The more I read the news and watch human behavior, the more noticeable it is that America suffers from a psychological epidemic. Because I've lived, or spent extensive time, in other culture's, most places in the western world do not act like we do with this chronic outbursts that destruct society or people's lives.
But, this is changing. Many countries look up to America and do not realize that America has changed. Our natives are being socially engineered and without a sound mind and/or spirit, or sense of identity, people, many of whom are intellects, are committing horrific crimes or doing insane things like beer bonging smoothies for the sake of "being progressive and having no body shame." Today, many people are like a ticking time bomb, and all stigmas should be put aside as this problem affects all social classes. When chaos strikes, the most important thing to do is to quiet your mind. Nothing good happens with irrational and impulsive decisions. Viewing your life as the glass half empty or half full is all about perspectives. As always, inspired by the sun, Elizabeth Join Mind Body Soul Food Every Sunday for some inspiration, or Sunspiration, where we analyze quotes and sweet nothings in 150 words or less. Get inspired everyday with our Instagram account, sunspiration_everyday with inspirational quotes, motivational messages & sweet nothings.
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I believe nature holds the secrets to life. In some ways, the path to spiritual enlightenment is similar to the blossoming of a flower. People who find themselves lost or insecure must start somewhere, from the acts of planting the seed to growing the roots, discovering who you are, and blossoming your soul, takes time.
The path to spirituality comes when one opens their mind to the opportunity of change. Staying rooted with fear, and being scared for something new, will not allow a flower to grow. People fear change because they know they will detach from old things, people, habits or ways. Many people refrain from spiritual change because of fear, but also because of skepticism, logic or chronic self-judgment. The biggest barrier to spiritual development is the need to change habits, specifically mental and emotion habits, breakdowns and anxiety attacks. It’s about changing one’s mindset and balancing the thoughts between the head and the heart. Based on my life experience, and what I was taught via theEight Limbs of Yoga and the Yoga tree, I believe spiritual development is similar to the growth of a flower. Humans love flowers. Nature needs flowers and they are some of the most beautiful creations on this planet. In order to blossom and be beautiful inside, you must take the road less traveled, which looks a lot like the flower’s growth. Stage One – The Seed Planting the seed is the first step to growth. If we want to grow flowers we must plant the seeds. People who are lost may think about change. They also think about what they need to do in order to change or break patterns. This may go through the avenues of seeing a therapist, signing up for a yoga course or visiting a healer. Thinking is planting the seed into one’s mind about change. Much energy spent in this stage revolves around thinking and researching options. Seeds are hard and tough and the ego and darkness wants to hold you back, but through listening to one’s higher self they evolve to seedlings.
Stage Two – Seedling
In nature, a seedling is a young plant birthed from a seed. A seed is actually planted into the ground and the seedling is the first sign of life sprouted from underground. Gardeners may cover seedlings, but if left covered for too long, the seedling dies. In order to thrive, seedlings require air and light. I equate this stage to the actions taken toward spiritual change. This stage takes time and is not easy for most. A person may find talking to a psychologist works for the first weeks but then realizes this type of therapy is not right for them. A person may switch therapies, but the actual commitment towards getting help is the first sign of life for the soul to sprout from the underground and bask in the riches of potential and the light. Seedlings are delicate. This represents the vulnerability some feel by exposing themselves and releasing the darkness from within. Seedlings are in a development stage, and this is exactly what stage two represents – development and growth. And the person has two choices, to continue the path of growth or to remain covered and rooted in old ways. Stage Three – Leaves and Stems Seedlings grow and develop leaves, stems and roots. It’s a vegetative stage where the stem thickens, the leaves grow taller and the roots spread. Spiritually, this stage occurs through breaking patterns and allowing one’s soul to grow and breathe. Someone who’s been doing meditation or yoga “religiously” for six months will feel, look and think differently than they did six months prior. Stage three occurs when people let in more light than darkness. They may struggle, but each time they do something for their soul they are thickening their backbone, growing their wings and staying grounded.
