Category Archives: Education

Struggle No More!

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“The pleasantest things in the world are pleasant thoughts; and the great art of  life is to have as many of them as possible.” ~ Montaigne

Yesterday, this blogsite addressed the issue of artists finding fulfillment in the creative work they do. Finding satisfaction in the work we do and the lives we live is not unique to artists, it applies to people in all walks of life.

I have found employment throughout the years in many different industries. In each job, I have found satisfaction, even in the most menial. I look back at my first “real job” as a cashier/clerk in a drugstore, when I was in high school. There were skills that I learned that prepared me for subsequent jobs. It was then that I learned to run a cash register, be accurate in handling money, and give change. My customer service skills were put to the test by helping shoppers find what they were looking for in the store.

Very early on in my working years, I decided that my attitude towards each job, could either make or break me. My own attitudes toward work (and life) and my success or failure was entirely up to me. My conclusions about life and and work, were this:

  • I decided to be accountable to myself in doing the best I can, each and every day.
  • Working is necessary, so, I may as well find happiness in it.
  • Taking the glass half full, not empty approach made sense, no matter what.
  • I decided I would learn something from each job I have held.
  • Putting my best foot forward felt much better than having a “who cares attitude.”
  • I could at least be proud of myself, even if no one else noticed.

When it comes down to it, our attitudes in life, often account for our happiness or lack thereof. They affect our health, our stress levels, our experience with others and with life, in general. For information on how  happiness affects health, please visit http://bit.ly/al0Qll.

Count the blessings instead of the shortcomings in your life. Challenge yourself to wake up each day with a positive thought and to end the day with a positive thought. It can make a huge difference – life is meant to be lived with joy, not struggle!

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The Arts & Alzheimers

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“Art therapy is all about the moment, all about the process, all about happiness…”  ~ Valerie Kent

Art enriches the lives of so many Americans and people all over the globe. Much research has been done regarding the effects of art therapy with Alzheimer’s patients. Among the positive effects are reducing stress, aggression, anxiety, apathy and anxiety.

For persons in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease, viewing art and listening to music often brings back memories, and has calming effects. Participating in the arts through dance, stimulates neuron activity in the brain, improving concentration and focus.  For those in the later stages of Alzeheimer’s when communication is more difficult, art therapy provides an outlet of expression, when words can not be found.

Not only do professionals in Alzeheimer’s facilities use art therapies , it can be used by caretakers of Alzeheimer’s patients in private homes. It provides a quiet, peaceful activity for patients and caretakers alike. By engaging the patient in a creative activity, it can provide relief for caretakers who are often subjected to repeated questions and demands that are placed upon the caretaker.

For more information on the field of art therapy for Alzeheimer’s patients, please visit:

Although scientists are still trying to determine the cause and risk factors of Alzeheimer’s disease, research shows intellectually stimulating activities, such as Art, may lower the risk of developing the disease.

 To me, this sounds like good reason for artists to paint up a storm! If someone tells you to put down the paintbrush and go do something else, tell them you are working on your “mental health.”

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Weekend Indie Publishing News

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Looking for good Mother’s Day gifts?

It is critically important to our society and all of our world to have decent homes and families with decent values. This Mother’s Day, order your wife, your mother, or any woman raising a family, a copy of  the book Building Materials for Life by Millard Fuller, Founder of Habitat for Humanity. The three volumes of this book are filled with short essays about raising families with common sense, good values and giving children a solid, strong foundation. Proceeds from the sale of this book and other books and DVDs from the Fuller Center will be used to purchase building materials for Habitat for Humanity houses.

Thanks to the Fuller Center, hundreds of children around the world have decent housing and brighter futures!

You can also honor the Mother in your life by donating to the Fuller Center or win free flowers for entering your essay of what your mother means to you! For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/c9S9cG.

Hurry, Mother’s Day is only 9 days away!

