Friday's Change Yourself, Change The World - A World Without Books

This Weeks Post is about Being Creative with Out Reading-

Because of the book The Artist Way I participated in an exercise to not read for a week.  I still can't not read until Sunday.  While it hasn't been that hard because I also got sick the same week it hasn't been easy either my go to is "Oh what should I do?" *grabs a book* has become "Oh what should I do?" *grabs food* . Not good if you are trying to lose weight which I am.

The idea behind not reading someone else words were to gain some inner wisdom. I am still searching for what exactly that was and only think that because I got sick and had hard time just being sick.  By that I mean it was hard for me to not do anything or to feel not worried about anything but getting better.   I always worry about what I have to do before I do it so much that ...well I make myself sick before I can do it or I get so overwhelmed thinking about the should dos that I just don't do.

Anyway I can say I learned to relax ...maybe a little and maybe that was all I need.  

Have you read/ seen anything this week that inspired you to do something?

Well I haven't read anything except The Artist Way...  but I did see something that was inspiring..

Some of you may have seen this little boy was on Yahoo's Shine

I thought this was adorable and can only hope my someday kids will be ..or  I hope to encourage them to be this way.  I hope he feels that way always.

How are you helping others?

Well by not going to an appointment I had I think I saved some people from getting sick when I had a fever.  So I think that helped someone this week. lol

What are you trying to prove?

Just like the kid said "That I can be the best I can be".  Of course I mean when I am well.

How about you?? What have you done this week to make a difference in yourself or with others?

Friday's Change Yourself, Change The World - Nothing

This week's post is about Nothing.

That's right it is about Nothing.  Not in as it is about having nothing to say but of being Nothing.

Something snapped in my brain yesterday and it was the thought if we are all good and bad does that mean we are all special and not special (nothing) at the same time. Inside each of us is the power to be something or be nothing we choose which we want to be. Yesterday over stress and worries I decide I was nothing.  

This thought scared me.  It scared the hell out of me.  What I if I were just meant to do nothing? Be nothing?

I don't feel very connected lately to people, to God, to anything but creativity.  Sure some people my say creativity is a link to God but I don't feel that....right now. 

Have you read/ seen anything this week that inspired you to do something?

The Artist's Way by Jula Cameron (week 3)

In this book it speaks about find God/Great Spirit(whatever you may call this being) through creativity in which you find yourself.  There are a list of challenges to do throughout the week and I read one, of course it was on doing something for yourself which are the tasks I am not really doing so well at.  This task made me throw the book down and a say "This book is bunch of (insert word here)!"  Now I don't really think that or maybe I do. 

I wouldn't say it inspired me this week  really.  The book also describes moments that you will have like this that your inner critic will decide (when you get scared) that what you are doing is stupid or dumb.  I have this happen all the time.  I beat the crap out of myself in my head.  It is just automatic and I am trying to change that.  One reason I am choosing to continue with this book.

 

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb: A Novel by Melanie Benjamin (on sale July 2011)

I finished up this book an a lot of what the main character Lavina deals with is whether your big or small or special or average you are you and to be happy with you can not be decided by anyone else but yourself.

Some people can be consider brave for just being themselves whether they admit it to themselves or not.

Trying not to spoil anything but these are the things Lavina is face with on a daily basis.

Confuzzled Designs

Confuzzled Designs is my Art Blog .  I have decided to challenge myself to draw something everyday that is trending in the news.   So far I have come up with drawing from Norse Mythology, cartoon ligers , caricature of Sarah Palin and Cthulhu playing basketball with a planet (to be shown tomorrow)  You can see what I am come up with there along with other crafts I do through out the week..

How are you helping others?

I noticed last week I reversed this question how you helping other to how can other help you.  Freudian slip anyone?   Although this is the question I meant I answered it as this one as well and I still think my answer is the same by admitting I need help can help others. Look at last week's post to see my full answer.

What are you trying to prove?

Again the answer is Nothing.  Except that I can make it through the day. Day by day.

How about you?? What have you done this week to make a difference in yourself or with others?

