My husband is a fantastic 3D artist, and sometimes I write poems for his pictures :)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Positive Procrastination- How I Write a Book
I have a notebook separated by nine different tabs. Each one is a different writing project...and I'm working on them all at once! Some are long (a young adult novel...okay, a few), some are short (poems), and some are in-between (picture books or magazine articles).
I know, I'm crazy, you don't have to tell me.
When I was an avid journal writer in middle and high school, I at one point had up to five journals at a time. (Let's see if I can remember them: Poetry, Fiction, Songs, Dreams, Everyday/journal!) For some reason it comforts me to sort things out that way. My brain likes the physical compartments.
I had been struggling with my writing process. I am a self-proclaimed procrastinator, and no matter how inspired I feel in the beginning, it's always been difficult for me to consistently sit down and write on a regular basis, especially on those days when you just aren't "feeling it". Consequently, I have left many projects unfinished. This used to be a huge stumbling block for me, it still is to a certain degree...those voices don't completely disappear you just learn to ignore them better! I have always felt guilty about leaving something half finished and then berate myself for not having any follow-through. I have tried to remind myself that this is not productive, and not all things are meant to be finished anyway. Sometimes they are just for learning, a stepping stone to the next thing. Regardless, I've tried will-power and motivation, and charts, and all kinds of things, in order to turn those sketches and outlines into a finished product. Recently, I came across an article that helped things fall into place:
Positive Procrastination Not An Oxymoron
The basic gist is that you can use your procrastination tendencies to actually be productive. Here's a quote by Dr. Piers Steel from the article, “My best trick is to play my projects off against each other, procrastinating on one by working on another.”
You know those times when you feel completely inspired and the ideas just flow, then, all of a sudden you have five pages? We all love that feeling, we live for that feeling! But it's usually fleeting. Finally, I've found a way to leverage my inspiration!
If I am not excited at the moment about one project, I have a whole notebook full of others that I can choose from. Chances are I can find at least one to be excited about, and even if I only make a few notes or do a bit of research, it's still better than nothing.
It's not perfect, and it's certainly not for everyone, but that's where I'm at right now. It has it's draw backs, one being that it takes a lot longer to get to the finish line than if I were working on just one thing from start to finish. It may sound chaotic and crazy, for me though, it actually feels freeing. I still get those thoughts in the back of my head though, that fear that NONE of them will ever be finished! That I'm not working hard enough; that I should just push myself (even though i know that doesn't work for me). I try to think of myself as the tortoise, but my ego gets impatient. Sometimes the sheer size of the notebook is daunting.
But mostly, I feel comfy and safe with all of my ideas in a big, organized (color-coded) notebook. Just think, when I'm finished, I'll have a dozen things ready for print all at once! Then, I can sit back and take it easy for awhile...or not...chances are there will always be at least one project left unfinished, otherwise what do I procrastinate with?
What are your tricks, methods, and tips for getting inspired and getting things done?
I know, I'm crazy, you don't have to tell me.
When I was an avid journal writer in middle and high school, I at one point had up to five journals at a time. (Let's see if I can remember them: Poetry, Fiction, Songs, Dreams, Everyday/journal!) For some reason it comforts me to sort things out that way. My brain likes the physical compartments.
I had been struggling with my writing process. I am a self-proclaimed procrastinator, and no matter how inspired I feel in the beginning, it's always been difficult for me to consistently sit down and write on a regular basis, especially on those days when you just aren't "feeling it". Consequently, I have left many projects unfinished. This used to be a huge stumbling block for me, it still is to a certain degree...those voices don't completely disappear you just learn to ignore them better! I have always felt guilty about leaving something half finished and then berate myself for not having any follow-through. I have tried to remind myself that this is not productive, and not all things are meant to be finished anyway. Sometimes they are just for learning, a stepping stone to the next thing. Regardless, I've tried will-power and motivation, and charts, and all kinds of things, in order to turn those sketches and outlines into a finished product. Recently, I came across an article that helped things fall into place:
Positive Procrastination Not An Oxymoron
The basic gist is that you can use your procrastination tendencies to actually be productive. Here's a quote by Dr. Piers Steel from the article, “My best trick is to play my projects off against each other, procrastinating on one by working on another.”
You know those times when you feel completely inspired and the ideas just flow, then, all of a sudden you have five pages? We all love that feeling, we live for that feeling! But it's usually fleeting. Finally, I've found a way to leverage my inspiration!
