This is an inspirational video, for sure!

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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I need a certain amount of quiet time to function well. If I don't get it, life becomes too hectic, when it is busy already, or I find myself wakeful in the night, the only quiet time. Music can count as quiet time too. I'm finding as I have more of it in my day, it flows better.

I need to be replenished before I have anything to pour out.

I worried a bit with my littles being off this week for Spring Break -- and the irony of it not coinciding with College Girl's Spring Break which was a coupla' weeks ago.

But we have survived, and more than survived. We've had a nice mix of fun and play with work, which is about all you could ask for.

There is work that is work and there is play that is play; there is play that is work and work that is play. And in only one of these lie happiness. Gelett Burgess

I know it's possible, and sometimes I have done it, to have quiet time in the midst of everything going on around, a little pocket. Multi-tasking par excellence. But on a forever basis, this isn't really the best thing. It feels too rushed.

At times it seems like the moments I've set aside for myself are filled with interruptions. I remember reading about a minister who began his day by praying for his interruptions because, of course, he couldn't know what the demands on his time would be for a particular day with his congregation. This is true for ourselves in our own work too, but we don't always realize it. Sometimes I remind myself to do this, but generally it is after a particularly hectic day or hectic few days. Then I regain a balance again. Other times, it's a matter of teaching my children not to interrupt every 10 seconds, which they are pretty good about now, thankfully.

I laugh and say, if you want your kids to talk to you, just pretend you are on the phone! They come every time, from wherever they are with something very crucial to say.

Cherish your quiet time and make it happen. What do you do to replenish? (I don't think gym time counts as quiet time, but it does replenish. You can prove me wrong, however.)

Karin

March 28, 2007
Your Most Vital Commitment
Finding Time For You
Within each of us there is a well of energy that must be regularly replenished. When we act as if this well is bottomless, scheduling a long list of activities that fit like puzzle pieces into every minute of every day, it becomes depleted and we feel exhausted, disconnected, and weak. Refilling this well is a matter of finding time to focus on, nurture, and care for ourselves, or "you time." Most of us are, at different times throughout the day, a spouse, a friend, a relative, an employee, a parent, or a volunteer, which means that down time, however relaxing in nature, is not necessarily "you time." Though some people will inevitably look upon "you time" as being selfish, it is actually the polar opposite of selfishness. We can only excel where our outer world affairs are concerned when our own spiritual, physical, and intellectual needs are fulfilled.

Recognizing the importance of "you time" is far easier than finding a place for it in an active, multifaceted lifestyle, however.... You may discover that you are energized by creative pursuits, guided meditation, relaxing activities during which your mind can wander, or modes of expression such as writing.

Even if you have achieved a functioning work-life balance, you may still be neglecting the most important part of that equation: you. "You time" prepares you for the next round of daily life, whether you are poised to immerse yourself in a professional project or chores around the home. ...it ensures that you are never left without the energy to give of yourself. Daily OM

Originally posted 2007-03-30 07:16:54.

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You can't control the length of your life, but you can control its width and depth. You can't control the contour of your face, but you can control its expression. You can't control the weather, but you can control the atmosphere of your mind. Why worry about things you can't control when you can keep yourself busy controlling the things that depend on you?
Unknown

So, how do you control the width and depth of your life, the expression on your face, the atmosphere of your mind?

It ain't easy being green.

Maybe thought by thought by thought. And then you're still green, but maybe a better shade, ya think?

When I was little, my mother used to tell me to smile more often, as I looked so serious. That's not to say I didn't have a lot of fun and laughed a lot, because I did. I played through a lot of my childhood.

I didn't take the message of smiling to heart then, but I do now. It may change more than the contours of our faces. We become more like what we look. At any rate, I like my face better when I smile. It didn't make so much difference in my 20s, but it does now.

Karin

Originally posted 2007-06-30 09:09:00.

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The things of this world
Always, there is far more beauty in this world than we are aware of.

But enter the prodigious talents of someone like Jarbus Agnelli who transcribed the notes represented by birds on a wire. He reminds us of possibilities yet unseen and still unheard. Figuratively, he listened to the music of the spheres.

It reminds me of Hamlet:

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. Shakespeare

How do we open the doors of our inner vision to see more of the good that is around us!

Perhaps the willingness
... to be different, to walk a different path
... to be open to possibilities
... to look at things differently
... to take a second -- or even a third -- look
... to listen for new ideas
... to look up
... to take whatever time is necessary -- or to realize that time cannot restrict us
... to develop the skills that are uniquely our own
... to admit the possibility that there might be something more
... to seek for it
... to share it
... to be thankful for it.

