There’s still time to whip up some last minute holiday cards! Here are a few more easy ideas!

• Red Cardstock
• corner punch
• Making Memories Mistletoe Pattern Paper (DieCut Icon Stripe)
• a Muse green gingham paper
• ivory cardstock
• Hero Arts stamp
• green silk ribbon

• Red cardstock
• music patterned paper
• Colorbox pigment ink pad (chestnut roan)
• Hero Arts Stamp (Collage Season’s Greetings)
• Zing! Embossing Powder
• button, ribbon, and foam dots

• Kraft cardstock
• Making Memories Mistletoe pattern stripe paper
• Fiskars Border Punch (Threading Water)
• ribbon, and button

Please feel free to stop by the store and get even MORE inspiration!!!

what i got in an email from a friend today just had to share it cause it’s so beautiful.

- by Max Lucado

The Wemmicks were small wooden people. Each of the wooden people was carved by a woodworker named Eli. His workshop sat on a hill overlooking their village. Every Wemmick was different. Some had big noses, others had large eyes. Some were tall and others were short. Some wore hats, others wore coats. But all were made by the same carver and all lived in the village.

And all day, every day, the Wemmicks did the same thing: They gave each other stickers. Each Wemmick had a box of golden star stickers and a box of gray dot stickers. Up and down the streets all over the city, people could be seen sticking stars or dots on one another.

The pretty ones, those with smooth wood and fine paint, always got stars. But if the wood was rough or the paint chipped, the Wemmicks gave dots. The talented ones got stars, too. Some could lift big sticks high above their heads or jump over tall boxes. Still others knew big words or could sing very pretty songs. Everyone gave them stars.

Some Wemmicks had stars all over them! Every time they got a star it made them feel so good that they did something else and got another star. Others, though, could do little. They got dots.

Punchinello was one of these. He tried to jump high like the others, but he always fell. And when he fell, the others would gather around and give him dots. Sometimes when he fell, it would scar his wood, so the people would give him more dots. He would try to explain why he fell and say something silly, and the Wemmicks would give him more dots.

After a while he had so many dots that he didn’t want to go outside. He was afraid he would do something dumb such as forget his hat or step in the water, and then people would give him another dot. In fact, he had so many gray dots that some people would come up and give him one without reason.

“He deserves lots of dots,” the wooden people would agree with one another.

“He’s not a good wooden person.”

After a while Punchinello believed them. “I’m not a good wemmick,” he would say. The few times he went outside, he hung around other Wemmicks who had a lot of dots. He felt better around them.

One day he met a Wemmick who was unlike any he’d ever met. She had no dots or stars. She was just wooden. Her name was Lulia.

It wasn’t that people didn’t try to give her stickers; it’s just that the stickers didn’t stick. Some admired Lulia for having no dots, so they would run up and give her a star. But it would fall off. Some would look down on her for having no stars, so they would give her a dot. But it wouldn’t stay either.

‘That’s the way I want to be,’thought Punchinello. ‘I don’t want anyone’s marks.’ So he asked the stickerless Wemmick how she did it.

“It’s easy,” Lulia replied. “every day I go see Eli.”

“Eli?”

“Yes, Eli. The woodcarver. I sit in the workshop with him.”

“Why?”

“Why don’t you find out for yourself? Go up the hill. He’s there. “

And with that the Wemmick with no marks turned and skipped away.

“But he won’t want to see me!” Punchinello cried out.

Lulia didn’t hear. So Punchinello went home. He sat near a window and watched the wooden people as they scurried around giving each other stars and dots.

“It’s not right,” he muttered to himself. And he resolved to go see Eli.

He walked up the narrow path to the top of the hill and stepped into the big shop. His wooden eyes widened at the size of everything. The stool was as tall as he was. He had to stretch on his tiptoes to see the top of the workbench. A hammer was as long as his arm. Punchinello swallowed hard.

“I’m not staying here!” and he turned to leave. Then he heard his name.

“Punchinello?” The voice was deep and strong.

Punchinello stopped.

“Punchinello! How good to see you. Come and let me have a look at you.”

Punchinello turned slowly and looked at the large bearded craftsman.

“You know my name?” the little Wemmick asked.

“Of course I do. I made you.”

Eli stooped down and picked him up and set him on the bench. “Hmm, ” he spoke thoughtfully as he inspected the gray circles. “Looks like you’ve been given some bad marks.”

“I didn’t mean to, Eli. I really tried hard.”

“Oh, you don’t have to defend yourself to me. I don’t care what the other Wemmicks think.”

“You don’t?”

“No, and you shouldn’t either. Who are they to give stars or dots? They’re Wemmicks just like you. What they think doesn’t matter, Punchinello. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special.”

Punchinello laughed. “Me, special? Why? I can’t walk fast. I can’t jump. My paint is peeling. Why do I matter to you?”

Eli looked at Punchinello, put his hands on those small wooden shoulders, and spoke very slowly. “Because you’re mine. That’s why you matter to me.”

