Tag Archives: #inspiration

Film

A Guide through Key Books for Writers: Personal Triggers and Psychological Resilience in Creativity

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Once upon a time in the enchanting world of creativity, where the dance of the blinking cursor harmonized with the rustle of pages and the gentle hum of inspiration, I found myself navigating the intricate tapestries of my own artistic journey. As a fellow wordsmith juggling the roles of a producer, screenwriter, director, actress, wife, and mother, the struggle to keep the creative flame alive was as real as the characters I brought to life on screen.

In the midst of this chaotic yet magical existence, I stumbled upon invaluable companions – not just books, but wise friends who whispered secrets of conquering creative resistance and embracing the delightful chaos of the artistic process.

Crafting a Creative Survival Kit: A Battle Plan Against Resistance

In the relentless skirmish against Resistance, that elusive foe lurking in the shadows of creativity, I unearthed a treasure trove of strategies to fortify my creative journey. This was no ordinary battle; it was a quest for a creative survival kit, a set of practical tools honed through the fires of a multitasker’s struggle. Let’s delve deeper into the components of this kit, each a beacon guiding me through the tumultuous terrain of creativity.

Establishing a Battle Plan – Making Time, Not Finding It:

The first skirmish required a strategic approach, a battle plan etched in the sands of time. As a fellow multitasker, I understood the preciousness of every moment. Setting a schedule wasn’t just a tactic; it became a secret weapon. Each day, I methodically carved out sacred intervals solely dedicated to the art of storytelling. It wasn’t merely a time slot; it was a deliberate appointment with creativity, shielded from the encroachments of daily tasks. This was the cornerstone of my battle plan – a commitment to making time for the craft that fueled my soul.

Creating a Sacred Space for Creativity:

The revelation came like a whisper – the significance of a sanctuary where creativity could unfurl its wings unimpeded. No longer confined to the rigid parameters of a traditional workspace, I discovered that my creative haven could manifest anywhere that sparked inspiration. Whether it was the hushed corner of a bustling home, a meticulously organized desk, or the vibrant ambiance of a local café – this sanctuary became the incubator for ideas. Here, the demands of the outside world faded, and ideas flowed freely, unburdened and unrestricted.

Adopting a Professional Mindset – The Prelude to Success:

The transformation from an aspiring creator to a professional mindset marked a pivotal shift in my creative odyssey. No longer did I wait for the muse to graciously bestow inspiration. Instead, I adopted the wisdom of treating my craft with immediate and unwavering respect. It was a paradigm shift from merely feeling like a professional to actively embodying one. The understanding that professionalism precedes success became the guiding star illuminating my path through the creative cosmos.

This battle against Resistance is not a futile struggle but an opportunity to forge a creative survival kit. It is a dynamic blend of strategic time management, the cultivation of inspiring havens, and the adoption of a professional mindset. As you embark on your own creative battles, remember: it’s not about finding time; it’s about making time.

Dancing Fearlessly in the Magical Realms

In the enchanted realms of creativity, where the pages of “Big Magic” unfolded like a whimsical storybook, I pirouetted through the transformative wisdom penned by the magical Elizabeth Gilbert. Amidst the chaos of messy drafts, the relentless dance with self-doubt, and those cursor-staring showdowns, I discovered the art of not only surviving but thriving in the midst of creative turmoil.

Embrace Chaos as Magical Alchemy:

First and foremost, I learned to view chaos not as a hindrance but as the mystical ingredient in the alchemy of crafting something extraordinary. In the dance with the unpredictable, I discovered that the messiness of the creative process wasn’t a flaw but a unique aspect of the journey. Every spilled ink, every crossed-out line, and every twist in the plot contributed to the magical tapestry of creation.

Inviting the Muse with a Transformative Ritual:

In the pursuit of inspiration, I embraced the concept of inviting the muse with a transformative ritual. This ritual wasn’t a complex incantation but a deliberate and personal act of creating a sacred space for my creativity. Whether it was a quiet nook bathed in soft light, a corner of the local library, or the embrace of a favorite park bench – I fashioned a haven where ideas could pirouette freely. The mere act of consistently returning to this space became a signal to the muse that I was ready to create, infusing the entire process with a touch of magic.