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Cultural Understanding

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“Things go wrong because people build walls instead of bridges”   ~Unknown

For those who do not work in the arts industry, understanding the value of a creative industry is difficult to understand. When you understand the scope of how many are employed in creative industry, how the Arts help to build the fabric of community life, how arts education touches the lives of children and how Art provides for cultural exchange between countries, supporting Americans for the Arts Action Fund www.artsactionfund.org is not a hard pill to swallow.

Mayer Michael Nutter recently testified about  the importance of the Arts in his city of Philadelphia. His testimony and arguments for the importance of the Arts, could be echoed by cities, big and small, across America. To listen to Mayor Nutter’s testimony, please go to http://bit.ly/bZetCV.

Even in small cities, like Steamboat Springs, Colorado (population 9600), the Arts are very important. The Macedonian Mission for Humanity (Colorado based non-profit organization 5013(C) is focused on humanitarian assistance and cultural exchange between Macedonian and U.S. artists.

On May 15, the non-profit will be hosting a Concert, at the United Methodist Church in Steamboat, between an international award winning concert pianist, Kalina Mrmevska from Macedonia, and soprano soloist, Keri Rusthoi from the U.S. It is bound to be a beautiful evening of entertainment between two artists who come from very different backgrounds.

All proceeds from the concert will go toward the expense of shipping no longer needed medical supplies from the U.S. to Macedonian children’s hospitals. For more information on this non-profit, please visit http://bit.ly/askllQ.

The Macedonian Mission for Humanity is building bridges between culture and humanitarian needs. What vision this represents!

 

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Seeing the Light

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“All personal breakthroughs begin with a change in beliefs”                    ~Tony Robbins

It is interesting, now that spring has arrived in most parts of the country, it seems independent publishers are beginning to emerge out of their hiding places. After being cooped up and in the dark all winter long, many have decided it is time to be seen and heard from!

It seems independent publishers took time this winter to think and mull over their publications, their marketing plans and strategies, and now they have decided they have been inactive long enough. It is time to take action! Many have decided to take the plunge in to the world of e-marketing/social media marketing!

For more information on how marketers are using social media to grow their businesses, please visit http://bit.ly/YbyEU.

Sometimes, it takes time to readjust our thinking, adapt new ways of being. Social media marketing/e-marketing is a bit scary for those who have only used traditional methods of marketing – such as print advertising, bulk mailings, hiring a traditional publicist or agent, doing book appearances. All of these marketing techniques are still valuable but marketing trends do change. Life is so interesting when we decide to let go of old ideas and follow new paths!

What is it they say about growth? “Do the thing that scares you the most” ? Don’t let fright stop you from drawing closer to becoming more visible and fulfilling your dreams!

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Wisdom Comes from Living It

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“All men make mistakes, but only the wise men learn from their  mistakes.” ~ Winston Churchill

There is nothing worse than having a deep concern and not wanting to share it because you know others will not understand. I am talking about something that only those who have lived it can relate – such as having a child struggling with drug and substance abuse.

Out of her experiences of living with a teen hooked on drugs, public speaker, author and Mom, Mitzi Rudderow has written a book called “Coming Clean: Drug Addiction – help and hope.” This book should be in the household of every family with children. For a parent, learning how to identify addiction before it becomes a crisis is of paramount importance.

Through this book, you will learn how to avoid the mistakes this Mom made, what the red flags of substance abuse are and parenting do’s and don’ts. This book is made very affordable for every parent because Mitzi is truly committed to helping other parents learn from the mistakes she made with her teen.

As a radio broadcaster, Mitzi learned so well how to communicate with others and she has used her skill to communicate about an issue, through her book, that is all too pervasive in today’s world – drug and alcohol abuse.

Take your first pro-active step, as a parent of a teen, by educating yourself rather than denying that your child could very well face these struggles in his or her teenage years.

