Of course, it can not be your hearing; it’s definitely those new sound systems in the flat screen TVs, right? Perhaps it’s your spouse talking and talking.  You just had to tune them out, right?

Sticky Notes

I don’t know about you, but I find myself leaving sticky notes as reminders of things I must do all around the house. If it wasn’t for the reminder function on my computer calendar, I will definitely be a no-show. Do you say; call me to remind me to your friends”.

Here’s a really big question, are you getting less patient and cranky? It’s not you, is it? It just had to be the receptionist at the doctor’s office, or the clerk at the bank. Yes, it’s everybody else but you!

Exercise

Did you ever wonder why there were so many fitness clubs and at the same time you make excuses why you don’t have time to exercise? Is there a little voice in your head that says; “ it won’t help anyway, I’m too far gone”. “Why bother and where is that candy bar I hid last week”?

Magnifying Glasses

Are you finding that price tags are getting tinier and tinier and almost impossible to read when you’re not wearing your magnifying glasses? If you’re anything like me, you think it’s a plot contrived on the part of manufacturers so we don’t notice how expensive everything is getting. Just throw it in the shopping cart, why dig for your glasses in your purse?

We are living in a youth and beauty-oriented society.  What makes it harder for you?  It’s your attitude!  We are on the same journey; lets make it the most exciting trip possible.

Here are a few suggestions for this worldwide dilemma.

1. Body Mass Index

Did you know that carrying just a little extra weight around could extend your life and definitely make you look younger. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging performed a study involving 3000 seniors. The results showed that seniors with a body mass index of 27, versus a body mass of the recommended 19 to 25 for younger people, live longer than those with lower body mass index.  I’m not telling you to go ahead and eat that extra doughnut or discontinue exercising. I am however letting you know that a little extra weight can actually serve as a protection against some illnesses. Be aware that a body mass index of over 30 can be dangerous. But, don’t you think were just a little healthier looking a wee bit rounder as the golden years creep up on us?

2. Hearing Loss

Losing you’re hearing is not inevitable. While we age, as a part of the normal aging process, cells within the ear begin to die off. But only 35% of 80-year-old people really need hearing aids. There are some things that you can do to protect yourself. May I suggest that earplugs be used when you’re exposed to any excessively loud noises no matter what age you are? For example, using the lawnmower without earplugs is not a good idea. The extra loud speakers in your car are also extremely damaging on a long-term basis. You may get lots of attention from the opposite sex when you are young at noisy bars and concerts, but not being able to hear when you are try to impress someone in those advanced years is a big turn off.

Caution: Some medications—including intravenous antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and narcotics such as hydroquinone—can permanently damage hearing. People who have lost hearing in one ear should be sure to let their doctor know.

3. Senility

Senility does not happen to everyone. Somehow we all think becoming senile is horrible and the minute you forget something we think it’s happening to us. While nearly everyone experiences a certain amount of decline in cognitive abilities as they age, most of us don’t have an actual impairment in memory that severely interferes with our ability to live independently well into old age. Alzheimer’s is a disease just like heart disease or diabetes.  It does not happen to everyone.  One of my best friends is more than 20 years my senior and well in her 80’s and is as sharp as my daughter. Why not rev up your circulation and eat a healthy diet before you start forgetting.  It really helps.  Start walking more.

4. Get your energy back

If you want to get your energy back pay attention to this study done by BLSA. Evidence now suggests that people who take up exercise later in life—say, at age 70—experience improved heart function by lowering their resting heart rate and increasing their heart mass and the amount of blood pumped with each beat. The study also showed evidence that heart attacks declined among older men who took up a high-intensity activity like swimming or running. Older exercisers also experience less shortness of breath and fatigue.

5. Get your eyes checked

The key is to have regular eye exams so you can spot problems early. I can’t stress that enough. Protect your eyes from too much sunlight by wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) radiation and a hat with a wide brim when you are outside.