If I am not excited at the moment about one project, I have a whole notebook full of others that I can choose from. Chances are I can find at least one to be excited about, and even if I only make a few notes or do a bit of research, it's still better than nothing.
It's not perfect, and it's certainly not for everyone, but that's where I'm at right now. It has it's draw backs, one being that it takes a lot longer to get to the finish line than if I were working on just one thing from start to finish. It may sound chaotic and crazy, for me though, it actually feels freeing. I still get those thoughts in the back of my head though, that fear that NONE of them will ever be finished! That I'm not working hard enough; that I should just push myself (even though i know that doesn't work for me). I try to think of myself as the tortoise, but my ego gets impatient. Sometimes the sheer size of the notebook is daunting.
.JPG) |
| It's wider than the apple! |
What are your tricks, methods, and tips for getting inspired and getting things done?
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Drum Roll Please!
My husband has been working furiously on this new album, and somehow along the way it became OUR album. Haha, I don't know how I get talked into these things...actually I do. :) Anyway, it's been an interesting experience. Recording an album together has been enlightening. I can see why a lot of relationships between band members don't last! It's certainly not for the faint of heart.
A few things I've learned:
First, recording is completely ego-busting. Have you ever heard your voice on a recording and thought, "wow, is that really what I sound like?!" It's bursting the bubble between how we hear ourselves and what other people hear. Listening to your own voice from outside of yourself is strange and unsettling.
Second, It's also easy to see why so many artists are perfectionists. It's not easy to be vulnerable, to be a lone, naked voice, to hear all of the imperfections, the "pitchy" notes, the breaths, and the parts that just don't work. It's even harder when someone else points them out to you (especially if it's your husband!) When you put out a finished product, you want it to be the very best possible representation of you. Even if no one else notices, you will hear all of those small imperfections and it will drive you crazy!
Third, I'm so proud of my husband and all of the hard work he put into making this album. He spent long nights in our makeshift "minivan recording studio", sometimes in the freezing cold! And even more hours editing, mixing, and learning how to put it all together. Even though I complained much of the way about the last minute requests to, "just record this one part!" when I was tired and really felt like doing anything but that, I'm really glad I did.
I remember going to see a Christian artist perform once when I was younger. She brought her two little boys on-stage to introduce her and had her husband playing percussion in the band. I remember thinking, "that's how I want to do it." In my experience with music and performing I've come to realize that I have very little interest in going the traditional route in terms of playing in clubs and bars, trying to sign deals, and especially the soul-sucking monster, Fame. I'm happy to be able to make music and do what I love, but on my own terms, in my own way, without sacrificing the things that are most important to me.
Here is Koichi's message, along with the links to check out the album:
"I finished my album- "Foundation Day. " This compilation took 10 years in the making. It is my offering to the world, free of charge, no strings attached. I recorded most of it in my minivan late at night.
I would like to thank my wife, my fam, my fan, and my friends. And of course my parents and the Heavenly Parent up above, all around, and inside each and every one of us. It will be on Spotify soon (remastered), but for now it can be listened to on Sound Cloud:
https://soundcloud.com/
The album can be pirated here (just don't tell anyone):
http://peaceaquarium.org/
Thank you all, have a happy Foundation Day!"
Enjoy!
A few things I've learned:
First, recording is completely ego-busting. Have you ever heard your voice on a recording and thought, "wow, is that really what I sound like?!" It's bursting the bubble between how we hear ourselves and what other people hear. Listening to your own voice from outside of yourself is strange and unsettling.
Second, It's also easy to see why so many artists are perfectionists. It's not easy to be vulnerable, to be a lone, naked voice, to hear all of the imperfections, the "pitchy" notes, the breaths, and the parts that just don't work. It's even harder when someone else points them out to you (especially if it's your husband!) When you put out a finished product, you want it to be the very best possible representation of you. Even if no one else notices, you will hear all of those small imperfections and it will drive you crazy!
Third, I'm so proud of my husband and all of the hard work he put into making this album. He spent long nights in our makeshift "minivan recording studio", sometimes in the freezing cold! And even more hours editing, mixing, and learning how to put it all together. Even though I complained much of the way about the last minute requests to, "just record this one part!" when I was tired and really felt like doing anything but that, I'm really glad I did.
I remember going to see a Christian artist perform once when I was younger. She brought her two little boys on-stage to introduce her and had her husband playing percussion in the band. I remember thinking, "that's how I want to do it." In my experience with music and performing I've come to realize that I have very little interest in going the traditional route in terms of playing in clubs and bars, trying to sign deals, and especially the soul-sucking monster, Fame. I'm happy to be able to make music and do what I love, but on my own terms, in my own way, without sacrificing the things that are most important to me.
