Tips about Thinking Creatively in Everyday Life

You can use the Magical Secrets to generate fresh new ideas in your everyday life. Here are Kathan Brown’s suggestions:

1. Cultivate Sensuality. Touch things, actually or in your mind. Feel the thickness and texture of a fabric, a book, or a flower petal to get a sense of it. Look at an artwork by imagining you are within it, touching each shape or line. You’ll learn to think with your senses as a counterpoint to rationality.
2. Use a Lot of Time. Set up some oasis time when you can focus full attention on something that matters to you. Everything else will fall into place around it.
3. Get into the Flow. Do the first thing, then the next thing, then the next thing, without strategizing. Obstacles increase the possibility of discovery, so if something throws you off course, meet the challenge and move on.
4. Have an Idea. Think before and after you do a creative task, but not while you’re doing it. While you’re working, go where the work leads. Then look at what you’ve done and see if there is an idea there that you can use to start the next thing.
5. Don’t Know What You Want. Don’t set goals. Just start working and get fully involved in what you are doing. If you get stuck, think about how many possibilities there are within the framework you’ve chosen. What can you use that’s at hand?
6. Know What You Don’t Want. Familiarize yourself with what others have done in the field you’ve chosen, so you won’t waste time trying to re-invent the wheel. Don’t worry about finding exactly what is most suitable to you. Just start somewhere that is not unsuitable.
7. Stick Your Neck Out. Advice from mentors and friends can be useful, but you don’t need to be part of the party line. Go against the prevailing attitude if you feel like it.
8. Use Every Tool. If a computer is your primary tool for what you do, try adding work done with tools you can hold in your hands. A trip to the art supply store may be just what you need to get your mind unstuck. On the other hand, if you’re not using computers for your art, you might consider that possibility. Old tools are deeply satisfying and should not be completely abandoned, but change is good.
9. Use Every Source. Art is a speculation of possibilities, and in our day the possibilities include poetic images created over the past two thousand years or more. Tools are conduits from your body to your mind, and you can use images as tools. Do not disrespect your sources; they never mold entirely to your vision and may be stronger than your mind perceives.
10. Become Skillful. Art is anything done sublimely well, and every kind of creative work benefits from high levels of skill in its execution. However, all the skills you use need not be your own. Know when you must develop a skill yourself, and when you can work with others whom you have instructed and chosen because their skill exceeds your own.
11. Take Yourself Lightly. Live your life the way you make your art, with pleasure and full engagement, but without forcing things. People who are not self-important are the ones whose work is most likely to develop and change and remain interesting over time.
12. Go into the Ether. Art-making is a mixture of the practical and the ethereal. The sensuality of concentrating on tools and materials sets the mind free to roam in an unworldly place. Then the necessity of decision-making brings it back. Thinking around the edges of what you are doing, moving back and forth from the ether to the materials in front of you, is exciting and engrossing.
13. Own It. This Magical Secret will come to you automatically after you have mastered the other twelve. You cannot try to achieve it, but it will come. At some point you will know for sure, deep down, that you are doing your work, the work you should be doing. And at that point, the work is almost certain to be good.

by: Kathan Brown

30 Happiness Tips

For many of us, the goal of life isn’t ultimate wealth, a massive amount of stuff, or the perfect car. It’s happiness, plain and simple.
Some people may be created happier than others, with enjoyment of life programmed into their hardwiring. For others, getting to happiness isn’t always that simple. You weren’t programmed that way.
But like any programming, yours can be changed. Rewrite your life program to include as many of the following tips as appeal to you, and the ultimate goal of happiness can be yours. If you’ve already achieved complete happiness, well done!

