Low Tide

My world.

 Low tide in the Pacific Northwest.

This post is being linked to:

My World Tuesday

One Little Word: A New Kind of Resolution

Below is a reprint of a post from Christine Kane's blog.  I found this approach to be so inspiring last year -- and DOABLE.  Looking back, I can see how applying just one word really did positively impact my life.

 How to Make 2011 Your BEST Year Yet

by Christine Kane The regulars at the gym were joking about it early in December.

"Have a good workout now," they said. "Cuz you know what it's gonna be like in about three weeks!"

That's because all the folks who have made their New Year's Resolutions will show up. They'll stick around for a while. Then, around Valentine's Day, the regulars get to have their old gym back.

The hosts of a satellite radio talk show were discussing the most common New Year's Resolutions and the average success rate. Among the most common were Get Organized, Be More Spiritual, Lose Weight, Quit Smoking, and Spend More time with Family.

I don't know about you, but this kind of To-Do List approach to life-transformation does NOT inspire me. And it doesn't surprise me that the success rates were low.

Why Resolutions Don't Work

The reason most resolutions don't work is that they address only one level of your life.

The DO level.

It's the DO-HAVE-BE model.

It goes like this: "I will DO this thing." (i.e., Lose weight) "So I can HAVE this other thing" (Self-Esteem) and I can BE this thing. (Confident.)

The average New Year's Resolution doesn't address the core of the issue:

The "BE" level.

The best order for creating positive change in your life is the BE-DO-HAVE model. This means you start from the BE level. When you begin changing on the BE level of your life, then the DO level and the HAVE level follow more easily.

When you start only on the DO level, then the blocks on the BE level will often become the obstacles you can't overcome.

How to Tap into the True Power of your Intention

Several years ago, my friend Kathy and I decided that, instead of making resolutions, we would pick a word that would guide us throughout the year. It would be our touchstone. It would remind us of living our lives at the BE level.

This didn't mean that we didn't take action. It meant that our actions were inspired from the BE level. In fact, I took more action than ever with this new approach!

For several years now, I've blogged about this inspiring way to begin the year. The response has been huge. So have the success rates! I regularly hear from people who have created big changes in their lives because they focused on one word.

How to Choose A Word

Look through the list below. Get quiet and listen to your Wise Self. Pick a word.

Then, hold that word in your mind throughout the year, and let your word guide you to take action.

Here's an example:

Let's say you're one of the many people who would normally choose "Get Organized." You're tired of chaos and clutter. So, you think, "I need to get organized. That'll be my Resolution."

But then you read this article. You decide to try this new approach.

You sit with your clutter. You spend a few days pondering words. You realize in an "Ah-Ha!" moment that you hold on to lots of things. You're scared to let go.

So you choose the word "Release" because it inspires you in a bigger way than "Get organized."

So, every time you approach your clutter you remind yourself of that word. "Release," you say softly. You start to let the clutter go.

Eventually, you realize that you're still holding on to lots more than just physical clutter. You realize that you hold onto resentment at old relationships. "Release," you remind yourself.

You realize that holding on is affecting your diet and health. "Release" applies to some of the extra weight you've gained as well. Throughout the year, you can see clearly how much you hold on. "Release" is your touchstone. It grows you throughout the year. It becomes your guiding force, not your harsh standard.

Your clutter became your teacher simply because you shifted your intent towards it. This wouldn't have happened if you'd opted only to "Get Organized."

What word to choose?

Many people know immediately which word resonates with them. For others, a little contemplation is required.

As you read through the list of words, see if one stands out. It's tempting to choose four or five, believing that you can do it all! (Or that you're so messed up, you can't possibly narrow the mess down to one!) I recommend that if you can't choose just one, choose no more than two.

One is ideal. It gives you focus. If you master that one word, you can choose another one in June.