What do you think it might be like if we could translate things and events into music?

What if we could hear music in the way that Mozart or Beethoven did? What if we could hear what they never transcribed?

What if we could translate words into a ballet?

Somehow the whole is greater than the parts.

And remember, the melody always includes you.

Do you suppose that is some indication of divine supply?
Everywhere around us -- and where we are -- is filled with more than we can imagine. Count on it!

...today is big with blessings. Mary Baker Eddy

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-11-05 19:41:01.

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This is one of my all-time favorite written pieces. Someone has put it on youtube.

Enjoy! (And please leave me a comment.)

Bless everyone you meet and everyone and every thing you come in contact with.

Karin

Originally posted 2010-08-16 14:34:35.

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I like to watch the Oscars as much for the glam as for the host and the presenters, not to mention the winners. I never wanted to miss any of Billy Crystal's openings.

Ellen DeGeneres is hosting the Oscars this year. It sounds like she is working incredibly hard, double shifting her talk show, and getting ready, writing and re-writing, while keeping a good spirit about it. It's something she's hoped to do since she hosted the 2001 Emmys.

I'm trying to enjoy every step of it: the anticipation, the day of, the night of...It will be interesting to see if this is something that I'll do again. But right now I'm just looking forward to this one.

That's the secret to happiness, according to one book I read: to enjoy all that goes into the final moment of accomplishment. If you are a writer, the book said, but you only enjoy it when your book is published, you will not be happy the rest of the time. But if you enjoy all that goes into writing the book, then you will be happy. I'm not sure I totally agree, because if you hope to be published and that doesn't happen, then what.

Others say her warm approach, her positive attitude, her wit, humor and unpredictability and that she makes you feel good are parts of her appeal.

She hopes for some last minute surprises on Oscar night, like when Jack Palance did one-armed push-ups or when there was the streaker.

Chris Rock evidently told her last week that the job is 'scary as hell.' I betcha. About 40 million watch it in the US, not to mention other countries. As she says, not too many people could do it.

She hopes to spread a happy vibe. I don't know about you, but I can always use more happiness.
Karin

Originally posted 2007-02-21 09:53:51.

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Give yourself space for recuperation

Give yourself a season of time to recuperate.

Deliberately build into each week something that feels generally replenishing--it might be going to a museum once a week or having coffee with a friend. Do not go from one day to the next on automatic pilot, but intentionally recuperate. Paula Rinehart Day 55 Divorce Care

Well, personally, I like this advice. It feels right to me. And not just for divorce-type situations, but for life itself. You can't pour yourself out to others, if there is nothing left to pour out. First, you have to fill yourself (and re-fill yourself) so there is replenishing.

It reminds me of the Little Teapot song that we sang as kids, along with accompanying hand motions:

I'm a little teapot, short and stout
Here is my handle; here is my spout.
When I get all steamed up, hear me shout:
tip me over and pour me out!

To me, it goes right along with the quotes about making a space in your life to encourage yourself.

Life makes so many demands on us that before you know it, we can be so scheduled or over-sceduled or double booked (or multi-tasking) that it puts to shame the assistants on The Devil Wears Prada (Widescreen Edition). Who is our assistant? Often it is ourselves.

Leave enough space for serendipitous moments.

The cream of enjoyment in this life is always impromptu. The chance walk; the unexpected visit, the unpremeditated journey; the unsought conversation or acquaintance. Fanny Fern, 19th-century

Karin

Originally posted 2007-02-27 08:05:17.

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I became aware of this painter this morning via another blog.

Japanese artist Riusuke Fukahori paints stunning visions of goldfish, so realistic you feel they would swim out of the canvas. How he started painting them was a gift --

As he tells it:

12 years ago, on the day when I was at my most depressed and thinking of giving up my dream of painting, my attention was inadvertently caught by the single red goldfish that I kept in the room. It was a shabby, common Japanese goldfish that I had kept for 7 years. Opening the lid of the filth-covered aquarium, I watched as the goldfish wiggled around. Its back glittered red in the water and I was captivated by its beauty. I thought: “Why has it taken me so long to notice this beauty? This little fish will surely save me.” I then began to paint goldfish and now, 11 years later, I am still painting them. (Translated by RocketNews24)

You can read more about his story and see a video here. The video is evidently blocked in the US, at least that is the message I got this morning.

Isn't it wonderful to think that just a seemingly small notice of beauty can lift a person out of the depths!

Never underestimate those small ideas that may yield big results. And remember to stop and see the beauty around you.