Stage Four – Flower Buds
The budding stage occurs immediately when the flower bud forms. The flower then goes through a stage called heliotropism, which means the leaves and buds move to follow the course of the sun throughout the day. It takes a while to bud, but a person is budding when the therapies are working. Like a flower, they follow the light. They are seeing progress and results and are nearly independent. They start to expose the light from within and their mindset has switched. The person may have doubts, as that is normal, but they are almost in bloom. Stage Five – Bloom Once a flower blooms, the flower is independent from heliotropism and blossoming can take several days, which happens from the outside toward the middle point. Once the flower blossoms, it eventually ripens, which allows the seeds to fall to be planted. The blooming stage occurs when a person is in check with his or her emotions and mental state. The mindset changed and the old ways of doing things, or over-reacting, are in the past. The person feels, sees and breathes in the light. Their roots are so deep that they stay grounded in times of chaos. Their backbone (stalk) is as strong as a tree, so the branches may sway but are rooted and cannot be swayed back into old ways of doing things. Externally, the person looks different and most claim they feel different internally. The bloom stage is spiritual liberation. It’s the “end” of the journey from darkness to light. The person knows that learning, wisdom and change never has an end, but knows how to remain strong during tough times. Once they continue this path, their seeds fall into the earth, helping other souls to find their way to the light. Replanting those seeds also aides them on their future problems. They know problems will never go away but are equipped with the strength, knowledge and tools on how to better handle life's problems. Elizabeth Rae Kovar M.A. is a trainer, health coach and author of Finding Om: An Indian Journey of Rickshaws, Chai, Chapattis and Gurus. Kovar has undergone various spiritual experiences throughout her life and now shares her experiences with the world to inspire people to break patterns, reach their potential and cultivate a thoughtful life.
Lately, I’ve been thinking. Can the human brain really handle the stimulus and chronic impulses received from social media?
Everyday people log “on the line” to be bombarded with breaking news stories, opinions, hot takes and verbal vomit about one’s personal life, all in the matter of seconds. Back in the day, news sometimes took weeks to reach one’s community as the message was carried via horseback. Throughout human history, bad and terrible things have happened. And, tragic things will continue to happen in mankind’s existence. Until humans cease to exist, there will always be a battle between the light and the dark on an individual and collective level. This is the way we were created, and societies have evolved because of bloodshed. And to note, every culture, country and society have undergone dark time periods.
I believe we have the capacity to live in a utopia, but that can only exist if everyone is on the same page, which is why communes or communities work because it focuses on a smaller scale, attracting like minds. Trying to control the masses often leads to chaos and tension. It’s like trying to control a horse, a zebra, a lion, an elephant and a house cat on a farm to live cohesively.
It’s apparent that people are losing their shit online, specifically when it comes to differing opinions, political ideologies and the way society should be lived. Many people think this is something “new” when in fact, we are experience the same problems as our ancestors, just that our problems have new characters, weapons and propaganda messages. I believe in the Age of Aquarius. In my past blogs I discussed the energy of Aquarius. It is a highly mental sign and the “ripple-looking” zodiac image symbolizes the brain wave. The water bearer pours knowledge from the pot into the river to drain the old “establishment” ways down the river. Aquarius rules technology and the combination of this mental and social media energy are combative and affects mental health wellbeing. If negativity breeds negativity than drama thrives on drama, and most people are melodramatic (some for selfish reasons to attract attention or to have their five minutes of fame.)