1. Experiment to find out what makes you happy. Different things make different people happy. If you aren’t sure what your hot spots are, experiment. Try different things out. Find out what you enjoy most. The answers just might surprise you. Try a few of the following for starters.
2. Surround yourself with others who are happy. If you are around angry, depressed or sad people, it will transfer to you. You can’t help it. But if you’re around people who are happy, that will also transfer to you. You’ll also learn their habits, and learn to react the way they do when something bad happens. Slowly weed out the negative influences on your life and replace them with positive ones.
3. Count your blessings. When something bad happens to you, try not to focus on it. Instead, take a minute to count your blessings. Everyone has good things in their lives, whether it is health or loved ones or whatever.
4. Gratitude sessions. Along those lines, it is a good practice to have a daily gratitude session. Think about what you have to be thankful for, and silently thank those who have done something good for you in some way. If you have time, take the time to call them or email them to thank them.
5. Think solutions. Instead of thinking about problems, move to the next step: how to solve it. When someone says to me, “Oh, this is so hard,” or “Oh, I can’t seem to do this,” or “Man, we don’t have any more of that,” I just ask them, “Well, what’s the solution?” If you develop solution-oriented thinking, you’ll be much happier.
6. Connect with others. As much as possible, spend time with those you love, and with others who you enjoy. It could be a simple phone call, or a short visit. Or take a day with the person or people you’d like to spend time with. Have a conversation, do things together, be intimate.
7. Accept things. We are often unaware of it, but we usually want things or people or ourselves to change. And that’s a sure way to lead to unhappiness, because we cannot control the world. We have to accept things as they are, try to understand them, even love them. Including and most especially ourselves: accept who you are, allow yourself to be yourself, try to understand and love yourself. Then do the same with the others in your life.
8. Take time to savor life. Instead of rushing from one thing to another, resolve to have less to do each day, less appointments and fewer tasks. Then do each thing slowly, with mindfulness and ease, and try to be present in the moment. And truly enjoy whatever it is you do, from talking to eating to walking to just sitting.
9. Notice small things. Along the same lines, try to notice when you feel good, or you’re not suffering, or you are tasting something really delicious, or you feel something cold or hot, anything. Noticing the little things will help keep you focused on the present.
10. Treat yourself. Take a few minutes each day to give yourself a little treat, whether that’s something like chocolate or berries, or a bubble bath, or walking barefoot in the grass, or taking a nap. Whatever it is, treat yourself. You deserve it.
11. This shall pass. When bad things happen, and you’re having trouble accepting it, think to yourself the same thing the ancients did: “This, too, shall pass.” And it will. And you’ll survive.
12. Volunteer. When you give to others, whether that’s money or the stuff you no longer need or your time and love, you become happier. It’s true. Take 5 minutes today to call a charity and volunteer to donate some time sometime this month. It will make a big difference in your life.
13. Follow your passions. If you do what you love to do, especially for a living, you wil be extremely happy. This is one of the best things you can do. If it seems impossible, don’t give up. Others have done it and you can too.
14. Look at your achievements. Instead of looking at what you haven’t done, or what you’ve failed at, think about what you have done. Many times that’s much more than we realize.
15. Laugh. Just the simple act of laughing can make you happier. Watch a funny movie, tell jokes, read a book by Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett, go to humor sites on the Internet. And laugh your head off.
16. Realize that you deserve it. You deserve happiness. That simple statement is actually profound for many people, as they don’t believe they really deserve to be happy. It’s often unconscious. If you feel that within yourself, you need to first realize that you deserve happiness. Repeat it if necessary.
17. Get into the flow. There is a state of doing known as Flow, which is when you completely lose yourself in a task and forget about the world around you. It leads to happiness, and productivity. Set yourself up for it by clearing distractions, giving yourself a challenging (but accomplishable) task, and making it something that you like doing. Then try to lose yourself in that task.
18. Have a goal. Too many goals will lead to ineffectiveness. Try to choose one goal and really focus on it. And work to accomplish it. Goals lead to happiness, if you make progress on them.
19. Get inspired. Take time to read blogs or books or magazine articles about success stories related to what you want to do. It will get you energized.
20. Celebrate. When you do something right, when you accomplish something, when you feel like it, reward yourself. Celebrate. Have fun, and pat yourself on the back.
21. Autonomy. Try to have at least one area in your life where you have autonomy. It’s best if this is at work, but if not, find another place, such as a hobby or civic activity. You need to be in control of what you do to be happy.
22. Spend time doing something you love. Make room in your life by eliminating some of the commitments you don’t really like doing, and replacing them with something you truly love.
23. Show little acts of kindness. Each day, try to be kind to others in little ways, opening doors, smiling, giving up your place in line.
24. Exercise. Just a short walk or run could lift your spirits and reduce stress. Nothing difficult. Just get outside and move.
25. Catch negative thoughts. Monitor your thoughts. When you catch negative ones, try to think of something good instead. Corny, but it helps.
26. Jealousy doesn’t help. Many people obsess about others who are successful or happy. That gets you nowhere, fast. Instead, be happy for them. Then focus on yourself, and what you do right.
27. Stop watching and reading news. Sure, this sounds like a head-in-the-sand suggestion. But really, if you give this a try, you won’t miss a thing. And instead, you can focus on reading books and listening to music that lifts you up.
28. Learn something new. It’s strange how many of us are afraid to try new things, or admit we don’t know something. But learning new skills or new information is one of the most fun things there is to do. Give it a try.
29. Check out nature. Go and watch a sunrise or sunset. Watch the water, whether that’s a river or ocean or lake. Watch the stars, or the clouds. Watch animals. Watch people. Watch children. And be inspired by it all.
30. Laugh some more. When you are in the middle of a bad situation, look around you, realize the absurdity of the situation, and just laugh. In a year, no one will care. In two years, you’ll be laughing at this anyway. So laugh now, and be happy now.

