workisnotajob . . . .

I was blog surfing recently, perusing holzdesign, when I saw the graphic below that I thought was extremely clever. Turns out it's from a company called workisnotajob.....a design studio dedicated to creative inspiration, typography and visual communications. They tell us "we're pretty busy, splitting our time between our own art, independent projects, music, and well, cups of coffee."   

The more I read about this company, the more I was intrigued! Their charming attitude and appealing philosophy is what prompted me to continue reading. Here,  let them explain........

workisnotawhat?

Good question.

"Work" is the transfer of energy. We enjoy transferring our energy into something creative and inspiring. In fact, we'd like to think it's a wonderful opportunity. 

We go about this by following one basic rule: work

If you are active, it will lead to something, something you can work with. We creatively consider 'work' as pleasant activity that offers free development and individual contribution. 

We make little distinction between work and play and strongly believe in inspiration as the magical power to change the world. Your every day activity and commitment, talent and dedication that exceed business hours define your work. Now, what defines a job again?

For us, this is the pursuit of a dream. We feel that workisnotajob..........Oh and who are you not to live your dream? Whatever yours is, start now. 

We hope you feel it too.

Keep up the good work! (andthankyou).

Photo via Getty Images


Happy Friday!
Have a lovely weekend!

A little etsy ♥ . . . .

I am loving the work of this graphic designer that I discovered on etsy.com.  Please allow me to introduce Susana Parada, the artist behind Parada Creations. She states in her profile that she believes that every single person should have one piece of art in their home that makes them smile. I would say it is fairly easy to find one in her collection..........

And everybody needs a a little extra Love! 

(in 35 languages)..........................

Great work, Susana!

I am a big fan of  philosophy skin care products and their way of celebrating the human spirit. Their promise is to "bring its customers products that inspire them to live a better life by being better to themselves." Are you looking for a special gift? Look no further. These products make it easy to celebrate a friend, a family member,  or co-worker.   While out shopping the other day, I found myself in the philosophy section of the department store, and completely lost track of time while reading their labels (one example below). . . each bottle offers a different message that will truly inspire all who read them.

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Choose to believe . . . .

Choose to believe in the originality of you.....

your willingness to stand out from the crowd.....

your unique perspective on what's happening in the world and in your life.

Choose to believe in the wisdom of you.....

the way you trust your intuition......

your unfailing commitment to doing the right thing.

And most of all,

Choose to believe in the heart of you.....

the genuine compassion, empathy, and friendship you offer to everyone you know.

Photo by Justin Cooper
at 2C 

Photo RF Getty Images

Photo via Google Images

Accepting the challenge . . . .

My schedule is ramping up with a few new commitments that I'm very excited about. One of which is that I have begun dance rehearsals for my local Dancing with the Stars fund raiser event that will take place in November. I was nominated to dance, accepted the challenge, and hope to raise lots of money for this great charity. As I have said before, I have chosen to live a 'no regret' life and dancing in front of 1,200 people at this event is something I might have walked away from just a few years ago. Walking into the unknown is scary (I'm dancing hip-hop!), but I am psyched about doing something new and looking forward to the challenge. Bernice Johnson Reagon once said, "Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you. They're supposed to help you discover who you are." Begin to look for your challenge and choose to make that discovery about yourself.

Photo via Google Images

From Brooklyn with love . . . .

I came across this sweet video clip via VSL (Very Short List), which is a collection of distinct, free, must-see, one gem-a-day e-mails. VSL writes.....watch Danny & Annie, an animated web video about an elderly couple from Brooklyn that will, in five minutes, show you true love (and possibly make you cry).

Photo via Google Images

Whether you realize it or not . . . .

Photo by  Petrina Tinslay

via 2C

An angel on earth . . . .

I am so inspired by this little girl, Jackie. I'm not a big opera fan, but it is hard to believe she is only 10 years old. Her voice is incredibly mature for her age. Not to mention....she is just so adorable!  Enjoy!

Photo via Google Images

No. Nope. Nah . . . .

Thank you Mr./Ms. Unknown for this quote. We should remember this one! I can't think of a better reason to turn down a request when you feel that you just can't take on another commitment. I recently came across this article written by the staff at Mayo Clinic. Another favorite reason for saying no.....honoring your existing obligations and ensuring that you'll be able to devote quality time to them. That alone is reason enough. Take a look...

Stress relief: 

When and how to say no

Sure it's easier to say yes, but at what price to your peace of mind? Here's why saying no may be a healthier option for stress relief.

