Enrichment
It occurred to me that boredom, or the state of being bored, is not such a bad thing. Yes, it’s uncomfortable; it makes you feel useless; it creates a low-energy vibe; and it makes others think you are ungrateful. “Wow, Kellie, that doesn’t sound like something I want in my life,” you so forcefully say. Hold on there…I have a point.
One Boring Experience: How I turned It Around
Several years ago when I was bedridden for severe chronic migraine. I wasn’t doing much but watching TV and barely taking care of my basic personal needs. That’s the way it is when you are in pain all the time. Anyway, one day while lying in bed I realized that there was nothing I could do about my condition and that I couldn’t control it. This thought process was a little depressing and a lot boring. What did I do? I used it to get creative…
Specifically, I began to jot down some ideas for a story. And soon I was staring at the outline for a book…a novel that had a female protagonist with severe migraine headaches. The frail state of my body enlisted extreme displeasure with the fact I couldn’t do the “normal” things I had before. The boredom made me do something about it. It prompted me to use the one thing that my illness could not take away…my creativity. So, I say it again: You want to be bored sometimes.
I believe that the body, mind & spirit were never meant to be idle unless they are in the natural process of rest for optimal health. If this is true, then boredom is a tell-tale sign that we are missing something. We are idle and not using parts of our being, including our creative abilities….no, especially our creative abilities. What really prompts you to want a new outfit or to plant some new flowers in your garden? You are bored with the old look, right? Well, it’s this same boredom that brings new ideas to the table; such as, a book plot, a colorful painting, an appealing Website, and the list goes on.
Here’s a little creative challenge for you:
Next time you feel boredom creep in, try to use it for a creative springboard. Ask yourself these questions: Why am I bored? What’s missing in my life? How can I change this feeling? What can I create that will make me feel more alive?
And, of course, I want to hear your input on this subject. Please, please leave a piece of your mind down there in the comments!
The human brain contains an estimated 50 to 100 billion neurons that communicate to one another with over 1,000 trillion synaptic connections in order to carry out the functions that we need and want to do. And as mind-blowing as that is, this complex organ can’t do everything…not alone, anyway. Having said that, let me explain. It is a mechanism that is interconnected to itself, other systems of the body, and to the core of who we are as individuals – our minds and our personalities, as well as to our spirits. One part cannot live without the others; it cannot thrive; it cannot create; it cannot exist. It is by this fact that each one of us has the ability to create the kind of life we desire.
The phrase “out of your mind creativity” struck me hard as I heard Neale Donald Walsh utter it during an interview. He was referring to the kind of creative endeavors that arise from an authentic, higher part of us with which we may not always be in touch. In order to expand, to align with truth, to be the conduit for greatness, we must learn to connect to this part of ourselves and the world in which it lives. Too often we stay in the proverbial box, the confines of the ordinary, waiting for something to change, for something to erupt and be the breakthrough idea that transforms our lives. Creative thought does not live in the ordinary or in any box, for that matter, but it thrives in an infinite world with no boundaries, no sharp edges, and no boring waiting rooms.
Getting outside the “box”, out of “your mind” is simple but not always easy. It requires setting aside (kicking out) habitual thinking, negative core beliefs, outside influence, all that you think you know in order to hear what this deep, spiritual existence is communicating. It’s a Divine place. A place where you (and I) can create anything, do anything, be anything that we want to be. I truly believe that we all have been there at one time or another. Can you recall a moment when a thought or an inspiration felt so right that you had to find a way to express it? The only way you could exhibit what your deepest self knew was to create something you’d never created before. Sound familiar?
The results of these profound moments are the brilliant paintings that bring tears to eyes; the books that change lives forever; the songs that move lovers to reunite; the movies that inspire individuality; the three-year-old’s “abstract” finger painting that evokes a proud tear from a new mom. No thought alone could create such monumental elements that weave together our world.
What does your higher self want to create?
