Tag: art

What Inspires You? 38 Things Writers Share…

img_1475

The Only Limit To Our Realization Of Tomorrow Will Be Our Doubts Of Today. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Music, passion, travel, the rain some shared. Once a staff member fell seriously ill. Apparently she hid it from most but as it progressed, it became more evident. Word finally reached me in my role as HR. That was when I called to tell her of the concerns raised by her co-workers. It was then that she shared her situation. It was grave… with a crescendo of physical issues, she wouldn’t survive. I immediately jumped into action-mode to assist in the best way that I could.

In reflecting on the question “What Inspires you?” I realized that what inspires me is the ability to make a difference in the lives of others. Helping others inspires gratification. Here I share a brief synopsis from the perspective response of what inspires others.

  1. The random people I meet and the random conversations that take place. It’s incredible what inspiration you can find from genuinely listening to people’s stories.
  2. Lemon drops or just candy in general. Also pieces of jewelry but mostly necklaces. I have this sea glass necklace that’s inspired 2 stories already. If anyone needs inspiration I would suggest going downtown and just walk around and look at stuff.
  3. Music lyrics inspire me. Sometimes a  certain sentence just sticks. Travel and nature and of course experiences .
  4. Daily things around me.
  5. Life
  6. Mythical creatures, music, horror stories/movies, different people I meet and talk with.
  7. Sparking a love of reading in kids and young adults.
  8. Lines of Shakespeare and Emerson. Walking in nature. Autumn and Winter inspire with the scenery and feelings they give me…old things, antique shops, bookstores, leather-bound journals, maps, Fall evenings.
  9. My friends, music, books, scented candles, and history
  10. The inner and outer universe.
  11. I find what if questions to be really useful.
  12. Love and how it compels people like Rose looking for Jack at the bottom of the ship while its sinking. That’s love.
  13. My weird perceptions of human nature and civilization
  14. Pictures, people, and most of all moments in time.
  15. Rain, grey skies, other art and gardens. Sometimes cats, animations or music
  16. Everything. There is beauty and inspiration in all different things in life
  17. Sound. the way you pour water into a glass, sons, the sound of the wind, the rain
  18. Music, love, sadness
  19. Struggle. Finding light in darkness
  20. Stephen King
  21. Current events
  22. Humans and their flaws
  23. Reading. Going to the bookstore.
  24. Button poetry
  25. Audience
  26. Sweet misery
  27. Ice cream and rainy days
  28. I think nature. Happiness inspire me and says do something different for others.
  29. Philosophy and knowledge
  30. Fear of failure
  31. Drawings
  32. Dreams
  33. Logic
  34. Passion
  35. Travelling
  36. Anything creative
  37. Strange occurrences
  38. Challenge

What about you? What inspires you? Do share…we would love to hear!

Cheers!

Writing Woes. Writers Share 21…

Time. Overthinking. Distractions. Those were some of the thoughts from writers as they reflected on the issues encountered when they want to write. Here I share 21 as writers chimed in response to the forum question:

What do you struggle with the most when writing?

    1.Time
    2.Starting
    3.Grammar
    4.Self-doubt
    5.Ideas
    6.Focus on one topic / idea at a time
    7.Setting
    8,Remaining focused
    9,Getting paid
    10. Revising
    11. Knowing when to stop
    12. Taking what you’ve learned and start another book
    13, Marketing
    14, Losing traction
    15. Sitting down to actually write
    16. Starting but not completing a story
    17. Editing
    18. Writing
    19. Distractions
    20. Being left alone
    21. Overthinking

As a writer, can you identify with any of the above Struggles? Any missing? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

For The First Time…

Success Strategies

Mid-life she decided to move to Paris. A dream she always had. With kids grown and little or no responsibilities she decided to take the plunge! She bought a house exclaiming “it’s my first time”.

Adventure

I thought about that. I have had many first times. An explorer and lover of adventure, I have sky-dived for the first time. I have moved to different states and countries for the first time.  Not to mention my first time at writing and publishing my research on Success Strategies. A book that has helped many others for their first time.

