Monday, December 10, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
I am sharing this because I am thinking how we as artists can say "I cant do that"..and how we need to be bolder and how amazing art can be created if we allow it to happen! Ask these questions of yourself and see what you come up with.
“People Say ‘I Can’t’ Too Much.”
Happiness interview: C.C. Chapman.How did I first learned about C.C. Chapman? I can’t remember; it’ s lost in the sands of time. Somewhere in the wilds of the internet. He’s a writer, photographer, speaker, and creativity and social media guru, so there are a lot of ways I could have encountered him.
We finally met in real life at SXSW, the big blogger conference in Austin. He is as nice and interesting in person as he is on the screen and page.
I’m thrilled for him: his first book, Amazing Things Will Happen: A Real-World Guide on Achieving Success & Happiness, just came out. (In the photo, you can see him holding the very first copy.) Here’s what I wrote about it: “For people who want to make a leap into a new kind of career but just can’t quite make the jump, C.C. Chapman offers practical advice, real-life examples, and thoughtful, realistic encouragement that will allow them to dare to do amazing things.”
He’s done a huge amount of thinking and writing about how to make life happier, so I was very eager to get the chance to ask him some questions.
Gretchen: What’s a simple activity that consistently makes you happier?
C.C.: Cooking. It doesn’t matter if I’m scrambling some eggs or making a full on Thanksgiving dinner. When I’m in the kitchen I’m always happy.
What’s something you know now about happiness that you didn’t know when you were 18 years old?
That there is more to life than money. When I was coming out of High School I was too focused on how much my paycheck was going to be above other things. Yes, money is important and can help you be happier, but it should never be priority one. Having a loving wife (who was my girlfriend back then) who supports me and is my best friend on top of my wife brings more happiness than any wad of cash.
Is there anything you find yourself doing repeatedly that gets in the way of your happiness?
I get caught in the “click stream” as I call it sometimes. That is where you go from checking your inbox, to seeing what is being said on Twitter, then over to Facebook, then a quick look at my Google Reader and back to my inbox. Suddenly and without notice I’ll realize that an hour has gone by and I’ve really accomplished nothing. I get frustrated and angry at myself for allowing it to happen.
Is there a happiness mantra or motto that you’ve found very helpful? (e.g., I remind myself to “Be Gretchen.”)
My dad always told me, “To each their own.” There are always going to be people we encounter who have different beliefs, tactics and ways they live their lives. It is way too easy to get bothered and unhappy about these people. But, if what they are doing is not directly causing you or someone you care about harm, than just let them be and move on because challenging them is not going to help you in any way and usually just adds up to more frustration. This little bit of advice has made my life MUCH happier.
If you’re feeling blue, how do you give yourself a happiness boost?
Listening to music is the first thing that comes to mind. I’ve always loved music and popping on a favorite song or album always makes me smile. No matter how frustrated or down I might be, the right song can always make me a bit happier and break out of any funk big or small.
Is there anything that you see people around you doing or saying that adds a lot to their happiness, or detracts a lot from their happiness?
People say “I can’t” too much. They make excuses for why they are not doing whatever it is that they wish they were doing. When I challenge them and ask for specific reasons why they can’t do something I rarely get something that isn’t a personal roadblock that they’ve put up themselves. Sure, whatever path they are wishing they were on might not be an easy one, but life rarely is. People would be much happier if they realized that they’ve got to work hard to achieve their dreams, but that hard work towards a goal that they really want will in fact make them happier.
Have you always felt about the same level of happiness, or have you been through a period when you felt exceptionally happy or unhappy – if so, why? If you were unhappy, how did you become happier?
When I was much younger I was not very happy at all. I was bullied and didn’t have very many friends growing up since we moved around a lot. It had a profound effect on me and my life as I have always cherished those people that are my friends. As I got older, I realized that friends shouldn’t ever be based on quantity, but rather on quality. Having kids of my own this is something I try to teach them. Popular kids are rarely as happy as they seem on the outside. Having a core set of close and trusted friends is a cornerstone of why I’m so happy these days compared to back then.
Is there some aspect of your home that makes you particularly happy?
