A good motto. Even when you’re lazy or don’t feel like it, try to. Happy Tuesday everybody!

Today is a special day because its my husbands birthday! I <3 him so much! Not only does he know how to handle me at my worst, he's my best friend, cheer leader & confidant. So here's to the freakin weekend and to my baby's birthday!

Cheers

As parents, our children are also our teachers and reading this just teach me a lesson in how to be positive and encouraging.  These words can also be use among others such as colleagues, friends, our parents, siblings, and even strangers.  Words of encouragement need not just be between parents and child, it could also be among teachers and students, among peers and many more.

Happy reading ….

I admit it is hard, a little. Working full time, having a 2 1/2 year old and trying to post daily. That doesn’t include cooking, cleaning and little things like that. But I will try my best.

With that said and done- here is some MORNING INSPIRATION
Ps. Happy Friday

I’m still trying to master the paper app. It’s pretty cool. Have you checked it out? Any other cool apps like that anyone use?

Many of them had cell phones and someone sent a not-so-nice text … by accident.

There were a lot of young girls crying and whispering. After I realized what happened, I calmly had all the girls sit down in a circle.

I talked to them about how every word a person says sticks to them, the wall, the room, etc. It was very important that they only use positive words. They had questions and related stories.

Then I proceeded to talk to them about how to say positive statements. I had each of them take a turn to say a positive something … a few different times.

Our chat lasted for nearly 2 hours. They sat and listened.

I never know what kids will hear and absorb, but I do know I must have made an impact on a few of them. Just the other day, I overheard one of my daughter’s friends say, “Hey, use positive words!”

I am so proud.

Repinned from *** Positive Words *** by Jennie Hoffman-Crunk

Yup – I’m turning fifty this year.  And by this year, I mean soon.

I’m not a new years resolution kind of gal.  However, I’ve been thinking about what I want to accomplish this year.

What I have decided is that I want to accomplish fifty acts of randomly creative, kooky kindness.

Fifty fits the theme, but I’m thinking there really shouldn’t be a number attached, there should just be deeds and they should be

kind thoughtful generous happy

heartfelt crazy ridiculous sometimes spontaneous acts.

Crying with my heart or deep belly laughing moments that just plain feel good.

And lots of time spent with family and friends.

Oh and lots and lots of photography!

On the way to a recent outing I snapped this photo – yes while driving.  Ohh shouldn’t do that.

I’m scared to death of heights, but I’ve been up in one of these babies twice and it was an amazing experience that I would do again in a heart beat. Okay really the second time scared the crap out of me, that’s another story.

Time spent with friends.

My high school buddies and I are celebrating our year of turning the big five oh. We kicked off the year of celebrating the other morning with a breakfast party. When my girlfriends put the idea together to surprise the birthday girl with a stack of 50 pancakes it was totally ridiculous and beyond heart warming.  Our friend has been going through a difficult time and some outrageous silly fun was just the right thing.

Now that’s a stack of pancakes!

And this my friends is why supporting a local business is so rewarding.  The owner helped fulfill our request, even though the griddle wasn’t working properly and the restaurant was slammed full. They came through for us, the wait staff was amazing and the entire restaurant participated in our crazy over the top, not very mature 3 hour pancake breakfast.

Crazy good bunch of ladies.

Speaking of crazy…

Moon dance girl has been showing up in public in her slippers a lot lately

I left a little something behind in the restroom.

Sure hope the graffiti police don’t get me for this one.

Until next time,

Cheers!

Kim

I would love to meet a blogger, so why not go ahead & become one?! 2013 is my year- & yours too ( if you didn’t know). So cheers to that & to us!! Onward & upward!!!

To help you begin the year off with a new outlook, let’s try something. You will need some paper and pencils (colored ones if you are a big artsy in soul). Fold your paper in half. Fold it once again in half. Unfold. You should see 4 boxes via the fold lines. In the middle of one of those boxes write a word that focuses on a negatives from 2013. Draw a box around the word. Do this for the other three sections. I feel sure you can come up with 4 things you wish never to repeat for 2013. Now that you are finished, turn the paper over. On the back side fill the page with positive words. Go ahead and make them fancy or use doodles as well. Make it a fun display of all sorts of wonderous, magnificent, awesome, positive thoughts and visuals.

You have now boxed up your troubles and filled a much bigger space with words you can focus on if by some weird chance such a negative tries to escape their boxes. Keep this in a place where you can get your hands on it when you need to release some positive into your life. I challenge you to try this. It would be a great inspirational activity for your kids as well.

To an incredibly positive and year full of wonderful discovery!! Catch the Creative Tidal Wave!!

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Well, this image popped up HUGE on this screen, but that is fine.  I like what it says, so I’m good.  Here we go …another year to take and make into whatever we want for ourselves. I’m talking about the variables we can actually control.  As for those variables we have no control over, we still control how we react to them.

As for last year’s resolutions, “Yay!” for those that accomplished them.  “Yay!” for those that are still working on them.  So you didn’t meet the 2012 deadline for completion…so what?  We have another year to continue working toward completion of that goal, and possibly add another one to the list! I’m all about the concept of “rollover” goals!

“Positive Spoken Here” is a motto at the Patrick household.  Do we always do it?  No, but before we go too far into a rant, someone tries to put a positive spin on the situation, even if it is only a SPECK of positive.  Somehow it helps us to stop and reassess the situation, then begin to talk about what we can do to deal with it, instead of blowing it up bigger.  I really like the Special K advertisement focusing on what will you GAIN with a weight loss plan.  As the people get on the scale expecting a number to flash before them, they see words like “SATISFACTION” and “CONFIDENCE”.  That is more inspiring than seeing a number and doing the math!

