Tag Archives: new year

An A-Z for your life – Attitude

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So what is your attitude towards art and to your life as a whole?  It is the simple things that can sometimes make a big difference in how we approach life. I really think if we shared our insights and learning more it could have a wonderfully contagious and healing effect.  It is a much better gift to share than negativity, irritation, superficiality, self-importance and other non-uplifting attitudes.

Our attitude is a key aspect of what we put into life.  That attitude also affects what we get out of it.  It impacts on our relationships with others, how they experience us and how we perceive them.  Are we open and positive or closed off and negative?  If you believe that like attracts like then positivity from us brings that out in others.  Similarly, negativity attaches to negativity.  Individually we are part of this multiplying effect that spreads through society.  Some people pay attention to an approach called the law of attraction which suggests that you can attract into your life that which you seek by being focused on it.  It suggests that we have an impact on our world – it matters how we are.

Attitude

‘If you don’t like something, change it.  If you can’t change it, change your attitude.’ – Maya Angelou.

Are you aware of the attitudes you carry around with you?  How would the people in your life describe your attitudes?  Is this what you feel is true for you or does it feel like circumstances cause you to respond in certain ways?

Has your attitude made life difficult for you?  How would it be to talk to the people in your life who you trust and get them to give you some feedback on this?

Is there anything else you’d like to consider as a result of reading this?

An A-Z for your life – Art

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artHave you ever wondered about what you know and what you do not know in life?  Sometimes I stumble upon insights and it surprises me that I did not know that thing before.  Art is all around us even though we do not always see it.  Classically it is about paintings and drawings that have been done by great artists.  It can also be about sculpture and other images.  For some it is about a literal interpretation of a real thing or event whilst for others it can be about creating a mood or a feeling.  Some people get very excited about what counts as art and what does not.

For me it is an opportunity to appreciate the image and the emotions it connects to.  I love a good painting or sculpture although I can’t really do either myself.  I do however enjoy taking photographs and have been very pleased to include my photos in this book.  Images can stir us on a very deep level and help us to appreciate the complexity of our existence.  I love to pop in to art galleries and museums in my lunch hour as it sometimes puts the day’s work into perspective and reminds me there is more to life than whatever I am working on.

What we call art seems to be changing and expanding all the time.  I went to see a very modern exhibition recently and found it very engaging.  I decided to enter into the fun of it and not stand aside critiquing it.  There were mounds of concrete and weird mirrors that contorted reality.  Other recent events have seen someone running in a gallery and people performing on a plinth as forms of living art.

As modern western life becomes more designed I think art is moving off the walls and into our homes and lives.  Art influences the designs of chairs, kitchens, cars and trainers.  It could be the way a dish is served in a restaurant or the beautiful movement of a world-class dancer.  We all consume art in our daily lives.  Art meets fashion on the high street.  I often see gorgeous shoes that are beautiful to look at but impossible to wear.  Art meets nature in sunrise and sunset.

Thankfully we do not need to create our own art to appreciate it.  How does the idea of art sound to you?  Is this something you have an appreciation for or does it seem unnecessary and foolish?  What do you consider art?  Are you able to appreciate any art in your life?

A new year – looking back and looking forward

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So here we are – 31st December 2010.  How has 2010 been for you?  For many of us it would have been filled with good and bad, things we can change and things we can’t.  Like many people I have achieved some things I desire but not others.   We may be the only people who truly know what we want to put in and get out of our life.

I come to the end of 2010 with great gratitude for the many things that have gone well.  I feel reasonably healthy and safe.  I have good relationships and the opportunity and potential to continue to develop my skills and talents in various areas.  I am really pleased I took the leap of faith to publish my first book, launching it in the U.K. and in the Caribbean.  In that respect I’ve felt the fear and done it anyway.

Individually we may have many hopes and fears for 2011.  Some things are within our power; others are not.   For me a new year is about maintaining what is working well and reducing what is not working.  I value my relationships and my health and will continue to do so.  I intend to take another leap and write and publish another book – more info in due course.  I intend to improve my practice around meditating, exercising and de-cluttering.  These areas impact my mind, body and spirit so they are important.

Have you had a chance to reflect on the passing year and consider what you would like more or less of in 2011?  What would you like to see/do/feel/experience?  Do let me know.

I also hope that leaders and those with power are able to have a positive impact on our lives.  Despite the various troubled spots in the world, people are generally peaceful and generous.

Peace and love to you and yours.  Happy New Year.