Creative Notions

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People seem to have the misconception that only a select few are able to unleash a steady flow of creative genius. That is not true at all. The fact is, creativity is very much like a muscle that needs to be exercised in order to consistently give out great results. If you don't practice harnessing creative thinking, this skill will very much atrophy into nonexistence. But keep working and this skill will soon come to you in a snap.

So how do you unleash your creative thinking? Well, the first thing is to become a human leech. No, we're not talking about just sucking the blood out of every living being available, we're saying that you should take in as much knowledge and learning you can find. Read everything available -- good and bad, and keep your mind open to the infinite possibilities of the universe. The more you know, the more you'll want to know, and the more your faculty of wonder will be exercised. Prepare to be amazed at little facts that add a bit of color into your life. 

Focus on a creative activity everyday. Yes, it's an effort. Even doodling is a creative activity. Don't let anything hinder you. Mindlessness may be a creative activity, but for people who are just starting out to unleash a little bit of creative thinking in their lives, it is helpful and encouraging to have concrete evidence, that, "hey, what I'm doing is getting somewhere." So why don't you try it. Practice drawing for a couple of minutes each day. Bring out your old camera and start snapping photos like crazy. Keep a journal and make a point to write in it religiously. Another cool idea is to write by describing something with your five senses. Try to avoid vague adjectives like "marvelous," "amazing," and "delicious." Before you know it, you'll have built yourself a tiny portfolio, and you'll be amazed at the growth you've undertaken after amassing all those works of art. Who knows, you might actually take to liking those things you do everyday. Pretty soon those things will become a part of you and you'll be addicted to these creative exercises.

Think out of the box -- or don't. Sometimes, constraints are actually a good thing. Limitations discipline you to work within your means. It enables you to be more resourceful. Creative freedom is great, but limitations enforce discipline.

Try something new everyday and let your experiences broaden your perspective. Explore a new district in your neighborhood. Spend an afternoon in a museum to which you've never been before. Chat up someone on the bus. Open up to the people around you. As you thrust yourself out of your comfort zone more and more each day, your sense of adventure grows and so does your zest for life. Think about it. When was the last time you did something for the first time? If it's been a while, I tell you, you've been missing out on a whole lot of experiences that could've added to your growth, emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. Why don't you try bungee jumping today? Not only will you learn, but you will also have plenty of stories to share, enabling you to practice your storytelling skills and making you the life of the party.

Embrace insanity. No, not to the point of practically admitting yourself into the mental ward. As John Russell once said, "Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting." Exactly! Every creative thought was once deemed insanity by other "normal" people at one time or another. Luckily, that didn't stop the creative geniuses from standing by them. The thing is, sanity or being normal confines people to think... well, normally. Within limits. Creativity is essentially breaking through barriers. Yes, this includes the bizarre and the downright strange. I'm not saying that you yourself should develop a creative personality. That might go haywire. An example of a creative personality would be George Washington, who often rode into battle naked, or James Joyce, who wrote "Dubliners" with beetle juice for an intense fear of ink, or Albert Einstein, who thought his cat was a spy sent by his rival (or in thinking creatively in this case, the term could probably be "archnemesis.") It's important that your creativity doesn't get you detached from the real world completely.

I hope this article has inspired you to start thinking beyond your "limits." If you follow these steps pretty soon you'll be living a life full of interesting adventures. Unleashing your creative thinking  will bring about a new zest for living life.

Is our mind playing tricks on us?

The human mind is truly a complex thing. Many a times it can even surprised us though we have lived with our brains throughout our lives. And we thought we know all about ourselves, well, do we? Sometimes the brain and our mind will decide to spring a "surprise" on us at the most inappropriate times and we wonder if we are going nuts? You can read some of the quirkiness that strikes different people in different situations in Are You Normal or Nuts?

Personally, I had encountered some strange incidents such as in a lift. I was going in a lift with some friends and chatting happily about what we is our next itinerary when suddenly the lift stops with a jerk. One of my friend panicked instantly and started shouting and banging on the doors as well as crying that she doesn't want to die. I got a little scared not because of the death thing but about the condition of my friend. I just told her to calm down while I pressed the alarm and waited for the hotel staff to open the door to the lift. We were only in the lift for a few minutes, perhaps 15 minutes maximum but it really frightened my friend a lot. Another incident that was related by my husband too involved lifts. When the lift he was in with some friends took longer than usual to reach the desired floor, an adult friend started sobbing in fear. She was only prepared to ride in the lift for 2 floors but unexpectedly the lift went to another floors higher and she panicked.

No doubt these incidents are not funny at the time when they happened for the fear and panic in our friend's mind is as real as any life threatening situation they can imagine. Nevertheless, with proper reasoning and care, these would probably pass over as some quirky incidents our minds serve us from time to time. Read more about the advice provided by psychologists and professional counselors on these topics at Are You Normal or Nuts?