How will it affect you and others?
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
As a woman it’s sometimes difficult to devote time and evergy to self-improvement, let alone spare any to have fun. I’m sure some of you can relate to this self-denial, as kids, spouse, job(s), the house, school, and simply keeping up with life often take most of our energy. Does it really have to be this way? Are we choosing to deny ourselves the basic pleasures of life just so we can “keep up with the Jones’s”?
I certainly hope not…
I’m reading a book right now called The 9 Intense Experiences: An Action Plan to Change Your Life Forever
I’m not going to do a full review of the book in this short article, but I do want to point out how important I believe his concepts are. The first Intense Experience is what he calls “Returning to Neverland”, a place we all frequented as children and maybe even into our young adult lives. The problem is that as we age, we tend to focus the majority of our time and energy on work, money, and getting ahead in life, not on meaningful, fun experiences. At best, we might take a vacation once a year or hope for a long weekend that isn’t calling us to house or yard work.
One of the suggestions he makes is to actively return to our own version of “Neverland”, however and whenever we can. Per his instructions for the first exercise, I proceeded to “dance” and be as silly as I could in front of the mirror. And though it was neither an audition for So You Think You Can Dance nor did anyone else see me (this time), the experience did the trick at bringing just a bit more joy into my day. Then I decided to take his advice and read one of my two-year-old’s books…without her.
My selection was Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom)
Now, keep in mind I’ve read this popular children’s book at least a dozen times and have honestly never thought much about it, other than the fact that I love the vibrant illustrations. This time I decided to slow down and really take in the story.
This is what I saw…
Chicka Chicka 1,2,3 is an extremely motivating tale of overcoming self-doubt and fear of rejection. And, on top of that, I received a message that spoke straight to my heart about timing and patience, realizing that sometimes “waiting” is the best thing for me. The little zero (main character) ended up with the best spot in the tree and being the hero to all the numbers simply because, even though overwhelmed with anxiousness for success, he waited.
The point being: I’m really stoked to read the rest of Brian’s book! I mean if I got that motivated by doing just a couple little exercises…WOW! I’m happier, and I got a sweet, little life lesson in 5 minutes while I was on the toilet…efficient.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Another amazing video came to my attention today. The following message is universal and powerful. No matter what your spiritual beliefs are, you can glean from the content. I felt so peaceful and full of joy after watching it….something I need right now. As a woman who cares about helping others and sharing quality resources to my readers, I had to post it!
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” ˜Albert Einstein
I’m interested in what you spiritual ladies think and feel about this kind of message. Please leave a Life Link below to express your opinion. What would you add to this message? What would you delete?
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
A blogger friend of mine posted this video on her site (3 Shared Paths) today, and I was blown away by the sincerity and vulnerability of the men who put it together. It is a must see for every woman! Please let us know what you think about their message to women and where you think this type of masculine attitude will lead.
Be well-be beautiful-be happy!
IntrospectiveSunday
How different are women and men?
Hmm, not really sure why this question just popped up into my head today; however, I’m going with it. I think there are some women who would rather eat a worm than be compared to men. On the other end of that pole are those who gladly acknowledge the distinct strengths and weaknesses of both sexes and are grateful for the comparison. It’s likely that most of us with two X chromosomes fall somewhere in between the two extremes.
As far as our life experiences, I believe that a woman’s is not so different from a man’s in terms of the actual things that happen: love, marriage, children, death, career, friendship, education, etc.. It’s far more likely that the variance comes from the way we each react to a particular scenario. For example: it’s far more likely that a woman will show her emotions while experiencing a traumatic or an extremely joyful event. And though it’s perfectly acceptable for both sexes to do this, you just don’t see very many men tearing up when they watch their best friend get married. The thing is, these differences are hard-wired into our dna. Men have been the hunters and protectors since the beginning; of necessity they are less reactive to stressful situations. I mean, what if back then when the guys had to go find food they suddenly started crying hysterically when a big scary bear jumped out in front of them instead of killing it? I’m just saying…
And, since I’m using hypothetical situations, here’s one starring a woman. What if back then when a woman had to give birth on her own, take care of that newborn without the help of Dr. Spock or new mommy blogs, suddenly just left the baby because she didn’t feel a connection with her? Not good… Sadly, this tragedy does happen. Thankfully, it’s not often.
