animals, dogs, learning, teaching

Inspired: Who Are You in the Morning?

My wise dog teacher
My wise dog teacher

I woke up at 3:30am. Phineas was crying in his sleep so I got up and sat with him for a bit. He calmed down quickly. It’s impossible for us to hide who we really are in those hours between dusk and dawn. There are no secrets then. No facades. No brave faces. We have all our fears, insecurities, and joys right there on the surface. We’re just being; no doing. I hope someday the person I am at 3:30am is the person I am at every hour. I’m getting there but I’ve got some more work to do. Thanks for teaching me that, Phin.

dreams, goals, sports

Inspired: Life is Like Pool; You Have to Look Where You Want to Go

From Pinterest
From Pinterest

When you play pool, you don’t look at the cue ball. You look at the ball you want to hit with an eye on where you want that ball to go, and plan your actions backward from there. The same is true for life. Begin at the ending and work your way back to where you are. Then you’ll know where to start so you can get where you ultimately want to go.

change, nature, Spring

Inspired: Spring is a Time to Fly

From Pinterest

Spring always makes me feel like flying. I shake off my heavy coat, put aside the boots, and open up to the warmth. To fly, we have to let go – of the things that weigh us down and the fear that holds us back. Shrug it off. Let Spring transform you, inside and out. Then, get ready for take-off. The world is waiting for you.

action, creativity, imagination, work

Inspired: Drop the Perfect in Favor of Action

From Pinterest
From Pinterest

Have you ever worked on a project and then re-worked it many times over hoping to get something just perfect? Then by the time you finish you realize that the world has changed and the idea has passed you by. Or worse, someone has already done what you’ve been planning to do. Nothing you do will ever be perfect. That’s a tough and necessary pill to swallow. Put your heart into it, roll up your sleeves, and get your ideas out into the world. That’s the place where they will make a difference.

nature, New York City, season, Spring

Inspired: Spring, You’re Here!

From Pinterest
From Pinterest

We have been waiting for you, Spring, with open arms. Welcome. Please stay as long as you’d like. I can’t wait until you’ve decorated Central Park to look like this picture. Ah…..the beauty.

choices, friendship, grace

Inspired: Be Your Own Hero

From Pinterest
From Pinterest

A friend of mine recently ripped off my work and presented it as her own. I didn’t realize she’d done this until I read about it in a magazine. I didn’t wallow. I just walked away and left it in karma’s capable hands. Here is the greatest lesson I learned: grace and dignity are choices. Sh*t is going to happen to you. The sh*t isn’t what defines you. It’s how you handle it that makes all the difference. Turn the beat around.

dreams, weather

Inspired: Keep Those Stars in Your Eyes and the Sun on Your Face

From Pinterest
From Pinterest

“Watch with glittering eyes.” ~ Roald Dahl. Winter is back. Again. It can’t bear to leave us. I’m as over it as anyone and preparing for a serious case of Spring fever when Spring finally gets here. In the mean time, I’m trying to enjoy these last chilly days hunkered down in my apartment. Winter has been a time for me to get my dreams on track while also helping me appreciate the sun and the warmth when it does arrive. The sun’s always out there. So are the stars. Keep looking for them and you’re sure to find them.

celebration

Inspired: Take Your Birthday Off

From PinterestToday I turn a fabulous 38 and I’m doing…nothing. It’s me, my dog, Phineas, and the start of my House of Cards addiction. Saint Patrick’s Day in New York City is always a bit of a mess so I’m more than happy to spend it relaxing. Your birthday is your day to just be. To enjoy. To reflect. To do anything you want. No to-do list. No deadlines. Just celebrate you, exactly as you are.

creativity, film, movie, music

Inspired: Are You 20 Feet from Stardom?

20 Feet From Stardom
20 Feet From Stardom

If you haven’t seen the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom about the history of backup singers, you must. Their stories of passion, music, persistence, and dedication will make you cry, laugh, and reflect on your own life and talents. Here’s the best thing I learned from it: you must shine your own light on your talent. You can’t wait for nor expect someone else to do it.

books, creativity, imagination, science, vision

Inspired: Our Vision is Imagined and Our Creativity is Ever-Present

The Future of the Mind by Dr. Michio Kaku
The Future of the Mind by Dr. Michio Kaku

I’m in the midst of reading Dr. Michio Kaku‘s new book, The Future of the Mind. He explains that our actual vision is largely imagined. Our optic nerve should always create a large dark spot in our field of vision. It doesn’t because our mind actually compensates for it and fills in the details. Our mind guesses what’s there in that space that the eyes can’t actually see. We are imagining every moment of our waking lives. We are using our creativity without even realizing it. That’s how deeply embedded our sense of creativity is in our minds, in our very being. We invent the world around us.