Here is Koichi's message, along with the links to check out the album:
"I finished my album- "Foundation Day. " This compilation took 10 years in the making. It is my offering to the world, free of charge, no strings attached. I recorded most of it in my minivan late at night.
I would like to thank my wife, my fam, my fan, and my friends. And of course my parents and the Heavenly Parent up above, all around, and inside each and every one of us. It will be on Spotify soon (remastered), but for now it can be listened to on Sound Cloud:
https://soundcloud.com/
The album can be pirated here (just don't tell anyone):
http://peaceaquarium.org/
Thank you all, have a happy Foundation Day!"
Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The Healing Circle
This is a piece I wrote for a recent issue of UC Lifestyle Magazine. You can get yourself a copy or subscribe here!
The Healing Circle
“The
wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
― Rumi
The
florescent lights hummed in tune with the soft meditative music in
the background, as I said a silent prayer to my Native American
ancestors, both known and nameless. We sat facing each other, our
chairs lined up in a circle. It was a small group, a pastor, a young
college graduate, moms, dads, professionals, all from various
divergent paths. This was not a meeting or social gathering. We came
together that evening with the intention of having our voices heard,
and through that process, to open a gateway for healing.
I
came across the idea by chance, a random blog post about healing
circles that coincided with my own longing to address issues I was
dealing with in my own life. As I researched more and spoke with
others about creating something for the community, I was met with
such enthusiasm, that I realized there was really a collective
yearning for this kind of emotional healing. Though we all experience
pain at different times in our lives and in different ways, we are
surprisingly similar in the way we tend to deal with it. Often, our
need to "just be okay" supersedes our willingness to deal
with our pain, and so it gets buried before we've had a chance to
properly heal. We may go months or even years without looking at our
wounds, only to have them burst open at the next crisis or road block
that life sends our way.
The
healing circle, comes from the Native American tradition of "Talking
Circles", which were used by many tribes as a means of
dialoguing about difficult issues and even making major decisions.
The circle is a sacred symbol to the Native Americans. They observed
the circle present in all of nature; in the planets, the movement of
the sun and moon, and the passing of the seasons. The circle
symbolizes that no one voice is more important than another. On the
contrary, each person brings their own truth to the circle and makes
the circle complete by their presence, adding to the truth of the
whole. The circle provides a sacred and supportive space for open
communication.
In
modern times, the talking circle has been utilized as an effective
tool in twelve step programs and support groups, in anything from
diabetes to drug addiction. Circles can be geared towards a specific
group--a women’s circle or teen circle--or address a particular
concern or topic. It can be done in a church, at home, or out in
nature. Part of the beauty of the circle is that you don’t need to
be an expert. Anyone can do it. All you need is the desire and a few
basic instructions.
What
you’ll need:
A
Circle Keeper: The circle keeper is the person who leads the circle.
Their role is not to be a leader in the sense that they dominate the
discussion, but merely to facilitate the process and to make sure all
of the rules are followed.
3-12
people: it works best with a smaller group since there is more time
for each person to share. I would suggest no more than 20.
Talking
piece: the talking piece is an object of significance used to
facilitate the communication in the circle. Only the person who is
holding the talking piece may speak. The Native Americans used a
talking stick, engraved or adorned with items of spiritual
significance. For our NJ group, we used a holy candle.
The
Rules
Rules
for speaking:
Only
the person who holds the talking piece may speak.
Speak
from your own perspective, not as a representative of a larger group
or another person
Be
honest
Try
to be concise out of respect for others' sharing.
Rules
for listening:
Support
the person who is speaking
Do
not try to respond to their sharing, a smile, or nod is an acceptable
response
Listen
with sincerity and compassion
Confidentiality,
“whatever happens in the circle, stays in the circle”
It
is okay to disagree, no name calling or attacking. This is not a
debate. There is no need to come to a solution or even a consensus.
The
Process:
Pray:
for God to be present in our speaking and listening. To open our
hearts to hear God's lessons through the sharing of others, to be an
avenue for God's love in our sharing and listening. To begin a
process of healing.
Passes:
(each question is one pass around the circle, if someone does not
want to the answer question, they simply pass the talking piece to
the next person)
Examples
of possible questions:
1.
The first pass is simply to get the energy and communication flowing.
Start with something simple like sharing a positive aspect of your
day. If members of the group do not know each other, short
introductions would be appropriate.