Enrich Your Relationship Through Reading

It is really easy to lose touch with our loved ones in our busy day to day activities. One way we can rekindled some moments of having something in common or some positive vibes and topics for conversation would be to read a book together. Forget the daily paper that is filled with depressing news. You may want to try the nearest library or bookstore on an exploratory mission instead. Search until you find a book that both of you would enjoy. Reclaim the long forgotten pleasure of reading for enjoyment's sake.

You'll find almost endless possibilities as you wander through the shelves. Whether it is a 400 paged novel, some motivational publications or even a hobby based how-to manuals, there are bound to be something that will get the intellectual juices flowing again. The point is get connected and increase communication. The fresh insight, information, and inspiration the two of you can glean from just a few minutes of daily reading will expand your base of shared experiences and provide new topics of conversation as well. It is also a great idea to get the kids involved if any.

Sing in the Car

It is most certainly not a joke to be caught day and day out in traffic jams. It is pressure rising and tension building to be in traffic jams. Worse still when we need to run the same errands week after week in similar manner. What can help lessen the stress during these circumstances? Instead of taking your frustrations by telling others how to drive or cursing, why not give your vocal chords a harmonious workout? Your heard right, sing along to mood lifting songs and catchy tunes.

Go ahead and turn on the radio to your favourite station. Put in a tape or CD that really gets your blood pumping and feet tapping. Then sing along. Croon, hum, warble and worship. The choice is in your hands. Use the steering wheel as a drum set. Don't worry about what other drivers may think. You'll probably put a smile on their faces too. Before you know it, you'll arrive at your destination with a smile of your own.

Deep Breathing to Relieve Stress

Sometimes after a long day at work on the computer, I find myself really feeling stiff and tired. One of the reason is because of the lack of movement, shallow breathing has cause fatigue and tiredness. It lowers level of oxygen and raises levels of carbon monoxide in the blood. It also make the heart rate and blood pressure rise which is an added stress on the body.

I guess when the tension mounts, I need to do some deep breathing exercise. You can also give this a try. Put your feet flat on the floor and rest your hands in your lap. Begin to relax your body by dropping your shoulders and closing your eyes. Then take a deep breath through your nose, while slowly counting to four. Exhale through your mouth to a slow count of four. Do this four times. You should feel your body relaxing and your fatigue lifting.

Break Your Day to Bite Size Pieces

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that one look at your schedule and you feel like you ready to jump back to bed instead of take on the world? But the day will seem more manageable if we take it one moment at a time. Think of a jigsaw puzzle. When you dump a thousand pieces on the table, it looks like a mess, an overwhelming impossibility. If we give up and put all the pieces back in the box, nothing happens. You start by finding the edge pieces, looking for corners, sorting by colour, and slowly the final picture begins to take shape.

If today looks like a five-thousand-piece puzzle, start small. jobs. Handle only this morning or this hour or the next five minutes. Your day may turn out to be an unexpected masterpiece.

Refuse to Live in The Future

Another counter-productive thought is to worry about what's coming tomorrow. It could easily bogged us down as getting stuck with the past. May be it's a dental appointment or an important presentation at work. May be it's anticipating a doctor's call over the results of a medical test. Perhaps it's fear of the uncertain economic situation, retirement or the end of a relationship.

Today's stress could even include something that is considered positive such as preparing for a vacation, a possible promotion, working long hours now for a payoff later. But understand that your body was designed to handle one day at a time. Worrying acts like a magnifying glass-everything starts to look bigger than it really is. Putting tomorrow in God's hands and doing what you can today is the best way to wipe out worry.

Let Go of The Past

When we get stuck in a certain mindset in life, do we stop to think if we are holding on too tight to the past? May it be holding on to grudges, mistakes or misfortune, this can rob us of the time and energy to move forward in life so to speak. It will deplete us of our energy to handle today's challenges. Jesus had said: "So, never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Sufficient for each day is its own badness." We should really try to see the upside of past mistakes or misfortune by treating them as a stepping stone to life's lessons-motivators that helped us move in new directions.

Of course, there may be some areas of pain and regret that we won't be able to deal with alone. In that case, we need to talk to a counselor or close friend. We can also have access to God through prayer and request for his help. When we open up about what is holding us back, we can be in a better position to move forward and to put the past where it belongs-in the past.

Organize to Relieve Stress

I must admit that I am completely hopeless when it comes to organizing. Things happened to run away on its own or missing when I need them. The tape dispenser is missing in action. The mobile phone is ringing but not long enough to reveal its hiding place. Needing to run an errand only to find the car keys had disappeared. The new camera goes on the fritz and the warranty is, well...I was sure I didn't throw it away!