The point to all this is just to be aware of our differences, especially when you’re trying to communicate to the opposite sex. I’m not just talking love relationships here. We have fathers, brothers, sons, male friends, co-workers, and clients. Men will always be different from women. And, we may not ever completely understand each other. Having said that, I do believe we can do a lot better though. We need to stop wanting men to be like us; to act like us; to talk like us; to understand emotional things like us; to feel like us. You get that, right? We all do it to some degree…I know I do.
So, today’s introspection is this: How can I improve my relationships with the opposite sex? How are my expectations getting in the way of good communication?
Please share your thoughts on this important subject by leaving a Life Link below…
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Leave it to me to load a question like that, as if it was a one pound baked potato with all the toppings you could possibly eat in one sitting. And, as stuffing yourself with a mammoth starch-riddled spud tends to make you feel like a gluttonous ogre, trying to answer this inquiry quickly and with clarity puts your mind into digestive overload. You wonder if your thoughts about yourself and your current status genuinely “belong” to a world that was meant for you or if you are simply avoiding it out of fear or confusion? Well, I say both. By that I mean that our fearful detours are a part of our journey; they are necessary in order to become who and what we are. My thoughts tend to get jumbled when I think about all the alternative choices I could have made in my life, but then i realize that I am “me” because of the ones I did make. That other woman, the one who chose something else, well…she’s not me.
I think the real issue comes when we don’t accept ourselves where we are and start comparing our results with those of others. The perpetual competition that you can never win because it’s an illusion, a fraud that society has placed before us to create pressure…the kind that makes us spend money…money to create a higher level of beauty, intelligence, wealth, and health. It’s a marketing plan, and it, unfortunately, works.
So, how do we know when we belong?
Well, I try to gauge decision-making with a simple process. If I feel energized and liberated by my choice, then it’s likely the right one. On the contrary, if I feel confusion, fear, and stress, it’s likely not. Sometimes you can’t always make decisions based on your feelings, but, at the same time, don’t discount them when they pop up. And just relax a little. Flow with your life as if you were floating on a raft in the ocean. There is a natural “tide” that guides and produces a force that will take you exactly where you need to be. Stop fighting it! Going against yourself is exhausting. Exhaustion leads to confusion and discontentment.
How do you know that you belong? Do share…
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
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Happy Friday, everyone! I’d like to share a treat with you today with a post from relationship expert Maryanne Comaroto. I’ve been in the hospital for almost a week with a killer headache that seems to love the view from my brain…you should know I’ve served an eviction notice. So, anyway, I’m thankful for Maryanne’s timely articles that not only give me a rest but fit in well here at Women’s Life Link. Her to-the-point wisdom and lovable humor is enlightening for everyone whether you’re in a blissful or troubled relationship or looking for a new love. Let me know what you think about her advice, and feel free to share any stories or comments about personal experiences.
-Kellie
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
How can you demonstrate your love?
By Maryanne Comaroto
There are lots of different things we can do or say that others might consider a demonstration of love. But in order for something to be considered a genuinely loving act, it has to come from the right place. For instance, you might think you’re doing something loving by being the peacemaker in an argument and just agreeing with your partner in order to get straight to the make-up sex, but if nothing actually gets worked out and your resentment ends up straining the relationship further, how is that a demonstration of love? It isn’t really!