Tip 1: Create Your Creative Haven: Designate a specific space, be it a corner in your home or a favorite spot in a nearby park, as your dedicated creative haven. Make it comfortable, free from distractions, and uniquely yours. This will be the sacred ground where your ideas will come to life.

Tip 2: Establish a Creative Ritual: Develop a ritual that marks the beginning of your creative sessions. It could be as simple as lighting a candle, playing a specific piece of music, or taking a moment of mindfulness. The consistency of this ritual will signal to your brain that it’s time to engage in the creative dance.

Dance Fearlessly with Self-Doubt:

As I twirled through the pages of insight, the spotlight shifted to the art of dancing fearlessly with self-doubt. Rather than attempting to banish fear, I learned to acknowledge its presence and, surprisingly, invite it to join the dance. By transforming fear into a dance partner, it became an ally rather than a roadblock on the creative journey.

Tip 3: Personify Your Fears: Give your self-doubts and fears a name or a persona. By externalizing these anxieties, you can separate them from your creative self. Instead of being hindered by fear, you’ll find yourself dancing alongside it, turning it into a companion on the creative stage.

Choose Curiosity Over Fear:

The shift from fear to curiosity marked a crucial milestone in my creative compass. Instead of letting the specter of potential failure dictate my journey, I allowed curiosity to propel my ideas forward. Choosing joy over fear became a deliberate decision, transforming the creative process from a daunting task into an exhilarating adventure.

Tip 4: Cultivate a Curiosity Journal: Maintain a curiosity journal where you jot down questions, observations, and ideas that spark your interest. Refer to it when self-doubt creeps in, redirecting your focus from fear to the joy of exploration. Let curiosity be your guiding star.

Tip 5: Embrace Small Experiments: Embark on small creative experiments without the pressure of a final product. This not only fosters a sense of play but also shifts the focus from potential failure to the joy of discovering new possibilities.

The dance with chaos, the invitation of the muse, fearless encounters with self-doubt, and the choice of curiosity over fear are the steps to mastering the magical artistry of creativity.

Nurturing the Artist Within

Embarking on a journey guided by Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” opened the doors to a transformative odyssey through the enchanting domain of creativity. As a kindred spirit on this artistic voyage, Cameron became a trusted confidante, weaving tales of creative challenges and triumphs that resonated deeply with my own experiences.

The Sacred Ritual of Morning Pages:

At the heart of this odyssey lies the sacred ritual of Morning Pages – a cathartic practice that emerged as a beacon of creative clarity amidst the chaos. As a multitasking storyteller, navigating the intricate threads of various roles, Morning Pages became a sanctuary. Here, in the realm of stream-of-consciousness writing, mental clutter dissipated, making space for untangled thoughts and unfiltered creativity.

Tip 1: Establish a Morning Routine: Kickstart your day with a dedicated morning routine that includes the practice of Morning Pages. Set aside a specific time, whether it’s before the household wakes or amidst the morning buzz, to engage in this stream-of-consciousness writing. It serves as a mental decluttering process, clearing the path for creativity to flourish.

Tip 2: Embrace Imperfection: Let go of the need for perfection in your Morning Pages. This isn’t about crafting polished prose but about letting thoughts flow freely. Embrace imperfections, typos, and messy handwriting – they are the raw materials of your creative journey.

Artist Dates: Nurturing the Creative Child Within:

Fueling the creative spirit required a secret ingredient – Artist Dates. These solo expeditions to inspiring places, whether it was the hallowed halls of a museum, the serenity of a nature walk, or the quirky charm of a bookstore, became the nurturing ground for the inner creative child.

Tip 3: Schedule Regular Artist Dates: Incorporate regular Artist Dates into your calendar. Treat them as non-negotiable appointments with your creative self. Whether it’s a weekly escape or a monthly adventure, these dates replenish your creative reservoirs and infuse a sense of playfulness into your artistic pursuits.

Tip 4: Embrace Curiosity: Approach Artist Dates with a spirit of curiosity. Let go of expectations and allow yourself to explore without predetermined goals. Whether you’re observing the world around you or delving into new artistic mediums, let curiosity be your guide.

