A Healthy Living Story

Once upon a time there was a girl who lived her life {clean}.  She didn’t smoke (she never quite understood the attraction) or drank hard liquor (but for the occasional glass of red wine) or ate terribly (her nutrition plan was right for her).  She would move her body everyday whether it was walking, yoga, kickboxing, rock climbing or bicycling.  She enjoyed the feeling of euphoria and the company she was with while she participated in the ‘moving’ activities.  She spent her days being responsible for her family thru career and love.  In her quiet way she was moving through life as unassuming as possible.  One day she asked herself a questions, ‘Could all this healthy living really mean something?’  She was approaching 50 years young so started to reflect on her life and health choices.  Then one day, as she was having dinner with her family at a local restaurant, she received her answer.  As her daughter and son-in-law placed their adult beverage drink order she placed an order for a glass of red wine herself.  ‘May I see your ID’s?’ said the waitress to her daughter and son-in-law.  Then the waitress turned to the girl and said, ‘May I see yours as well?”  She was frozen in bewilderment … me?  She looked up and the waitress was totally serious.  Oh wait, she didn’t have her ID to show the waitress {hey, who would have thought she would need it to order a glass of wine}.  She told the waitress that she didn’t have her ID but could probably guess she was old enough for an adult beverage by looking at her daughter’s ID.  The waitress had paid the girl a wonderful compliment on how very young she looked and the table of dear family members all concurred.  Well, the girl’s question was answered.  Yes, healthily living not only is good for the soul but dose the body good as well! 

The End

Artfully Yours, L

Any New Fresh Marketing Ideas?

We all try to ‘get noticed’ regarding our businesses and careers.  Do you ever wonder if you are doing enough to get noticed?   I wonder sometimes about the avenues I use to sell my art work.  I certainly don’t want to live as a starving artist *wink*  I try to approach my work as a marketable artifact as much as artful beauty so I can ultimately boost my visibility and, hopefully, my sales.  I try to use as many fresh ideas as I can and get the word out in as many ways as possible.  Here are some of the things I do to help my sales;  Networking with other artists, a complex web presence, entering art shows, entering juried shows at local galleries, and, most importantly, bringing as much passion into my work as I can.  I would hope this passion translates through my designs and, in turn, my art finds a beautiful home. 

Do you have any marketing ideas that have worked for you?  I would love to glean any new and fresh ideas.

I hope you find this day to be a ‘marketing’ success … Enjoy L !

{I} Live the Good Sticky

What makes good ideas or concepts ‘stick’?  Stick in the minds of the masses.  There have been lots of business books, seminars and video programs on that very question.  I am fascinated by the phenomenon and inspired by the possibilities of what ‘could be’ when you put your heart and soul into an entrepreneurial project.  The one ‘good sticky’ I don’t hear a lot about is humility.  Ok, here is where my mind is going … when you put your modest self into a project I think that positive thought process comes out and is reflected in your end result and, in turn, you have a better chance to make your project or idea ‘stick’.   Here is an example;  you have a great new invention, you engineer the design, but market your design with the pure thought of ‘making tons of money’ and ‘telling people that didn’t believe in you to go ____ themselves’ … ummmm not a good thing.  I believe people can ‘feel’ the negativity that surrounds that ‘end result’ and will shy away from it.  Yes, we all want to be a success.  Yes, we all want to have the freedom to live our lives as we wish.  But it can be done in a positive, humble way which can only benefit you and others … a win, win ‘good sticky’!

I hope you create many great, new possibilities today everyone and here are a couple of books that I have on the subject … Enjoy L!

Made To Stick

The Tipping Point  

Today Matters 

Pursuing the Ideas {I} Love

Sometimes I run out of {metaphoric} breath trying to catch all the ideas that are running around in my head.  I think of a design, get excited about creating it to fruition then, oh, wait, here comes another idea … and the chase is on.  *wink* I end up with 20 ideas in my head, out of breath {well just figuratively} and not enough time to create all of them.  How do I pick and select the ones to focus on? All are good and exciting.  I think creative people always see the wonderfulness in almost everything around them which makes it difficult to focus on one of the greatnesses.  I sometimes get a bit frustrated and feel like I haven’t accomplished anything because I have too many ideas I’m chasing.  So here is my little ‘Lisa’ solution that has worked for me … I simply write all of my ideas in my creative journal (that’s the catching them part), then , depending on my time during any particular day, I focus on just one idea.  Now, here’s the secret … I have to be HAPPY with my choice for the day.  Let the fact I didn’t get to everything be ok!  I will eventually get to that project … hey, I’m only one girl.  Sounds simple but the ‘letting go and being ok’ plan is the toughest part. 

How do you pursue all of your ideas? 

Make your day a happy one … the ‘production’ of the day will fall into place and be good!

Enjoy L!

