Me, Me, Me

 

 

While in the middle of a conversation this morning, it dawned on me just how many times a day I use the word “I” or “me.”  Then I wondered if this was due to narcissistic tendencies or something even further out of the realm of my conscious life. 

Upon deeper thought, I came to the conclusion that most of it is because of narcissism, but then again, what’s wrong with a certain level of narcissism anyway?  We are born to this world alone and  we leave it alone.  In between we are very lucky if we get to share our lives with loved ones and acquaintances.  Personally I have found that my greatest pleasure thus far has been the fact that I got to be a mother and share my life and my love with a totally terrific individual, to have the opportunity to help mold and shape him into the person he is today and the fact that the person he is today, isn’t totally tweaked in the head. 

We are all we have in the most technical sense of the word.   When you spend time alone, you have you.  It isn’t as though there is no one there because you are someone and I have grown to accept and also love who I am, so when I am alone, I’m still with someone I love, even like to spend time with.  So what’s wrong with using the word “I” and “me” to a certain degree?  Nothing at all in my opinion, unless the degree of narcissism is so severe that a person loses sight of the fact that there are other people in the world and other people in their lives and that they are just as important as those people and not more important.  I mean, it could get out of hand if you let it, but a certain degree of narcissism is extremely normal.

So, anyway, I decided that since it bothered me so, I was going to make a conscious effort to do more in the way of giving or sharing.  The difficult part of this venture will be that I have very little or no money so the only thing I am able to give is my time and attention.

If anyone out there knows of some really great ways to give to others in need without having to donate money, please let me know.  I would very much appreciate learning who and what is out there that I can help in either a small or large capacity.  It’s time I did more for others and I want to start now.

Technorati Tags: Me,I,charity,narcissism,selflessness,normality

Everything Old Is New Again

 
As I browsed through my ever-growing photo library, I noticed a particular theme throughout.
Everything old and everything that has been or could be fixed up or represented some other era, was something I was interested in taking pictures of and/or taking home.
What is it about broken down items and things of the past that makes someone like me draw to them, inexplicably?   I think it’s either the fact that I like to fix things, always have, or the fact that it makes me wonder where the piece has been and if it could tell its story, what fascinating tells would it tell? 
This is especially true for old barns and dilapidated buildings.  It must be annoying for anyone traveling anywhere with me in the car because whether I’m driving or riding I’m either pulling over for every old barn and home or yelling, “Pull over, I need to take a picture of that old …,” and we undoubtedly arrive at our destination at a snail’s pace.
My home is full of antique furniture and antique ephemera, so much so that I think it is actually running my son and I out of the house, literally.  We are going to have to move somewhere else and pay mortgage on this house just to store all of the antiques I have.
I am always looking for new antique items and websites so if anyone out there knows of any good websites, I would appreciate your letting me know.

Technorati Tags: old,new,antiques,picture,driving,riding

I'VE HAD A BLOGOVER (much like a makeover but with a blog)

I am so excited by my new blogover.  I was feeling like I needed a change for so long and then I remembered that my friend Graham over at One Man's Travels, had had his blog redecorated and by a fabulous designer.  Her name is Chica.  She is the owner/operator of Design Bug Graphic Design.  So if your feeling like your blog is in a rut, take a look at what she can do for you.  Her prices are very reasonable and she makes darn sure you are going to be happy and have what you want.

I HIGHLY recommend checking her out.

Thank you Chica - and my blog thanks you too.  You rocked my blog.

RANDOM BEAUTY

It truly amazes me at how much beauty there is in the world and how much we take for granted every day.  I took this picture visiting Truth or Consequences, New Mexico a few months back and I'm not sure I truly appreciated just how beautiful this scene was at the time.  

Looking it over today I realized how fortunate I was to have been able to have been there on such a calm day to actually capture this serene scene with my camera.  And then I realized just how much beauty I take for granted every day, not just that which the eye can see, but all that the senses can take in; a child's voice saying, "I love you, Mom," the sound of rain falling against the desert floor, the scent of clean air, the gentle touch of a loved one, the taste of favorite foods.  I could go on all day, but I won't.

Take in the beauty around you today and every day and realize how wonderful it is to be a part of it all.

I'VE EXPLODED!!!