Punchinello had never had anyone look at him like this–much less his maker. He didn’t know what to say.

“Every day I’ve been hoping you’d come,” Eli explained.

“I came because I met someone who had no marks.”

“I know. She told me about you.”

“Why don’t the stickers stay on her?”

“Because she has decided that what I think is more important than what they think. The stickers only stick if you let them.”

“What?”

“The stickers only stick if they matter to you. The more you trust my love, the less you care about the stickers.”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“You will, but it will take time. You’ve got a lot of marks. For now, just come to see me every day and let me remind you how much I care.”

Eli lifted Punchinello off the bench and set him on the ground.

“Remember,” Eli said as the Wemmick walked out the door. “You are special because I made you. And I don’t make mistakes.”

Punchinello didn’t stop, but in his heart he thought, “I think he really means it.”

And when he did, a dot fell to the ground.

walking along the river en route home is always a same old yet new experience for me.

picnics. don’t ask me how. students talking on their mobiles. boyfriends, maybe? people fishing. kissing. you name it, I’ve probably seen it. and you would’ve too, if you like passing by.

today was special. I saw a little boy of two with his grandpa. his grandpa was blowing bubbles and he was teaching the young one how. the little one caught on quickly – what a fast learner, and he had the biggest smile on his face. jumping up and down, he was oblivious to the number of flowers he had trampled on in his excitement.

oh, hail the simpler things in life. gone were the days when COACH meant bus to me. GUESS meant something else to me other than being a fun game I used to play. I pronounce HERMES with such poise and perfection, better than any of my Chinese vocabulary put together.

watching him made me smile and I paused for awhile.

when was the last time I slowed down?to look at the trees? the clouds in the sky? or anything else that didn’t appear on a screen?

in this world slow is like a taboo. but in His world, it’s gold. it’s key to your well being. it goes against everything you know, see and believe.

in our haste to grasp new things, we are sometimes oblivious to the simple things in life we trample on.

those beautiful, precious little things that are always there; lay forgotten.

how could we possibly miss them? the faithful sunrise, smiling puffy clouds, cool gentle breeze. rain.

it’s not that they weren’t there. it’s just that we didn’t take time to look.

xoxo

Kawan-kawan adalah perhiasan yang langka.

Mereka membuatmu tertawa dan memberimu semangat.

Mereka bersedia mendengarkan jika itu kau perlukan

Mereka menunjang dan membuka hatimu.

Tunjukkanlah kepada teman-temanmu betapa kau menyukai mereka.

Beberapa baris untuk direnungkan

Ada beberapa pesan yang baik untuk jiwa kita.   

Berilah kepada orang lebih dari yang mereka harapkan, dan lakukan secara bijaksana.

Yakinlah pada dirimu ketika berkata: ”Aku mencintaimu.”   

Jika kau berkata: “Aku menyesal,” tataplah mata lawan bicaramu.   

Jangan permainkan harapan orang lain.

Mungkin kau bisa tersinggung, tetapi itulah satu-satunya cara untuk menjalani hidupmu.

Jangan adili orang lain, tetapi adili dirimu secara kritis.   

Bicaralah pelan, tetapi cepat dalam berpikir.   

Jika kau ditanya sesuatu yang tak ingin kau jawab, senyumlah, dan tanya :  ”Mengapa kamu mau tahu?”   

Ingatlah bahwa kasih yang paling indah dan sukses yang terbesar mengandung banyak risiko.   

Jika kau kalah,   jangan lupakan pelajaran dibalik kekalahan itu.   

Hargai dirimu.   

Hargai orang lain.   

Bertanggung jawablah atas tindakanmu.   

Jangan biarkan selisih paham merusak indahnya persahabatan.   

Tersenyumlah ketika menjawab Telpon, orang yang menelponmu akan mendengarnya dari suaramu.      

…..Bila kau tidak mendapatkan apa yang kau inginkan, mungkin saja itu keberuntunganmu…..

<dikutip dari sebuah blog>
Semoga bermanfaat bagi kita semua ^^a

===========o

Suatu hari, seorang anak lelaki miskin yang hidup dari menjual asongan dari pintu ke pintu, menemukan bahwa dikantongnya hanya tersisa beberapa sen uangnya, dan dia sangat lapar.

Anak lelaki tersebut memutuskan untuk meminta makanan dari rumah berikutnya. Akan tetapi anak itu kehilangan keberanian saat seorang wanita muda membuka pintu rumah. Anak itu tidak jadi meminta makanan, ia hanya berani meminta segelas air.

Wanita muda tersebut melihat, dan berpikir bahwa anak lelaki tersebut pastilah lapar, oleh karena itu ia membawakan segelas besar susu.

Anak lelaki itu meminumnya dengan lambat, dan kemudian bertanya, “berapa saya harus membayar untuk segelas besar susu ini ?”