by Leo Babuata

5 Tips For a Great Mother’s Day

Sending roses to your mom on Mother’s Day offers psychological benefits for both you and her: a sense of well-being, increased creativity, and a connection to nature

Read more: “5 Tips For a Great Mother’s Day: The Benefits of Lowering Your Expectations and Smelling the Roses”

Sending flowers to your mom on Mother’s Day is one of the most popular ways to say “I love you.” Flowers on Mother’s Day can boost her emotional and mental health. A great Mother’s Day is almost guaranteed if you send flowers to her work, volunteer job, or other public place – your mom will love the attention!

The Psychological Benefits of Flowers

Research shows that flowers offer a sense of well-being, increased creativity, and a connection to nature. Flowers can immediately increase your mom’s level of happiness and life satisfaction. Maybe this is why the term “flower power” is popular…it’s a cliché because there’s truth behind it. Sending flowers is an obvious tip for a great Mother’s Day.

Why Most Moms Love Flowers

Roses (and all flowers) offer the combination of beautiful scents, bright colors, and pleasing shapes. Flowers lift moods and spirits; they show your mom that you’re thinking of her. According to an article called Flower Therapy Induces Happiness and Positive Feelings on the Softpedia site, flower therapy elevates emotional states from negative to positive. The psychological benefits of flowers surpass mere beauty.

Emotional health can be rejuvenated through the heady aromas and gorgeous views that flowers offer. Roses in particular “enhance the energy in our body and make us more active by stimulating adrenal glands.” (By the way, arguing with your spouse decreases the activity of the adrenal glands and makes you more prone to illness – especially if you’re a woman.)

Read more: “5 Tips For a Great Mother’s Day: The Benefits of Lowering Your Expectations and Smelling the Roses” -

5 Tips for a Great Mother’s Day

1. As a mom, lower your expectations. According to Psychology Today, moms often have high expectations for Mother’s Day. If you’re a mom and you tend to expect a lot from your children, consider lowering your expectations so you can have a great Mother’s Day. Your kids love you, but they may not be able to show it the way you’d like.
2. Talk about your mom’s expectations. If you know your mom has high expectations, you could attempt to live up to them. Better yet, talk about your mother’s expecations if you can. Determining what she expects from you this Mother’s Day – or any day – could open the door to a whole new relationship.
3. Really think about sending flowers. Not every woman is into flowers: moms could be allergic, tired of receiving a bouquet every year, or simply ready for something more exciting and thoughtful. Flowers may not be the best tip for a great Mother’s Day, depending on your mom.
4. Put yourself in your mom’s shoes. Perhaps you’d prefer a dozen roses and a box of chocolates for Mother’s Day; maybe all she wants is an afternoon shopping with you or even just a cup of coffee. Meet your mom where she’s at: give her what she wants, if you can. She’ll be happy, and you’ll feel good that you made your mom feel good.
5. Accept the day. Whether you’re a mom or a child, accepting whatever Mother’s Day brings is the best tip for a great Mother’s Day. Maybe your kids will make you burnt, soggy French toast in bed and leave the kitchen in a huge mess; maybe they’ll go off with their father all day, leaving you alone to read, snooze, and rejuvenate. Either way, enjoy the fact that you’re alive, your kids are nearby, and they’re showing love the best way they know how.

Get off the phone faster

Do you ever get stuck on the phone with a friend who keeps talking and talking and talking? If your problem is the length of your telephone calls and not that you no longer want to speak with them, here are some tips to get off the phone with a chatty friend minutes faster!

Set a time limit on the conversation and inform your chatty friend of it
You don’t need to start the conversation with “I have a stopwatch and once 10 minutes have passed my phone will automatically hang up” but you can let your friend know ahead of time that you really only have 5 minutes to talk. You may be uncomfortable setting a time limit on the conversation, especially if you’re the one who called, but the fact that you called means you want to keep in contact with and talk to your friend, and that is what your friend should focus on.

Listen more
If you’re stuck on how to be a good listener, read this. If you allow your friend to do most of the talking during the conversation, when the conversation ends, he or she will likely feel that it was a good (albeit short!) conversation, compared with if the talk is dominated by you and then cut off by you. If your call is purely to catch up, allow your friend to spend more time talking about what has been going on in her life (you probably won’t have to twist her arm to get it out of her!). Ask questions but let the majority of the talking come from your friend.

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