Dream Big - Build Your Castles in the Air

I love this quote from Walden. I have always heard that to reach a goal you had to have a clear vision of the outcome, and I know that's true. 

You will surely get lost on a path without a destination.

Don't be afraid to dream big! Build your castle in the sky and then come back and build the foundation and the beautiful staircase up to it. It's a lot easier to hit the target if you know where to aim. 

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What does your castle look like?

Monday Musings :: Look on the Sunny Side of Everything

"Promise yourself to look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true." 

(excerpt from "Promises to Yourself", also known as The Optimist's Creed by Christian D. Larson).

Monday Musings: Be True to the Best that is in You...

"Promise yourself to live in the faith that the whole world is on your side as long as you are true to the best that is in you." 

(excerpt from "Promises to Yourself", also known as The Optimist's Creed by Christian D. Larson).

Monday Musings: No Pressure, No Diamonds

"No pressure, no diamonds."

I love this quote by Thomas Carlyle, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite people to turn to for inspirational nuggets and tidbits of wisdom. He was a Scottish satirical writer and historian during the Victorian Era, whose social commentary was considered quite controversial.

This particular statement caused me to reflect upon my own habits and productivity, and if I'm honest, I do some of my best work as an artist under pressure. Restrictions force me into creative problem-solving mode - an area in which I can truly shine. And if it weren't for (self-imposed) deadlines, I would probably never get anything done!

How do you work under pressure?

Original photo by Paul Hocksenar via Flickr.com (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), adapted by Jessica Barst

Delight in the Little Things:: Monday Musings

I took a little walk the other day. I was in a contemplative mood and the weather was glorious, and I found myself downtown with a little bit of time on my hands so I took a stroll. As I was walking I realized that the littlest things can bring me such great joy - something as simple as these beautiful little leaves on a rusty grate could bring a sense of happiness to my heart and a smile to my lips. I had to capture that moment, put a frame around that feeling to keep and remember forever. 

These simple yellow leaves so sweetly arranged as if posing for a painter and resting while he mixes his colors - French grey, vermilion, violet, and ochre - are now frozen in time as a reminder to keep my eyes and heart always open to make sure I don't ever miss another perfect moment just like this one. 

"Delight in the little things." ~Rudyard Kipling

Monday Musings: To Forget the Mistakes of the Past...

"Promise Yourself to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future." (excerpt from "Promises to Yourself", also known as The Optimist's Creed by Christian D. Larson).

As obvious as it seems, sometimes it is hard to let go of past mistakes, whether they're our own shortcomings or someone else's. We tend to dwell on the negative things and get caught up in hypotheticals; 'what if's and 'if only's and spend so much energy assigning blame and picking things apart that we waste valuable time that should be used to build a better future with the newfound knowledge we have gained from the experience.

What's done is done; focusing on the negative doesn't change that fact. Forgive whoever needs forgiving, and remember that person may very well be you. Let it go and focus your efforts on the road ahead, with the positive idea that you are a better, wiser person with more life experience under your belt and a greater formula for success!

Monday Musings: Peace of Mind

"Promise Yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind."

This line is an excerpt from a poem called "Promises to Yourself" (also known as The Optimist's Creed) by Christian D. Larson.

This week, I am focusing on this mantra. I know it is easy to let outside factors and things outside of our control worry us and cause negative thinking, but ultimately we are the masters of our own minds and should practice a positive outlook even at the worst of times. While we cannot control the things that may happen around us, we can control the way we react to them and how we let them shape our lives.

Things never go exactly as planned, but with presence of mind and clear focus, we can adjust our sails accordingly to stay on course when the winds change directions. And as captains of our own ships, it is our duty to weather these storms with strength and determination, and no matter how rough the seas, keep steering toward the destination we seek.

My Creed is The Optimist's Creed

A friend shared this with me a few months ago, and it is something I go back to and re-read often. There are times when it's easy to get too caught up in all the things that are going wrong in your life, instead of paying attention to all the ones that are going right.  
If you think about it, that's a very selfish way of life. There is always ALWAYS someone less fortunate than you, and putting that in perspective helps you realize and be more thankful for everything you have, and to reach out and give more to people who really need it.
I know from experience that negativity can drag you into a downward spiral and once you're there it's hard to redirect your thoughts toward the positive side of things.  This poem helped open my eyes and recognize the importance of thinking outside yourself and being more mindful of others.  When you give more, the world is a better place...for everyone in it. I truly believe that keeping these things always in my mind helps me to be a better person. 

Happy New Year!  Wishing you all the best for a happy, healthy 2012!!