A Little TGB

During Thanksgiving week there always seems to be more awareness about the things we are all thankful for.

I have made an effort over the past few years to recognize my blessings. When 'LIFE' is sooo busy, often times the effort to see what is right in front of you, gets lost in the shuffle of busy-ness.  I am overwhelmed in a good way with my position of gratitude.  To save on space here and boredom for you (whoever you may be), today I will recognize 3,  4,  5,    so many things in my life that I am thankful for.

In no particular order, but you may see a pattern .... the ability to create.. . Eventually, this became the reason to keep this blog.... to show 'off' what I created.  I'm not pushing what I do on you, if you want to see what I do, you are welcome to come on in and wonder around to the different areas of PRDesigns.  I amaze my self daily.  On most days I want to get better.  Create = Shine  and so I practice, practice, practice ... and I am so grateful to be able to make things. I am thankful that I get to see the world from different perspectives,  and I can express in so many unique ways and share my talents with others.

I have two fur babies that bring me joy.  Life would not be the same without these two fuzzy characters.  They wake me up and get me out into the world with daily walks.  They greet me unconditionally when I am away for 5 minutes or 9 hours. And they love me for being me.

I also have two 'real' babies who I am so proud to be their mom.  They've left the nest, but have taken the time to come home for Thanksgiving week.  I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to raise two beautiful, caring, kind, intelligent, and wonderful kids.

Last but not least.... but I need to end somewhere.... or this post would go on forever... I am thankful for my husband of 25 years, Jeff.  He has had to put up with a lot!  He signed up for this journey.... he wanted the adventure!!! 

This week of Thanksgiving 2015, I am so thankful, grateful and blessed! (TGB)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Ten Principles of SHINE

Although I made it to the end of the 10 post of the Principles of Shine, it's never the end to Spreading Shine! 

Including today, I've written 10 posts that have highlighted the 10 Principles of Shine.

It's a way to BE, DO and SHARE.

If you've missed them, scroll down and view the rest of my most recent post writings!

Experts say/write that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit.  I've made it a habit to spread Shine.

Although as a personal side note:  I recently lost a job due to the fact that I was unhappy.  What's up with that?  Yes, I admit, I was unhappy with company day to day poor management .... but every day I would start the morning with words of encouragement over the loud speaker.  After team huddles when management wasn't upbeat, I would cheer 'go team' and raise my hands jazz style. Most knew me as the SHINE girl.  I helped plan company events and was part of the Safety committee. Know what ?  I wasn't able to bring my SHINE to that place.

Not my circus, not my monkeys.... not my problem, as the Polish saying goes.

10  Spread Shine

People who Shine build time into their week for thanking and recognizing other people.  Shining is an attitude, highly contagious and most easily transmitted through celebration of other people and events. House of Shine

I'll admit, sometimes there are set backs. I don't feel the SHINE. It might not be possible to SHINE all 10 ways for every situation that life throws at you. At this time in our ever changing world, I'm happy that I have some consistency to bring with me where ever I go. I can always use at least one of the principles.

Bring a little SHINE into your life, and share it with your friends!

Spread Shine

You have to be unique and different and shine in your own way - Lady Gaga

Count on Shining

It's a brand new week!

A chance to start things all over again.

According to the House of Shine, Principle number 9 is Be Accountable.

People who Shine understand that choosing to Shine is a discipline, like exercising, managing money, or becoming more patient.  That is why people who Shine practice Shining.

I admit that I now have the need to SHINE every day.  I feel it.  And one of the ways I feel I SHINE is when I create.  I can't help but see the signs everywhere, especially when I'm not looking for them. I make a point to have a lot of reminders all around me.

I practice a lot of things!  I make a point when I am traveling to look for the signs .... the ones that are directing me on my path, and those that are reinforcing my purpose to SHINE! Literal signs that SHINE, or are related to beautiful sunSHINE!

I feel that everything we do to create beauty, light and inspiration.... matters!  (so the quote I did not come up with reads!!!)

Just like joy & happiness..... no one can create it just for you.  Ain't nobody gonna do it for you!!!

You have to find it within and keep it going.  You have to choose to SHINE... it is a choice.  You have to practice your SHINE....

It's a wonderful thing to share your SHINE with others who might not be feeling their best.

Once you practice, practice, practice, it becomes a part of your daily routine.  It's easy to SHINE.   

No Restrictions

Number eight in my series of 10 posts of the Principles of Shine.

People who SHINE are fixated on their passions and will work tirelessly to reach their goals.  They do what they love because they cannot imagine an alternative. The House of Shine.

Be Relentlessly Passionate.

Be, Do, Share

You don't have to do art exclusively, to be creative.  

But, in my case I am proud to admit that I am an artist.  I have constant feelings for the need of being creative, and I can not imagine a day with out drawing, doodling or making something.

