Weekend Amusements

Let's start with something random

Artful dinnerware. The colours, the design, the caress of the smooth porcelain in my palm. What is it about beautifully crafted objects that radiate such appeal? I'm smitten. Time to host a gathering of the ones I love and officially welcome Spring.

Photographs: The Art of Purposeful Living

Thought Challenge: What objects of desire do you cherish? How are your senses engaged by these objects? What is it about the shape, pattern, material, and texture that attracts you? How are you influenced by your five senses?

Daniel Pink

Author of A Whole New Mind and Drive. Check out his website, read his books, and open yourself up to some ideas about fully engaging the right side of the brain. One of his many great tips is to browse design mags to "inspire your mind" and generate new thinking.

Photograph: The Art of Purposeful Living

And with that in mind

I love the blogosphere for the depth and breadth of online reading available for any and all to access. Here are just a few of the sites that I'm following:

Desire to Inspire
Automatism
Emma's Design Blogg
If The Lampshade Fits

The Organic Sister
art on your sleeve
Artistic Journeys

Sandra Ingerman's Blog
NeuroLeadership Summit

WE: Vancouver

Photograph: The Art of Purposeful Living

On Tuesday evening a couple of friends and I spent some time at the Vancouver Art Gallery. You could call it a walking meditation through an exhibition of 45 projects commemorating Vancouver's 125th birthday. An intriguing blend of arts and culture, architectural and environmental design through which to view the "life" of our city.

Take a walk through your local gallery and immerse yourself in a world as seen through the eyes of another and create your own meaning.

Radio to wrap it up

I love all things CBC Radio (Canadian Broadcast Corporation). Here are two of my favorite radio programs complete with podcasts:

Q with Jian Ghomeshi

The Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean

Have a wonderful weekend. 

I'm going to Vancouver Island for a few days. When I return I'll get working on putting together the first posting in the vision series for your contemplative pleasure.

The Power of Words

Sunday Space

Photo: The Art of Purposeful Living

Thanks for taking the time to check out this space. Let me know if there is a topic or theme you would like to read about. As a new blogger, there is so much to learn and I am having a lot of fun allowing the creative process unfold organically. 

I'm playing with the idea of doing a series of postings on vision work. I will coach/guide you through exercises that you can work on at your own pace. Through this process, you'll gain clarity on where you want to focus your time and energy. You'll develop a deeper understanding of yourself and how you want to be in the world. 

Together, we'll explore the values that are core to who you are, the role that values play in your relationships, interactions, and choices you make. By developing or redesigning your vision, and by aligning your values to your vision, I believe you will feel a renewed sense of purpose and will be taking an important next step in your own growth and development. 

I'm curious to know how this resonates with you?

Encouraging the Heart

A week ago I went zip-lining on Maui. I almost missed this opportunity because I was terrorized at the thought that hurtling oneself, suspended from a thin steel cable 700 feet above Mother Earth could be considered fun?
    

Me: "No. I can't. There's no way that thing can support me. I'm not strong enough. I'm too fat." 

Ashley: "C'mon Mom, it'll be fun, you'll love it. Do one thing that scares you." 

Curses. What if she was right? Ashley seemed convinced that I could do this. The coach was being coached and asked to stretch, something I request, nay, expect of my clients. It was time for me to practice what I value. So, on a sunny Sunday afternoon, adorned with helmet and harness I leapt off the first of four platforms. The experience was exhilarating and freeing.

"My name is Teresa and I'm a zip-line junkie."

Piiholo Ranch, Makawao, Maui

April 3, 2011

When you believe in another person, the way that Ashley did in me, it instils courage and a sense of excitement. One of my favorite books "The Leadership Challenge," suggests that "Fostering self-confidence is not a warmed-over version of the power of positive thinking. By communicating to constituents that we believe that we and they can be successful, leaders help people to extend themselves and to persevere" (Kouzes & Posner, 2002, p. 298).

Thought Challenge: Think of a time when someone really believed in you. How did you feel? What did that do for your self-confidence? How have you encouraged others? What is one thing that you can do to show your faith in someone close to you?

Zippity-do-dah!

Ashley at the Piiholo Ranch, Makawao, Maui

April 3, 2011

"Thank you" Ashley for demonstrating great leadership and encouraging my heart. 

Lost in Paradise

Creating meaning from everyday experiences...what the heck does that mean anyway? Hm, well, today it's about really, really, working at staying in the moment. I don't know about you, but I can take myself and others way too seriously.

Today I'm setting an intention to be curious. I am going to hold a space for observing my thoughts and feelings. I'm going to take a look at the beliefs and values attached to my thinking and emotions, my egoic mind (Eckhart Tolle).

Thought Challenge: What meaning are you creating in this moment?