The Rise of Hypersensitivity
Differing viewpoints is what makes the world go ‘round. Like the zodiac wheel, earth, air, fire and water signs see, think and do things differently. Most of the world, but specifically the American culture, has a superior ego problem. The ego drives one to be right, correct and wants their voice to be heard. Because of living abroad several times, I’ve entered into cohesive disagreeing debates with foreigners that in America I’ve seen these same conversations lead to a “break up” in friendships. The worldwide web is an ocean of different characters, egos and personalities. When you let the bull out of its cage, it’s going to go buck wild. People who decide to comment on articles or post their hot takes are bound to get people to disagree with them. That is okay. That is a part of life. Part of this “chronic” safe space culture promotes only being around people of like-minds. Although we all have our safe space in some aspect of life, most people who do not get out of their comfort zone cannot build the backbones they need to face the reality of life – that NOT EVERYONE WILL AGREE WITH YOU. Today, many people follow their own herd, desiring praise and affection for their opinion without critically questioning everything that they are told. Safe spaces are nurturing, but like a baby, the child must eventually wean from the mother’s teat. People can’t be dependent on their own kind for a lifetime. Diversity of thought only exists when everyone can express his or her point of view. Like the Dalai Lama once stated, people are WAY TOO hypersensitive. Social media is dictating many areas of our life. No likes on Facebook dictates many people’s self-worth, popularity or self-esteem. It’s natural to want to be liked, and to be right, but without a firm grip on who you are as a person, people will “run into problems” mainly with their ego. The safe space college campus culture is evolving into an untamed zoo as these “kids” are being held from the learning lessons on how to be an adult. They are offended by anyone who disagrees with their propaganda-pumped mindset, and like a child learning how to ride a bike – you gotta fall a few times before you can maintain your balance and steer in a forward motion. Hypersensitivity drives the ego to win their battle in an online comment sections or forums to tell people “how ignorant they are.” Extreme ideologies have contributed to most of history’s brutality and right now people are at a mental war with each other. I experienced this in 2012 when I went head to head with some meatheads about a vegetarian-research study on LinkedIn. The research study showed that vegetarians had less risk for heart disease and were expected to live a longer life compared to their meat-eating counterparts. When I got home from work to check the replies, I realized that I spent three hours battling my viewpoint. What a waste of time. A vegetarian or vegan cannot win an argument with someone who believes meat must be a part of his or her diet. It’s an endless battle that goes round and round and round. Without a deep sense of awareness, I would’ve been caught in this cyclical argument for days. I sat back in my chair and analyzed the LinkedIn responses. All of it led to hateful responses, out of spite, because someone disagreed with their opinion. I watched the snowball get bigger and bigger and bigger. It first started with a disagreement, which led to name calling and virtual signaling, “how ignorant you are. Well at least I am not like you.” After that experience, I underwent a personal experiment. I did not reply to any LinkedIn posts for about six months, which eventually led to a year. Instead, I analyzed people’s response like a psychological experiment. It was hilarious! Mid forty to fifty year olds were going head to head in a cyber battle that no one could win. Is it possible for two people to have two different viewpoints in life and neither person is right or wrong?
Absolutely. The more attached someone is to a specific ideology, whatever it may be; the more likely the person will mentally explode if challenged. People love to make themselves feel important and social media is just the place for that. Being overly stubborn and lacking empathy contributes to the mental outbursts.
Did I miss commenting on articles? Not really. My ego missed it. I felt pressure in my head to voice my opinion, but in reality I rediscovered inner peace instead of worrying about what some bozo from Arizona thinks. One thing that helped me along my journey of ego shredding is to practice the art of detachment. I detached from my own ideologies, listened to other people’s viewpoints, and realized that a middle of the ground approach is where balance truly lives. I trained myself to see the reality of life instead of what life SHOULD or COULD be. The imagination is a blessing and a curse. Most people who are pent up with hate have a disconnect between the reality of life versus the ideal “hopeful” vision of life. The Rise of Hate Alongside with people’s thin skin, hypersensitivity ignites a self-defense response. When one feels threatened, they retreat and then attack. Like a crab hiding in its shell (safe space), eventually the crab will pop out of its shell and attack the enemy. Aggression is a part of nature, and human nature is no exception. The animal kingdom fights every day with each other and other species. Humans have a capacity that no other creature on this planet has – consciousness. Animals are biologically programmed with an innate wisdom that is beyond our human understanding. Humans have the capacity to change, but the reality is that our lives contain the same shadow aspects as nature. I believe hypersensitivity and hate are like an inter-spiraled web, similar to a DNA strand. One cannot coexist without the other (it can, but for most people their ego can’t handle the challenge). The irony is today’s complex political spectrum is that the far left anarchists screaming, “peace, love and unity” are some of the most hateful people on the planet right now. Violent protests, shutting down speeches, burning shit in the streets, it’s like the 1940’s all over again. (Astrologically, we’ve entered a similar star period as WW2, so we need to see where this plays out. I believe we have the ability to avoid WW3, but humanity must work together to find a common ground– and that is where the downfall happens – people are too rooted into their own belief systems that ends up in violent catastrophes.) Sadly, these people think their souls are developed, but are still fresh out of the womb in terms of soul development. They must deal with their shadow side and cut the umbilical cord, or lifeline, from their safe space. They are spiritually immature. Politically speaking, no one person or party is exempt from his or her shadow