Things To Avoid If You Want To Think Creatively

We’re all busy. Busy is a part of everyone’s over full lives. We have overflowing email in-boxes, cram too many meetings into our day, spend hours trying to keep up with social media. But being busy simply means we don’t have priorities set upright. And being busy means our creativity suffers. 

Our creative powers become stagnant when we are busy. Creativity is what helps us manifest our ideas, use it to solve problems so our projects succeed or come up with easier ways to do things.

There are things we do, the habits we have, that are zapping our creativity. These habits drain us and put our goals out of reach. With a few changes in your behavior, you can begin tapping into your creativity.

Bad Medicine
Look at all the things you put into your body. Those things that help you cope every day. Do they really help? This can be anything you eat that you get some sort of effect from. This can be processed or junk food, sugar or caffeine from coffee to drugs, alcohol or smoking. When we’re at our peak, our creative selves are more prevalent. Be honest with what goes into your body. Is it helping or hindering?

Social Media
Social media is an important part of how we connect with others and cultivate relationships for our work. It’s also a big attention stealer. Our attention is vital to our lives and for creativity. Limit how much time you spend on social media. Be aware of how it makes you feel and how it affects your creativity.
Email

Email inboxes are inundated with more and more emails every day. Checking our email is one of the biggest killers of energy and momentum in our lives. Set a specific time to read, respond, and delete emails to make better use of more time and energy.
Overworking

It’s easy to overdo work and get burnt out. We push ourselves to the limit. Then our energy slags and we lose sleep. Instead, when possible, set limits on how long you work. Learn how to be consistent, outsource, get help, or whatever is necessary to not overwork yourself. “Sprints” are fine but only occasionally, but make sure you don’t let your rest suffer.
Doing the Wrong Work

One thing that destroys your creativity is doing the wrong work. When you spend too much time on things that don’t matter or that don’t come naturally to you, you begin to become stagnant, overworked, and less creative. Instead delegate, outsource or avoid tasks that are part of your weakness. Playing to your strengths allows you to embrace your creativity.
Choosing the First Solution

When you go with the first solution, you are just recalling or settling. This keeps you from being motivated to try alternative ideas. When faced with a problem, take the time to explore different solutions. Is there a better one, more efficient one, easier one?

Changing your habits that are restricting your creativity can change the way you tap into your creativity. Doing away with these habits frees energy, time, and mental awareness letting you be open to new ideas and thoughts.

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day 30 Color of the Day Challenge - Pick Your Own

We made it! How did you fare in the Color of the Day Challenge? Were you able to post pictures of the colors each day? I think I missed one of the glitters and a couple of the neon days myself. Never-the-less - here we are on day 30. The last day of the Challenge.

The Color of the Day Challenge was hosted by The Mommies Review. It came about as a school assignment for C. His name is Charley.

We went all over the color spectrum in this challenge. From Red, Green, Orange, Blue, and Yellow to colors like Turquoise, Cream, Magenta, Periwinkle, and Fuchsia. We also had Purple, Black, Pink, White, Brown, and, Emerald too. Taking us to the last week and a half - we hit Copper, Teal, Grey, Lime, and Gold. On the weekends, the colors were your favorite Glitter and then Neon. Bringing us to today where we can pick our favorite color.

I honestly do not have a favorite color anymore. When I was a teenager, I liked blue. I wore blue every single day...as a young adult, I shifted to the earth tone colors. Browns, Tans, Cream, and Black. I remember my mom asking me one day why I wore such dull colors. Laughing out loud. I honestly do not know why I liked those colors so much, but I did.

I had my house decorated in Burgundy, Hunter Greens, and Creams. I liked those colors too. But now, I lean more to the Orange. No, not Dream cycle Orange, but more of a rustic Orange if there is even a color like this.

Since I am a crafter, I have colors all over my room. There is not one wall that does not have color.