Wanita itu menjawab:

“Kamu tidak perlu membayar apapun”.
“Ibu kami mengajarkan untuk tidak menerima bayaran untuk kebaikan”

kata wanita itu menambahkan.

Anak lelaki itu kemudian menghabiskan susunya dan berkata :” Dari dalam hatiku aku berterima kasih pada anda.”

Sekian tahun kemudian, wanita muda tersebut mengalami sakit yang sangat kritis. Para dokter dikota itu sudah tidak sanggup menganganinya.

Mereka akhirnya mengirimnya ke kota besar, dimana terdapat dokter spesialis yang mampu menangani penyakit langka tersebut.

Dr. Howard Kelly dipanggil untuk melakukan pemeriksaan.. Pada saat ia mendengar nama kota asal si wanita tersebut, terbersit seberkas pancaran aneh pada mata dokter Kelly.

Segera ia bangkit dan bergegas turun melalui hall rumahsakit, menuju kamar si wanita tersebut.

Dengan berpakaian jubah kedokteran ia menemui si wanita itu. Ia langsung mengenali wanita itu pada sekali pandang. Ia kemudian kembali ke ruang konsultasi dan memutuskan untuk melakukan upaya terbaik untuk menyelamatkan nyawa wanita itu. Mulai hari itu, Ia selalu memberikan perhatian khusus pada kasus wanita itu.

Setelah melalui perjuangan yang panjang, akhirnya diperoleh kemenangan… Wanita itu sembuh !!. Dr. Kelly meminta bagian keuangan rumah sakit untuk mengirimkan seluruh tagihan biaya pengobatan kepadanya untuk persetujuan.

Dr. Kelly melihatnya, dan menuliskan sesuatu pada pojok atas lembar tagihan, dan kemudian mengirimkannya ke kamar pasien.

Wanita itu takut untuk membuka tagihan tersebut, ia sangat yakin bahwa ia tak akan mampu membayar tagihan tersebut walaupun harus dicicil seumur hidupnya.

Akhirnya Ia memberanikan diri untuk membaca tagihan tersebut, dan ada sesuatu yang menarik perhatuannya pada pojok atas lembar tagihan tersebut. Ia membaca tulisan yang berbunyi..

“Telah dibayar lunas dengan segelas besar susu..” 

tertanda, DR Howard Kelly.

Air mata kebahagiaan membanjiri matanya.
Ia berdoa:

“Tuhan, terima kasih bahwa cintamu telah memenuhi seluruh bumi melalui hati dan tangan manusia.”

==============o

I felt inspired by the sound of dripping rain outside to start a new blog. I haven’t blogged since moving here from Massachusetts. As I was checking my email I looked up and saw the rain dripping from the needled tree and spanish moss and I just closed my eyes and listened for a moment. And there it was. The inspiration to share it! The rain in Florida brings on mixed emotions. It does not last long enough to dampen the spirit or inspire snuggling under a blanket for the day. It can be refreshing but when it is over the air is oppressive and squelches out the momentary feeling of joy from a refreshing shower….I for one am not partial to these quick showers because I seem to be running outside on a daily basis to grab still-damp clothing off the line….

Ever wonder why it seems like th rich get richer and the poor get poorer? It all starts with an attitude.

Scenario One – The Rich Get Richer:

Step 1 – Attitude: Susan has a goal of achieving great things in her business and believes her potential is limitless. Her attitude practically shouts “I believe in myself and I believe in my business!”.

Step 2 - Action: Because of Susan’s belief and attitude, she takes massive action. She is an unstoppable machine.

Step3 – Results: Susan’s massive action leads to incredible results.

Step 4 – Attitude – Susan’s incredible results feed her beliefs and make her attitude even stronger.

This stronger attitude drives even more massive action, greater results and the cycle goes on…up and up and up.

Scenario One – The Poor Get Poorer:

Step 1 – Attitude: John has a goal of achieving great things in his business but is pessimistic about his potential in this economy. He sees other around him struggling. Why should he be any different?

Step 2 - Action: Because of John’s beliefs and attitudes, he takes little action. He’d rather wait and see when the economy will turn around.

Step3 – Results: Because of John’s lack of action, he sees little results.

Step 4 – Attitude – John’s poor results feed his beliefs and make his attitude even more negative.

This attitude drives even less action, poorer results and the cycle goes on…down and down and down.

What are you doing to feed your attitude today?

Mindset for the day:
Be Peaceful…What would life be like for a day if you chose a peaceful point of view?  Would you be okay with…The way it is?  Would you feel more relaxed…In times of adversity?  Would you seek out and find…The silver lining?  What would be available to the other people in your life if…You were at ease?

Of course life would be better! But, you wouldn’t be effective and get what you wanted and needed…Right?  You are dead wrong!!!  Somewhere along the way you probably bought into the theory that “Nice finishes last.”  That was first said by some jerk who wanted to justify his/her behavior.  Still not convinced?  Did Gandhi finish last?  What about Mother Theresa…Last?  Not even close…They were a stand for peace and they were peaceful.  They inspired people because they gave them self to something and trusted the process.  What would life transform into if you were a stand for being peaceful and trusted the process as well?