Much time has been wasted looking for something that should be right under the nose. No wonder this has added much extra stress to the day because I can't find what I need when I need it. Searching for lost items can be overwhelmingly stressful. I had been close to tears many times and can also feel the blood pressure rising. There is strong reason to heed the wise saying: "A place for everything and everything in its place". This is a simple solution to a common problem.

Recognize that Image Isn't Everything

If there is one thing that really stresses a person out is pretending to be who they are not. What I mean is to live up to the image they are trying to project to those around them. How much time and energy do you put into portraying a certain image to those around you? Think about the affect this has on the way you dress, the car you buy, the neighbourhood you live in, the jokes you laugh at, or even the people you choose to be seen with? Trying to be someone you're not is a source of stress that only grows in time.

At parties, children and adults may enjoy the game of charade whereby they try to imitate as closely as possible the actions of the players but in real life it leaves you feeling that the real you isn't good enough. We need to cultivate contentment and take some time to meditate on whom we are creating the image of ourselves and why. Is the bottom line really worth it?

Reaching Out for Help is Not A Weakness

Whether you want to accept this for a fact or not but human beings just aren't designed to conquer life on their own. The saying that "no man is an island" really hit the nail on its head. Another ancient saying, "It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step" is also right on. May it be moving furniture or battling depression, some situations require a call for help.

Now I may be the first to admit that it is hard to ask for help. But I definitely must overcome this mind hurdle for help generally is available, regardless of whether it's physical, emotional, financial, or spiritual. It may take a little research, vulnerability and humility to connect with the right counselor, friend, or family member, but send up an SOS when you need it, is a sure sign of maturity-not weakness.

Real Estate Owned Home Study Course

The real estate business is getting harder with each passing year. The foreclosures (whereby owners failed to comply with repaying their mortgage and therefore the lender/bank repossess the property) has increased tremendously. It is predicted that foreclosures will more than double in 2008 to a whooping figure of 2.2 million cases. This is turn is bad news to real estate investors, home owners and real estate agents. In particular, real estate agents would find it difficult to sell houses and property.

Legally, banks are not allowed to own properties. But the many foreclosures has increase the demand for real estate agents who understand REO (Real Estate Owned by banks after foreclosure) to list and sell their properties. So the market is there but how and where can one learn about this? The REO Home Study Course is a step by step system that teaches you how to list and sell bank foreclosures. You will learn how to build relationships with banks who have foreclosed on homes so you as the agent can re-sell those homes.

The system will be a REO Agent Training program that teaches the agent how and where to ask about becoming an agent for a foreclosed home. There are many real estate agents that has benefited from this training course. Some of their testimonies are listed on the site. You can read some excerpts about what the course will entail on the website. For a reduced price from $997 to $497, you can learn the tips and tricks of How to Do REO Bank Owned Properties. This is only a fraction of what might make you a 6 figure annual income.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Photo courtesy of (c)Tomo.Yun

There is something both miraculous and soothing about being around living, growing things that don't talk back back. Although some of us will immediately think of babies or pets, I am talking about the flora variety. Working in your garden or taking a walk in the park is a natural stress reliever. Breathe in the fragrance of freshly turned earth. Watch trees dance in the wind. Look for hidden wildflowers or as someone say, Go Smell the Flowers.

Even out of season, when the trees are bare and the grass has turned to straw, you'll be amazed at the life you'll find hiding in the most unexpected places. All it takes is slowing down long enough to look. For a city folk like me, I do yearn to find nice parks that are pleasing to the eyes and nose (away from the exhaust fumes from motor vehicles). When life is anything but "a walk in the park," that's the best time to have one.

Problem Shared Problem Halved

Having a heart to heart talk with a good friend gives us a chance to vent all of the frustrations and life's ups and downs, disappointments, and pent up emotions that we've been carrying around can really stress us out. When we explain our problems to someone and put thoughts into words, the process can help us sort out the trivial from the traumatic. Many a times, I would approach my close friend almost on the verge of tears and panic only to smile and feel so much lighter emotionally afterwards.

There is no mystery to this, even when the problem does not resolve by talking, at the very least the burden felt halved when shared. Discussing stressors in our life also helps us organize and categorize them in our own mind, leading us closer to a possible resolution. Many a times, hearing someone say, "That must be tough," is a good reminder that we are not to feel guilty about being stressed when life is difficult. It also gives us the reassurance that we are not alone in facing life's challenges.

A true friend only gets in your way when you are heading in the wrong direction.

Food Connect for all Foodies

I knew some of you in the past who visited my blog or whom I had visited love food as much as I do. Many of you also knew that I don't cook but I enjoyed eating. I came across a site for all you lovers of food and cooking out there. I knew some of you joined the meme which you share your planned menu for the week. Why not take a look at Food Connect for more varieties and choices for your menu selections?

This is a site that food enthusiasts can share recipes for nutritional analysis, plan menu together with friends and other members, discuss and request for your favourite dishes, print your shopping list and much more. Have a party coming up but not sure what food to prepare? No worries, at Food Connect you can get ideas or techniques to help in organizing your event.

There are also wine lists and where you can write your review or rate them for the benefit of other users. You can share your experiences and feedback or read what others has to say about the wine that you are searching for. Recipes are listed according to categories such as Appetizers, Cakes, Pasta, Sandwiches, etc. Special Recipe Network for Diabetic Recipes, Quick and Easy and others are also available. Head over to Food Connect for all your gourmet needs.

Twist and Shout!

When we were kids, it seems so normal to dance spontaneously to any music that moves our feet. So what happens now when we had grown up? How come we need to be dragged to the dance floor? Why have we grown all so self conscious about the way we look, the way we move and most importantly, we forget how good dancing feels. Dancing feels good for a reason. It stimulates endorphins which is our body's natural mood lifting hormones. It's also a great form of exercise that has the added benefit of helping us express our feelings. That's a great combination for stress reliever.

So get up and go take a dance class or something. Ah, just turning up the stereo and move to the beat will do too, with or without a partner. Have fun! Here you go, twist and shout!



Chubby Check - Let's Twist Again

Let Go of the Past

Did you ever think that holding on to the past can rob you of your energy today? This was what I read about recently. Whenever I think about how it was to be healthy and carefree before my eczema flares up terribly, this actually robs me of the energy and time that I can use to do something positive now. It is better to treat the past as some colourful material that shapes my life as it is now and move on in new directions from now on.

Of course, there may be areas of our life ( I am not talking about just health issues here) that involves pain and regret that we are not able to deal with alone. In this case, we can talk to a professional counselor or close friend. Just opening up about what's holding you back can help put the past where it belongs - in the past.

Need a break

I feel stressed out. My body is feeling it. My eczema is breaking out. There has been a teeny weeny financial challenge last weekend and I was a little concerned. Hubby was getting a new motorbike and we had a little difficulty in our financial turnover. Anyway, I guess there are other ways to beat stress.

I was reading some book about beating stress. We all know the drill but it helps that someone brings it up again once in a while. So here goes:

• > Develop healthy habits in diet, sleep, and exercise. I wish I can be more resolve with the exercise thing. Even my sleep pattern is disrupted with the eczema outbreak. Food is another of my weakness.
• > Invest time to build healthy relationships.
• > Pay attention to your spiritual needs.
• > When unexpected crisis catches you off guard, give yourself a break.
  
• > Cut out nonessentials, and take the time you need to get back your feet on solid ground.

One way to beat stress

One thing that can add stress is clutter. I don't realize this myself but it is true. For example, when a watch stopped or a vase chipped where do they usually end up? What about the vacuum cleaner that is making sounds that can only be described as captive rodent crying for help? The tendency is to set it aside hoping that it will miraculously fix itself. One just need to organize these into a "fix-it" box.

Set a time period such as a week to deal with what's in the box. Schedule larger projects for weekend projects. Minor repairs or calling a professional for an appointment takes just a few minutes. We just need to get to it and do it right away. Putting it off will give it the power to intimidate you. If the item is too far gone, don't waste time on it, budget for a replacement.

The Piano Man

I used to play the piano when I was a kid. I fondly remembered playing some simple duet pieces with my sister and we really enjoyed ourselves. That was a really nice time we had. Alas, neither one of us took up any career nor further studies along the musical line. I also recalled how enchanted I was to attend a piano and organ concert. It was like being transported into another world altogether. Whether the music is bringing you to exotic India, rich and melodious Europe or the fun and festive South American, the music are really enjoyable. With some organs and digital pianos, they can even mimic the ocean waves, train whistles, birds chirping and many other pleasant sounds.

Since I am living in an apartment, a really small apartment, perhaps the portable keyboards is a more practical choice than a full grand piano. At The Piano Man store, founded in 1993, you can find the complete and comprehensive range of grand pianos, digital pianos, organs, keyboards and accompaniments in the Boston area. They have a large and wide variety of new, used and vintage models for you to choose from.

What about the services such as tuning, repairing, servicing and other related services? The Piano Man is all about dedication and committed to after sales services. They offer long term support, training and consultation to enable you to enjoy your instrument for years to come. If you are thinking about taking lessons from scratch or to brush up your skills, there are also very experienced and professional music teachers at The Piano Man. Taking music lessons is a find way to expand a child's creativity. As I have enjoyed being in my strange and exotic worlds as a kid, music can thus transport you to faraway places in a safe and pleasurable journey.