side. The more this purges the better humanity can ascend. Social media bombards us daily with opinions, voices and articles; I think the human brain is over flowing with information. I am not sure if the human brain can handle this digital age (we are in the early evolutional stages of this digital age.) As much as we equate our stomach to the digestion of food, our mind, body and soul must also digest the information that we read. If a person does not have a strong backbone, they will either follow the herd because “everyone’s doing it” and they want to fit into that mold, or they will trap themselves in their ego that is soon to erupt. The ego is like a campfire. When someone’s opinion differs, that is like the stream of gasoline that is about to hit the campfire. This is not to say that people should stop voicing their opinions, but know that if you are caught in this perpetual cycle of being hypersensitive, and defending or reflecting from the point with hateful responses and “fuck you’s,” it is time to look into the mirror and realize that you are also part of the problem. The biggest battle in this world is dealing with the shadow that lies within you. We must accept that people see things differently, admit when we are wrong (or when our political party is corrupt as hell) and start looking at the bigger picture. Too many people get caught up in worthless arguments because they are focusing on Bob Who and Shithead Sally. If you want to know the secret to life, study nature – everything about humanity – the good and the bad – presents itself in the natural world. Sadly, we the people, have another battle to uphold. Corporations, tech companies and the globalists have too much power, and this mind manipulation and control of the people will bring out the worst in human nature. Are you mentally ready for this? What do you think? Have people become hypersensitive?
In my previous The Art of Simple Living Blog, I share thoughts on how societal changes contribute to life’s complexities. Simple living is not a new concept, but rooted to historical and religious figures like St. Paul, Jesus, Gandhi and Mother Theresa. Simple living is even expressed through the writings of Thoreau.
“Our life is fritted away by detail. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify,” said Henry David Thoreau. Another Thoreau favorite is, “I make myself rich by making my wants few.” The teachings of traditional yoga preach the notion of simple living. My yoga guru in India spoke about how our minds are much more clear when we are free of clutter, internally and externally. Not only does this speak about the clutter in our homes, but also our inside clutter. When we abuse our systems with food, alcohol and substances, one’s vessel is not well maintained. It is difficult to think and focus clearly when our minds and body are clogged. I don’t really know in what direction humanity is heading, but I believe we are hitting a peak. If a person can hit rock bottom, and ascend from their situation, the opposite is exactly true. Even a mountain has its peak. And on the opposite side of the peak is a trail that leads down the mountain. Humanity has hit a peak in terms of wealth, population, sophistication and boredom. We no longer enjoy the simple pleasures in life, but strive to be entertained 24-7. How many of us “watch” a movie on our laptops while playing on our phones? Humans are distracted and cannot focus on one thing. It seems impossible, but remember anything is possible. When things turn south, individually or collectively, how many of us are emotionally, mentally and spiritually stable enough to push through hard times? Why should you consider simple living?
Simple living means that you have a clear understanding of who you are and your life’s purpose. Those who know this, live life holistically rather than trying to be someone they’re not.
Simple living is intentional. An intention means “on-purpose.” Whether it’s through a yoga class, developing your career or trying to eat more mindfully, intentions are commitments. Most who live simply, are more aware of how they use the world’s resources. Simple living paints a broader picture on how you want to spend your time and live your life. Most people realize there is more to life than work and material goods. Your happiness doesn’t thrive on what you own, but with what you do in your life. The fundamentals of yoga teach us that. Simple living is creational. Since we are aware of how we live our lives, most people care more about the wellbeing of our future generations and the care to our land and environment. Simple living is abundant and appreciates the small things in life. This is where God’s work comes to life. Instead of being impressed by a brand new white BMW, we “see” life through a wiser lens. We appreciate how a bee pollinates flowers or the sounds of beautiful music. You see that life and the planet is abundant rather than seeing life through the “poverty” lens of mindless materialism. Simple living is harmonious. Like the connection to the mind, body and soul, simple living connects our minds, bodies and environment. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about eliminating as much stress as possible because life is already stressful. When we live simply, we eat simply and we transform to “being” simple. Simple living distinguishes the differences between wants and needs. We need a home, but we want a mansion. Detaching from certain life expectations, like materialism to bring us happiness, can give us the freedom and the real life that many of us are searching for. Guest Blogger: Sally Writes Seniors represent 14.5% of the US population according to the Census Bureau. This means that the number of elderly people, 65 years or older stands at 46.5 million based on the 2014 statistics. Aging has many repercussions including declining mental and physical functioning. Good health, therefore, is key in coping with the effects of getting old with exercise or physical activity an essential part of lifestyles. However, for seniors who have not been exercising before retirement, this can become a difficult task or a daunting prospect. Luckily, there are several ways seniors can ease into physical activity. One is to hire a fitness trainer to help seniors exercise safely if clearance has been granted by a physician. Trainers can also design and monitor a fitness program for the elderly. With the right exercises, seniors can benefit from cardiovascular fitness, improved muscle strength and healthier bones & joints. Risks of dying from certain diseases such as heart attack and cancer are also reduced. In addition, physical activity lessens feelings of depression & anxiety and helps improve moods & emotional well-being. Additional tips on how the elderly can improve their health are explained in this article.