Your new point of view. A different angle…If you will.  Why do we work so hard?  Why do we want so much?  The ANSWER: Because there are brief periods of calm, peace and happiness that follow what we have obtained.  If peace and happiness are the goal…Why do we run ourselves ragged to get only a glimpse of what we truly desire?  The reason…It’s status quo.  That’s just the way it is.  It’s how to win the game.  Did you ever stop to think that perhaps you are the only player in your made up game called “I’ll be happiest when…?”

You really are the only player. Here’s proof…How long have you been waiting for another player to do your life for you?  Has that person ever really shown up?  Not a chance…You may have a coach and a cheering section, but no one is YOU.  People can do everything for you…but they cannot be YOU.  I want you to get that you are responsible for your own peace in life.  The sooner you own it…the faster you become peaceful.

Action Step:
A short list is in order today.  After all, who can be peaceful with a huge list?  You actually can, but for now let’s practice the short one.

• Write down 5 things that you’re responsible for that you view as “Peace Disturbing.”

• Change the angle of your thinking about those 5 things…Then ask, “How can I not be so consumed and still be effective?”  If that isn’t possible…

• Give the thing to another qualified individual and let it go.

• Email me at Info@waysofbeing.com to get another view.

• Ask for assistance to complete that which binds the mind.

The most important thing is to be okay with trusting yourself, life and THE PROCESS.  Always be that which is extension of who you say you are.  Have all your actions run consistent with what you’re really after in life.  Don’t waste time chasing the end result, which is usually a means to an end anyway, be the experience you’re after…Peaceful and Happy.

Remember this…Everything you need you woke up with.  It all resides within you.

Enjoy being a more powerful you…Have a fantastic day!
Matt “The Ways of Being Guy”

“The greatest gift you can give yourself is to be who you want to be…no matter what.  There is no greater feeling of power, confidence and self control.”

You got your “Mind Set” by The Mindset Email.

©2009 Matt Brown

I had the best intentions for posting this past Sunday but one thing lead to the other and wouldn’t you know it – nothing got posted! YiKeS! So without further delay here are my top 10 things I love (the Monday edition)

#10.  The beautiful artwork of Alberto Cerriteno

His work is so intricate and expressive! The layer upon layer of gradients and textures mixed with the most amazing sense of color really transport anyone who is lucky enough to gaze at his art work. All of his works remind me of a cross between the artwork found in ‘Little Big Planet’ and the illustrator behind the children’s classic ‘Where the Wild Things Are’.

#9. The AMAZING architecture of the ‘Panama House’ in Brazil

The award winning Brazilian design studio MK27 have truly out-done themselves with this amazing take on ‘open concept’. This seemingly wall free abode not only offers serenity but an environment suited for the designer in all of us!

#8. This video – made my weekend

#7. My mommy – probably the most understanding and patient person I have ever known I can’t imagine doing anything without her voice of reason. She’s the best!

#6. New favorite websites can be found here, here and here

#5. Reminiscing over favorite shows from my youth! My brother and I were talking about our favorite shows from when we were younger and after some searching check them out here, here, here and here.

#4. Laird Hamilton – I need to get back to Hawaii and go for a surfing vacation… BADLY

#3.  Toms Shoes – Totally self explanatory!

#2. HARRY POTTER – oh my goodness LOVED. IT.  Two words: Luna Lovegood.

#1. Leaf Jumping – wow I need a time-machine

So there you have it – I am going to lie down because I have a gnarly headache and it’s 35 degrees out – and I  am so over being sticky! xoxo-KB

Track of the Day:  Lost   By: Coldplay – exactly what’s going on in my mind…

… and in my next breath, all I can think is, “I”m desolate!”

Desolate at finishing a novel of 290 pages of a book that could be termed
‘a woman’s book’? I will not keep you waiting, the book is:

“THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY.”

My friend Caroline brought the book over to me, with the remark that she had
finished the last page that very morning, and I just might like it.
Which calls for honoring the bond forged by literature.
Time now for me to thank so many of you who have emailed me referrals to
books they had enjoyed and that might suit me, too, during these weeks
of recovery.

Back to TGL&PPS, written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

People magazine said, “… a small masterpiece about love, war and the
immeasurable sustenance to be found in good books and good friends.”

Aha! I knew there was another reason why this was pushing at me this
morning: it IS about that forging bond that prompts us to share with others
something moving and special. Yes, the book, too, is compelling.
And so is the fact that Caroline and I now not only have friends in common
from that book, but memories, too.