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Colors...yes, I like them all. Even the Washi Tapes. At one time, I had these organized by color scheme, but once I moved - there was no room for such organization, so they found their way into a tote. I must admit, it does make it difficult to sort through when I am looking for a color thought. 

I like the colors of the flowers. My flower garden that we planted in memory of my mom was gorgeous. We are going to plant more flowers this upcoming weekend and clean it up some. I may just paint the tree stump Red, White and, Blue too... (that was suggested to me). I like the idea. 

Today's color of the day is pick your own. What color or colors do you like? Are they represented in your home? The clothes that you wear. Drop your comments below...

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day 29 Color of the Day is Gold

It is day 29 in the Color of the Day Challenge hosted by The Mommies Review. Today's prompt is GOLD.

I have a pair of fancy Gold scissors I use with my crafty creations. They were a gift from a friend a few years ago. They are very sharp.

Also, in my crafting things, you can find a paper straw wand that has a gold bow made out of ribbon. There is also a red and gold bow in the same wand. This was made by a fellow crafter and sent to me during a swap we both participated in. 

Hanging on my carousel on my desk is this bracelet that say's "perfect". It has gold beads on it. I have many gold beads in my crafting supplies. 

Today the color is Gold. I do not have any GOLD bricks laying around. That would be nice, would it not? I have seen gold coins before. My dad used to collect coins from his travels. I do not know what happened to them over the years.

I have heard that people have hearts of gold. I wonder really what that means? Do people really have hearts of gold? I know, it is just a saying but in my mind, I do know individuals who are gems and to me, they have a heart of gold.

There is the Golden Wedding Anniversary. I do not think I will see that in my time. I still have half the years to go. Time will tell though. I could surprise all of my family and live till the ripe old age of 100. That would be a hoot!!! I would be golden by then though for sure.

What do you have that's gold?

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In The Kitchen - Ron's Deer Jerky

My husband is from Illinois where the deer are enormous. When I transplanted him to Texas, he laughed at the deer here. He said, "They look like a small dog". I suppose where we live this is true, but down south they are massive I hear. 

I have not had the opportunity of seeing deer in South Texas so I cannot confirm this. I have watched television shows for hunting trips, and they do show large deer. Maybe one day I will see for myself. That would require a lease though and they are quite expensive not to mention the travel expense and all. Time will tell...

I lived in Illinois the first year he and I married. I enjoyed driving around Sangchris Lake in Christian County and seeing the massive Bucks standing in the road. Talk about a sight. They stood there in their majestic form with racks as wide as a door. Such a beautiful sight. 

A memory I have when we first got married, is with my youngest daughter who was four years old at the time. We would take a picnic lunch and go sit by the lake to watch the geese. There was a Nature Preserve there. She would try and feed the geese pieces of bread and they would run after her squawking. Talk about a sight. It was quite hilarious to see. I do not know if it was funny seeing her run or the fact the geese just wanted all her bread. None-the-less, the memories of those days still resonate in my mind as if it were yesterday. 

Getting back to Venison. When he bagged a deer, I always knew Deer Jerky was going to be on point. He cleaned his own deer and we made our own jerky. I must admit, the jerky is quite delicious, to say the least. 

My husband does not hunt much these days. Trying to find public land and the time to go has proven to be difficult in the last couple of years. We have investigated a lease in the Oklahoma/Arkansas area as I have relatives in both places. That would make a nice trip for him and reconnecting with family for me. 

RON'S DEER JERKY

8 oz. Soy Sauce Lite

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 T. Lemon Juice

1 T. Liquid Smoke

*2 lbs. Deer, stripped

Mix Soy Sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, and liquid smoke in a bowl. 

Pour over meat. Let set overnight in the refrigerator covered. 

Line the bottom of your oven with foil. (be sure NOT to cover the heating element or the holes in the oven). If you have a dehydrator, you can use it instead. 

Put the oven on the lowest setting. 

Hang the meat on the racks. Cook until done. 