I work out of a home office, and I love it because I’m surrounded by memories and comforts. I have a big couch and a leather reading chair that I can kick back in and unwind. There are lots of windows to let the sun in and photos and prints all over the walls. I can’t look anywhere without seeing a knick knack or little treasure from one of my trips and I always feel comfortable and happiest there.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Video to watch of rug artist
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Day Before Thanksgiving
White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Nut Cookies
Ingredients
| 1 cup | unsalted butter |
| 1-1/2 cups | brown sugar, packed |
| 2 | eggs |
| 1 teaspoon | vanilla extract |
| 2-1/4 cups | flour |
| 1 teaspoon | salt |
| 1 teaspoon | baking soda |
| 1 cup | macadamia nuts |
| 1 cup | white chocolate chips |
| 1-1/2 cups | sweetened, dried cranberries |
Cooking Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Sift together flour, soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla; stir to combine. Add eggs one at a time and beat until combined. Gradually add flour 1/2 cup at a time.
3. Fold in the macadamia nuts, white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
4. Drop by heaping teaspoon on a baking sheet 1-1/2 inches apart.
5. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.
These cookies look awesome I think for this time of year! Enjoy!
So....Im still alive. Some things have gotten easier. Im not afraid anymore. For a long time I was so afraid at dark...fine during the daylight hours...but at dark I got scared of every noise and just terrified to be alone. Now...Im fine. Noises dont scare me...I walk around the house, even in the dark, and have no fear....this is huge. I feel confident in this small way...not that nothing could happen...I mean people do get robbed and worse,but you know...chances are...so I am ok.
Somehow...I have been JUST able to sort of pay the bills??!!! I mean...the heat is still on...my tv works, I have internet and a land line and electricity and running water....so yea!!!! (For now) I found out I qualify for a free cell phone...my friend calls it an Obama phone. So, I even have a cell....although it rarely works..always says no service! But beggers cant be choosers......and hopefully it will work in an emergency...which is what it is for. Thank God for my library...it keeps me busy...reading and I have been getting tons of movies to watch there as well. My cat is a soul around me to help a bit with the loneliness...but the loneliness is the worst thing of all.
I need a car so badly.....a car is first on my list of things to buy.....you cannot imagine how hard it is to not have transportation in an area where there is no busline...I just feel so trapped and isolated. It is very very limiting as to how I can entertain myself as well with no car....if I had a car (assuming I had gas money) I could go to my quilt clubs, my book clubs, and I was thinking of possibly joining a choir....or some such groups.....but I find I cant even get to the grocery store. I do have a friend who takes me when she can to the grocery store. And there is a local food pantry that has helped meet the needs left after the grocery money is all gone...(which is fast!---man, groceries are expensive arent they???) Also, a Godsend, I found out a qualify for free rides to all my doctor appointments....which is also HUGE! I am so thankful to be able to get to my appointments...for awhile I wasnt sure how that was going to work. I finally have a therapist and a psychiatrist--as of yesterday.... who will, fingers crossed, hopefully be able to help me with some much needed medical therapy and prescriptions. I have been without medical therapy for this WHOLE time...in my crisis and I have SO needed help. So, I have some HOPE now in that way...finally...thank you God....
This is a time where sometimes I think I have little to be Thankful for this Thanksgiving...and then look at all the blessings I just wrote about!!!! You know, these blessings are better than fancy trips or material possessions....or whatever in the past I may have dreamed for.....these are life blessings ....meat and bones...life sustaining...and although its been humbling and hard to find this help...its there!... Someone from a church group actually has come over and started putting plastic all over my windows in the inside for the Winter...they are coming back to do the upstairs...how cool is that? And he got my clothes dryer working!!! I wasnt sure what I was going to do...I was picturing hanging my wet clothes in the freezing cold and bringing them inside as stiff sculptures....I am extremely excited about my dryer working!!
So, I thank you God for all the people and the blessings that you have put in place to help me this year. I think too, of all the people hurt by Sandy this year...and so I know I am not alone...by any means.
Here's hoping you all have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving...and that you can SEE your many blessings...because we all have reasons to be happy and feel blessed...we all do....sometimes you just have to look at things a bit different is all....have a bit different expectations and learn to see the silver linings...and the glass half full....Like I have always told my children.....attitude is everything. While I am say that, I still do struggle each day to remember that.....but it is so true. We have the power to feel however we want to feel. Hopeful, happy, blessed, loved and gracious......if we choose!
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