For more information on this book, please visit www.mitzirudderow.com and visit her blog http://www.comingcleantogether.wordpress.com

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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It is a big day for all the participants of the Young Authors League of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA). Today they will be premiering their new publication “Making the World a Better Place.”  The group premieres it’s book at Southlands Mall Barnes and Noble in Aurora, Colorado from 4 – 8pm today! Head on in, and support a new generation of young authors! www.cipabooks.com

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Guess what has gone viral? Painters Workshops! Join classes without having to leave the comfort of your studio.  For more information, please visit Workshop Magazine, a great magazine resource for Oil and Acrylic Painters. Workshop, a magazine published by American Artist Magazine will take you into the classes of top oil and acrylic instructors. Learn from them and from their critiques of students work. For more information, please visit www.artistdaily/workshop.com

It’s A Perfect Fit!

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“The only thing that will redeem mankind is  c0operation.”        ~                       ~Bertrand Russell

In Steamboat Springs, CO and in places all across the country, there are so many non-profits that are quietly contributing to the betterment of others and to the world, in their own special way. Many of these non-profits are unheard of to the “average Joe.” With funding and grant opportunities being cut, it is never more important for non-profits to become visible and to demonstrate how they are helping others to fulfill their needs.

There is a way! To bring visibility and awareness to a non-profit, independent publishing can help. An independently published book or film, about your non-profit, may provide a way for non-profit organizations to spread the word about their mission and obtain corporate sponsorship. Also, it is a creative way for others to learn and see how satisfying it is to volunteer for a worthy cause and to increase your volunteer base by recruiting others who will commit to an exciting project or mission.

Independent publishing is a perfect fit for alternative marketing for non-profit organizations. One of the most successful global non-profits  has chosen independent publishing to advance their visibility throughout this world. To watch a preview of a great example of non-profit work and independent publishing joining together to bring visibility to a mission, please visit www.MillardFullerMovie.com.

Is your non-profit doing all it can to be recognized in your community, in your world?

 

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Art & Media Building Bridges

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“Education is all a matter of building bridges.” ~ Ralph Ellison

My, my how our world has changed in unimaginable ways. When I  stumbled upon a Reuters news article, I realized just how far our  world really has come, in all industries, with regard to international agreements and trade. Even the arts and entertainment industry has joined forces with other countries to collaborate on projects. Reuters has reported that Time Warner Inc.’s Cartoon Network is  partnering with the United Arab Emirates to open Carton development in that country and also a training academy in September. New production studios will open in early 2011, in the capital city of Abu Dabi.

The initiative  is part of efforts by Abu Dabi to diversity their economy and create a 27 billion dollar cultural hub for television, radio, film, publishing and animation. The cultural district will also house branches of France’s Louvre Museum and New York’s Guggenheim Museum.

Many of the media broadcast stations such as Fox News International, the British Broadcast Corporation (BBC) and CNN have also joined forces in this collaboration. To read the article in it’s entirety http://bit.ly/djCEIp.

Never would I have I have thought a cultural exchange of the Arts and media of this proportion would be possible many years ago.  How far we have progressed in the world of international business and in the exchange of bright, open minds full of all kinds of possibility.

To see a model of the futuristic buidings designed by architects from France and California architect Frank Gehry, please visit 

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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Tis the Season for Annual Writers Competitions!

79th Annual Writers Digest Competition. Deadline May 14. Grand prize $3,000 and trip to NYC to meet with 4 editors or agents of your choice. 10 Categories to be judged.

For information on more writing contests, please visit Poets and Writers Magazine www.pw.org

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Creative Writing Summer Intensive Program June 13 -25, 2010    New York University – School of Continuing & Professional Studies. For more information, visit www.scps.nyu.edu.

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Split Rock Arts Program – Summer workshop and retreats for creative writing. University of Minnesota.  For more information, please visit www.cce.umn.edu/split-rocks-arts-program.com

Check back every weekend for more news on writing contests, workshops and other independent publishing news!