Not a lot more to say, just thank you, Shaffer and Barrows, for writing this
book, and thank you, Caroline, for adding to our mutual memories.

with love …
Mom/Mimi/Toni/Antoinette

Ein Mensch ist von uns gegangen von dem ich hoffte er würde ewig leben  Michael Jackson vielen auch bekannt als der eizig wahre “King of Pop”

Er war es der mich auf Schritt und Tritt  in meinem Leben begleitete schon im zarten Alter von zwei Jahren begann mein Leben mit ihm an meiner Seite. Das einzige was sich damals durch die Plattendreher drehte waren Scheiben von Michael Jackson allen vorran “Thriller” und “Bad”, er war es der mir  durch seine Musik oft genug in schweren Stunden Kraft gab durch seine Texte und seine Musik und seine Art, dass zu machen um die Menschen um ihn glücklich zu machen, gab mir oft genug Kraft und Willen und allenvorran Inspiration. Er hatte es geschafft die Welt zu einem besseren Ort zu machen und damit verdient er sich den größten Respekt dem ich einer Person je zugesprochen habe. Er schaffte es andere Menschen auf eine Weise glücklich zu machen wie kaum ein anderer. Das größte Herz das eine Person haben kann.

chidren show me in their playfull smiles the devine in everyone.

These children are areminder of the preciousness of all life especially young lives untouched by hatred prejudice and greed.

Now when the World is so confused and it´s problems so complicated we need our children more than ever.

The mission of Heal the World, my mission is healing pure and simple.

To heal the world we must start by healing our children.Being with them connects us to the deep wisdom of life.

This simple goodness shines straight from their hearts.We have to heal our wounded planet. I wrote this song for everyone in our  world.

In an effort to help bring global harmony.

Mit seinem Talent die Musik in Poesie zu verwandeln diente er und dient er immer noch als  Inspirationsquellen unserer Zeit, für viele Künstler auf der ganzen Welt.

Doch dann traf es mich wie ein Schock ich öffnete an diesem Abend mein email- Fach und da stand es die Schreckensnachricht Michael Jackson TOT vor kurzem erst unterhielt ich mich angeregt über das Leben und den Lebensweg der King of  Pop und dessen Stellenwert in meinem Leben und dem meines Geprächspartners.

Langsam noch ganz benommen ging ich die Treppe runter und dachte mir meine Schwester muss es hören sofort,  ich rief sie leise aus dem Schlaf als ich dann sagte das MJ tot sei, kam es zu einem stillen Moment wir beide konnten es einfach nicht glauben eine Person die uns beide unser ganzes Leben lang begleitet hat, dessen Musik immer noch tagtäglich durch unsere Kopfhörer schallt war plötzlich nicht mehr da. Bilder flimmerten vor unseren Augen der erste “Moonwalk”das weltbekannte Thriller Album und die Millionen Menschen die zu seinen Konzerten pilgerten feuerzeuge  emporhielten und seine Texte mitsangen. Menschen reihenweise in Onmacht fallend die daraufhin weggetragen  werden all diese Bilder liefen in diesem Moment vor meinem inneren Auge auf und ab. Erinnerungen die ich nie vergessen werde.

I´ll never let you part for you always in my heart.

Nun ist er an einem besseren Ort weg von Stress und Anschuldigungen die immer mehr zu einer physischen Labilität führten.In einem Alter in dem Kinder normalerweise spielen toben und spaß haben sollten hatte er und seine Brüder Aufgaben zu erfüllen die kaum zu erfüllen waren und doch schaffte er es, den harten Ansprüchen der Eltern gerecht zu werden.  Die Kindheit war immer wieder zweitrangig immer ging es um das singen und tanzen manchmal zwang man es dazu aber ich lernte es lieben. Oft kamen wir ohne Abendesssen ins Bett.  Und jetzt?, weg von alle dem zu einem  Ort des Friedens den Ort den er sich zu seinem Lebzeiten immer wieder schaffen wollte um auch uns daran Teil zu haben tat er alles was in seiner Macht stand um die Welt zu einem besseren Ort zu machen.

Ein Mensch Ein Engel der King of Pop egal wie kontrovers er war er hat für die Menschheit soviel getan wie kaum ein anderer er war Inspirationsquelle von millionen von Menschen und Künstlern auf der ganzen Welt.

…Und für mich der Grund warum ich die Musik so sehr liebe.

Like A Comet
Blazing ‘Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Ich denke gerade dieser Text repäsentiert vorallem die Gefühle die er durch seine Texte immer wieder an uns weitergeben will , etwas so schönes was man niemals verlieren will und immer bei sich haben will, es einfangen will um es auch mit anderen Menschen teilen zu können und sein Leben und das Leben der anderen mit dieser  Musik zu bereichern.

Unsere Aufgabe is es nun die Musik für andere zu erhalten, damit  diese Gefühle auch über  weitere Generationen erhalten bleiben können und auch sie die Möglichkeit haben den King of Pop auf ihre Weise mitzuerleben

Du wirst in unserem Herzen immer einen Platz haben, nicht nur in meinem sondern in dem vieler Menschen auf dieser Welt.
GOD BLESS YOU!