Embracing Synchronicity and Creative Signposts:

As the journey unfolded, synchronicity and creative signposts became trusted companions. The universe’s subtle affirmations guided the artistic landscape, turning the creative path into a meaningful and synchronistic adventure.

Tip 5: Stay Open to Signs: Remain open to the signs and synchronicities that present themselves. It could be a chance encounter, a recurring theme in your creative work, or a serendipitous event. Pay attention to these subtle nudges from the universe, as they often lead to unexpected creative breakthroughs.

Silencing the Inner Critic and Unleashing Creative Confidence:

The transformative odyssey also demanded the silencing of the relentless inner critic. Daily practices of affirmations and positive self-talk replaced doubt, unlocking the full potential of creative confidence.

Tip 6: Create Affirmation Rituals: Incorporate affirmations into your daily routine. Whether spoken aloud, written down, or integrated into your morning meditation, affirmations can reshape your mindset and empower you to confront challenges with creative confidence.

Cultivating Creative Allies:

The final piece of the puzzle lay in cultivating a community of creative allies – like-minded souls who understood and supported artistic endeavors. In this nurturing environment, creativity flourished, and the solo artistic journey transformed into a shared dance.

Tip 7: Join Creative Communities: Seek out or create communities of fellow creatives, whether online or in your local area. Share your challenges, celebrate victories, and collaborate on projects. Having a network of creative allies provides invaluable support and encouragement throughout your artistic journey.

And so, dear fellow writers, producers, directors, actors, spouses, and parents, as I share the fragments of my own journey the adventure doesn’t end here; it continues within the pages of your own creative pursuits.

If you hunger for the full banquet of wisdom and uncensored tips, dive into the realms of your own creativity. Craft your battle plan, dance fearlessly, nurture your creative child, and embark on the transformative odyssey that is uniquely yours.

For those curious souls seeking the specific tales that inspired my journey, the source of these insights lies within the magical tomes of storytelling – “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, and Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, and “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. Happy writing, fellow adventurers, and may your creative endeavors be a tapestry of triumph!

Personal Growth

How Writer Can Live and Create in a Story-Book Style

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I don’t need wine, cos’ I’m intoxicated with words

Bury yourself in an inexplicable sweetness of my words. – Olya Aman

The walls are never a prison, and any roof never stifles me. I manage to preserve the adventurism while being locked and isolated, for my words are real, as solid and true as every imaginable experience. They are the product of chaos, clutter, greed, insatiable hunger — love, tender feeling, sexual satisfaction, loving enthusiasm, and every possible set of emotions and reactions.

Like a hundred amorets, a swarm of words flies about my head. They leap from idea to idea and shot their arrows of completed sentences and passages into my willing heart. My imagination clothes the naked days with tender feelings, and in my happiness, the uneventful life turns into a fascinating adventure.

I worship the blank pages, ready to accept my writing. I trod on printed lines and shrug my shoulders with a delightful feeling of doing something venturesome, something magical, and absolutely unbelievable.

A day without my sweet mental struggle causes me every imaginable woe. I experience that utter weakness of the knees and fear to fall. And my heart beats almost painfully when a glimmer of a beautiful sentence makes my breathing strangely oppressive.

That is love. That is why I write. So if you don’t want to read me, that’s fine. I get my share of dope, pure intoxication, complete happiness in giving my words a chance to live and love.

I am too deliriously happy to care if you don’t like it

When I write I cannot tell if it is pain or pleasure. Every fraction of a second is such pure, beautiful madness. “What can be better than this?”, I say with something between a sob and a laugh.

My wayward nature wishes to be subjected to this strong guidance I feel inside me. My stories are enthralling. Above all, I wish them to be written, released. When it happens, and I click on the ‘publish’ icon, I feel as if I shake hands with this independent being I’ve created, and my heart goes pit-a-pat against my chest.

It doubles my happiness if you can attune to the tragedy or sing in unison with the sad song I’ve written, if you can recite some of my passages or laugh heartily with my protagonists — but if none of this happens, that’s fine. My fictitious characters give me all the possible bliss I need.