Have you ever had a moment like this that lifted you out of a deep pit?
How lovely to realize we don't always have to struggle our way free. There is an answer, and it may be very close at hand.

Here's a quote I like:

I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty. Georgia O'Keeffe

I suspect that Riusuke Fukahori would say something similar about goldfish.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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I was surprised to learn that in the last 10 years, the Oscar for Best Actress hasn't been awarded to any woman over 39. For the past 9 years, it was even lower, around age 35. If Judi Dench, Helen Mirren or Meryl Streep wins, she will be the most mature recipient since 1990 when Jessica Tandy, at age 80, won for Driving Miss Daisy.

A weird thing happens to male actors, especially movie stars, in my experience. Which is, they become grumpy old men. I think a young male actor feels great. All the girls want him. He's a star. As they get older, that sense of not being in control of their own destiny sort of grates on them, and they get grumpy. And they move into direction to try and feel they're in control of their own destiny...I don't feel psychologically challenged, because I'm in a collaboative situation on a set with a director...

One of the great advantages of getting older is that you can walk into a world which is more truthful and less to do with other people's fantasies. Helen Mirren

Well, who's it gonna be? Likely the decision is already made; we just don't know who it is yet.

I often think life is hardly fair. Tremendous performances can be turned in by several, but because of the thoughts-of-the-year it's a shoo in for one who might not in other years be the choice. But that's life! On to the next project! Talent wins out, Oscar or no Oscar.

When asked if they still had to audition for roles, Dame Judi said:

I think sometimes we might be without knowing it. If you're having a kind of friendly [there's that word again!] meal with somebody and you suddenly see those very beady, gimlet eyes looking at you, you might be auditioning then.

I like to see power going to older women. It makes me feel more secure.

No, seriously, I was just seeing if you were reading. I don't feel more secure, but it may move us away from the 60's kind of veneration of youth.

A well-known George Bernard Shaw quote is:

Youth is wasted on the young.

I hardly think so. But I'd like to see age like Dylan Thomas did:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Let's go on and out with a few sparks and some Oscars.

Karin

Originally posted 2007-02-24 07:23:49.

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I've been thinking about Owen Wilson lately with sadness, as I imagine many of us have been.

I think at one time or another in our life most of us have secret sorrows, where our public persona is different than/from our private persona. And our thoughts may be far different than most people observing us from outside would expect.

It's so important to have a support team!

Sometimes it is not the folks we thought might help us who are the ones who actually do. That's an interesting observation too.

Is there someone you can confide in? someone who is in your corner? who will keep your confidences? someone (maybe a different someone) for whom you are their support team or on it? is there someone you can encourage to have a support team (and maybe you are that someone -- maybe you need to remind yourself that you are the one who is in need of a support team and that you should not delay?)

It's hard to let down the mask sometimes, to let someone in, or find an activity that supports you, whether it is church or temple, Weight Watchers, Curves, the Internet, the gym, an exercise buddy, a book club, art lessons, a knitting shop, or etc.

What is it that stands in the way of reaching out? depression? feeling (wrongly) unworthy or unloved? feeling, at least for the moment, that it is hopeless, that there is no help, or that no one would or does understand?

Do you know what gives you comfort if you feel down? a cup of tea? convo with a friend? window shopping? having more quiet time? pacing your tasks at home better? getting help? realizing you can't do it all and figuring out a better way to do it? doing something to lessen anxiety, stress or tension? getting out in nature? making sure you or your life doesn't get out of balance with too much running around and not enough thought?

If you are a caregiver, it's important to let others share some of the tasks. Do you have a someone? or several someones? are you able to let them do it their way, to give them the space to help, even if it is different than the way you might do it? (who cares, if it shares the burden?) do you feel people would judge you if you didn't do it all?

Do you have someone who counsels you in some manner -- and do you listen? (Not all counselors are equal -- some we would do well not to listen to.) A pastor? a therapist? a peer? a coach? a spiritual adviser? someone who's BTDT and is farther along the road than you are?

Do you have a book -- or several books -- that you turn to consistently for solace and support? (Would you share here?)

Do you notice if things don't seem right around you? are you open to intuitively knowing if someone is hurting? how do you know when to speak up or just to support silently? at what point would you feel it is imperative to 'interfere' or even do an intervention? are you deepening your level of friendships (and your compassion) so that someone might confide in you if they were in need?

Do you have a support team? do you need one? (we all do)...are you ready if you suddenly had a need you weren't expecting? is it already in place? could you strengthen it in some way?

Do you have a support team? have you ever had to call in your cards and use it?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-09-02 12:53:37.

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