If you want real ways to demonstrate your love for your partner, here are some good places to start:
1. Consider what would really make your partner happy, and hold it in your awareness. This means checking in with them on a daily basis and finding out what’s going well in their life, what they’re worried about, what they need in order for life to be a little easier, and so forth. Take these things in as if they were your own concerns.
2. Learn what makes your partner tick. A lot of people think they already know everything about their partner, but people’s likes and dislikes change from time to time. Learning about someone is not a destination, it’s a process. Take the time to ask your partner what they like, what they don’t like, what makes them tick, and so forth. You might be surprised at how much you don’t know.
3. Learn to listen to your partner. There are all sorts of verbal and non-verbal cues that people give off, and you don’t have to be a mind reader to pick up on them. If your partner is constantly wincing and rubbing the back of their neck, clearly they could use a massage! If they keep saying how much they like seafood, maybe it’s time to eat out at a seafood restaurant. Learn to pick up on these things.
4. Do whatever you have to do to in order to start making positive changes happen for your partner. Baby steps is all it takes – little things like getting their coffee right or knowing which magazine to buy without having to be told can make all the difference in the world. If you know they get frustrated with clutter, make the extra effort not to leave your socks lying around. Little things like that.
5. Make an effort to continuously explore what you don’t know about each other. My husband and I love to just get in the car sometimes and drive – I’ll suggest it, then I’ll let him pick the direction. Sometimes we end up somewhere and get out and explore; other times we’ll just drive in silence and enjoy each other’s presence. It all contributes to learning more about each other on a regular basis.
And these are just some suggestions to start with - when you use these as a stepping stone, you begin to learn the joy inherent in bringing joy to your partner. Laughter, surprise, and happiness all begin to be things you and your partner associate with each other, if it comes from the right place. I have always said that if you actually care, then act like it!
Great relationships begin within!
Just felt like posting this…
I’ve never really done a wordless Wednesday, but I guess this qualifies as my first.
“We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lost sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.”
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
I can hear strong debate with this loaded question. While some might say that “love” is the most important thing on the planet, I believe there is one thing even more important…
While love is extremely imperative for joy, it can’t survive without this…
You can’t move, breathe, or even live without it…
You can’t succeed at any endeavor without it…
You will never grow, change, or become who you truly are without it…
You cannot make friends without it…
You cannot make love without it…
You could not teach…
You could not learn…
You could not get a job…
You could not retire…
On the other hand…
You find love with it…
You keep love with it…
You can live a happy life with it…
You grow and become a better person with it…
You have opportunities with it…
As long as you have it, you can do anything you heart desires…
What is it?
Application
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
I received this in my inbox this morning and had to share it with you “beautiful” women. You WILL find it inspiring and deeply moving at the same time. Please pass it on to every woman you know who could use a kind word, a springboard to her greatness…
The Powerful Jane Handly Childhood Story
***Since 1982, Jane Handly has been a highly respected and often praised professional speaker, author, and consultant. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University with a Masters Degree in Communication.
She is the author of two books: The Life Plus Program for Getting Unstuck and Why Women Worry: and How to Stop, and has appeared as a guest on over 200 radio and television programs including Regis and Kathie Lee, The Home Show with Gary Collins, and Dr. Robert Schuller’s Hour of Power. Her work has been the subject of articles in such prestigious publications as Business Week, Ladies Home Journal, USA Today, and Money Magazine.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love this one:
***Because we are Amazon Associates, should you choose to get inspired by either of Jane’s books through the links provided, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting Women’s Life Link and those whom we promote.
I think I’m in good company when I say there is a distinct difference between the life I’m living and the one I want to live. Hear me out…please. I’m not saying that I’m not thankful for who I am and the hand I’ve been dealt; I’m merely pointing out that we all have passions and dreams that have not been fulfilled. And those powerful visions of a life not realized can really be a driving force to make self-improvements in hopes that the gap gets a little smaller.