Leave the oven door cracked with a wooden spoon while cooking. 

Once the jerky has cooked all the way, remove from oven, and let cool. 

After it cools, store in freezer bags or a bowl. 

*You can substitute the deer for a roast to make the jerky. Have the butcher slice it up for you to the thickness you choose. Then you will cut it into strips. 

Enjoy! 

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Life and Thankfulness - TTOT

Today is the day we get to share our Ten Things of Thankful with the world. Now do not get me wrong, if you have things to be thankful for - you do not need permission to wait to share them only today. As for the number, well - I have found at times it is hard to come up with ten things - when it should be easy. I think it has been determined if life is going well or if my world is in an upheaval. How many of you have felt like that before? 

Yea, I could live in a fairy tale world and pretend family, friendships, life is always hunky-dory, but who would I be kidding? You? I did not think so. 

This week once again I have been stopped in my tracks where health issues are concerned. I am going to start my list with being thankful for breathing. 

ONE - Breath or breathing: how many of you have respiratory issues? I grew up watching my mother's sister suffer with severe asthma. It was so bad, her family had to move from Texas to Arkansas. Guess what, I have asthma today. Mine is not triggered by allergies. In fact, I have been tested over and over for allergies and everything comes back negative. I have Environmental Asthma. It affects my breathing a great deal. I do not take breathing for granted because I have been hospitalized in the past with difficult breathing and it is no fun. 

Today, I am right back there again. I have been since the rain moved in a week ago Thursday. Today the ozone layer is Orange and the Sahara Dust storm is in our atmosphere. Breathing is vital to one is being and to life. 

I am thankful I have breath and can breathe. I do not want to consider the alternative to not being able to breathe. 

TWO - Simple Things: In August of last year, we relocated to a new area where we live. We are semi-country, semi-city. What a concept! Just around the corner from us, we have been watching this house emerge from the ground up. Anticipating the people who are going to live there. It is a Mansion. Over the last few weeks, the landscape has begun to take shape with water fountains that size of my living room and other Grecian Goddesses and such. There are even large Herons standing by the rock formation that is a man-made stream that leads down to the nearby road we travel. 

In the last few days, we have noticed more and more traffic in and out of the house, so we know it is soon to be occupied. Still wondering who the important people are that owns this said mansion on Florence St. We have no clue. There is only speculation that the people are very wealthy, important, and will carry with them high stature as well as high standards to their living lifestyle. That is obvious by the mansion. 

Today, as I left our simple little abode that sits on 3/4 of an acre out in the country - I passed by this magnificent mansion. Just on the inside of the gated fence - there sitting side by side were not one, but 6 Lamborghini’s, and a few other expensive cars. I know the time is nearing that life will soon living in this home. I continued driving down the secret in my Toyota Camry (which I am quite pleased with by the way) thinking about the cars sitting in their drive. My Son-in-law would be in heaven seeing those cars. He has expensive taste when it comes to automobiles. 

I continued making my way to the doctor where I was once again going to be tested for COVID 19. Yes, you read that right. Now we wait for the results once again. I have already had this before and the symptoms this time around are so much different. I will touch on that later, but they are severe enough and important enough that another test needed to take place. 

As I drove back by the mansion on my way home from being tested, here sits in the drive of this magnificent home - was a white stretched out Limousine, a Bentley, a Rolls-Royce, and a few other expensive vehicles. I just smiled as I drove by because my dream car has always been a Rolls-Royce. I am quite content with my Camry! 

The simple life sometimes has its advantages. Does it not? I mean come on; I enjoy nice things. I want nice things. I would love to own a mansion like this one, but I would not want the headache of the upkeep to keep it maintained. I will stick with simple. That is unless I win the Lottery or something (but to do that, one needs to play, and we do not play). If we were to win though, I would want to build a ranch house on a plot of land with timber all around us and a few mountains as the backdrop. That would be my simple, new way of living. I am thankful for the simple things in life. 