Friday's Change Yourself, Change The World

I started this post about two week ago.  I said  I didn't know if I would make it an event but maybe I will.  

You can see why I am doing the first post Here!

So I hope I can continue doing the post and help change something in me and other to help the world.  Unless Judgement Day comes tomorrow then well I guess we are all done for then or some of us are.

Lets hope not because I am just getting started and hope the Mayans were wrong too...so :-pppp

Again if you want to take these questions to your blog feel free or have a little something you want to say it and link to here.  I will at least visit and we can inspire each other if that is the only thing that comes out of it. ;-)

Have you read anything today that inspired you to do something today/ this week?

 

Yes,  I am reading The Artist Way by Julia Cameron, which is not just for artist by the way. I am on week two and even though I have not gone through with every little detail for each week like she hopes you do, I am still pushing through.  And maybe the next time I will do even better..so that is something to look forward to.   I think trying to do every little thing she says also gets us stuck in a rut and we throw the book away and just say " I can't do it!"   I know because I have done this once already.  I have done it with many things in life as well.

The Artist Way has me write every morning.  They are called the morning pages.  So I have been venting in my journal everyday for two weeks and also describing the creative things or just regular things I am doing.  If you want to see the creative things I have been doing take a look at Confuzzled Designs.

 

I am also reading the The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb: A Novel by  Melanie Benjamin.  Now this is a ARC copy.  The book is not due out until July but thanks to her publicist I received a copy by surprise because I reviewed her first book Alice I Have Been.  

This book inspires me because even though it is historical fiction there is a quote on the back and said throughout the book by Lavina (or Mrs. Tom Thumb) " Never would I allow my size to define me.  Instead, I would define it." Now I don't know if she really said it but it is still a good quote.

You see I haven't admitted this to everyone but I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia about 3 years now although I have been dealing with the symptoms for 7 years total.   I don't want that or the times that have been really out of it to define me.   I want to be more then just a diagnoses.  I want help others  get better to the point I have and will hopefully stay.

How can others help you? 

I think by admitting that I have needed help in the past can only help others as long as I continue to grow as a person so can they with other who may have felt like me.   My husband has thought I might start a blog about living with Schizophrenia and I still might (Confuzzled Living anyone?) 

I would also like to start a charity that sells art & crafts made by people who work in art or do art in a therapy format.   Such as hospitals, and rehab centers.   I think what ever we sell would go to the most recent causes of the month ..or I don't know yet.. Still working on legal stuff.  If any one knows anything about legalization of charities contact me please.

What are you trying to prove?

 That I can be a good person to myself and those around me.  Even better then I am thought to be if possible.   And that I can make a difference. 

How about you?? What have you done this week to make a difference in yourself or with others?

 

Friday's Change Yourself, Change the World!

I am not sure where this topic is going or if I will make this an event, but somethings about the news, media, and the way people react to it (including me) is bothering me.

My Husband and I had a discussion last night about how we wished we could do something to help make the world better.   Both of us came up with an "I Don't Know" answer.

I have so many ideas but fear stops me from doing everything including things I use to like doing and don't now.  I want to change this.   If you want to change this in yourself or something else...maybe you will join me on this journey.   I am going ask some questions more for myself to answer.  If you want to take them to your blog or the comments and answer them feel free.

Have you read anything today that inspired you to do something today/ this week?

Yes I am actually reading a book (surprisingly it's sci-fi/fantasy) called Harmony.  The story is about a young woman who thought she was nothing more then a working class lower status but is actually prophecied  to bring about Harmony back to the planet.   Because of this book I am reminded of how I have felt in the past that I wanted to be a teacher or teach something..not nessacerily a school teacher.

Have you actually motivated yourself to do something to change?

Yes,  in my mindset I feel I have.  I am also re-starting a book (self help type) The Artist's Way to further my mindset to maybe reach a purpose...if I have one.  I had problems finishing it before but maybe this time the charm.


How can others help you?

Just by reading this and acknowledging an agreement.  Maybe encouragement passed on to each other. I don't know really...

What are you trying to prove?

Nothing and Everything!  We all need something...