Women have the need to be heard, understood, validated. Though this is not surprising to you, my fellow females, it is a tad overlooked by the opposite sex most of the time. Whether you’re considering a home or work environment, the fanfare doesn’t exactly show up regularly for good communication. We are naturally more attentive to self-expression and the delivery of our true feelings…well, most of us.
So, why then do we hide our dreams and passions from the world? Why do we pursue the opposite of what we are meant to do? Why do we let life get in the way of living? Great questions that deserve great answers.
That’s why I want you to answer them…
Yes, you, Women’s Life Link readers.
I know why I do this. I want to hear about your hindrances to living the life you truly want. So spill it, ladies!
Be well-be beautiful-be happy!
I’ve been brainstorming since the January 1 about how I’m going to define and brand myself as a life coach and counselor to women. To say, “I’m a life coach” is not definitive enough to let the world know who I really am as a coach. One of the things that keeps coming up for me is the fact that I’ve always been an extremely creative woman. If I wasn’t pursuing this career, I would be likely doing something in interior design, event design, or music. Though I love what I’m doing now, I cannot leave that “creative” aspect of myself behind. In fact, I want to include my creative talents in my coaching practice. I really can’t believe I didn’t see this before now…
You all may have heard me call myself “The Journey Coach”…or at least read it here on the site. Well, I’ve decided, with much thought and divine intervention, to introduce myself as The Creative Journey Coach. Now, that felt REALLY GREAT!!!! It’s right! It’s my purpose. I was trying to work around my creativity instead of incorporating it in my coaching and writing. After all, I teach clients to be who they are, and here I am avoiding a HUGE part of myself! OOPS…
I want to invite you to embrace creativity as an important part of who you are. From now on, I will do everything in my power to help other women explore, ignite, engage, walk in, increase, and LOVE their Creative Journey! Don’t worry; I’ll still talk about other topics, too. I’d love to hear about your creative challenges. Please tell me what you’d like to read more about here on WLL.
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
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Power300
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how a woman really changes throughout her life. I watch my youngest flit around the house in her 2.5 year-old body, full of laughter and energy I only dream of in my more mature state. Then there are my teens. They are full of hope and dreams of their future, waiting for those big events to wash over them and not realizing that they pass too quickly. They don’t yet grasp the fact that they are creating their futures with every thought and action of which they presently partake.
Then there are my two older daughters who are grown and on their own. They understand more than your average twenty-somethings…IMO. It’s such a crucial stage of life…as each one is, but this decade in particular is one that really marks a woman’s life with direction and purpose if she lets it.
As we age it’s harder to reposition ourselves in new places and dreams if we have not previously visited them. I want so much for those young twenties ladies to hear and understand that they don’t have to wait until they are in their thirties, forties, or fifties to live with authentic purpose. It’s just a decision, one that can be made at any age. I say, the sooner the better.
The primary importance is to always develop and grow no matter what age you are. And as moms, we should always encourage our daughters to know themselves; to explore their inner creativity; to be all that they dream of being; and partake of all that they are passionate about.
And if you’re one of those ladies who waited until you were mature to seek purpose or you still don’t know what it is, it’s OK. It’s never too late to be who you truly are. She’s waiting for you to let her out…
Be Beautiful-Be Creative-Be Happy!
Hi Everyone!
Here we are two days from major gift-giving holiday, and I still have shopping to do. Though I started early, I still have a few things to pick up, as many of you may also. Honestly, it’s pretty easy to get “all shopped out” this time of year, that’s why I love finding websites that offer one stop shopping. One of my favorites for gift searching and personal purchases is CSN stores. With over 200 easy to navigate online stores, you can find anything from toddler bath toys, a hot pair of shoes for yourself, or even hard to find corner tv stands.
I’ve reviewed CSN before but have enjoyed doing business with them so much, I want to share more about my experience with them. They played a HUGE part in my holiday shopping this year and I will be doing another review here soon on some of those products that are still snuggled under my tree.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and finds the peace that makes it so special.