I detach myself from the farther life of my stories

My dreamy and even dreary eye is following my heroes in their final stride to adult life, without my motherly watchful attention. The incongruity between the mystery of formation of a story and the masquerade of real, published life creates a curious psychological atmosphere. At first, I feel horribly worried at being caught in the foolishness or lack of logic. But somehow, at the moment of issue, these feelings seem more artificial and frivolous than any mistakes I could have committed in the process.

I reconcile myself to any ridiculous trappings. They were meant to be, settled long before, like developing milestones. Acts, attitudes, external objects and people, bad stories written in the past, weaker characters brought to life in the present — all are the necessities that are wending my way to a future masterpiece.

I am resolved to let some of my breezy writings to live. The truth is painfully simple: if I cannot make head or tail of some of my past work, there might be neither there. If this happens, I allow myself a prolonged moment of hilarious laughter.

I’m not to be bamboozled with negative feedback

There is something positive in the entirely negative criticism, as there is something damaging in a too favorable one. I am on good, or at least on good-humored terms with both, adverse or otherwise.

I receive the first with that serenity, which is a characteristic feature of my personality, and which is close to gayety — an impulse to work harder. I like when it presents a challenge to my penetration. This type of response is the cogwheel of my writing business. I favor it.

The second, more handsome reaction, I receive with a crusty and rather cynical sense of humor. It’s a flicker, a spark of light, a minute shade of delight — I take it with a fit of speculative abstraction as if it is not me they like.

The bare truth is — my story is liked, not me. That particular moment of my life, when it was created, is appreciated. I’ve changed since then. It is not me anymore who wrote it. I feel detached from it in a way and definitely detached from any praise it receives.

I say to my fellow-writers, “Camp out, so to say, away from your finished work.”

Share my fondness for living in a story-book style. Turn the page, start a new chapter, without hesitation, with curiosity and desire to learn something new.

Notice the eternal bliss that is always with you. Don’t let any feedback deprive you of this delicacy of life. It is better to make mistakes often, being happy in the process, than making them often just the same, but with your heart in pieces.

You have words enough in your breast. They beat against one another like birds in a net, struggling to get free. Let them loose with no regrets. Your writer’s voice should sound clearly and forcefully. Your face should shine with the glory of having created, with a sort of ecstasy which redeems every painful event and glorifies every pleasurable moment.

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

I Stopped Blaming Others. Now Nothing Can Stop Me From Being Happy

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You have the power to adjust the course of your life

Let an exceeding sweetness of this life take you a prisoner by stamping it with heartfelt poetry about people you love. – Olya Aman

I stopped blaming everything and everyone for the mistakes I made.

I used to look for weaknesses in other people to justify myself. I considered it to be a simpler path toward a contented life. I realized that it is the longest road to happiness, and it may not even lead me to the right destination — too many distractions on the way.

Looking for someone’s shoulders to put the weight of my mistakes on was impairing my intelligence and vivacity. My regrets haunted me. I wanted the people I blamed for my mistakes to run away from my life. These thoughts and feelings were taking the leading depressing role in my life.

To end this personality-ruining tendency, I made it my custom to look in the mirror and with affection in my eyes admit my blunders, own them, and learn from them. I am rather proud of the power I hold in my hands. My decisions, my choices, and my actions made this happen.

I have the power to adjust the course of my life.

There are so many things in life I did not notice. Losing beloved people taught me not to be so mindless. Because one day my play will be over and I will not have all the time in the world as I used to think I had. While I’m still here, present in the lives of people I care about, I want to hug our joined experience as much as possible.

I will not postpone the time to be with people I love, no more ‘later’, no more ‘another day’. I will not delay the meeting with an old relative. I will find time to ask the right questions and find out about the roots of my family tree. No more ‘now is too late’. I won’t reschedule that vacation I dreamed about for so long. No more ‘next year’. I will do all the travel while I am healthy enough to enjoy it.

I won’t feel ashamed of the strange excitement that childish activities can gift. This nervous, restless, and passionate kid is in me and I love this creature. I want to be silly sometimes, funny often, and wise now and then. Today I give voice by my pen to the fantasies of my brain, not afraid of ridicule, not letting the negative judgment of others kill my work.