Consult your eye examiner if you:

• Have trouble seeing well enough to do everyday tasks like reading, cooking, or sewing
• Can’t recognize the faces of friends or family
• Have trouble reading street signs
• Find that lights don’t seem as bright

If you have any of these problems, ask your eye care professional to test you for low vision. There are special tools and aids to help people with low vision read, write, and manage daily tasks. These include large-print reading materials, magnifying aids, closed-circuit televisions, audiotapes, electronic reading machines, and computers with large print and a talking function. Sometimes changing the type of lighting in your room can help.

Much of the above interesting information was published at http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/articles/2009/02/20/5-common-myths-about-aging.html

Share/Bookmark

Has this ever happened to you? You wake up in the middle of the night, you are totally relaxed, and all of a sudden your mind is filled with an idea. In fact, it’s a great idea. Perhaps it’s a solution to some kind of problem or a new way to approach a project you have been thinking about during the day. That’s creativity! Do you turn over and go back to sleep? If you do, you risk that wonderful subconscious creativity being stepped on by your conscious mindset in the morning. There may be a little voice you hear  in the morning that will tell you, ” You don’t quite remember the idea or  maybe it was not such a good idea”. Don’t let this happen to you. Keep a pad and pen by your bed. Write down any idea that pops into your mind when your creative spirit is free. Push your mind muscles and constantly exercise them. That old cliché [no pain no gain] is really true.

A study by George Land reveals that we are naturally creative and as we grow up we learn to be uncreative. Creativity is a skill that can be developed and a process that can be managed. Learning to be creative is akin to learning a sport. It requires practice to develop the right muscles, and a supportive environment in which to flourish. Business leaders are increasingly adopting the principles and practices of art and design to help build creative muscle in their organizations.

I am an artist and creativity is my life and it also saved my life after a paralyzing bout of polio at age 10. There are not a lot of things you can do when you’re paralyzed. I was forced to tap into my unconscious creativity. The results were amazing. I began to regain my self-esteem as I developed my creativity. I also found creating made recovery easier. Did you ever notice a child coming home from school with their projects [usually art projects] beaming with pride? It’s a basic human characteristic.

Now that I have said all of that, are you saying to yourself: “what is she talking about, I don’t want to paint”? I am not talking about painting literally. I am talking about basic human creativity. Please allow me to give you a few pointers on how to change your mindset.

• Recognize that everything you do that deviates from text book rules is creative.

• Allow your self and your creative spirit to blossom. Even if it’s a small alteration you make to a recipe. When you serve that dish it will have your special brand of creativity and cooking style.

• Never put yourself down or criticize something that you have created. You will believe what you say about yourself.

• Push to find new and different ways to do things.

• Don’t get stuck in your old routine. Start something new as often as possible. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to complete. What does matter is that your mind will be developing and growing during the creative process.

The results are always uphill and positive. Now that I have completed my last painting I am on to my next creation. The Eye is looking back at you. Visit my art gallery.

Share/Bookmark

Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts comprehensive programs through a nationwide network and in 70 countries around the world. Their mission is to change perception of people with disabilities along with old practices, community-by-community, classroom-by-classroom and instructor-by-instructor.

I am a member of VSA arts here in Palm Beach County, and speaking firsthand as a artist with a disability, I can tell you the organization is amazing! Creativity is my life and it also saved my life. The VSA arts of Palm Beach County has played a very important part in my continuing development as a professional artist by offering the venues by which I can promote my art. All individuals with disabilities who aspire to develop careers in the arts, visual or performing, regardless of age, are offered complete access to the educational programs, cultural facilities, and activities.

On April 26 and 27 at the Kravis Center, VSA arts of Palm Beach County along with their affiliates, presented the play titled “Nobody’s Perfect” by Marlee Matlin and Doug Cooney.  I had the honor of representing VSA arts. I met the wonderful students and wonderful teachers. The performance which was one hour in length targeted schoolchildren and teachers of grades 3rd to 8th. This truly outstanding play is a story of a young girl named Megan who has spent a year planning her “positively purple” birthday party. Megan finds herself at odds with a new student named Alexis. Alexis appears to be perfect and remains aloof and unfriendly, which causes Megan to believe this new student does not like her because she is deaf.