Always and forever the “King of Pop” R.I.P.  (1958-2009)

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

“It´s amazing that you can accept a dog in your house  but you can´t accept someone because of their race their colour or their religion.”

I love quotations.  …Other people’s words, that is.  A few years ago I had one of those daily quote tear-off calendars.  Each page was a tiny tidbit of insight, knowledge or spin.  When these sheets  pop up in stacks of paper  I can’t bear to throw them away.  I want to thrill again to the emotions or dreams inspired three years ago on January 10th.

How do writers, poets, statesmen, etc. encapsulate thoughts and ideas in so few words? I hope I’m not missing something about quotations.  Are they really only well-packaged clichés?

I believe in them.  I want to be quotable when I grow up.  I want to think in pungent word bytes redolent with wisdom.  I’ll say them in public or in writing and then, perhaps, someone will look me up on Google because they are so captivated by my quotable quote that they find me intriguing even though they’ve never heard of me.

Or do I need to become famous first?  It could be that my wonderful thoughts would not rise to the top unless I was noted for some other great deed.  Ah well, then my aspiration must change.

I want to do great things!  (And after that, be quotable.)

Besides the completely unrelated title, I do have something to report.  Yesterday I finished my first composition for the project!  Launch the streamers!  Bring in the cake!  Cue the Band!  Well, maybe not.  It is a good step, but it doesn’t get me to the finish line.

I will say that the process of writing the music was quite engrossing.  I have had trouble in the past writing melodies that I found suitable and catchy.  The background stuff and the arrangement always came easier to me.  I figured the way to help solve my problem was to just sit down and do it.  For the most part, it worked.  Now, I haven’t arranged the piece for a fully orchestrated band, but I did write the sax part and the keyboard part which is all that is really necessary for the song to be performed.

So, to fill you in a bit on the tune itself:  it is a Jazz song in the Swing sub-genre.  Think “Swing, Swing, Swing” or anything by the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies (if you can look past the suggestive themes of their music and see the build of the sound).  I intended it to be a laid back statement of summer afternoon car rides.  There’s nothing like enjoying the bright, vibrant scenery of a rural country strawberry patch passing by and feeling the wind whipping in your face as you cruise down the road on a sunny afternoon.  So, with that in mind, I created “Crusin.’”  I will stop writing for a moment and let you hear it.  Please forgive the poor audio as I only had a little Nikon point and shoot on hand to capture the video:

The sax player there is a good friend of mine named Dashaun Carroll.  He is the next Cannonball Adderly or Charlie Parker or Paul Desmond.  Probably more like Paul in reality because he has an amazing silky smooth tone and a resonating quality to everything he plays.  I could listen to him play for hours on end.  Here is a clip of Paul in action and I think you will see what I am talking about.

Anyway, inispiration for the song came from a chord progression that I had written several months ago.  I usually just throw out a feel and a progression to match the feel and see what happens.  I figured that I was aiming towards more of a bop or funk, but as I started writing I kept hearing swing in my ears.  So I went with it.  If you listen again, notice that there are two distinct sections:  An A section that is a little bop with some smooth runs to even it out, but it is pretty laid back.  Then there is a solo section followed by a B section that has a darker tone to it.  It could possibly be that feeling of getting too hot or running into some rain on your ride.  But that quickly passes and some excitement builds until you are back into the boppy A section to finish the tune.

That pattern, by the way, is pretty standard for older Jazz.  You find so many songs that feature a catchy or noticable “head” or melody, followed by long solos followed again by the “head” to finish the song.

So that’s all I’ve got for now.  I hope you enjoyed my little ditty and please feel free to comment on anything you have heard or seen.  There is nothing like good constructive criticism, so I’m open to anything.  I’ll leave you with another recording that Dashaun and I did.  This one is a bit more of a jam and includes “The In Crowd” by Dobie Gray, “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” by Cannonball Adderly and “Crusin’” again at the end.  If you can’t access the video on the blog, then you can find them at this link:

www.youtube.com/kristor.

If 80% of life is just showing up…What is the other 20%?  I look at the other 20% as “who” or “how” I am being.  Said another way, it’s the attitude and intention I bring with me where ever I go.  I often ask myself these questions:

What is my intention?

How am I occuring…to them?

What am I creating?

I find that these 3 questions get me present to who I want to be, how I want to show up, and what I would like to see as a result.  If I don’t ask myself questions such as these, I run the risk of showing up and just going through the motions.  I then fall into the 80% category, and life becomes routine and often boring.  Living a life with intention, awareness and focus is an extraordinary life.  For the rest of the day:

Ask the 3 questions,  remain aware of “HOW” you are being and what you want to cause for yourself and other people.  Focus on exercising that other 20%, and let me know how it went for you.  Have a fantastic day!!!

Matt “The Ways of Being Guy”

“The greatest gift you can give yourself is to be who you want to be…no matter what.”