I  just completed a card order.  That is, making creative greetings for a customer. I was so happy the way things turned out.  And of course, I was doubly happy to get paid for my work.  

I had a list of things I wanted to get at the store.  The store in fact is Hobby Lobby.  Funny.  But I needed/wanted some things to help me create better....differently.... imaginatively.

My passion is crafty art.  

Part of my life is to create.  I am so excited to share what I do. 

My imagination is my limit.  

I can't wait to see where my art can take me!

Above and Beyond

Lucky number 7 is on deck.

If you have been following along with me lately on my blog, I am highlighting the 10 Principles of Shine from the House of Shine.

In this weird and beautiful world we live in, there are often daily challenges to do the right things, it's hard to see the rainbow when it rains, and customer service downright sucks at times.

It's time for a reality check.
This is a reminder.
It's just manners.

7 Reject Mediocrity

Dismiss moderate quality.

Principle number 7 states, people who Shine don't just check boxes.  They are not minimalists, looking for how to squeak by doing as little as possible.  Instead, people who Shine take pride in their work, and therefore give their best effort.

Bottom line, if you want to Shine in your corner of the world.... you just naturally do more than is necessary. There is no looking back for a return.  There is no cashing in.  It's paying it forward!!! There are no ifs, ands, or whats.... it's BE, DO, SHARE .... and Shine just comes along for the ride!

Reject being like the rest, and stand out with pride to give more!

Be the reason someone smiles today.

Hand Up

Happy Monday.  It's another day to get it right and start fresh!

Last week on my blog I highlighted the first 5 of the 10 principles of Shine
.
1 Be Present
2 Create
3 Use your Strengths
4 Keep Perspective
5 Realize the Impact of Little things

At the end of this post, scroll down to see the different examples that I use to SHINE .

Today we are at number 6, Bring out the Best in Others

According to the House of Shine,  Shining means that while you are busy discovering your unique contribution to the world you are also helping others discover theirs.  Earth is an estimated 196,500,000 square miles, so there is plenty of room for all of us.

To Shine is to give one a hand up, to uplift and to share. 

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Go ahead and be busy today.  But also make a point to help someone else discover their SHINE.

Little vs. Big

Realize the impact of the little things.

I admit it.  

It's very hard to stop and smell the flowers in this busy world, but for the last 5+ years I literally do just that, STOP. Smell flowers. 

They all don't smell as pretty as they look, however! But I stop and take a moment and enjoy the view.

This cute 9 pound fur ball is feisty. 

His bite IS worse than his bark.  

He is so little.

His bark, his antics his presence, he brings such a level of joy and spunk to our quiet house.

Tiny reminders to SHINE

According to the authors The Power of Small: Why Little things make all the Difference, our smallest actions, words, and gestures often lead to our greatest long-term rewards and outcomes. 

Enjoy the little things in life for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things.

Number 5 of 10  Principles of Shine,  Realize the impact of little things.  Shining means being as good at the little stuff as you are at the big stuff, it means treating small opportunities with as much attention to detail as you do the big ones, House of Shine.

Take in the View

Another day and it's number 4 of the 10 Principles of Shine, from The House of Shine.

1 Be Present
2 Create
3 Use Your Strengths
4 Keep Perspective .... oh I like this one, because it has a double meaning *...

Perspective is a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

Should you have your head in the clouds ....

or your feet firmly planted on the ground?

According to The House of Shine,  without perspective we can wallow in our own misery until it becomes an excuse for not helping others.  And yet connecting to the large community is part of what makes us shine.

(* Perspective the art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point. )

One of my favorite quotes: There are dreamers and there are realists in this world, you think the dreamers would find the dreamers and the realists would find the realists, but more often than not the opposite is true.  See the dreamers need the realists to keep the dreamers from soaring too close to the sun.  And the realists? Well without dreamers, they might never get off the ground.

Can you be both?  A dreamer with your head in the clouds, and a realists with your feet firmly planted on the ground? 

Sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes to see the light.

How do you keep perspective when you SHINE?

Use Your Strengths to Change

Each day, for ten days I'm exploring the 10 Principals of Shine.

Please scroll through my blog and check out day 1 and day two... and then click on some of the headings on the left ( only if you are interested) and see what kinds of things I've created here at Creative Greetings!

Principle number 3 is Use your Strengths

According to The House of Shine, each of us possesses a unique combination of talents and, when used in combination, we are braced to make a significant contribution to the world.

A unique combination of talents. 

I have an eclectic amount of interests which stems back even further than my liberal arts college education.  I am interested in a lot of things!! I admit that with all of these interests, I am not a dreamer, which does hold me back... but I have a desire to find the purpose that I am here for and make the world a better place.

I am no longer as afraid to stand out.  (It definitely may be uncomfortable at times, but I was born to stand out, not to just fit in.)