Compassion

Delight

Generosity
Effortlessness

Wealth

Gratitude

Abundance
Creativity

Willingness

Change

Growth

Freedom

Mastery

Kindness

Health

Presence

Acceptance

Courage

Confidence

Self-Love

Action

Forgiveness
Forgive

Release

Trust

Knowing

Patience

Friendship

Fun

Grace

Laughter

Love

Expansion

Exploration

Adventure

Openness

Discipline

Awe

Awareness

Risk

Gentleness

Choice

Spirit

Prayerfulness
Power

Allow

Artfulness

Attention

Beauty

Joy

Focus

Ritual

Heal

Order

Clarity

Pioneer

Peace

Laziness

No

Yes

Deliberateness

Commitment

Savor

Integrity

Listen

Note: Click here to download a powerful journal writing tool that I created. It's called The Word-of-the-Year Discovery Tool. Give yourself the gift of connecting your hand to your heart and write about what you want to create in the coming year. This tool works! I promise!

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:
Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 12,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.

WANT TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Christine's blog at ChristineKane.com/blog.

The Cone of Shame

Well, it looks like Aslan's beach days are behind him for a few weeks.

Somehow, he's gotten his skin sliced open on his belly, it's gotten infected, he's "coned", on antibiotics, and awaiting surgery first thing Monday morning.  Poor little guy.  It really hurts him, and he was crying in his sleep last night, but he still wanted to go for a walk today (not allowed)...

 The designated dog walking area of our rooftop garden.

...and he wanted to play with the other dogs we saw on our rooftop garden dog tinkling area. 

We had to take the top off his kennel so he could get in it and turn around when he needs 

to feel more secure.  He's old and arthritic, though, so he never stays in there for too long before he needs to stretch out again.

Of course, he cannot be left alone during recovery, and our house raising contractor (we're raising the fixer-upper we bought nine feet) is scheduled to start work on the beach house next week.  Not sure how we're going to manage that.  Maybe my husband will be able to work from home so I can go out to the coast to supervise...

Okay, so his eyes are looking a little satanic here -- so much for the red-eye 

function on the flash!  Truly, he has the sweetest dark brown calf eyes.

Aslan is fourteen years old, and he's been a good and loyal dog, and he's kept the tigers out of our town, so we really want him to be able to live out his days at the beach house with us.  Hopefully, we'll get this infection under control, and the surgery and recovery will go well.

A Photo Shoot on the Beach

On a recent visit out to the shore, we meandered out along a path to the beach.

Our fourteen year old Aussie mix came along, of course.  He's such a sweet dog, and so much fun to have along.  His name is Aslan, after Aslan in the Narnia Chronicles. 

Sometimes I call him Azzie, but my husband usually just calls him Harry Dog.

Azzie looked so handsome and so happy (going to the beach is his favorite thing) that we decided to do a little photo shoot. 

Did I mention he's a bit of a ham?  We think he's a photogenic fellow, as well.

Q is for Q

I'm going out of town for a few days, and won't have access to a computer, so I thought I'd type this up early and get it in the queue, and ready to link up to Jenny Matlock's alphabet meme on Thursday.

image source: flicker

This week's post is about Q.  My baby, not the letter.  My youngest little one.  Who happens to be 6'1"!  And who turned 21 on Mother's Day this year.  His name isn't really Q.  That's just his initial.  But, somehow, that became his "cool" nickname.  So, we went with it.  I gave him his daddy's middle name.  It means "fifth", or "holding five", and he made our family five.

 image source

His dad was the fifth child in a Catholic family, and all the boys got saints' names for their middle names!  So, our Q is indirectly named for a saint.

A depiction of the atrocities suffered by Saint Quintinus

the Martyr.  Learn more about Saint Quintinus here, at the 

Persecuted Church website.

We are so proud of our Q!  He's just one of those bubbly, good-natured people.  Of course, that effervescence got him in trouble a few times in school!

This post is being linked to Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday. 

To see this picture again, and to link to more Q-related posts, click here!