Human life is, and will always be, complex. Psychology, ideologies and advancement in technologies, human life is becoming more complex than it ever has been.
Today, consumerism, the need to fit in and praise from the external world makes our lives extremely complex. Dealing with a miserable boss, living within your means and obsessing over your selfies is literally driving people insane. Many years ago in my early twenties, I got so excited for this new age. I couldn’t wait for people to “wake up” and realize how beautiful life is. Now, in my thirties, I see a completely different life, and it scares me. I experienced a shift because of living in Germany. Our European brothers, sisters & ancestors live(d) differently, most of them peasants, work, live and eat their way through simple living. America, the capitalist society that is, is so damn complex because we think everyone else lives the same way we do. Everyone feels that they need the latest technology to stay relevant in the work force, follow the edgiest diet trend and no one can have a balanced approach to politics without labeling or judging people.
There are many reasons why people live a complex life, some of it is societal desires and pressures, but most of our issues are caused from our own actions. Consumerism, I believe drives people to become shopaholics, or addicts to either fulfill their emotions temporarily or to boost their ego while flaunting their new hairdo and handbag.
From an outsider’s perspective, our world is driven by this self-obsessed, “look at me” and “got ya” attitude that strives for perfection. Deep down we know that we are imperfect but wave our hands at, and blast our twitter account, shouting “asshole” to the person, peasant or politician who messes up in their personal life. We want to be redeemed for our sins but lack forgiveness to others.
The first step to simple living is through detachment. Detachment from your ego. Detachment from external praise. And detachment from material goods.
This doesn’t mean that everyone should to live in a cardboard box, we can still enjoy nice things, especially because these goods last longer, but there is a difference between being hooked to consumerism and the practical necessities of things that last. Some industries like legalities are driven by external appearances. Would you rather see your lawyer in a Primark or a Gucci suit? Would you trust your dentist if he or she had crooked and stained teeth? Most people need to downscale their life in order to find the happiness that they seek.