Well, not literally (that would be really messy), but definitely artistically.  My dear friend Dawn of http://artistreborne.typepad.com/artist_reborne/ recently sent me a box of new-found sanity entitled, "The Happy Box."  In it I discovered and actual Happy Book which rocked my socks off in its creativity and how we get to do daily activities, artistically of course, in a way that we discover what makes up really happy and helps us find the happiness in the day itself.  It is a lot of fun and therapeutic as well.  Please visit her site with the link above.  She blogs about  the book and gives more specifics than I have provided.

To retaliate happiness to her, the day I received the box I got on the internet and arranged it so that the next day she would have a man show up at her door (nothing kinky - darn it) to deliver huge "Thank You" balloons and a flower to her with a note card letting her know I received her box.  She just called and told me that it was a creative way to let her know I got her package.  I'm such a stinker!

Her family had gone through much sadness at the end of 2009 as did me and my family with loss and death.  She decided that we were going to have a happy year this year damn it!  I'm so glad she did.

The next thing I found in the box was a bookmark and 6x6 piece of paper with Zentangles drawn on them.  They are beautiful.  I was immediately drawn to these Zentangles as I had never really seen them before.  She also sent me paper and pen so I could start Zentangling immeditately.  Not only did I begin creating them immediately, but I'm on my fourth one right now.  Not sure what a Zentangle is?  Here is the first one I created last night:

 I began this piece by drawing a simple ladder in the upper, left corner of the paper and from there I just exploded.  It was as though all of those years that I hadn't picked up pen and paper (I used to draw incessantly) just raced out of me and onto the pages.  The next few I have created I will mat and frame in a series of three.  This is the one that will be on the bottom:

Also in the box was a set of beautiful note cards, a small "Thankful" journal she had made, and some really nice calendar sheets for 2010.  

Thank you from my heart and artistic soul, Dawn.  You always know how to lift my spirits.

I FINALLY DECIDED ON MY LIFE'S WORK

I have wanted to have my own business since I can remember, but either never could settle on one thing or the other as I love to do so many things.  Finally, through all of the turmoil as of late, I finally got it narrowed down to professional organizing.  Organizing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember and the one thing that has always brought me inner peace (weird, I know).  I finally have my licenses and website and am ready for action.  I hope this goes extremely well.  I am SO excited.  I hope you will stop by and check out my new website.  I am really enjoying setting them up and I'm rather proud of this one. 

I THINK, THERFORE I AM?

Remember all of the books on the powers of positive thinking?  I believe that was the era that created the phrase, "I think, therefore I am."  

I have done a lot of pondering lately, mostly because since my mother died I am having to do so much processing to try to fill the void in my daily life where she used to be, and thought about how many of us think negatively throughout the day on a daily basis (me being president of the club lately).  For instance, "I think I'm a loser," "I think I'm fat," "I think I'm unattractive," "I think I'm fat and unattractive," "I don't think I'll make it," "I don't think I'll ever amount to much," "I think I'm a bad parent," etc.  So, therefore, if positive thinking is so very powerful, just imagine the power behind negative thinking. 

I believe it would be a great treat to each and every one of us (and I am going to start this tomorrow - (oops, procrastination)), if everyone would wake up in the morning (which is always a great way to start the day, lol) and make a list of five positive things either IN their lives, or positive things they notice about themselves.  I believe my list tomorrow will look something like this:

I think I am as good a person as everyone else.

I think my new business will be a huge success.

I think I will lose about 40 lbs. for health reasons, but I look good already

I think I am a lot of fun to be around and can make people laugh

I think I'm going to get to fly to France in the near future to see my good friend.

Now take the phrase, "I think" off of the beginning of the sentence it would look like this:

I am as good a person as everyone else.

my new business will be a huge success.

I will lose about 40 lbs. for health reasons, but I look good already

I am a lot of fun to be around and can make people laugh

I'm going to get to fly to France in the near future to see my good friend.

These are great affirmations, and you could either choose a new set of five each day or keep the same ones until you have them set in stone and them add new ones...whatever works for you.  You could do more than five or less than five, but I would suggest no less than three.

No, this does not make us narcissistic.  I like to think of it as a way to take a great big hammer and smash that negative little voice in your head that keeps you from really living your life the way you really want to.  Age has a way of making us turn inward and examine where we have been and where we are headed, so I think if we master the poistive daily affirmations, the possibilities are endless.  

Be good to you.  You are worth it!

MY STORE IS UP AND RUNNING

...well, technically not MY store, but my studio in the Artfire store is now up and ready to sell my stuff.  I'm so excited about this.  I worked on it all day and I think it turned out rather well. 

If you get a chance, please stop by and visit my studio.