Category: life curation

life curation · words of wisdom

Words of Wisdom: Eartha Kitt

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It’s no surprise that I am an enormous Eartha Kitt fan (I posted a YouTube video with one of my favorite Eartha interviews, and I included her book in my self care kit). But, funny enough, I hadn’t done an Eartha Kitt Words of Wisdom post.

Until now.

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I think Eartha’s story is fascinating: it’s both heartbreaking and inspirational. Born poor and suffering tremendous abuse during her younger years, she eventually became a star that capitalized on her impish beauty and unique singing voice. She lived on her terms, traveling the world and parenting her daughter in great style.

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I think that’s the part of Eartha’s story I find most inspirational: her relationship with her daughter was the most important relationship of her life. Parenting isn’t easy, and parenting on the road, when there are engagements, obligations, and other demands that must be handled, had to be tough. Yet, she parented her daughter well: they maintained a close relationship, full of love and laughs, until the end of Eartha’s life.

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Her daughter, Kitt Shapiro, is the owner and operator of Simply Eartha, a website that offers housewares, jewelry, and other goods that are inspired by Eartha’s warm and natural tastes. Many of the items offered on the website feature Eartha’s quotes, which Kitt fondly calls “kittisms”.

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I hope you all enjoyed this post about the incomparable Eartha Kitt. Talk to you all soon!

life curation

2018 Goals – Creating My Best Year Yet

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New Years Day is my favorite holiday. I enjoy spending time with family, being thankful, receiving gifts, and everything else that one can expect from the holiday season.

However, there is something uniquely magical about the start of a new year. It feels so fresh, hopeful, and exciting to know that you are standing at the beginning of a brand-new, 365 page book that YOU get to author, edit and publish.

For the past few days, I’ve been mulling over what I really want to create in my life during 2018. It’s so easy to say, “I’m going to lose 20 pounds, meet the love of my life, hit the lotto, and finally take a trip around the world”, then stare out the window dreamy-eyed, waiting for all of that to come to my doorstep.

It’s far more likely, however, that daydreaming won’t actually create the things that you want. So you end up living this year just as you’ve lived the last one, and the ones prior to that: all sorts of unfulfilled, frustrated and disappointed emotions bubble up.

I’d rather go beyond daydreaming and actually create what I want. I can’t sit still and be passive, because this year feels like the beginning of an amazing period of my life. And I want to be an active participant in it.

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The whole world at my fingertips (photo courtesy of Dreamstime)

So here is my short list of goals. I’m intentionally keeping these short, because too many irons in the fire means none of them get hot. I’d rather have a couple of hot irons that a bunch of lukewarm ones.

  1. I want to publish some of my writing. I’ve been writing stories since I was 5 and I’ve completed several books. Now I just have to edit those and then publish. This is a test of my discipline and focus: it takes a lot for me to sit down and edit anything that I write. It’s time that I got it done so that my work can finally reach the people that will enjoy it.
  2. I want more travel than I’ve done for several years prior. I have at least two major trips lined up, and two more are strong possibilities. I need the adventure of going new places and having new experiences, so this is a necessity moreso than a luxury.
  3. I want to seriously dabble in a career in the art world. I love the arts and I’m feeling called to a career in either a museum or auction house. While I feel that I’m in a dream job already, I sense that my current career doesn’t have opportunities for certain enriching experiences. That’s why I want to try out an arts career, and see where that takes me.

I’m still toying around with the steps I want to take as I align with these goals. I don’t mind doing some sort of “efforting” but I don’t want to have a heavy-hand with this, either. I want this to be fun, energizing and memorable, and “overdoing” any particular actions will kill the fun vibe.

I’m employing a few different accountability partners to help keep me honest, as well as working out a schedule of when I anticipate completing certain milestones for my goals.

It’s a lot of upfront work, but it feels good to get clear.

Do you have any big goals for 2018? Let me know in the comments below! If you prefer that your goals stay private, just note it in the comment, and I’ll leave it unpublished. Just know that I read EACH and EVERY comment, so I’ll definitely see yours!

Until tomorrow . . .

life curation · Uncategorized

Taking Time for Me

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One of the gifts I’ll give myself for 2018 is a social media fast. I’ll still maintain the Instagram account related to this blog, and I’ll also be sure to continue doing my daily posts (as I have for months now).

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Truly carefree : this is how I’m living (photo from Shutterstock)

But I’ve grown weary of people “living” on social media and not taking advantage of life OFFLINE. Worst, I don’t want to become one of those people.

I’m excited to spend this self-imposed hiatus taking care of all of the things that I want ticked and tied before I jump headfirst into my big goals. This break is overdue and much needed.

Don’t forget to take time for YOU as this new year begins.

Love and blessings to you all!

life curation

Preparing for 2018: The Advantage of Setting Impossible Goals

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2018 is almost here and I’ve got a final “Preparing for 2018” post for you all. I saved this one for last, not just because it’s my favorite (though it is), but because I truly feel that doing this is key to great goal setting.