Technology & Consumerism
Technology is getting insane. In some ways, my soul is bleeding because I love things all natural. I love nature. I love going to a bakery and picking out fresh bread and I enjoy disconnecting from technology. There is a need to stay up with technology for work, say via Microsoft office and understanding all of its functions. But is getting an Alexa or an Amazon prime account necessary for human living? No. Absolutely not. Understanding Alexa is not part of the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It’s a consumerist fad that gives power to the elites to drive our lives to be more complex. First it’s Alexa, but what’s next? In fact, I believe Amazon services are making people MORE lazy and MORE like brain-dead-idiot drones. Not only do you have to rewire your house for Alexa to work (more dollars and time going to corporate), if Alexa has a malfunction, most people will spend more time figuring out why the fuck it’s not working than actually researching the question on the Internet. Technology is making life quicker, but it's disconnecting people from research and survival skills. People love the one-two hour delivery, but fail to realize that if they got in their car and went to the store - you can get everything you need in 30-minutes or less. Living within Your Means Most people live at, or above, their means and income levels. Most of us middle class people want a caviar lifestyle on a sardine budget. The world is shifting and loyalty is going out the door. Many companies are no longer loyal to employees and when raises, benefits or their job is put on the chopping block, people freak out because they either have no money in the bank or their lifestyle is so expensive (technology adds expenses) that they are stuck with large bills (on top of debt they may already have). They can’t afford a pay cut, though they know they’d be happier with a lower job title (or less responsibility). When you live within your means, you are giving your happiness away. Your employer owns your happiness. Your bank that gives you your mortgage holds your checkbook by purse strings. Your Facebook likes fulfills your inner world. The people who suffer the most are the poor and the lower middle class. In terms of today’s changing demographic, people can’t escape changing or bad neighborhoods because they are stuck. Some of it is not their fault because they work a low-paid skilled job, but humans naturally want what they can’t have and many people are stuck in the consumerism cycle. In my book, Finding Om, I discuss my frustrations about this very subject. Even at 22 while traveling India, I knew the American Dream was absolute bullshit unless one was wealthy. It’s a debt sentence and most Americans swim in a swamp of college debt, and will be dead before they ever escape. Many people appear rich on the outer world, but spiritually poor and depleted. The Art of Simple Living How many people live in a home where the basement (or second bedroom) is basically a storage unit? I learned the value of simplicity by living out of a suitcase when I lived abroad four times. I brought one to two suitcases and still wore 25-percent of the clothes in my bag. Simple living is “living in a way that is outwardly simple and inwardly rich. This way of life embraces frugality of consumption, a strong sense of environmental urgency, and a desire to return to living and working environments which are of a more human scale." (Duane S. Elgin and Arnold Mitchell) Simplicity changes your perceptions on life. You appreciate the sound of fine music or the way a butterfly soars through a field of wildflowers. You see nature and it’s natural creations as beautiful, not just as something that is there. I believe with my heart that the global elites have always wanted us to be spiritually poor, so we are addicted to their products. I am not against capitalism, but one must have a sound mind to determine what they actually need versus pissing their paycheck down the drain for retail therapy. This also interplays with our emotions and mental state. When we let external things drive our happiness, we are not in control of our ourselves. Yes, we will all shop at some points to make ourselves feel better, that is normal, but how many more jeans or pairs of shoes do you really need? Simple living does not mean boring living. Simply put, when shit hits the fan in life, it’s much easier to navigate change when you don’t have as much baggage weighing you down. Since this blog post is long enough, stay posted to my next blog with further thoughts about simple living. Planet earth is an incarnation of polar opposites: right and left, good and evil & north & south. Polar opposites also exist internally and its not uncommon to see knowledge and ego work in opposition of each other. Why is it that a true spiritual teacher lives a simple life, wears simple clothes and yet does need to feed his ego with fame, riches and popularity? Why is it that a shirtless, man-bun wearing "enlightened" power yoga instructor struts around class verbally vomiting the Yoga Sutras, while wearing mala beads, and snapping pictures for his Facebook account? He may have the textbook knowledge, but lacks in spiritual knowledge, or life experience, which drives his ego to shine. Don't be fooled by fake gurus as there is a complete difference between the two. But, usually the more knowledge you have, the less your ego. Today there are people who "know it all." They may be a barista, but somehow are climate-change experts and understands everything about politics. Most of them come from an ego-centric place that believes that THEY and no one else is right. As always, inspired by the sun, Elizabeth Join Mind Body Soul Food Every Sunday for some inspiration -Sunspiration. Inspiration Every Sunday in 150 Words or Less. Get inspired everyday with our Instagram account, sunspiration_everyday with inspirational quotes, motivational messages & sweet nothings. Every solstice and equinox Mind Body Soul Food offers free distance Reiki to anyone who wants more light, love and energy in their life or for a particular situation. The world is shifting and this tumultuous energy