How great a privilege is mine to be my unique self, to have so much to say, to make my life unbroken. My fortune is enormous. I spend it entirely on doing good for others and myself. I want my kindheartedness to be even greater than my generously. Because the first one knows no bounds, while the other, although great, has its limits.

Don’t make your life a sad play. Take these life lessons into your breast pocket, close to your heart:

  • Some folks neither see though they are looking, nor hear though they are listening. These people exist, they do not live. Be present every minute of your life. Speak with superb animation, listen with passionate interest, ask questions with a magnificent sparkle in your eyes. It will be as impossible to stop you from being happy as to stop the Rhine at the Falls of Schaffhausen.
  • Eliminate any negative influences and impressions (TV-horror movies, people that make you feel miserable; places that bring bad memories — anything that can change the state of tranquility). All these activities have a peculiarly damaging effect on the nervous system. To recruit your strength, you need to be picky with the things that make you happy and express thorough censure toward things that can upset you.
  • There are circumstances in which men are powerless. When, for example, unchained elements cannot be combated by human power. Like a dream, fiction, or chimera — these situations should be read through and put aside. Sometimes we encounter ill-will coming from men. Do not waste your time in breeding revenge thoughts. Use your intelligence, energy, and decision-making ability in thinking of the present. The past is gone, but the future is yours.

A dull, dreary life is your destiny if you let a succession of victimizing thoughts dominate in your life. Blaming others is like living in some imaginative whirlpool. It is easy and makes you feel not as vulnerable. But it deprives you of your inner power, which stops your personal growth. You cannot embrace life and other people fully if you are constantly trying to find faults in others.

Finding yourself tipping, own it. Be master of yourself. Triumph over your mistakes. No bleating, bellowing, neighing — only self-acceptance, -respect, and -love. Don’t breathe a word of reproof, rather self-talk about lessons that can be learned, and experiences that can be implemented.

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

Valuable Tips on How to Build Tireless Habits in Sport  

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The strength was always in you. All you had to do was find it. – Katherine Givens

1) Sometimes the Fastest Way to Get to Your Destination Is by Slowly Taking Small Steps 

There is no need to hurry if it leads to a complete stop in the middle of the road. Let’s say you want to exercise and get in shape. But you have not been to the gym in a couple of years. So now if you decide to go every day and invest an hour and a half or two hours in your workout – you may continue for a week or two, but you end up exhausting the resources of your body and spirit. One day you will find some excuse to not go. The same will happen the next day and as a result you will stop fighting with yourself. But if you take a different approach you will get into the positive habit of physical exercise and eventually you’ll crave that feeling of healthy energy in your body. 

2) By Just Taking It Easier and Giving Yourself Rewarding Gifts You Will Get to the Desired Goal

In the beginning  you force yourself to go twice a week for thirty minutes, promising to get a healthy ice-cream on your way back, which is not the same as the one you used to treat yourself with, but is pretty darn close. Next week you add one more day, in a month you sometimes feel like adding fifteen more minutes, and already after a year you wait for your gym day, you enjoy your hour training and have a couple of sets of very nice looking sportswear.

Conclusion

If you take the same approach in almost everything, having the ultimate goal of creating a habit, you will go very far by moving slowly.

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

3 Reasons to Welcome Changes and Self-Change

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Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. – George Bernard Shaw

1) People Change 

It is normal to think one way today and to have a completely different point of view the next day. You may have in your circle of friends and acquaintances some people that always keep their old beliefs strong as a brick. These people do not even question the validity of those beliefs and don’t consider any judgments, believing, that just the idea of obtaining extra information (to clarify and make sure what they think is true is still this way at present) is an offense. If you have someone like that around you, you know how hard it is to talk with that kind of person. And you most likely try to either not even talk on that matter or do your best not to be left alone with that person at all. 

2) It Is Normal to Change Your Mind 

There is a ton of new information circling around us every second. And something we believed was good yesterday is not that way anymore today. Look at the medical world: a few years ago mothers were made to believe that breastfeeding is not as beneficial for babies as the formula was. But scholars changed their minds and revealed the undisputable benefit of mother’s milk. 

3) We Should Grow and Growth Requires Change

Without growth, life is not sweet at all, and growth requires change. The same is true with the people that surround you. You may find comfort in the company of a few select friends mostly because at this very moment they think in a similar way and you share similar views. And you still can be close, although your life path leads you to a different destination. You find new people to share your thoughts and to teach you new skills. 