I remember the first time I experienced childbirth…exhilarating yet humbling experience. 14 years later I did it again for the first time and the experience was no different. Wonders of the world! A little me was born again for the first time.

Travel

I now look forward to my own…

View original post 86 more words

Life’s Simple Things…

img_6503.jpg

The simple things can be really powerful. ~John Taffer

Deprived. Deprived of sleep. Deprived of food, love, or the ability to satisfy life’s basic needs of shelter and more can create longings so deep, words can hardly describe. Suffering a lack of benefit that is considered important… that’s the meaning of deprived. I spent a week traveling by plane, train, bus, taxicabs, and on foot across our nation’s capital – Washington DC. Severe weather conditions created havoc causing flight cancellations, delays, hunger, and deprivation of simple necessities.

Positive Mental Attitude

Enter positive mental attitude. Delays provided the opportunity to read, people watch, and smile at life’s little things. Things that commonly get lost when things are going right.

I walked away being thankful for life’s setbacks…for though I don’t like it and at times get quite annoyed, deprivation can provide opportunities for resilience, creativity, and much more. Oh to bask in life’s simple things.

Cheers!

Do Not Let Your Fear Hold You Back From Your Destiny…

You Cannot Let Your Fear Hold You Back From Your Destiny. You are to feel the fear and do it anyway. Do it broke. Do it scared. Do it nervous. Do it trembling. Do it with help. Do it on your knees. Do it with courage because you don’t want to end up wondering what would have happened if you had more courage. ~T.D. Jakes

Tyler Perry’s Dream. An Inspiration To Dream Bigger. 4 Icons Speak…

Dream. Then Dream Bigger.

I think it’s pivotal in everything that we’ve done, everything that we’re doing still, that we continue to try to motivate and inspire people,” Perry told The Associated Press 

October 5th marked an historical achievement. Tyler Perry became the first black American to own a major film studio. An achievement that has left many motivated and inspired. Oft we frown on homelessness but hard times hit the best of us. When it does, here ‘s evidence of one who embraced the challenge to never give up on your dreams, goals and aspirations.

Tyler Perry’s Studio launch Interview

For years Tyler Perry dreamed. Then later dreamed even bigger. Now his dream has come through and in the midst of it all, he inspired many. Here are excerpts from household names who he inspired.

Beyonce

Congratulations Tyler Perry on the opening of his tudios. I could feel our ancestors presence. Surrounded by my heroes, I watched Denzel, Queen Oprah, Spike, Whoopi, Sir Poitier, Will Halle, Dame Cicely and our angels John singleton and Diahann Carroll honored. The Armand de Brignac crashed against each sound stage as fireworks lit up the sky. Generations of blood, sweat and tears; success, excellence, and brilliance. It makes me so proud. So full. I could not stop crying. Thank you my Virgo brother for so much love and passion put into every detail. My prayer today is that you will take it all in. You inspire me to dream even bigger.

Will Smith

We flew down to Atlanta to be with Tyler Perry as he opened the First and largest Black-Owned studio. This moment is monumental in so many ways. A sound stage in my name? Wow! I’m inspired and honored to be part of something of this magnitude.

Oprah

He didn’t wait for other people to validate or to say you should go this way or that way. He said I’m going to create my own way and as we can see, became a force for himself.

Samuel Jackson

This is more about Tyler the entrepreneur. The visionary. A guy who understands that ownership means that you can do what you want.

Work Hard And You Will Achieve Success

These are all well known celebrities but they all started out in their little corner… working, sweating, doing their own thing. Through blood, sweat and tears, they never gave up and one day achieved.

Forget the naysayers. You too can dream big! Work hard enough. One day you will achieve. In the interim be inspired by the success of others who pave the way to achieve things both big and small along the way.

Go ahead…you too can achieve your own dreams.

Cheers!

17 Ways To Inspire Creativity…

Write. Create. Inspire to achieve.

Success Strategies

img_8677

Who would have thought a flock of birds would create such havoc? Yes indeed. Though extremely rare as one in a billion, it happens. The movie Sully shared the real life story of the pilot whose quick decision saved passengers on an aircraft he was flying. He landed in the Hudson River, and Miraculously saved over 150 lives. It’s a story of humility, bravery, admiration, fear, teamwork, leadership, and most of all calm in the midst of tragic circumstances. Doesn’t this story inspire you?