2.
How has (specific issue) affected me?
3.
What lessons have I learned?
4.
What is left unsaid?
5.
Open discussion/Reflection (if time allows. You may decide as a group
in the beginning if you want to have an open discussion at the end,
or you may find that you don’t need it. This is up to the
discretion of the circle keeper and the other participants according
to the spirit of the room and the time.)
End
with a symbolic offering to God. For our circle, we placed the holy
candle that we had used as the talking piece, in the middle of the
circle and said a prayer to offer all of our sharing up to God.
One
thing that I have learned about healing, is that it can only happen if
we let ourselves open the wound. We must dig deep and pull out all of
the anger and resentment, the grief and the sorrow. We must
acknowledge it and give it a name. We must not be afraid to feel it,
because once we do, then we can start to do something about it. When
we release the pain it opens up a space for healing, and eventually,
peace.
Monday, February 11, 2013
A Chinese New Year Story
I was sick all weekend, along with the kids. blah. Still fighting it off. Wish I could have enjoyed the snow, but I was grateful that my husband worked from home on Friday, even though I spent the whole day in bed instead of with him :(
By yesterday, my husband was going a little stir crazy, having been trapped in the (messy) den of sickness. He decided it was time to get organized.
Here is part of his project: peg boards! yay.
While I appreciate the sentiment, these fits of sudden organization tend to stress me out. For one, it often creates a bigger mess than was there originally, at least for the short term. I don't pretend to be a very clean person. I keep things tidy for the most part, but I don't worry if the kids spill things on the floor, or if the picture frames are not dusted. I feel like if I tried to keep everything perfectly clean, I wouldn't have time for anything else! So I am willing the make the trade off and spend my time doing other, more enjoyable things. It's not like we live in squaller!
But I'm one of those people who even though things are a mess, I know where everything is. So when my husband comes in and re-organizes everything, certain things tend to get lost, which brings me to my point.
This morning as we were going through some mail (after trying to figure out a better place and system for it), my husband handed me my address book, "find some place to put this" he suggested.
"Oh, I like to keep this in my..." I glanced over at the counter, where there used to be a basket shaped like a turkey. Kitschy, I know, but my mother gave it to me, it used to hold all of the Christmas cards during the holidays in my house growing up.
"where is my turkey basket?" I asked suspiciously.
"I threw it away" he said.
AHHHHH!!! How could he throw away my turkey basket?? My reaction was similar to the father in "A Christmas Story" when his beloved "leg lamp" gets broken, and quite the same level of absurd attachment.
My husband likes things clean, minimal
But I like the more cozy, "lived-in" approach. i like my little nick-knacks.
By yesterday, my husband was going a little stir crazy, having been trapped in the (messy) den of sickness. He decided it was time to get organized.
Here is part of his project: peg boards! yay.
 |
| Peg boards for world peace |
While I appreciate the sentiment, these fits of sudden organization tend to stress me out. For one, it often creates a bigger mess than was there originally, at least for the short term. I don't pretend to be a very clean person. I keep things tidy for the most part, but I don't worry if the kids spill things on the floor, or if the picture frames are not dusted. I feel like if I tried to keep everything perfectly clean, I wouldn't have time for anything else! So I am willing the make the trade off and spend my time doing other, more enjoyable things. It's not like we live in squaller!
But I'm one of those people who even though things are a mess, I know where everything is. So when my husband comes in and re-organizes everything, certain things tend to get lost, which brings me to my point.
This morning as we were going through some mail (after trying to figure out a better place and system for it), my husband handed me my address book, "find some place to put this" he suggested.
"Oh, I like to keep this in my..." I glanced over at the counter, where there used to be a basket shaped like a turkey. Kitschy, I know, but my mother gave it to me, it used to hold all of the Christmas cards during the holidays in my house growing up.
"where is my turkey basket?" I asked suspiciously.
"I threw it away" he said.
AHHHHH!!! How could he throw away my turkey basket?? My reaction was similar to the father in "A Christmas Story" when his beloved "leg lamp" gets broken, and quite the same level of absurd attachment.
 |
| "You were always jealous of my basket!" |
My husband likes things clean, minimal
 source |
| "get rid of those apples and the candle...too much clutter!" |
 |
| sourceI think it needs more candles... |
I think we need one of those design intervention shows.
but the real dilemma is...
Do I go dig my turkey basket out of the trash???
but the real dilemma is...
Do I go dig my turkey basket out of the trash???
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