Order your Ways of Being Program TODAY.    www.WaysofBeing.com

Saturday, June 6^th, 2009 will be the opening for my new art show at The Gallery in Radford, VA.  Come by between 5 and 7 PM and say hi!

I will also be back in town to teach two classes at the Gallery!  

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Saturday, June 20th 10 AM – 11:30AM

Rubber Stamp Carving: Create your own durable and reusable rubber stamps.  Uses are endless….for scrapbooking, cards, repeat fabric printing, your own personal logo….etc.  Class fee: $35, Materials fee:  $15.

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Friday, June 19 from 6-7:30 PM  

 Dyeing with Rust: Come and dye your own silk scarf with rust!  I promise it will be beautiful.  Learn the tricks to dyeing cotton, silk, wool, even polyester.  Once you try it you will be asking your neighbors for rust!  Class fee:  $35, Materials fee: $15.

Emily Keown will be returning to Southwest Virginia to showcase new works created in the last year and half. 

This new show featured at the gallery in Radford’s downtown will reveal the many materials mediums and moods the artist goes through in her studio.  The work ranges from weavings paired with photographs that have been featured in exhibits in the DC area and Chicago to her hand painted scarves that explore pattern and color and create spontaneous fashion.  Drawings, paintings, encaustics, experimental dyeing, collages, sockmonsters, handmade cards and more.

Emily Keown is a fibers artist who works in many mediums with many materials.  She finds inspiration in the adventure.

I have a huge range of new work that I’m bringing  . . . . Can’t wait to see you all there!

p.s. hey willa i have been dong some paintings inspired by you!

Boosting your confidence…it’s up to you.  How do you increase your confidence?  Get a new wardrobe, hair style, or a nice tan?  These are all ways to improve how you look, in return, you may feel better about yourself and your appearance.  Obviously, that’s one way to boost your confidence and it works for me as well.  What about a deeper level of confidence?  Let’s call it self-reliance, the ability to count on your own powers and resources rather than those of other people.  A great starting point for confidence is knowing that you can count on yourself to cause your life.

Allow yourself a moment to think about your commitments.  Get a piece of paper and write them down beginning with the big promises.  A few examples might be marriage, your job, or parenting.  I’ll call these open promises, they are out there for the world to see, and can be easily monitored by others.  If you don’t show up for work, the boss wants to know why.  You get the point.  What about the promises that are unspoken or behind the scenes that very few people, if any, know exist?  Do you keep those commitments?  This is where self-reliance can be the foundation for boosting confidence.  When honoring the unspoken promises, the one’s you know you should keep, a greater sense of self-worth and self-sufficiency instantly shows up.  This inner confidence has a way of presenting itself to the outside world, in return, creating more opportunity for everyone.  What if we all kept the small promises too?  Would the world be different?  If you think it would, start by keeping yours right now.  Pass on the message or recommend this blog.  If you would like to develop more Ways of Being, create more opportunity, or just see life from a fresh point of view, visit www.waysofbeing.com and order your Ways of Being Program today….RISK FREE!

Matt “The Ways of Being Guy”

“The greatest gift you can give yourself is to be who you want to be…no matter what.”

My name is Mike Goldman. I’m an executive coach and my purpose in life is to change the world by helping people discover and live their passion.

The purpose of this blog is to help me achieve that purpose by communicating breakthrough ideas and tips to make that happen.

Imagine what your life would look like if you lived your passion everyday. Imagine how it would feel to wake up in the morning and say “I can’t wait to go to work today!”. Wouldn’t it be great if work felt like a hobby.

If you’re a business owner, imagine the impact of your employees feeling that way. What would that do to your company’s performance? What would it do for morale? What would it do for your competitive advantage?

I hope you’ll join me by reading this blog and sharing your ideas. I look forward to our conversation.

went to the international quilt show in chicago. it was great i have a lot of ideas, new projects started and saw some great things i thought i would share . . .

so i’m ready to dye and quilt and paint and layer, color is all i can think about.

How amazing would these paper cutout trees look on a shelf near a window? So pretty!

Thomas Alva Edison (11 Februari 1847 – 18 Oktober 1931) adalah penemu dari Amerika dan merupakan satu dari penemu terbesar sepanjang sejarah. Edison mulai bekerja pada usia yang sangat muda dan terus bekerja hingga akhir hayatnya. Selama karirnya, Thomas Alva Edison telah mempatentkan sekitar dari 1.093 hasil penemuannya, termasukbola lampu listrik dan gramophone, juga kamera film. Ketiga penemuannya membangkitkan industri-industri besar bagi industri listrik, rekaman dan film yang akhirnya mempengaruhi kehidupan masyarakat di seluruh dunia. Dia juga dikenal sebagai penemu yang menerapkan prinsip ‘produksi massal’ bagi penemuan-penemuannya.