Wow! Do you know anybody who’s perfect? I don’t. The play, which is adapted from the book, is a musical and it is a reminder that despite first impressions, nobody’s perfect.

If you have missed the play I highly recommend you read the book, and then give the book to someone who will learn from this story. Self-esteem is a very good thing.

In addition, I would like to add that if you or anyone you know would like to participate as an artist with disability or volunteer for this incredible organization please do contact VSA arts of Florida. You will just love the staff!

Share/Bookmark

What if the word perfect or some facsimile word did not exist? What would life be without the constant pressure to become perfect? Think about the magazines headlines that would read “Try this recipe for a quick improved dinner for two”: instead of ” Try this recipe for the perfect dinner for two”. Yes, improvement is definitely a positive thing, but perfection is totally unattainable. Think about how boring it would be if you were really able to become perfect. You would never push yourself to grow, or to learn anything new. What is it about human nature that makes us so gullible and believes we can achieve perfection? Why do we buy into it so easily and then become depressed when we find we fall short? That is the time when they sell us a pill so that we will think we feel perfect. What a deception! Reality sets in at some point, pill or no pill.

We buy into the idea that successful people have perfect lives. Well they don’t and we all know it. How about Sandra Bullock, Tiger Woods, or Larry King? All are fabulously talented glamorous people in their own right. But do you see perfection anywhere? We attack politicians viciously for their weaknesses in their personal lives. Why do we expect so much from politicians and celebrities? They may have more money, but are they more successful or PERFECT all around?

Do you have the perfectionist syndrome? Just answer a few simple questions listed below.

!) Do you find that most things you do don’t seem to be good enough to yourself? Are you proud enough of something you accomplish or created to bring it to the attention of someone else?

2) When someone says you did a good job at something, instead of saying thank you, do you tell him or her everything that you believe is wrong with it?

3) Do you feel defeated even before you begin a project?  Do you tell yourself secretly; ” I could never do that, so why bother”?

Answer to question #1)

If you answered yes to question # 1, you have a mild case of perfectionism. Nip it in the bud. Never think of something you created or did as not good enough.  That is setting you up for failure. What you create is good because YOU created it. Rid your mind of self-criticism. Believing in yourself increases your ability to create even better products.  Winning begets winning!  Think of yourself as a winner. The rest will come naturally.

Answer to question #2)

Did you answer yes?  Better watch out. You are a moderate perfectionist.  Begin to change your thinking, now!  When you get a compliment try to believe it. Never put yourself down. In essence you are the one who will believe the negatives, not your admirer. They will not change they opinion, but they will wonder why you are so insecure. You will never be able to convince yourself otherwise if the critique is coming from your mouth.  Continue it this mode and you will face disappointments over and over.

Answer to question #3)

Is your answer yes?  You are a full-fledged perfectionist.  The world is not perfect.  What makes you different?  Do what ever it takes to change your negative mind set.  No one is perfect. May I introduce you to Seymour, spelled (see more)? Open your eyes. Take a good look around you.  Where is the perfection?  The only one who will lose from the obsession to be perfect is you.  Here is a surprise.  People will like you better when they find out you are   like them, just shy of perfect. Start by telling yourself twice a day that it is okay to be just a little under your expectations. You will be surprised at how much better you will feel about yourself.

Accepting the fact that this world is simply an imperfect place inhabited by imperfect life forms is a very constructive thing to do. It levels the playing field and makes achieving your goals easier. The biggest hurdle is simply accepting and understanding that perfect doesn’t exist. You will never be satisfied or happy as a perfectionist. Why not feel happier and  let go of that obsessive need to be perfect?