The Unusual Housewife

Embracing the ‘real you’, that’s what I’m all about theses days.  I have discovered the ‘real me’ totally dislikes some of the a-typical housewife stuff and finally, after many years, I have become totally at peace with that part of my life!  Like cooking for example – can I cook, of course, but I dislike the act of cooking.  Maybe it’s the science of the task … or maybe it’s being alone in the kitchen … or maybe it’s a combination of a lot of not so great memories, whatever the reason I just dislike cooking.  I always thought I ‘had’ to like it, that something was terribly wrong with me.  I’m a wife and mom who unconditionally loves her family so why don’t I enjoy cooking for them?  So after years of soul-searching I discovered that wife + mom + cooking doesn’t = love.  I don’t have to enjoy cooking or be a great cook to love and care for my family.  I care for them in so many other ‘Lisa’ ways {and they seem to like my mommyness *wink*}.  Yes, thankfully I have a husband who is an Executive Chef by career so he takes care of our bellies {it’s wonderful to have someone who can complete you}.  Are there times in my life that I have to do things that I dislike … yes absolutely, but when I have embraced my ‘real self’ and understand my dislikes I think the task at hand isn’t so terrible.   Then I become a better ‘me’ and can use my innate gifts in a more complete way to love and care for everyone around me!  So …

Be your be,

You your you,

for that is all good and true!

*wink* 

Here are some great books you might … Enjoy L!

{thank you everyone for supporting my little book shop … so very grateful!}

Be Happy

Enjoy Life

Self-Discovery

Dream a Little Dream

What’s the difference between dreams and goals?  One definition of ‘goal’: The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed; an objective.  One definition of ‘dream’:  A condition or achievement that is longed for; an aspiration.  Well, from the formal definitions it seems dreams may or may not come to fruition without set directives.  I always thought the word ‘goal’ was such a cold, structured word, almost to the point of unfeeling yet ‘dream’ was a kinder, gentler way of describing a goal.  In my mind, I think of a dream to take on both meanings above.  Both descriptions go so beautifully together; like ball and glove, or music and lyrics, or canvas and paint.  It’s certainly important not to stay in the ‘dream’ place without having goals written down so you can make your dreams a reality.  I love dreaming about sailing, my next painting, the next adventure with my love and much more.  I know when I have created realistic goals to accompany my dreams I am blessed to say they have all come true!   Dream a little dream today {oh, the possibilities!}  

Some dreamy things for you to share … Enjoy L!

Love and Relationships

Self Understanding

You and Your Life

A Reef Knot

Some days you just don’t feel your ‘bouncy’ self so here are a bit of affirmations I personally need today to untie the knots in my head … Enjoy L !

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

 “Love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.”  – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

 “You just have to do your own thing, no matter what anyone says. It’s your life.” – Ethan Embry

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”  – Herman Cain

“Let the sun shine in your soul, let the warmth brighten your spirits then shoot the extra rays out with your words to lift up others” – Lisa Farmer

The Reflecting Walk

Walking along the street the other day I came across a man probably in his 70’s walking his round, happy dog.  I stopped and chatted with him for a bit – mostly small talk about the weather.  His smile comforted me, his heart was gentle and he seemed like he had a lifetime of stories to share to whoever was willing to listen.  As we parted ways, I continued on my ‘exercise’ walk thinking about this gentle, older man and if he had someone he was walking home too.  Will he go home to an empty house?  Does he have friends who will keep him company when he is lonely?  Well, I know his faithful companion, who was probably 70’s in doggie years too, keeps him company but is that enough, I thought.  I have always had an affinity for the elderly.  They have so many life stories and wisdoms to share with us and sometimes I think they just get forgotten about – lost in the shuffle of life.  When moments present themselves, I drink in every second I can with someone older than myself… my Mom or Dad, a family friend, or even a stranger on the street.  I hope in some small way I can let them know … ‘you matter and you are loved!”

Here are some ideas to reach out to your local wisdom-filled people … Enjoy!

Adopt a Grandparent

Assisted Living Resource

Helping Ideas

Happiness

On and off throughout my life I have pondered this question … how can people achieve true happiness!  I talk to many different individuals during my week – all ages, all income levels, all degrees of health, all races, all different religions and all different ways of life.  What I have come to trust is just one simple truth – true happiness is achieved when you do not seek true happiness.  It is something that drips from your soul naturally when you are not looking outside yourself for contentment.  When you put others first, when you give your time unconditionally, when you take the time to truly listen to another, when you open yourself up to love – these are just some of the freeing acts through which true happiness can be felt.  You aren’t seeking happiness when you are giving or opening up to the possibilities in life.  Your mind is on something or someone else …  happiness is merely just there, inside you.  And gosh, you feel so in love with life when you are dressed in happiness! 

Here are some links that might you might … Enjoy!

A Simple Life 

A Happy Life 

A Purpose To Life