His teachers loved him, but sometimes, if Q was home sick, I think they enjoyed the peace and quiet.  My husband has always said, if we could just bottle up the "feel good" chemicals in Q's brain, we'd be millionaires.  But, actually, we are pretty rich. 

image source

Q was my happy baby.  And he was a happy toddler.  And a happy preschooler.  He was just a happy kid!  There were a couple of years where hormones wreaked some havoc, but fortunately, with his cheerful disposition,  he handled those days with grace.  His father and I were grateful. (And lest you think we got off easy, just remember he's not our only child!)

The day before his twentieth birthday, Q graduated from college.  He received a math degree and a bio-chem degree (the math and science genes did not come from me). Now, a year later, he is a computer science grad student, and he is preparing to apply to med school.  When I asked him why he is pushing through school so quickly, he said it is because he really doesn't enjoy school, and wants to put it behind him as soon as possible!  Okay then.

So, you're at a concert, and have the chance to meet the band

and get some autographs, but you don't have anything to

write on?  No paper? No problem! 

Everybody remembers Q, and he remembers everyone he has ever met!  He's a memorable "rememberer".  Which means, no matter where you go with him, someone will say "hey Q", or he will say "hey you"!

 image source: Buzzilions

When Q was growing up he was long and skinny, and very white, with fluffy white blond hair, so, it was inevitable that somewhere along the line he would pick up another nick-name-- "Q-tip".  Now, I know there is another famous person who uses the same nick name, but the other "Q Tip" really doesn't resemble a q-tip at all, so I just don't get it....  

There is a famous director, whose movies I love, who shares Q's given name.

When Q was about six years old, purely by coincidence, a new partner joined my husband's company, and he had the same name, and the same nick name!  It could have been a recipe for confusion, but the New Q came up with a solution.  When the two were together, we referred to little Q as "Lower Case Q"!

I supposed it doesn't matter too much what we call our Q, and who else uses his name,  because to his mother, he will always be a saint.

 image source  

Okay, I know this halo is crooked.  I also know my Q isn't actually a saint, (I'm not really one of those moms) and if I didn't know it already, his siblings would be sure to "clue me in", but it's nice for a mom to pretend sometimes, right?  And he is a pretty good kid!

what I see in my world

This is what I see in my world.

 When I walk to the post office, or to the market, or rush across the street to catch a train.

Sometimes I am struck by the beauty of the cheap, colorful wares juxtaposed against the dingy gray concrete.

And I love the rich history of the neighborhood.

Sometimes the extreme poverty that exists alongside the bustling businesses gives me pause.

The homeless woman camped in a doorway, the local shopkeepers opening their doors each morning, the commuters stopping off for a cup of coffee before grabbing a train,  the businessmen rushing into their office buildings, and local shoppers choosing their produce...

... all of this is my world.  It hasn't always been my world, nor will it always be.  But for the moment, I will appreciate being exposed to a different place,  different lifestyles, and a different point of view.  See the world through the eyes of others, here.

sometimes a moth is just as nice as a butterfly

I just found the nicest blog.  It's called 

The Vintage Moth, and I love it.  I like it so much,

I've added their button to my sidebar.  Abigail, 

the blog owner, has gathered and scanned a million

really cool copyright free images and graphics

just to share with you and me!  

If you're wondering what all the cackle is about, let me show you...

Abigail is a talented collage artist (check out her stuff while you're there), and she uses these neat old images in her work. 

She has a huge variety of images to choose from, including this really sweet patriotic image.

These dragonflies are especially nice, but she has plenty of other insects to choose from.

Of course, The Vintage Moth would have to have a vintage moth!

I'm probably a little partial to the old-fashioned nature drawings....

But then, I also really like this old post card.

And what water loving, boat sailing, Navy mom, coastal living, wanna be cruiser wouldn't love this?  Not that I'd want to sail on it, but she certainly was a beauty...

And Abigail has even photographed vintage wallpaper from a family home to share with you!

Go check out The Vintage Moth.  And let her know I sent you!  (And did I mention that she's having a give-away right now?)