Conclusion

It makes life an incredible adventure when you let in new impressions that new people bring. You may not be as open to taking the first step and saying “hi.” That’s not a big deal. There are plenty of people that enjoy doing it, so you just need to welcome that approach. The more people you meet, the more you listen to them – the more receptive your brain becomes to the “people reading” skill. And to develop it is one of the main keys to success in life.

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

3 Success-Defining Reasons to Listen Empathetically 

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Strangers are just family you have yet to come to know. No life is a waste. The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone. – Mitch Albom (“The five people you meet in heaven.”)

1) The Very Success-Defining Skill 

There are many things that we learn early on but think insignificant and omit in the process of our upbringing. One of them is the very success-defining skill – empathetic listening. That skill involves all our senses: ears, eyes, posture, mimics. It is vital to learn to listen using all of them, and not just to “listen” without even capturing the meaning as we think at this very moment about what we are going to say next. Most of us do that. Pay attention next time and you’ll see the living proof.

2) We Need to Listen Twice as Much as We Talk

We have two ears and one mouth. Isn’t it a sign to be more attentive when someone is sharing information with us? But here again we need to rein in our egos. We think that no one can give us anything valuable, which is such a big mistake. Every person in our lives comes with a definite purpose and you just miss it when you do not pin your ears back and give yourself in full to this moment of shared wisdom.

3) The Art of Asking Questions 

Imagine a foreign language course in your curriculum. And you decided to skip a lesson or two. How hard is it to stay at the same level of knowledge as your more responsible classmates? You feel you need to put so much extra work in now to acquire the same speed they learn with. Of course, in a classroom environment it is easier to grasp the meaning of some rule that is difficult to understand, as there is always someone who will ask the right question that will cause you to understand the teacher’s explanation. The same thing in life: you may miss that particular opportunity to listen, think, and ask the right question and the life you want to live becomes a few steps farther from your reach. We need to master the art of asking questions. And to do that we need to listen and think. And, of course, to have the end result in mind (I mean “why I need to listen” and “what I need to learn”).

Conclusion

The vital ability to think requires some training and a lot of practice time. You go to the gym to make your body fit and strong, and in the same way you need to train your brain to think consciously on subjects of everyday life. I know it is insane to force your mind to think: “take a toothbrush in your right hand and brush the upper left side…” and so on. Our subconscious mind keeps us sane by relieving us of the necessity of tracking every routine movement. But simply by trying to use your left hand more if you are right-handed and vice-versa makes a world of a difference. Small steps like that create a habit of using our thinking muscles more frequently and making them all-weather resistant. Every achievement starts with the unremarkable little steps that we take every day in the direction of our ultimate goal.

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

2 Simple Things That Will Teach You to Enjoy Your Life

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Gratitude is the heart’s memory. – French Proverb

1) We Do Not Control When the Last Day, the Last Hour, or the Last Moment of Our Life Will Be

By some odd universal law, we are not taught to appreciate what we have and should cherish. Interesting fact: we do not control when the last day, the last hour, or the last moment of our life will be. So why not make this day, this hour, this moment special. And it might not be any different day from yesterday and the day before. But it is in your power to make this moment singular by enriching it with thoughts You pick, feelings You define, and images Your eyes want to see.

If you set yourself up to see the bare tree and a foggy gloomy day with no sun in the sky to brighten your “now” – you exclude yourself from the beauty of the smoky-bluish-grey sky, the freshness of misty-dewy air, the soft whispering of the wind and the magnificence of sleeping nature getting ready, growing strength to bloom with colors in spring that is just around the corner. 

2) You Can Consciously Fine-Tune Your Inner Radio-Wave

Enjoy the little things for one day you may look back and realize they were big things. – Robert Brault

You have the control and you are able to consciously fine-tune your inner radio-wave to a “happy-sunny-mood” station. Every breath is precious, every sound is unique, and every glance is dear – love yourself and love every moment. Before you open your eyes after leaving the warm embrace of sleep think about the good you want to bring to this day. Think about the person you want to make happy and what can you do to bring a smile to this lovely face. 