Here’s the thing: goals that are easy to attain tend to feel “flat” when accomplished. Realistic goals may be great for boosting confidence but they don’t offer you any inspiration.

That’s why you should always have some impossible goals on your list.

Now, all of your goals shouldn’t be impossible. After all, how long will you continue shooting for those goals if you feel like you can’t reach any of them? Your fire and zeal won’t last long if you feel like you keep failing. You do, however, need some goals that light you up and put some pep in your step.

You can’t let your energy get cold, which is where those impossible goals come in. Impossible goals have FIRE, and FIRE keeps your energy from going cold.

I set an impossible goal in 2016. What made it impossible, you ask? Well, I wasn’t 100% on where it would take me, or even that I was ready for it. All I knew was that I know how I wanted to feel when that goal was accomplished.

My goal was to land in my dream job. I wrote out my goal in April 2016. I had my dream job by August 2016. Now a “job” may not feel impossible for most people, but this is the job I’ve wanted since 2008. It took nearly a decade to get it, but it happened only four months after I did the steps I mentioned in previous Preparing for 2018 posts.

Setting “impossible” goals can work for you. And if you need help in accomplishing your goal, just click on the “Preparing for 2018” tag below, and you’ll see all of the other posts I’ve written that can help you on your journey.

I have more to say about goals in general, but this is it for the Preparing for 2018 series. I hope you all enjoyed it!

 

life curation

Sneaky Trick for Successful Resolutions

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This will be a really simple post, but I am about to share my sneakiest tip for guaranteeing successful New Year (or any time of year) resolutions. After all, January 1st is less than two weeks away, and who wants to be unprepared for the New Year?

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(image courtesy of Susan O’Halloran)

 Are you ready for my sneaky tip?

 My trick, that has made my resolutions STICK and generate success, is . . .

Start NOW.

Don’t wait until January 1st to start. The moment that you are sure what you want to accomplish in the upcoming year, take some action – ANY action – in the direction of your goal.

Nielsen.com listed the Top Ten New Years Resolutions based on their surveys. If you want to know a quick action you can take to move closer to your goal, look at the suggestions I’ve added after each of the top 6 resolutions mentioned by Nielsen:

  • Stay fit and healthy

–          Get on YouTube and do a quick exercise routine. Try Fitness Blender and do some activity for at least 5 minutes. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to do your 5 minutes of exercise daily. Then set a calendar reminder to increase your 5 minute routine, to 6 minutes, after 2-3 weeks. Every 2-3 weeks, add one or two minutes to your routine. Adjust the minutes based on your fitness level and motivation.

  • Lose weight

–          See the recommendation above. In addition, look up some healthy meals, write out your shopping list, and, if it isn’t too late, go out and buy those groceries RIGHT NOW.

  • Enjoy life to the fullest

–          Think of one thing you’ve been wanting to do but just haven’t accomplished yet (pull out your bucket list). Determine the easiest thing on the list, and immediately reserve the lessons, appointment, etc., that will make it happen.

  • Spend less, save more

–          Go to bankrate.com and look up the savings accounts with the highest annual yield. Open an account and set up an automatic draft so your money can save on autopilot. Don’t memorize your password for the bank account: the harder it is to recall, the less likely you’ll be to check on it and withdraw funds.

  • Spend more time with family and friends

–          Pick up your phone immediately and call someone that you’ve been meaning to talk to. Set a phone reminder to call at least 3 friends or family members every week. Send out a mass invite to several friends and family members for a get-together event in 4 -6 weeks. Don’t flake out on the get-together.

  • Get organized

–          Choose an activity to do right now: clean out one dresser drawer, tidy up one folder, empty all of your trash cans, fold up all of the clothes at the end of your bed. Or go buy plastic containers to help you organize your stuff.

If you’re serious about accomplishing your goals, don’t wait for January 1st to start on them. Start today, and give yourself an advantage when New Years Day rolls around!

life curation

Remembering Who You Are

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I’m resting up after having several busy weeks. So this post is going to be a simple one.

I came across this Audre Lorde quote last year, and I often think about it when I am feeling a bit “ungrounded”. By the way, if you haven’t checked out some of the other Audre Lorde quotes I’ve shared, check them out here.

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(image courtesy of Quotefancy)

Remember who you are: even in moments of confusion and frustration, don’t forget the essence of YOU. Everything – even the unpleasantries – are part of the tapestry of your life. You’re never really lost or insignificant: YOU are everything you need to make it in this life, and YOU have all the tools you need to adapt, grow and enjoy the process.

Much love to you all, and chat with you all tomorrow.

life curation

Releasing Tolerations: A Follow-Up

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As you all know, I am completing the challenge to get rid of 500 items during the month of December (you can read about it here). For simplicity’s sake, I’m just lumping it under the umbrella of “Releasing Tolerations”.

