Tag Archives: personal fulfillment

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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Being Tortured!

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“The world does not have to change…the only thing that has to change is our attitude.” ~ Gerald Jampolsky

I am being tortured and I am in a snit! Old Man Winter will not leave me alone! Does he not realize what month it is? Does he not own a calendar? It is Friday, the last day of the month of April and I am calling “May Day, May Day.” I need help! Old Man Winter has messed about with me all too long! Snow has come back to haunt me far too many times in the past few weeks.

I have made a decision. It is for the best. Here is my plan of action:

  • I am not going to hang around with that Old Man Winter any longer.
  • I am going to hang around with others that have a positive influence on my life, instead of the negative.
  • I’ve decided there is no one that can bring about change, other than myself.
  • I am replacing the negative with the positive!
  • I am going to associate myself with those that give me energy and motivation, not someone that drags me down.
  • I am going to change my mental picture!

It is time to lighten up!  I will show you who I will be hanging with, so you will know I’ll be in good hands. Join me! We can share! Take a look!

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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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Fast & Fascinating!

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“All positive change in the world comes from our ideas of what we believe is possible.” ~ Alexandra Jamieson

Over the past few months, I have done some public speaking about order fulfillment for independent publishers and also about the independent publishing industry in general. One of the questions that I have posed to my audience is “Can you imagine that a manuscript can be downloaded from a digital file, printed, pages trimmed, bound and covered with a custom-designed book cover, all within 15 minutes time?”  All eyes meet mine with a look of disbelief!

Well, it is true, folks! Learn about the Expresso Book Machine! No longer do you have to print 20,000 copies of a book at at time, have them sit around in warehouses waiting to be sold and pay for excessive warehousing fees. Books can now be printed in small batches and be reprinted as they are sold. The Expresso Book Machine is evidence that there is a revolution taking place in the publishing industry, specifically the independent publishing industry. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/NQWc.

The independent publishing industry has taken responsibility in their approach to a green economy. By printing only what will sell, a whole lot of trees will be spared and dollars can be spent on publishing and marketing rather than unnecessary warehousing. Makes green sense, doesn’t it?

Furthermore, people without big name visibility as writers, but with great stories to tell, now have a chance at becoming publishers! As I have spoken with groups over the past months, it has been interesting to see the eyes of disbelief turn to eyes of excitement! Almost everyone has a story to tell, educational information to share,  inspiring thoughts or a wish to entertain – what do you have  under your hat?

To begin your journey into the world of independent publishing, start with a few minutes of education about the Expresso Book Machine, documented in this short, 2-3 minute, independently published film. The independent publishing industry is growing and fulfilling the dreams of many “want to be published,” who through traditional publishing would not ordinarily have a chance. It is exciting – now readers get to decide whether a book is any good, and not editors!

The Light of a Soul

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“From within or from behind, a light shines through us upon things, and makes us aware that we are nothing, but the light is all.”                                   ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Have you ever seen a painting that so exquisitely reflects light, that you feel as if you are seeing a reflection first hand, rather than through a painted medium? I have! Those rare artists that can so exquisitely paint reflections of light, in my opinion, are painting from the depths of their soul. Only a person with great sensitivity and talent can duplicate light that looks so real on a canvas.

How could you fully describe, in words, what the artist of this scene saw with his own eyes when he came across it? Perhaps he felt he could better communicate what he was feeling, experiencing and seeing by painting it rather than describing it through words.

As a human being with a range of emotions, when you stumble upon a splendorous landscape that takes your breathe away, a beautiful relationship between husband and wife, the gift of friendship and love, stop and turn your thoughts to what meaning you can draw from it.  There is meaning in every occurrence and relationship we encounter in life, take the time to discover it.

It was the wish of this artist, Timothy Thies, to share this magnificent  scene with not just the owner of the original painting, but with all who care to purchase a lithograph of this image, which displays the reflection of his soul. To order this image, please visit www.WestWindFineArt.com.

I am grateful for beauty and light that Tim has shared with me through this image and his other beautiful paintings. His paintings have stirred and intensified my love for representational art.

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Special Olympics Fulfills Dreams

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“You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best you have to give.”  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Last week we had a special guest at our weekly Kiwanis International  meeting! We were graced with the presence of a Special Olympian, who shared with us a few of the medals that she has earned and that decorate her room. She expressed the personal fulfillment and enjoyment she and all her friends find in participating as athletes in the Special Olympics.

Our Kiwanis Club also learned some of the history of the Special Olympics organization which was established in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. There are now athletes, with disabilities, in 150 countries around the world, that participate  in the Special Olympics. In 1977, the very first International Special Olympics Winter Games were held in the town of Steamboat Springs – of all places!

One of our Kiwaniians, of Macedonian heritage, went on to explain that thanks to the help of Kiwanis International, a chapter of the Special Olympics was formed in her native country in 2000 and it still exists very strongly to this day. The next International Special Olympics games will be held in the region of her roots, the Balkans. Athens, Greece will be hosting the Special Olympics from June 25 to July 4, 2011.

Without the help of scores of volunteers, the Special Olympics could not exist. Not only do the Special Olympians find satisfaction in being involved with this organization, it also brings great rewards to the volunteers who witness the smiles, the camaraderie and the motto, put into action,  of every special athlete  “Let me win. But, if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt.” 

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Rallying the Troops

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“One of the things we desperately need is spiritual renewal in this country. We need a spiritual renewal in America.” ~  Billy Graham

It is Spring! What better time for Kiwanis International to have their new member campaign drive. May is coming up, and Kiwanis International of Steamboat Springs, CO is on a mission! As an organization, we are all going to put our focus into recruiting new members who have energy, heart and a common interest in “improving children’s lives, one child at a time.” Kiwanians believe “through guidance and example, we can work together to develop future generations of leaders.”

