by Linda | Apr 5, 2012 | my creative journal
Continuing my efforts to talk about money without shame… I was thinking about how every year, tax time forces me to really see the big picture of my finances. I’m actually pretty good about keeping records and we all should be paying attention to financials quarterly, if not more often. But with the numbers all there in black and white – final for the year – ready to be mailed out to the IRS, you just can’t gloss over the facts.
I realize that I truly dread tax time, not for the numbers or paperwork required. It’s not the work that scares me, I actually get satisfaction from filling out forms and finishing such tasks. What bothers me, is facing the reality of my financial situation. It’s scary, frustrating, and depressing.
Perhaps we can never be 100% satisfied with our financial situation – or is that exactly one of the limiting beliefs that is leading me astray?
I know that is takes hard work to earn money. I suppose I really need to tend my garden of money. It’s in a very sad state. I think there’s potential for abundance – to grow and flourish – but right now, it’s a not-so-inspiring barren landscape.
Lately, I’ve been in the mode of not spending a dime (well, expect for books). I keep thinking that the frugal state will help in some way. But in the big picture, no matter how little you might be spending – you’ll still run out at some point. Instead, the well needs to be filled. It’s like adding nutrients to your garden, so the plants can flourish. Otherwise, the land is just used up and no good.
I need to concentrate on getting more money to flow in, not just limiting or blocking the money that flows out. It’s not a balanced way to think about it and would not create a sustainable ecosystem. In thinking about it in this way, I understand more why some gurus seem to be telling you to spend money – or not be afraid to spend money. It’s a state of mind for the whole landscape to function in balance.
Have you thought about your money landscape? (I hope you have done your taxes!)
How can we make our financial gardens sustainable and flourishing through the seasons?
by Linda | Apr 3, 2012 | my creative journal
Many art journalers don’t decorate the cover of their journals until the very end. It’s sort of a sweeping measure to finish up a long record of artful adventures. However, I personally like to decorate – at least in part – my journal covers immediately.
I want my journal to be inspiring, inviting me in, even if I see it on the shelf or from across the room. An easy way to give yourself an instant journal cover is to use a piece of existing artwork. For this journal, I used my Create Fearlessly illustration. You can definitely use a copy of your own artwork or even magazine cutouts of imagery that inspires you.
Don’t hesitate to alter and decorate the art to make it your own. Think about collaging different elements together, adding 3D embellishments, and little details with pens and paints. I’ve added a paper-mache glossy heart, with some tulle to embellish the cover and binding area.
Existing imagery can give you a jumpstart, so you can dive into your journal today. How would you decorate your journal covers?
by Linda | Mar 29, 2012 | my creative journal
I’ve been diving into a variety of books these past few weeks, absorbing information the old fashioned way. I know that many of us think that surfing the internet might be researching to some effect – but there’s really nothing better than snuggling up to a good book. Truly.
Side note: I purchased a few audiobooks to listen to on my Kindle… but have realized that I dislike the format. I keep trying to envision the transcript, wanting to see the structure of the content. Kindle ebooks are better, but the old fashioned paper book is still the most useful to me. Enough said.
So, I’m trying to give myself solid ground to work upon. Learning not only about business, but about myself and my true desires in life. To revamp my lifestyle entirely, because it all goes together. You can’t expect great things without great change.
Been thinking about what am I truly working for and writing things down. Journaling by hand and posting on this blog, my thoughts and feelings.
If you are interested in the books on my shelf, here’s a short list that I have read or currently reading through. Links go to Amazon.com:
Otherwise, I have been working on a new set of girl illustrations while spreading the news about them through email introductions. It never hurts to simply tell people about what you are doing. I want to thank Indi from {KID} independent, Nicole from Elsa Bags, and Amy from Pikaland for posting about my Girls With A Message illustration series. I’m honored and thankful.
There hasn’t been a lot of external action in my creative business, it’s all happening inside of me instead. It does feel like the calm before the storm. Do you have these periods in your creative journey? How do you deal with them to make it a productive time?
by Linda | Mar 28, 2012 | my creative journal
I feel proud of the work I have done. I certainly feel accomplished in many ways, even if there’s so much more that I want to do. It means I have ambition.
I truly value connection… the authentic, natural, deep kind of relationships. I’ve always been better one-on-one than in a group. I’m an introvert and that is a-okay. In fact, I love being an introvert. Just as I like being petite-sized.
I have learned that I need solitude. Alone time, quiet time. But I love good company as well.
Family is supremely important to me. Truly living, not just working.
I want to constantly learn new things and create new things. I want to be inspired and to inspire others. Warmth, light, happy feelings – positivity. That cozy, bubbly feeling is the best.
It’s about comfort. It’s about wonder. It’s about play. No stress. Only solutions to problems and the courage to brace for the fast curves in the road.
With many the many roads offered in life, I took the one less traveled by and I believe that it has made all the difference – love this poem. I would not want to go backwards in time to change anything. But I do want to keep moving forward and forging new ground. In peace, in tranquility.
Quiet confidence. Happy times. A good life.
Have you ever taken the time to reflect on your work and values? Document your thoughts at this moment in time, about your life.
I’ve been reading and working through The Right-Brain Business Plan (Amazon link)
by Jennifer Lee and really would love to read Susan Cain’s book as well. Check out The Power of Introverts to learn more. So inspiring.
by Linda | Mar 22, 2012 | my creative journal
I started reading The Willpower Instinct (Amazon affiliate link) by Kelly McGonigal Ph.D. and literally could not stop! Although we are meant to work through a chapter a week, the information provided is just so interesting! I wanted more. Maybe this is a prime example of no willpower and going on impulse?
I literally wanted to take notes, like when a class lecture is seriously SUPER interesting and you don’t mind writing your heart out. Maybe this is the nerd in me.
I suppose one of the coolest aspects is that some of the information revealed, sounds familiar. Perhaps it was mentioned in a magazine or a blog article. But now I get to hear it from the scientific perspective and understand the why behind it all. Even simple things, like why do people always say, take deep breaths… never really thought about it before.
Of course, this book is definitely written for a general audience, not scientific journal style. It’s very easy to understand and always presents the practical – what you should do with this information side of things. How nerdy is it for me to rave about this book?!
I don’t want to rush through this book, but I have a feeling that I will be going through it several times.