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(Cartoon depiction of me during this challenge)

So, I’m halfway through the month and I’ve been breezing through this exercise, which tells me three things:

  1. I have (had?) way too many items that were taking up space and not enhancing my life.
  2. This purge was overdue.
  3. My easy release of these space occupiers is proof that I’m ready for the next chapter of my life, and I’m not letting anything hold me back.

According to my count, I’ve gotten rid of roughly 125 items (I’ve done a little more than the daily amounts). I’ll update again at the end of the month, and let you all know how it’s gone.

At this rate, I may repeat the exercise again in January LOL! I already feel “lighter”, more energized, and accomplished. It feels good to know that you’re clearing space for things that will enhance your life and assist you with going to the next level.

This has been fun! Keep your fingers crossed for me as I power through the second half of this challenge!

life curation · reading list

So . . . About NaNoWriMo

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My literal expression when I write (photo courtesy of Clipart Library)

 

I got a book update for you all!

So, it’s December 1st, which means NaNoWriMo is officially over.

But (surprise, surprise) my book isn’t finished.

What does that mean?

It means I get to continue working on it through December LOL!

Now, I had every intention of getting 50,000 words in writing between November 1st and November 30th. But, life happens. I did get some writing done, which is better than doing nothing.

And, don’t forget: I’ve been posting here DAILY. So I’m writing, just not much in novel format.

However, I like the story that I’m forming in my mind, and I’ve written a lot more this NaNoWriMo than I did last year. So I’m celebrating that!

Anyway, enjoy your Friday, friends! I’ll chat with you all tomorrow!

life curation · style

On Becoming More Elegant

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Elegance is Refusal

(from one of my favorite blogs, The Vivienne Files)

I’m unclear who said it first – Coco Chanel (the person that is more often credited) or Diana Vreeland – but it’s noteworthy that this simple quote has been attributed to two of the most stylish women in history. I often heed these words when I’m inclined to pile on jewelry, or add an extra-frilly accessory, or even opt for a print that outshines my personality.

I stop. I think about it. I refuse it. I am instantly more elegant.

Even my writing style has undergone some changes and leans more towards elegance nowadays. Sure, I still occasionally indulge in wordiness, but chances are, I’ve done some heavy editing before even the “wordy” stuff reaches your eyes.

I love words. But elegance is refusal, so I opt for simplicity more times than not.

The only place I don’t apply this particular stance is cooking. I believe that “just enough is enough”, and that doesn’t always mean refusal. I don’t oversimplify my seasonings, my effort or the number of courses for a fancy meal. I seek perfection. And yes, that can mean using less. But it must be perfect, or it won’t work. I’m picky like that.

Refusal: it is elegant. It’s also liberating. It’s simultaneously classic and modern, the perfect blend of seemingly opposing sides.

 Refuse, and be free.

life curation

Preparing for 2018: Releasing Tolerations

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Happy Monday, friends! Can you all believe that we are just a few days away from the LAST month of the year?!?! I am in awe of how quickly 2017 has passed. This was a good year, but I’m excited for how awesome 2018 will be!

As part of the Preparing for 2018 series, I want to share a very powerful tool for clearing mental/physical/emotional “space”. This practice can really help make room for all of the good stuff that you want to come into your life.

The practice is, of course, releasing tolerations. This involves removing anything that doesn’t enhance your life or boost your energy. The energy drainers may be physical (living with lots of clutter is a good example), emotional (perhaps some unresolved issues around self-worth) or mental (maybe a colossal to-do list that never seems to shrink). Additionally, this is a way of “clearing the deck” so you have more energy to focus on the things that you enjoy. If you’re curious about learning what tolerations are, check out this post and this one, over at Good Vibe Blog. Jeannette Maw has done an excellent job of explaining tolerations and how they affect your ability to create the life that you want.

To prepare for the upcoming year, I’m going to work on clearing my physical space even more. I have some big plans for the upcoming year and reducing my possessions is one thing that needs to happen in order to best realize at least two of those big goals (I’ll share more about those goals in 2018).

I’ll be doing the 30 day challenge as mentioned by Terri Savelle Foy in the video I’m linking below. Information about the challenge is at the 21:30 mark (start at 19:35 for all of the tips related to releasing tolerations):

Every day in the month of December, I’ll discard an item corresponding with the date of the month (one item on the 1st, two items on the 2nd, 3 on the 3rd, etc.,). I will keep going until I reach December 31st, by which point I would have eliminated nearly 500 items from my life. Some items will be thrown away, while others will be donated to charity or given away to family and friends. In any case, the items will be leaving my space for good.

You can either try this particular challenge, or maybe try one of Jeannette’s recommendations. No matter what you decide to do, eliminating tolerations is a great way to prepare for the upcoming year.

Have you missed the other Preparing for 2018 Posts? Check them all out here:

Preparing for 2018

Preparing for 2018: Before Setting Your Goals …

Preparing for 2018: Commit It In Writing

Preparing for 2018: Listening to Your Intuition

Preparing for 2018: A Resource for Developing Your Vision

Preparing for 2018: Prioritizing Fun