Right now I'm doing a mix of talents, (I: paint, doodle, take pictures, use photo shop and app technology, create crafty 'stuff', write, decorate) and I'm trying to find the right combination to share and SHINE in this wacky world of ours. Will you join me in this journey?  

Come back and see all 10 Principals of Shine.  You might get inspired.

PS : :::as a shameless plug::::: I really do make cute and affordable creative greetings, what can I create for you today!!!

Create Joy

Are you ready for SHINE principle number 2?  ( which by the way I spelled wrong in yesterday's post.... but no judging for spelling or grammar issues on my blog, cuz you know it comes from my heart)

Create: to bring something into existence

According to the House of SHINE, one who creates pushes boundaries.  They are masters of their trade and that mastery allows them to see opportunities for improvement.

Many people claim they are NOT creative.  

The word really has a deeper meaning.  The way I create is visually, I'm crafty, I can draw, I can make things and then I can take pictures of them and post these things for all the world to see.

To shine is to 

Be Present

and to create

One way I create is to practice, practice, practice .... something every day.  And that brings me joy!

Two Thumbs Up

Proud mom moment.

When you don't blog for a while... you truly have a lot of content.

Here is one thing to catch you up.

My first project, my #1 son, my baby.... all grown up and graduated from college.

Oh, what a beautiful (and hot) day!!!

... and, he got a job before graduation day! #lovemyboy

Mountains to Climb

We climbed a mountain together this summer.

My husband Jeff and I literally climbed mountains in Colorado.

“It takes strength and courage to climb a mountain. It takes strength, courage, and wisdom to turn around,” Allison said. “It takes strength to look at our situation honestly and objectively. It takes courage to recognize that we need to change and actually to take steps toward that change. Wisdom is learning from our past—from our mistakes and from the things we did right.”  Stacy Allison

It was work.  

I got altitude sickness.  

We climbed from 9,000 feet above sea level to almost 11,200 feet and round trip was 7.1 miles, half of a half marathon.  

I wouldn't quit.  I had to get back to the car!

It was hard work.

If I can climb a mountain.... I can do (almost) anything!

What a view from the top!

Settle for Progress

I love nothing more than a clear cut sign.  

It helps to affirm that I am on the right track.

I got a lot of those signs today! Actually, so far..... 3 signs

• I found this quote on Instagram from someone who I admire.

We must dismantle our perfectionism and settle for progress.

2015 is my year of PROGRESS .... and I love when I find it!  

I always thought the 'word' perfect is over-rated.  I don't want to be 'perfect', I want to do the best I can at what I do. Strive for progress not perfection.

• And then paraphrasing my horoscope: While you may already be questioning some of the resolutions you moved into the year with, this is what is making 2015 so exiting, a year full of adventure where you have the freedom to change your mind or make it up as you go.  At this point nothing is written in stone.... and.... you have to be willing to take a risk even though there is the unerring law of Karma which says that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Expect the best today as it may indeed be one of those days in which you are blessed with the unexpected.

• While I was working out today to train for * 13.1 NYC 4.19.15 an older gentleman (35 years older)  that I was riding a stationary bicycle next to started to chat with me just as I put in my headphones.  He didn't think he was interrupting me.... and a half hour later we ended our conversation with how small the world is when you take a moment to listen to the person next to you.

I am so happy that I had the day off from work today.  Because I was able to work on some other things... I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday! 

Now that's PROGRESS

*more to come 

A Fall Walk

Social Media ....is the social interaction among people in which they create, share or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.

For the longest time I couldn't remember that short phrase .... social media.  It reminds me of Social Studies and the Media Room in Junior High School.  But I guess that could be a realistic definition. 

Its the 'new' way people interact and communicate with each other through electronic devices.

Back then is was a battered and used social studies book with worn edges and dog eared pages, our name signed in the front.... and forbidden pencil markings in the columns. And 'media' or audio visual was the place the teachers' pet got to wonder the halls taking the long route to the library to 'check out' the overhead projector or film reels or even the portable TV on a stand.

 

UPDATE: I can't be positive the upload is visible, I tried.... if not you can click http://scontent-b.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xaf1/t51.2885-15/10731474_864491416917947_1548609675_s.jpg to start my fall video.... and or.... if you are viewing this blog post on the current day I posted, there to the right -----> in the Instagram spot.... click on the picture with the beautiful fall tree!!!

 

So, if the 'new way' works.... with my little portable phone, I was able to take pictures during one of my recent walks on a beautiful fall day.  I took the pictures and added them to a 'free' application that put them in a sequence and added music to make it into a 15 second movie.  That I then, was able to load back on to my computer, where I could upload it into my blog, for anyone to click on to view.

 

And a day in my life is captured as simple as that... and it now is spread around the world in a matter of seconds.  Who would have thought 35 years ago, social media would be one of the ways we communicate in 2014?