Who Inspires You?

Brian Tracy asked his audience “Who inspires you?” Many responded giving answers such as God, family including mom, dad, spouse, as well as leaders like Brian Tracy, Oprah, John Maxwell, mentor, teacher, coach, political leaders, and more. But surprisingly, one response stood out when a male said that he was not inspired by anyone or anything. Bewildered? Should this be reason for…

View original post 255 more words

Why Writers Write…10 Reasons

img_5189-1

I write because there’s something in me that needs to come out.  I am at peace when I write. Writers write for many different reasons. Some personal, experiential, or environmental. Christine Caldalzo created a pictogram of 10 reasons writers write. Here I share 10:

10 Reasons Writers Write

  1. They love to write
  2. To express their thoughts
  3. To communicate
  4. To share experiences
  5. To tell about events
  6. To share their feelings
  7. To persuade
  8. To teach
  9. To Ask Questions
  10. They want something

Does any of the above resonate with your reason(s) to write? Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

Register Now to attend Writers Retreat

Write Not Under Stress Or Duress But From Inspiration…

Who are you fooling? Can you write a book in 2 days? Absolutely! But only if you are inspired with  the words just flowing like milk and honey from what’s deep down inside. It might be an experience that tugs at your heart through inspiration, trauma, dreams or more. No edits, just letting the words flow.

The Stress To Write

I was chatting with a fellow author at a recent book festival and he shared that he does not write under stress or duress but by inspiration. Me too! I write best from inspiration and not under the stress-to-write. I share that because at the upcoming 2 Days to Write Retreat, you will find the space to getaway! A mini retreat. This will be more about sharing your writing project with a group of like-minded writers where you can receive feedback on your writing project. After all, your work will be shared by the mass and not just for you only (though some choose to go the me-only route).

The Challenge

Participants are encouraged to challenge themselves to a writing project that can be shared at the event. It might be a cadre of poems, short-stories or excerpts of a longer writing book project. Share. Get critiqued. Append. Share again. It will be well worth your writing project as you push through your goal.

So Register now for early bird rates and book your place to join us on this 2 days to write small group retreat.

Cheers!

Writers’ Writing Space To Write…

Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts. 

~ Larry L. King

Where do I write? In a quiet place. A place where I can hear my thoughts, the stirrings of my heart, my soul. I write whenever it hits. I must stop, record, write. If I do not do so immediately…in a flash, it’s gone. So I have learnt to capture the words as they come. Anywhere, anytime, any how.

Writing Tools

The equipment I use for writing is anything (smile). When those inspiring writing moments come, I may grab my cellphone and write in notes. Sometimes, I write on paper if I can grab one quickly. So I keep notepads and notebooks all over. In my car, on my nightstand, the traditional desk, dining table, anywhere. I must capture those inspiring writing moments. Then when I am ready to publish my posts, I use my laptop. Sometimes I start in drafts in the App. But I usually prefer to post on my laptop since it offers the opportunity to edit, tag etc., which I find much easier. Yes, I know this can be done directly in the App but going the laptop route is my preference before publishing.

The Peace, Quiet, Serenity To Write

To write, all I need in a physical space is simply peace, quiet, and absolute serenity. That’s all. It could be in an airplane way up above the clouds, but for some reason it works. I sleep. I awake my mind is fresh, anew, and I write. I Know that serenity can even be found in a crowded space. A train, a plane, a park, an event that I’m allowed to people watch. To see and experience nature amidst the hustle and bustle of people everywhere. The only commonality is that no one can be speaking to me directly (or I won’t hear them or my thoughts (smile). Sounds poetic? Maybe it is. Writing is music to me.

At times we need community since we cannot exist alone. In other cases we simply cannot get the space to write in our own space and must getaway. If you feel that need, then join us in a weekend Getaway for 2 Days To Write Retreat with new and experienced authors. For sure you will find the space to write.

So write on writers!

Cheers!