Guess what? We have started already! We have sprung ahead a month early by talking with prospective new members. To some people, spring means warming temperatures, longer days, crocuses, tulips, daffodils, baby chicks and a re-awakening of the earth from a long winter’s sleep. Those are all beautiful things!

To Kiwanians, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, spring means:

  • Stewardship
  • Possibility for New Members
  • Recruitment
  • Interest in Improving the Lives of Children
  • Non Profit Work and the Fulfillment it Brings
  • Growth and Renewal

Membership in Kiwanis International requires little time, and it brings great rewards in personal fulfillment! Join in, meet new community members who share some of the same values, and re-awaken the spirit in your step and guide by example, future generations of leaders.

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Artist’s Predictions

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“In all things, it is better to hope than despair.”  ~ Joann Wolfgang von Goethe

Someone sent me through the internet, an article about Vatican researcher, Richard Owen who has stated that daVinci predicted that the world will end on November 1, 4006 by a “universal flood.” (“The Times”, March 15, 2010). In daVinci’s “Last Supper” mural, the half-moon window above his painting of Christ with his disciples, contains a “mathematical and astrological” puzzle which has been deciphered to mean the flood will begin on March 21, 4006 and end the world, as we all know it now, on November 1, 4006. At which time, there will be a new start for humanity.

4006? Wow – we have a lot of generations to go before that time comes! I am happy to hear the world will not be ending before my time of natural death, whenever that may be. I have a lot of dreams to fulfill in my lifetime and humanity has a lot to accomplish in working towards a better world!

What gives me great hope is this generation of college graduates. Many of them have their eyes wide open to living and working in a more global world than past generations. There are brilliant students who have spent their college years studying foreign relations, international trade, e-commerce, other cultures and global environments as part of their curriculums.

Even some architectural students are thinking globally! My niece is a mid-year graduate of The Roger Williams University School of Architecture. For her masters thesis, she decided to plan and design a global project. She designed The Ocular Orientation Center, for those suffering from blindness and visual impairment, young and old. The Center was designed for a site in Chittagong, Bangladesh. She took into consideration every variable, such as climate, soil, topographical layout, local natural materials of the region and more, so that the school can be viably built. Her dream is to see this project come to fruition.

If daVinci’s predictions are correct, that is music to my ears! I want to see what is in store for this generation of college graduates. Despite the less than ideal economic situation at this moment, I think the up and coming generation of college graduates have a lot up their sleeves!

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Find Meaning in the Journey

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“Experience is the best teacher of all.  And for that, there are no guarantees that one will become an artist. Only the journey matters.” ~ Harry Callahan

Whew! What a whirlwind of a weekend! It was satisfying, fun and intense. Just as I had anticipated! I arrived dehydrated and wanted to drink from the fountain, all the knowledge that I possibly could! The Colorado Independent Publishers “College” took care of my needs! I came parched and left sated with all the information one could possibly take in over a 48 hour period. Thank you, CIPA!

There is much to share, but I don’t quite know how or where to start. I have not even had a chance to absorb all that I ingested. You can be sure however, once I have had a chance to assimilate all the information, process it and pinpoint what I need to share, I will! I will be sharing the names and titles of the EVVY book award winners. On my list are words of wisdom from keynote speakers who took us through their travels into the publishing world. And there is useful, general publishing industry information that needs to be dispersed.

As a speaker/presenter at the CIPA College, I came away with a wonderful gift. It is a gift that will take me on many beautiful, inspiring travels into an area of Colorado referred to as South Park. It is a high country paradise near Fairplay, Colorado where author Bernie Nagy lives. For three years, Mr. Nagy captured exquisite color photographic images of the landscape, in all seasons. His book won two 2010 EVVY awards the other night, for cover design and illustration. For more information and to order this book, please visit www.ColoradoSouthParkBook.com.

I came away a winner, too! Not only did I receive an award winning, beautiful photographic book for speaking at the Conference, I had a chance to speak with independent publishers who are saying “out, out, out!” to all of the boxes and books sitting in their basements, attics and garages. I say “put them on their journey into the hands of readers.” And I know just who independent publishers can call to help them fulfill their wishes.

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Feeding the Mind, Again!

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“The most important thing to remember is this: to be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.”  ~ W.E.B.  Dubois

Things will be a little quiet on this blogsite All Things Fulfilling for the next few days. I will be at the Colorado Independent Publishers Association “College.” An event I greatly look forward to. I will be busy networking, cavorting, educating, indulging and engaging in a subject that has captured my interest and my passion for the past ten years – independent publishing! It is an industry that has gained enormous popularity and has evolved greatly. There is never a dull moment, and there is always something new to be learned, gained, profited from educationally and professionally, with each new publishing event I attend.

As a blogger, I am on the job 24/7!  Well, maybe not 24/7, I do sleep! I am grateful that I never remember my dreams. If I felt pressured to blog about events that occurred in my sleep too, it would be cause for total burnout! Since I am a person who struggles with quieting my mind, as it is, it would be the worse case scenerio of stimulus overload I could ever encounter! But, during my awakening hours, I am always on the lookout for my next story.

When I return on Monday, I will have plenty of blogging material I will want to share with my loyal readers. I have decided that until the general population catches up with the blogging world, you could just call me a reporter. The power of e-marketing and social media marketing is awesome but few understand it. Not quite yet, anyway!

While I am away, enjoy a little bit of spring unfolding before your eyes.

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