Is your plate piled high with deadlines and obligations that you're trying to squeeze in between meetings? Are you trying to cram too many activities into too little time? If so, stress relief can be as straightforward as just saying no.

Why say no?

The number of worthy requests isn't likely to lessen, and you can't add more available time to your day. Are you doomed then to be overcommitted? The answer is no, not if you're willing to say no. It may not be the easy way, but it is a path to stress relief.

Consider these reasons for saying no:

• Saying no isn't necessarily selfish. When you say no to a new commitment, you're honoring your existing obligations and ensuring that you'll be able to devote quality time to them.
• Saying no can allow you to try new things. Just because you've always helped plan the company softball tournament doesn't mean that you have to keep doing it forever. Saying no will give you time to pursue other interests.
• Always saying yes isn't healthy. When you're overcommitted and under too much stress, you're more likely to feel run-down and possibly get sick.

When to say no:

Sometimes it's tough to determine which activities deserve your time and attention. Use these strategies to evaluate obligations — and opportunities — that come your way.

• Focus on what matters most. Examine your current obligations and overall priorities before making any new commitments. Ask yourself if the new commitment is important to you. If it's something you feel strongly about, by all means do it. If not, take a pass.
• Weigh the yes-to-stress ratio. Is the new activity you're considering a short- or long-term commitment? For example, making a batch of cookies for the school bake sale will take far less time than heading up the school fundraising committee. Don't say yes if it will mean months of added stress. Instead, look for other ways to pitch in.
• Take guilt out of the equation. Don't agree to a request you would rather decline because of feelings of guilt or obligation. Doing so will likely lead to additional stress and resentment.
• Sleep on it. Are you tempted by a friend's invitation to volunteer at your old alma mater or join a weekly golf league? Before you respond, take a day to think about the request and how it fits in with your current commitments.

How to say no:

No. Nope. Nah. See how simple it is to say one little word, allowing you to take a pass on tasks that don't make the cut? Of course, there will be times when it's just not that easy. Here are some things to keep in mind when you need to say no:

• Say no. The word "no" has power. Don't be afraid to use it. Be careful about using wimpy substitute phrases, such as "I'm not sure" or "I don't think I can." These can be interpreted to mean that you might say yes later.
• Be brief. State your reason for refusing the request, but don't go on about it. Avoid elaborate justifications or explanations.
• Be honest. Don't fabricate reasons to get out of an obligation. The truth is always the best way to turn down a friend, family member or co-worker.
• Be respectful. Many good causes land at your door and it can be tough to turn them down. Complimenting the group's effort while saying that you can't commit at this time shows that you respect what they're trying to accomplish.
• Be ready to repeat. You may find it necessary to refuse a request several times before the other person accepts your response. When that happens, just hit the replay button. Calmly repeat your no, with or without your original rationale, as needed.

Saying no won't be easy if you're used to saying yes all the time. But learning to say no is an important part of simplifying your life and managing your stress. And with practice, you may find saying no gets easier.

Happy Friday!

Have a lovely weekend!

Photo via One League Artists

(Stylist LEZA MARAIS)

Celebrate the human spirit . . . .

Here's to those who press on regardless. The pioneers. The leaders. The survivors. The big-thinkers. The innovators. The action-takers. The peacemakers. The adventurers. The movers. The shakers. They're the embodiment of the human spirit. Their bold vision, leaps of faith, steely determination and passionate causes have molded and created our world.

The human spirit may not be something we can see, but its power and beauty are all around us. It is courage overcoming fear, it is right besting wrong, and it is faith rising above doubt. It is indomitable, illuminating, invigorating and imaginative......and it is at the core of all the great accomplishments in the history of humanity.

Every day the human spirit influences and reshapes our world. It makes new discoveries, gives hope and redefines what's possible. It inspires us to do and be more. Look around and celebrate it!

From the book The Human Spirit

by Kobi Yamada

The meaning of life 
is to find your gift,

the purpose of life
is to give it away.


-Joy J. Golliver


Top photo by zuppaartista via etsy
Bottom photo via Google Images

A little out of whack . . . .