Conclusion

Gratitude is your playmate in this happy-game of life. There are so many things we take for granted and this is the biggest mistake ever made. You are given sight – say “thank you”, you can walk – be appreciative, you are healthy – that is the greatest gift anybody can have. There is no need to go far in search of a brave heart that despite physical limitations or severe health issues inspires people by the example of unconditional love and beauty of their souls. Look around and you may find such person living just a few steps from your threshold. Open your eyes and ears to the messages these people share by an example of their life. 

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

3 Ways How You Can Invest in Yourself

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When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching – they are your family. – Jim Butcher

1) Take a Good Book and Take Some Time to Think

John C. Maxwell said: “Thinking is hard work; that’s why so few do it”. Become one of the few. Replace the TV-hungry guy with a friendly educational-video buddy. It is another way to fill in your brain with useful information and ideas for self-development. Make conscious choices when you are going to feed your mind.  This is crucial, eliminate controlling forces from outside and take the reins into your own hands. Do not just turn on the TV and allow yourself to take what you are given without your sensible approval first.  You will find by doing so how growth begins.

2) The Effect of Building Slowly Will Work Its Magic

You cannot build a castle in one day. It takes small steps to create a piece of art. Your mission is to invest your time and energy in building a mansion of unseen beauty that will be able to withstand any weather. This architectural masterpiece is you. When you make that decision, life changes and people suddenly want to confide in you and ask for your opinion. Provide your expert advice with thoughtful appreciation.

3) Your Circle of Friends Will Change Considerably

People you surround yourself with are supposed to help you accomplish your goals. They make you or break you, so choose wisely. You will be amazed to find out that people you thought “fly-too-high and out-of-the-way” are actually very responsive when asked to help out.

Successful people have gone through a lot of hardships on the way to the top. Now they know the path and can tell you the shortcut. It is vital to frame your life in a “better-people-around-me” way. Your social environment is as important to your mental health as nature (the outside environment) is to your physical one. It literally determines the trajectory of your life. Why?

Conclusion

“Eventually, we start to eat what they eat, talk like they talk, read what they read, think like they think, watch what they watch, treat people how they treat them, even dress like they dress.” Darren Hardy gives enough reasons to be selective in this respect. Do not let yourself just drift with a stream of life, paddle the way You want to go.

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

How to Start Writing a Book: A Writer’s Diary – Part III

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Become strong enough to learn how to fail skillfully and get up with grace

Introduction

A. is a 26-year-old office worker who is bored to death. When her boss is looking the other way, she switches the screen of her computer to the pages of her book. She downplays herself and often in conflict with her protagonist. We are going to witness a drift of her thoughts during this process.

If you downplay and mock yourself – you lose self-respect. The agonizing self-rivalry exists in almost everyone. If considerate, it is very productive. Learn what price to pay to become a winning party always. 

Become Strong Enough to Learn How to Fail Skillfully and Get up With Grace

We had our annual ‘all hands’ office party yesterday. My colleague Josh was making eyes at me all night. And near the end of the party, he approached me with words: “Look into my eyes – they are so kind.” I responded with mitigated reality: “They are drunk.” He mumbled: “Weeeell..works both ways, doesn’t it?” I’m afraid to say that I was so close to agreeing. Was I that lonely? No way! I came home took my little old bear off my laptop and finally got to work.

When you try to control areas in life that are out of your league, the world goes completely mad and may drag you to the depth of insanity, unless you become strong enough to learn how to fail skillfully and get up with grace.

When you try to write about things that do not interest you, the book becomes a dull play and not one reader will be determined to sit out the performance. Start all over again, and this time you should be armed at all points with full information about your topic and passion for the depiction of it. 

Let Life Give You Wings to Fly

I feel overwhelmed with work duties, cannot put them out of my head even for a couple of days. The company I work for is shrinking, and I may very much be the next one to be laid off. Oh, well… My skin feels the wind of change. The touch of it is a little chilling, but I am going to tune my senses to the wave of it and make the best of my life. At any rate, if I lose my job, I will devote more time to writing.