I already know this year is going to bring some wonderful and heartbreaking events for me.  I am going to be retiring in May, which will allow me to put my focus on my family and my writing.  But, it will also bring with it the passing of my father whom I love dearly.  The fact that he is still here in 2013 at all is a blessing.  I am treasuring each day and each word we share with one another.  I will be able to let him go because I have been fortunate enough to know I need to value each day with him.  Many aren’t given that opportunity with loved ones.

I wish every one of you a Happy New Year.  I hope that a whole lot of POSITIVE comes your way, and that you will find strength and wisdom to deal with the challenges that you will face this year.  Let’s be generous with words of love and encouragement, and frugal with criticisms and negative remarks.  Let’s tune out those negative words and attitudes sent our way, and tune in to those words of encouragement and support spoken to help us on our path to being the person we want to be for life.  Love you guys!

Kate Patrick

This anecdote is interesting as it reveals the child’s quick wit and her play of words. This play of words belie the fact that what a parent say carries great weight for a child.

Another anecdote involving that of a child and a mother illustrates this perfectly.

“David, what would you think if a stranger called you stupid?”

“I would just ignore him.”

“What if it were your teacher?”

“I would keep quiet by silently I will be angry at her.”

“What if now, it was your friend?”

“I would call them names!”

“What if it is me who call you that?”

“I would also be angry at you but I would probably think you are right.”

The above two anecdotes demonstrate the need for Connection and Acceptance. It is a child’s core emotional need. It is achieved through quality time – time spent understanding, appreciating, acknowledging the child for who he is. Most experts agree that this is paramount as the overriding need for a child and one of the ways we achieve that is through the positive words we choose everyday.

As a child grows, our use of language needs to evolve along with that. It comes less from authority and more from a relationship, like a close friend. In other words, we need to be wise with our words, age-wise. Regardless of age, we need to be positive in our language use, even in disciplining.

We highlight 2 scenarios how the play of words will play out, if employed positively, supporting Connection and Acceptance. Of course, this is simplistic in painting the colours on the great canvas of life but it does demonstrate the importance of Connection and Acceptance and the language use to achieve that.

For guiding and teaching, we can employ the power of listening. We can choose to listen and NOT react. Sometimes, the situation will defuse themselves as we act as their sounding boards and help them to think.

Scenario A – Listening:

Child: “Mum, I don’t think that’s wrong, you know, kissing in public.”

Mum: “Hmmm.” (even tone)

Child: “It shows their love. Besides, some of my friends do that.”

Mum: “Um hm.”

Child: “You know, come to think of it. If I were kissing, I would probably find a quieter spot though.”

Mum: “Oh?”

Child: “Yeah, it is something personal, even if it is love. We do not need to declare it to the whole world.”

Mum: “I agree with you.”

For discipling, we can focus on the problem, not the sinner. We discuss this in ’5W1H’. This serves the parent and child in equal amounts and communicates respect and authority.

Scenario B – Questioning:

Mum: “Do you know the consequence of your actions?”

Child: Silence.

Mum: “I am disappointed in you.”

Child: “But this is my first time!”

Mum: “Yes, I know this is your first. And I know people make mistakes. I have made mistakes too. So how do you wish to correct that?”

Child: “Sorry Mum. I guess I am grounded.”

As the primary emotional need of a child, Connection and Acceptance should rank high in our relationship with our child. Language use, in positive ways, targeting on the behaviour, employing questioning and listening techniques, serves to support this and helps both parent and child.

In-light of events this past week, this date with my dad was extra special.

For all my friends out there, don’t forget to embrace your loved ones and hold tight to them every opportunity you get.

This one is for you dad.

Until next time,

Cheers!

Kim

This printed burlap hangs on my office wall behind my computer

Funny thing over the holiday weekend, I had a discussion with my sister.  I told her I was ready to announce to the world I am done being an artist.   Perhaps it would be better if I said that I am on Sabbatical. My passion is waning.   My sister said I should say my muse is on vacation.  There is that word again.

This morning, I also watched Alicia Keys perform on TV.  I think she was singing to me personally, no really I am pretty sure our eyes locked and she was telling me to listen to the message.   Sure you hear performers sing with voices that come from their heart, that is what compels us to listen.

Something about this performance screamed to me that she was truly completely passionate about her art and the words that she was singing.  I’m not that familiar with her music, so don’t think I am a big fan just gushing.

Curious  after seeing her this morning,  I did a little research and read a review in which the writer said they thought on occasion, she makes her sincerity seem manufactured.  I didn’t come away with that. Her song Brand New Me – gave me a kick in the butt and reminded me that I must be in touch with my creative true.

I’ve been frustrated with my inability to reach people with my craft and receive their support by means of purchasing.  People purchase music/art because it speaks to them on some level. I don’t want to reduce the true of my heart by putting a price tag on it, but realistically I do make things to sell.

I must feel and believe with my heart to create.  I’m looking, listening,waiting and resting. I believe that there is change acomin’ – a brand new me.

I stepped out of my ordinary and purchased some creative prompts,  from Kind over Matter.  Thank you Cindy Deluz - for leading me in this direction.

I have been feeling like I’ve lost my groove – those were the very words that came in my head, so you can only imagine my surprise when I discovered the second part of my creative prompt purchase was titled Finding Your Groove.

It is like the universe is screaming for me to connect the dots.

What do you do to put your soul on the right track?

Until next time,

Cheers!

Kim