One of the hardest and most valuable lessons I have learned in my life is how to absorb positivity and deflect negativity. Before putting positive energy out into the world, it’s important to create it for yourself. In this short, but sweet “Ask Amy”, Amy Poehler explains how to get a start on pumping up positive energy in our lives, accepting compliments, and leaving negative energy behind. Take it from this genius comedy star and implement it into everyday life:
Thank you [.]
I believe:
in being grateful every day.
in celebrating life as often as possible.
imperfection is more interesting than perfection.
in sharing joy.
laughter is the best medicine.
the process should be as enjoyable as the result.
life loves you back.
C.C. Chapman says creating content should be fun. It’s just common sense. Creation is about telling a story. Creation is about discovery. Discovery of the world around us, the world inside us, and any world we can dream up. It’s about learning something, teaching something. Creation is about making observations and interacting with the universe. What could be more fun than that?
I’m thinking a lot about creating content and what kind of presence I want to have here. I feel a change coming, but I’m not exactly sure what that change is. What would you like to see? Any posts in particular strike your fancy? What would you like to read about? Feel free to leave comments!
I’m watching Merlin Mann’s Inbox Zero speech again and finding it so helpful. I watched it some time ago and learned a lot from it, but it’s good to remind myself of the principles behind it.
Delete, defer, delegate, do, reply.
If you’re taken with this image, please check out more of Francesca’s work at her Flickr photostream. You can see more of her work at her blog, website, and comic.
This post is part of a feature on this blog called a Simple Image, which is just an image with links to the photographer’s or artist’s own website or blog. If you would like to have your artwork or photography featured, or if you have suggestions on who should be featured, please contact me via email.
Love A La Carte features all the little things that make my life just a little more delicious.
Confession: I have Olympic fever. I’m not usually a sports fan, but these London Summer Games have me constantly watching, Tweeting, blogging and reblogging about the amazing athletes and their stories. I think what gets me is that each person from each country has their own unique and interesting story about how they came to be part of the games, what happens while they are there, and what they take with them from the world stage. I’m particularly blown away by some of the youngest and oldest Olympians out there – the youngest show such poise not usually seen in folks their age and the older competitors show such stamina, such drive. It’s incredible to watch. I loved the Opening Ceremonies, particularly the way London brought together all the countries with the Olympic torch. What a perfect metaphor for the games themselves!
There are a ton of other things I’m grateful for and am loving lately. Here’s a list of just some of them:
♥ Perrier. ♥ Marc Jacob’s Lola perfume (on me, notes of peony, clove and cinnamon spice with just a hint of pepper, creamy musk, and fresh pear). ♥ Brownies and Broomsticks (murder, mystery, magic, baking, running, insomnia, sexy men, and smart women – what more can one ask for?) . ♥ Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. ♥ Drop Dead Diva. ♥ The woman someone should write a book about. Is it me? You? What does she look like? How does she act? She’s one special lady. ♥ Emotional Brilliance by LUSH (I know, I know, I’m gaga over this company. But, handmade vegetarian and vegan products, natural organic ingredients, no testing on animals, and they don’t use palm oil, what’s not to love?!). ♥ The 2012 London Summer Olympians (especially Louis Smith (GB), Jordyn Wieber (USA), Missy Franklin and the entire swim team doing a video of Call Me, Maybe (USA), Zoe Smith (GB), Guor Marial (Independent), Lee-Marvin Bonevacia (Independent), Reginald de Windt (Independent), and Philipine van Aanholt (Independent). ♥ Great and practical post on how to buy and take are of high heels. ♥ Working with Creative Services on design projects. ♥ Project Unicorn. ♥ These guys became human film developers when they ate 35mm film. What?! You have to see it to believe it. ♥ Some advice we could ALL stand to remember: Don’t Lose Your Creativity. ♥
Love A La Carte features all the little things that make my life just a little more delicious.
♥ The above illustration from wishcandy.net. ♥ This makes my heart jump up and down with happiness: the Business 9 Women Kept Secret for Three Decades. ♥ Affordable Care Cat (the Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Care Act was HUGE good news for this country, a huge win for the underprivileged and for women in particular). ♥ How neat is this documentary on the Cave of Forgotten Dreams?! ♥ This article on mental health really made me think: Why Americans Are Anxious, Stressed, Depressed, and Fat. What do you think? Are we addicted to novelty? Is technology too much for our brains? Do you find yourself overwhelmed? I know I do. Sometimes I just have to step away from the computer and the phone and take a breath of fresh air. ♥ Some fantastic combination of art and science: Berndnaut Smilde Makes Real Clouds Appear Inside Gallery (and photographs them). ♥ Making plans for a vacation and getting out of the city for a week for time with my family, relaxation, and lots of time by the water, both beach and pool. ♥ Taking a well-deserved coffee break. ♥ Getting stains on my fingers from fresh summer fruit, especially berries. ♥ Thunderstorms. ♥ LUSH’s Ocean Salt scrub, which is great for tired feet – I use this for at-home pedicures. ♥ Having a really rotten argument turn into a learning experience. ♥ Second chances. Or third. Or fourth. Or… ♥ Candy-colored Post-It Notes. ♥ The Princess Bride (forever a favorite). ♥ Trips to Barnes & Noble because new books are so exciting! (And walking around among books is good for the soul.) ♥ Discovering new music via friends online. ♥ Dressing up for no reason at all. ♥ Looking at photos from past vacations and trips and loving how utterly happy everyone looks. ♥
My Summer Beach Vacation Spotify Playlist:
This wonderful chat between friends about beauty, gratitude, and self-love:
