Individual Value

I extracted this from a reading..and felt the need to share ..      

"Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value." - Albert Einstein
  

True success in life has to do with what we focus on. If we focus on becoming "successful," our human weaknesses may lead us to do things that seem expedient at the time, but, in the long run, may lead to failure, both in results and in character. It is a temptation to step on other people going up the "ladder of success."
However, if our focus is on becoming a person of value, then we will almost surely develop a high quality of character and that will lead to success.
What are the qualities of a person of value?
First, a person of value is reliable and dependable. You know they can be counted on. You know they will keep their word. If they say they will do something, then you know they will.
Second, a person of value usually is one who has worked to develop at least one skill and sometimes many that are useful and they are available to use those skills to help others. A family we know comes to mind, who have raised several sons and taught them many useful, practical skills. This has developed solid character and also success in making a good living using those skills. They are men of character and men of value.
Third, a person of value is others centered. A person focused on just being a "success" is more likely to be self-centered.
The person of value, values others! And, when we know someone values us, we appreciate them and are happy when they become successful.
So, focusing on becoming a person of value means focusing on developing skills that will enable us to be useful in meeting the needs of others and it it means developing character qualities that are worthy of emulation, like dependability, trustworthiness, and caring about others more than ourselves, which is unselfishness.

Well, today is one of those days I feel ignored & unworthy..when I came across this while reading,I stopped and thought about it for a while...I myself am guilty- I mostly focus on what I want to achieve and forget about what's really important in life,to take the focus off myself and start focusing on others for once! I thought this is something that comes with age, maturity, but it's a choice we make and what we focus on. To be a person of value is to become a genuine soul..and in today's society..we all becoem so absorbed in teh demands of our daily lives, that we forget about what's improtant and loose focus on who and what really matters..I understand the needs of family demands and work demands and balancing it out with friends and making time for everything else becomes overwhelming at times..I myself have thought there's not enough time in a day to do everything..but what one needs to focus on is being compassionate in every aspect of life!

 XXX

Patterns of Life

“Art is pattern informed by sensibility.”  - Herbert Read

Patterns make up every aspect of our lives.  Since patterns take on many guises, we are sometimes unaware of their presence.  It may be the patterns of our actions – kindness vs. thoughlessness; the patterns of time revealed within our daily routines – work, play, rest; or the visual patterns of nature and art – contrast, repetition, and balance.  These are but three examples of many that surround us.  So, what patterns are you aware of and how might they inspire or affect your creative work?  Let’s consider some visual patterns.

Decorative patterns are literally commonplace.  Check out the amazing architectural detail in many buildings.  You’ll see the stark, clean lines of contemporary spaces along with the elaborate, ornate patterns of old buildings and mansions.  Our homes are filled with pattern – clothing, furniture, rugs, and quilts.  Shopping trips provide an overwhelming amount of visual pattern.  Observe dishware, window displays, greeting cards, journal covers……..  Look high and low, pattern is everywhere!

Nature is full of beautiful patterns.  Study first nature’s details, such as veining on leaves, ridges on shells, symmetry in flowers, and patterns on the fur of animals.  Next, take a mid-range view.  You may see the vertical space divisions between trees or within a patch of cattails, repeat patterns on water, or the ridges of wind-blown sand dunes.  Finally, look into the distance at the patterns a field of grasses and flowers present, the horizontal space divisions of land, trees, mountains, and sky, or an aerial view of fields, roads, and rivers.

You get the picture; our world is awash in glorious pattern.  Absorb it all and be inspired!

Wishing you a pattern filled day.

xxx

from inspiration-studio

Reflexion

“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.”  - Camille Pissarro

I know how hard it is to maintain happy feelings. Life happens. Stress takes over, sometimes bad things make it impossible to be optimistic. Or we just simply forget to notice the wonder we live in, every day.

I forget, a lot. All it takes is one crazy day and I start complaining and stop looking at the world around me. I suppose it's only natural. But I have learned to make an effort to find my way back to a place that isn't cynical, that place that allows me to see the world for what it truly is, a marvel of mystery. Even so, I don't get there every day.

There will always be good and evil, beauty and ugliness, sunshine and rain. We need to see both ends of the spectrum to appreciate those times when we stand in the middle. And if you think about, most of life is spent right there, in the middle.

We live a whole lot of average, ordinary days that we don't remember because nothing spectacularly good or bad happened. But the truth is, there is no such thing as ordinary.

Every day is unique, each day is a new beginning. They might not all turn out to be pretty or fabulous, or even forgettable, but each and every day is a clean slate with its very own pencil right there, hanging from a string.

We wake up each morning and we look in the mirror, and we see all the yesterdays that came before this day.

But do we see the beginnings? The possibility? Do we turn away from the mirror with a smile on our lips?

The yesterdays have molded us, the tomorrows give us hope, but we only ever get to live in today.

Breathe it in, this day. Reach for it. Embrace it, in all its glorious imperfection.

It's the only today you will ever have.

Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain a book about Using The Power of Your Imagination To Create What You Want In Your Life.

The idea behind creative visualization & affirmation is to use the  power of your mind to create positive change in your life. Such as achieving your goals, becoming a better person or living the life you've always wanted. You'll need to visualize what you want and genuinely believe that it is possible. That will give your affirmation the greatest power it needs, the power to remove negativity and allow the positive thinking to become a reality. 

An affirmation can be a general statement or be very specific. Here are a few from the book ... 

Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better.

Everything I need is coming to me easily and effortlessly.

My life is blossoming into total perfection.

I am the master of my life.

I love to love and be loved.

Perfect wisdom is in my heart.

I love doing my work, and I am richly rewarded, creatively and financially

It's ok for me to have everything I want!

I am now attracting loving, satisfying relationships into my life.

I am healthy and beautiful!

I am now enjoying everything I do.

I am now attuned to my higher purpose of life.

I give thanks now for my life of health, happiness and self-expression

I am an open channel of creative energy.

Do you have your affirmation – what is it?  Can you visualize it?

Think about it, repeat it to yourself. 

Now Create The Life You Want!

from: the inspiration-studio

hhmm, enjoying a lovely glass of San Sebastian red wine tnight! Vinters red! yum
what have you been up to this weekend? i cleaned the fishtank- now i can finally see my fish again, bought a new cargo pants for easy wear and got a very cute painting in the post from our nephew! so cute!

I have found spending time in nature to be a deeply healing experience. The air, whether it flows through the trees or soars across the ocean has a cleansing quality as it impacts with my body. The earth grounds my being, while the trees lift my imagination to a higher place. I always leave refreshed, grounded, and uplifted.

Look deep into nature,
and then you will understand everything better.
-Albert Einstein