As much as I talk about how important it is to have balance in your life, I too am guilty of getting out of whack. It happens to all of us! I begin to let things pile up in my office, and I literally can't think. When I'm disorganized, I can't focus. I let the summer get the best of me, (no complaints!), and I'm finding that I've left too many things  unattended. I have so many things I want to share....wonderful thoughts, bits of information, encouragement, and just good stuff, but in order for me to do that, I have to de-clutter my own cocoon!  What I really need right now is a  streamlined environment to be creative, to find new inspiration, and to have clarity. When I look at the photo below, I can begin to feel the cobwebs being cleared from my head, and this is exactly the kind of organization I need to give me back the sense of balance that I'm looking for. I'm heading happily in to the rest of the week knowing clarity lies ahead!

"Clarity of mind means clarity of passion; this is why a great and clear mind loves ardently 

and sees distinctly what he loves."

-Blaise Pascal

Top photo via Google Images

Bottom photo via Apartment Therapy

Just watch . . . .

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Via Notes from the Universe

Photo via Melanie Acevedo

Via Quotable Cards

Living a life that is true to who you are is fully accessible to you. It always has been. Don't say you are the exception. There are no exceptions. You may tell yourself that life is 'good enough', but what if you knew it could get a whole lot better? You are burning daylight if you're letting your life slip by when you know full well that things just aren't right. You must be willing to challenge virtually every single aspect of your life, including the reality that you may be wanting and pursuing things that simply aren't right for you. If you are consistently and repeatedly attributing events in your life to wrong causes, then there can be no doubt that you are living a fictional life. The choices you have made, and will make in your life are 100% your responsibility. Regardless of what you have come to believe, you are in control. You are the manager of your own life! You must seize every genuine characteristic that is you and allow it to take center stage in your life. If your emotions are marked by cynicism, apathy, hopelessness, and lack of optimism, it is because you have abandoned your self and what matters to you. If you want to change this, the first thing you must do is acknowledge it. Acknowledge it, then begin to move toward a new reality for yourself. Move towards cleaning up all the unfinished emotional business that is contaminating your current life and your current view of who you are. You are the most important person in your life!, and failure to fully connect with and live out your best qualities means that your sons or daughters, your husband or wife, your family and friends settle for some second-best, counterfeit you. A fictional you. Get back in the driver's seat, and reclaim your core traits, qualities, gifts, talents, needs, and desires. However deeply your individuality may be buried - no matter how lost or non-unique you feel - you are in there! 

Compiled from a Self Matters calendar

Photo by Nils Odier 

via

Agent Bauer

If we sat down to think about the precious little things in life--those that make our lives more vibrant, connected and inspired--we would find genuine, heartfelt moments that shape our lives and make us who we are. Little things like a job well done, someone being there for you, an honest compliment, taking time to play, and being a good person. The little things really are the cornerstone of a full life.

We can't take the little things for granted. They have built companies, friendships and just about everything of value. No act of generosity, kindness or service is ever wasted, no matter how small. Everything matters. Everything we do helps or hurts, adds up or takes away. We need to count on each other for the little things that make life so big. In the end, it is not the days or the years that we remember, but the moments.

From the book the little things

by Kobi Yamada


Photo by James Christie Photography

Happiness's greatest secret . . . .

It's not the realization of your dreams that will bring you happiness; most people adjust their dreams as they go, raising the bar higher and higher, and so it should be. We're naturally insatiable creatures; reaching one goal, we immediately fix our sights on the next. These pursuits are adventures. They keep us growing and they keep us alive, which means that by perpetually changing our goals and dreams, the only constant in our lives is the journey we're on - a journey without end and one that is partly based upon attaining "things" we do not yet have. So the trick is learning to find happiness even while you do not yet have all you want, because you never will! Do you see? If we postpone our happiness until our present dreams come true, it becomes a habit without end. Our achieved dreams constantly being replaced by new dreams. To enjoy life means to enjoy the journey even though the journey itself implies that we are incomplete. This is happiness's greatest secret; master it now and you can coast into "the rest of your life."

From the book Infinite Possibilities

by Mike Dooley

Photo by Cameron McDonald

via

One League

GUTS . . . .

Happy Friday!

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Photo by PASCHOAL RODRIGUEZ 

via One League Artists

So stop waiting until you finish school,

until you go back to school,

until you lose ten pounds,

until you gain ten pounds,

until you have kids,

until your kids leave the house,

until you start work,

until you retire,

until you get married,

until you get divorced,

until Friday night,

until Sunday morning,

until you get a new car or home,

until your car or home is paid off,

until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter,

until you are off welfare,

until the first or fifteenth,

until your song comes on,

until you've had a drink,

until you've sobered up,

until you die,

until you are born again

to decide that there is no better time than right now 
to be happy.

-Author Unknown


Graphic via etsy - The Love Shop