will be here for a while. It's time to bring more light and love to your inner world so you can grow, expand and positively effect humanity. Many people still need to heal personal wounds and spring represents a re-birth, an awakening of energy as nature and humans transition from hibernation to revival. If you would like Reiki sent to you (or to a humanity problem) please fill out the form below by Sunday March 19th. Please state your full name, location (this helps direct the energy to the right "Susan Smith" & no more than 5 sentences about your situation or what you Reiki for in your life. Since this energy is about revival, I will Reiki specific humanity issues including Yazidi women who are sold into sex slavery for ISIS, European/global terrorism/crimes against women in Europe & planetary issues including the rhinos who recently were attacked in Paris zoo for their horns. Please fill out this form by Sunday March 19th. Author: Larry Mager It’s easy to forget how often we use creative thinking in our daily lives. It might be coming up with a unique business strategy, planning an event, creating a piece of art from scratch, or even figuring out what kind of healthy dinner you can throw together based on what’s in the fridge. Unfortunately we often also run into mental blocks that keep us from reaching our potential, whether it’s in-the-moment as you’re working on a project or if you just feel generally uninspired. Also, the winter months can leave us feeling tired and uninspired. Here are a few ways you can get your creative juices going. Identify and remedy the block It’s easy to get caught up in the monotony of day-to-day, but it can inadvertently cause us to wear blinders when it comes to our projects. Sometimes you have to take a step back to see what the problem is—if there’s really a problem at all—before you can solve it. There are a few common creative blocks, including seeking the “right” answer, overly-logical thinking, strict rule-following, and being too practical. Approach the project or idea from a totally new angle, even if on the surface it seems a little absurd. See what kinds of new thoughts and visions you have from this shifted perception and take note of all of them. You might unexpectedly solve part or all of the problem now, or look back on the list later and feel inspired in a new way. Catch up with other creatives Bouncing ideas off of other people can open the door to all kinds of new inspiration. You can call up another artist or professional in your field to meet for coffee, or make it a group event. Even if you can’t discuss the details of an ongoing project, you can vent about a type of issue you’re running into and see what advice others offer about overcoming it. You can even have a weekly game night—card games tend to be great for both social and mental benefits—where you all gather and discuss your ventures. What’s working, what’s not, what’s inspired you lately. By having a game as a buffer, the mood will stay light and happy, and you might realize venting to those who understand while having a good time may be exactly what you needed. Indulge in your passion Maybe you’re an artist feeling blocked over a painting or a marketing executive in need of ideas for a new campaign. When you’re having trouble doing what you’re good at, you start to doubt yourself and become even more discouraged. Instead of dwelling in what you’re struggling with, shift gears into a project you’ll enjoy! Head to your favorite scenic spot and paint, sketch, or write out your frustrations. Make up a project if you must: create a brief PR campaign for Superman if his identity was revealed or put together an advertising plan for Cheers if it decided to franchise. Even silly, fictitious projects can get your creative juices flowing, so take a few minutes to refocus on a similar, but fun, project. Get inspired before bedtime Try looking at a collection of your favorite artist’s work, reading a book by someone you admire, or listening to music that inspires you as your last task before bed. There have been studies that demonstrated that memory retention actually improves if something is learned just before sleeping. You can even simply sit back, close your eyes, and visualize all the things that have inspired you: the color of the ocean during a storm, a sculpture you saw at an exhibit, or perhaps a brilliant advertisement you see on your daily commute. Give yourself at least 15 minutes each night for a little inspiration time, and commit to it whether you’re at home or away. Use these techniques as the need arises, or better yet implement a few into your daily routine. Learn which approaches work best for you and which don’t. You probably won’t be able to stop yourself from ever feeling blocked, but you will know how to overcome it! About the Author: Larry Mager is passionate about the study of how to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. He believes in regular exercise of the brain as a means to do just that. Give yours a workout with some fun, brain-stimulating games at ReadyBrain.net. Photo credit: mcredifine
Awww day 11, and do you remember the good-old days of paper and pen?
How cute and authentic life was back then. I think that's why so many people love (collecting) antiques. A hand written letter tells us so much. It shows us how different hand writing distinguishes mood, personality and the characteristics of an era. If you look back throughout human history, handwriting has changed. And today, it's changing more since schools are not teaching cursive. Today I want to bring back hand-written letters. Throughout my first steps into the world of calligraphy, there is much to understand about the letters and the Roman alphabet. Let's go old school, especially for Valentine's Day with something handwritten. It's much more personal and you can feel the energy, unlike an sms or emoticon. So, who will you write today? |
AuthorElizabeth Rae Kovar M.A. is Author of her memoir, Finding Om and is a Fitness Trainer, Yogi, Reiki Master, Presenter and Lover of Life. To view her portfolio please visit www.elizabethkovar.com Categories
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