Edison sendiri memperoleh keahliannya dalam bidang kelistrikan dan telegraphy (telegraph untuk komunikasi) pada usia belasan tahun. Pada tahun 1868, di usia 21 tahun, dia telah mengembangkan dan mempatentkan penemuannya yang berupa sebuah mesin yang merekam telegraph.

Dimasa kecilnya, Edison hanya bersekolah di sekolah yang resmi selama tiga bulan, selanjutnya semua pendidikannya diperoleh dari ibunya yang mengajar Edison di rumah. Ibu Edison mengajarkan Edison cara membaca, menulis, dan matematika. Dia juga sering memberi dan membacakan buku-buku bagi Edison, antara lain buku-buku yang berasal dari penulis seperti Edward Gibbon, William Shakespeare dan Charles Dickens.

Edison di usia 12 tahun, memperoleh penghasilan dengan cara bekerja menjual koran dan surat kabar, buah apel, serta gula-gula di sebuah jalur kereta api. Di usia itu pula, Edison hampir mengalami kehilangan seluruh pendengaran karena penyakit yang dideritanya, penyakit itu membuatnya menjadi setengah tuli. Edison pernah menulis dalam diarinya: “Saya tidak pernah mendengar burung bernyanyi sejak saya berusia 12 tahun.”

Pada usia 15 tahun, Edison, sambil tetap berjualan, membeli sebuah mesin cetak kecil bekas yang selanjutnya dipasang pada sebuah bagasi mobil. Kemudian dia mencetak korannya sendiri, WEEKLY HERALD, yang di cetak, diedit dan dijualnya di tempat dia berjualan.

Pada musim panas 1862, Edison menyelamatkan seorang anak berusia tiga tahun yang hampir di tabrak oleh mobil. Ayah dari anak yang diselamatkan adalah kepala stasiun kereta api di tempatnya berjualan. Dan sebagai rasa terima kasih, kepala stasiun tersebut mengajari Edison cara menggunakan telegraph. Setelah 5 bulan mempelajari telegraph, Edison bekerja sebagai ahli telegraph selama 4 tahun. Hampir semua gaji yang didapatnya dihabiskan dengan membangun berbagai macam laboratorium dan peralatan listrik.

Edison sangat senang mempelajari sesuatu dan membaca buku-buku yang ada. Dari semua yang dipelajarinya, Edison menerapkan pelajaran tersebut dengan cara bereksperimen di laboratorium kecilnya. Edison tinggal di laboratoriumnya, hanya tidur 4 jam sehari, dan makan dari makanan yang dibawa oleh asistennya ke laboratoriumnya. Edison melakukan percobaan dan eksperimen terus menerus hingga penemuan-penemuannya menjadi sempurna. Mungkin kata yang cocok untuk menggambarkan kepandaian Edison adalah: “Genius adalah 99% kerja keras“

Disadur dari: www.ceritakecil.com

The whole experience of this recent snow from the South calls
for wonder. Has ’snow’ become a four-letter word?

I went seeking perspective in haiku poems and found this:

“O Great Buddha,

your lap must be filling with

these flowers of snow.”

…………KIKAKU (1661-1707)

Did you notice that the first falls of the snow looked like petals?
The way they floated down with such grace and now pile up in
great mounds over the cars in a row outside my window.

Two by two, the untouched snow mounds on cars looked like
the lap of a giant Buddha.

In the distance I hear the groans of those hardy souls who have
dealt with feet of snow for many months now. I will let this be
my last ode to wintry weather.

with love …
Mom/Mimi/Toni/Antoinette

If I were to be snow-bound in New England for days at a time,,
the book that I’d want to have at hand is THE LIVES OF A CELL,
published in 1974 by Lewis Thomas, with a subtitle of
“Notes of a Biology Watcher”.

Here’s what Lewis Thomas had to say about the sky:

“The sky is a miraculous achievement.
It works.
And for what it was designed to accomplish it is as
infallible as anything in nature. I doubt whether any of us
could think of a way to improve on it, beyond maybe shifting
a local cloud from here to there on occasion.

We should credit it for what it is: for sheer size and
perfection of function, it is far and away the grandest product
of collaboration in all of nature.

It breathes for us.
And it does another thing for our pleasure: each day, millions
of meteorites fall against the outer limits of the membrane
and are burned to nothing by the friction.

Without this shelter, our surface would long since have
become the pounded powder of the moon. Even though our
receptors are not sensitive enough to hear it, there is
comfort in knowing that the sound is there overhead,
like the random noise of rain on the roof of night.”

Lewis Thomas was familiar with long words, scientific description
of anything he turned his eye toward. The tiniest atomic structure
became the immensity of a miracle. Yet, his story of our sky
contains no unfamiliar words, no impressive language.

I call that poetry.

It is still dark enough outside to feel like night. I listen.
There is a background rumble. Well, it’s the hum of I-95,
disguising the random noise of rain on the roof of night.

with love …
Mom/Mimi/Toni/Antoinette