THREE - Memories: In two days, my mother will be gone for four months. Earlier in the week, my nephew stopped by our house on his way to a doctor's appointment in Dallas from Amarillo, Texas. With him, were two boxes that my sister had sent with him for me. 

I did not open the boxes immediately after he left. After a while, I sat down on the couch to open the boxes, the memories that fell from them were more than I could bear for a few minutes. There were gifts I had made for my mom over the course of the last few years. I sat there holding these items in my hands and up to my chest and let out a loud wail. My mom's passing was just before I became very sick the beginning of March and life, well, you know - has been turned upside down since then with all of the Pandemic stuff among other chaos in our world. 

One of the things in the box was this. My mom had it hanging in her room. In fact, when I went to see mom in the middle of February - she wanted me to bring all these things back with me, but I told her no, that they would be there when I returned. 

There were so many things I had made mom in these two boxes. Memories of yesterday. There were cards given to her by my kids and by me. There were also two letters I had written her over the years. I sat there clinging to the memories of my mom and realizing that all I have left of her were these few items and the memories I have locked away in my heart and mind. From time to time, I kick myself for not making the trip back to Amarillo when she took a turn. I was so sick by then there was no way I could make the trip, nor did I need to be near her or other family members. 

I have come to terms with when I left mom's side the middle of the month, I told her she would see me on the other side and I knew then, she was at peace. 

In the box of memories was this wall hanging I made her several years ago too. It was one of her Christmas presents that year. It was my first quilled art piece ever. I made it while recuperating from a 2nd foot surgery. 

The Old Rugged Cross was one of my mom's favorite hymns. I am thankful to have shared these memories of mom this week. 

FOUR- Communication: Anyone that knows me, knows I am a stickler for communication. Whether it is a reply to a text message or a reply to an email. Even a reply to a phone call would be nice, right? I do not have a crystal ball, so I do not know what one is thinking unless it is communicated with me. Do not make me guess what it is you want me to know. 

For the last almost seven years, my oldest child has been absent from my life. Her choice with no communication whatsoever. She is my 2nd child with their father. Her brother is now following suit in her footsteps. 

I learned this week that he had tested positive for COVID 19 last week. No text, no phone call, no email from him to tell me this news. I had to hear it from the very same nephew who brought my mother's things to me. 

On Thursday morning, I sent my son a text message asking how work was going. I wanted to hear what his reply was. A few minutes passed and he replied with, 'not working - off because of COVID - I tested positive last week'. Oh my gosh...my heart sank. Here I am his mother and something this important regardless of whatever it is he is upset with me over - I felt like he should have communicated with me. I went on to ask him, why hadn't he contacted me? His reply, "I do not want you or anyone else worrying about me". I about dropped the phone out of my hand. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT HIM? is he kidding me? I quickly replied with, regardless of how you feel or what you think - I am still your mother and I love you very much. I think about you daily and am concerned when you are hurting. Nothing more was said...complete silence. Communication. How can wrongs be made right if there is no communication as to why there was a wrong to begin with? Good grief...

I am thankful for communication even though at times I do not agree with the outcome. 

FIVE - Crafting: I am thankful that little by little my happy place of creating is slowly beginning to return. Last year this time, the joy of crafting was snuffed out of me like that. Life hit me like a ton of bricks out of nowhere. It was a complete blindside. With it, the joy of genealogy and crafting left. I was nothing but an empty shell trying to figure out the whys. 

All I could find myself doing was tearing things out of magazines for my Glue Books. I still have about 20 magazines I need to go through along with different ads that have showed up in the mailbox. I use these to make collages or a phrase on many of my crafting projects. Glue Books are fun to make. I have several of them going now...

Here are a few pages from a couple of my Glue Books. I am thankful I can craft again. 

SIX - Family. 

SEVEN - Friendships. 

EIGHT - Employment: that my husband is still able to work and support us even in these times. 