Life can be a fairytale or a nightmare. It can age you, kill you or give you wings to fly. The good thing about it is that the choice of what to get is yours. And the bad thing is – no one does it consciously.

 Every trial in life is not a limitation, but a kind of self-developing advantage. Consciously accept it and your writing spirit will be always bright, free, and generous. Do not let everyday disheartening occurrences distress you. Your ability to work depends on a healthy state of your mind and body. Cherish those with utmost care. 

Control the Mood That Reigns in Your Reality

Today I forgot my wallet at home. When I was standing in front of the vending machine in our office lunchroom I was close to staging a hungry faint just to see if this soulless ‘food dealer’ had some mercy for me. My protagonist found his love. Will I?

Your reality is the best thing in the world because you control the mood that reigns in it. Be unpredictable and you won’t get bored. Your state of mind is the source of life energy and food just keeps your body in a functional state. 

Recognition is a horrid thing to follow, but a charming thing to have. The chase will exhaust you. You need only art, temper and talent to meet all the illumination of wisdom and the rest is destined for you. 

When you control your mood, you are always able to stay remarkably fresh to your readers, and remarkably well-seasoned to your critics.

Conclusion

Today is just the day when I feel so manly with all the responsibilities I have. My main priority – my book – is slowed down by them. I’ll keep my job if I make an extra effort there, somewhat here, and chiefly everywhere. To pay the bills means to work more and write less. I wish I could trade my skirt-manliness for the one that wears pants.

 You can be irreparably older than your peers. And years have nothing to do with it. You age faster with the questions you ask yourself. If accustomed to asking and listening, you will easily mystify and captivate your readers. 

Your book will come to houses and feel at home. It will change the interior with new impressions and experiences. Everything will feel familiar and at the same time strange. And although the outside stays the same, the change inside will make people feel cozy in their chairs, reading away with a cup of warm beverage in hand. 

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

A Beast Bit My Face and Changed Me For the Better

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My face is different. But ‘different’ doesn’t always mean ‘worse’

Olya Aman

I was shocked and, due to that, felt no pain at first. People were shouting and gesturing to one another, trying to figure out how to distract the furious beast. Somehow, I do not recollect exactly how it was pulled from me. The man who helped me in an old blue ‘Zhiguli’ and drove to the village dispensary and later to the nearest town hospital was the owner of the dog. In the hospital, I got nine stitches in four places on my face.

The doctor that performed the work of reconstructing my face did not know about cosmetic stitching. He simply decided the way he would do it was going to be sufficient. During the procedure, I concentrated on his deep, fine-tuned voice. To listen to him was like drinking warm ginger tea on a frosty winter day, and very likely it served as the best anesthetic for me. His work was not bad, just not good.

I have the scars, one is very visible, and people often ask about it. I consider it a part of my unique personality. I like my face. I love myself the way God created me and the way life, not always gentle, adjusted the sacred work.

Thoughts about my mother, her loving face darkened by suffering because of the incident, overpowered the fear of thread, needle, and pain. And even during the recovery, when the only recollection of the event made me shake with uncontrollable sobbing — the result of a great fright — I tried to compose myself with enormous energy. One glance at my mother’s eyes with a distinct element of worry pulled me together, and I did my best to laugh.

Providence is often a cruel teacher. The life-threatening experience I went through was there to spirit me for what was before to come. I had bad days, but not too many. I had loss enough, but too much. Although, I feel completely miserable at times, I do my best to not feel depressed, rather unite the best blessings of my nature and learn to be a gainer in every situation.

Sometimes I think, I am made practically entirely from one heart, and often it thinks itself far too clever and shuts the rational mind up. But it did me a good service so far by helping me to get over emotionally and physically painful moments.

3 Lessons I Learned

  • Painful experience often is the strongest building block of a prominent personality.
  • Everything happens for a reason and your inner and outer looks depend on it.
  • Moments of struggle open the best (or the worst) in people.

I didn’t react to those unfortunate circumstances with deliberate self-pity. I thought of my mother and not of myself. From then on, my desire to give overpowers the desire to take. Lack of selfishness gives me the strength to withstand many of life’s calamities.

Whatever happens, I only need to understand how things are and accept the change, because ‘different’ doesn’t always mean ‘worse’.

Stay tuned…