NINE - Fur Baby/Koda: I am thankful he is feeling much better. A couple of weeks ago, we were not too sure he would still be with us. 

TEN - Ten Things of Thankful: I am thankful I found this group of beautiful people by way of Dyanne. I have enjoyed the journey TToT has taken me on the last month and a half. 

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day 26 Color of the Day is Lime

As I continue moving along in the Color of the Day Challenge, today is day 26 and the color is Lime. This has been a fun challenge looking for all these different things in the color choices. Many of the items I have written about I did not know I had them in my things. Others I knew exactly what I wanted to write about. Today is no different. I knew exactly what I wanted to share so let me get to it. 

LIME - The first thing that came to mind was the song COCONUT by Harry Nilsson. The first two sentences go like this, 

Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime

His sister had another one she paid it for the lime

I have limes, but no coconut. I always keep them on hand. I like squeezing the juice on salads, guacamole, vegetables, and sometimes in my tea. 

I have Coconut Oil, does that count? Guess not. I do not think the oil and the limes would fare well together. I bet if I were to drink the coconut oil and limes together, I might need to pay a visit to the doctor too! If you do not know what I am talking about, check out the rest of the lyrics to the song! 

I have things in my craft room that are in a lime color. I have markers, colored pencils, and glitter pens (heck, I could have used those pens for a few of the Color of the Day choices). 

I enjoy crafting with all three of these. In fact, I sharpened all my colored pencils this morning. They are now ready for the next crafting project I have in mind! 

Something else my eyes spotted in my craft room was a toothbrush holder. It is Lime Green. I keep a toothbrush in it for when I am crafting with glitter. It helps to remove the scattered glitter pieces from the project. 

It seems I have many things in the Lime color in my craft room. Even the case of accessory tools for my Cricut is Lime. My cutting mats are also Lime. (I did not snap a picture of them). 

A few weeks back, when my husband brought in the mail - I noticed an envelope was from Humana. When I opened it, there were two masks. They are Lime. They bring color to my world these days. It is the new norm around my house, in the car, and when I went out in public. Notice I said, 'went". I have put myself back on the stay at home orders. 

I have not been feeling well again for the last week. The doctor ordered another round of COVID testing again. It is scheduled for later today. I have already had COVID once back in early April after a two and a half week stay in the hospital in the early part of March. I am not looking forward to this horrific nose swab that tickles the brain. I will be more than happy to pass up on my test if any of you would like to take my place!? Are there any takers? I mean, do not get me wrong - I do not wish COVID on my worst enemy and I hope I do not have it again for my family's sake. This illness is evil. The countless number of lives it has affected. Not to mention taking their last breath. I just wished people would understand the importance of doing their due diligence if they must go out in public. But like everything else, there must be a statement made whether it is good or bad.  

For me, my statement is being heard loud and clear. I CANNOT afford to be sick again. It is hard enough trying to stay alive with all the respiratory issues I have from Environmental Asthma every day of the week and I sure do not need any help from this evil illness. And to make matters worse, the Sahara Dust Storm is supposed to be blowing through our area today and tomorrow. As if it was not already hard enough to breathe with the heat index. Good grief! 

Lime is the color of the day. I think I am going to make a glass of iced tea and put a squeeze of lime in it. How about you, got any limes? 

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Thinking Out Loud

If a bird had only one wing, it would not be able to fly. 

If a human being did not have a heart, they would not be able to live, love, forgive, or even exist. 

Each one of us has a heart - yet, for whatever reason choose to hold unforgiveness that creates resentment, animosity, hurt, and many times health issues. Human beings are an interesting creation. Each one is unique in their own way - while carrying attributes passed down from generations before. 

I am curious why human beings think it is ok to inflict emotional pain on another? What is it they gain? Recognition? Power? Fame? Control? Could it be the people who do this harbors animosity towards people? Maybe this how they think they fit in. 

My very existence came from a place of power and control over another human being. How does one break free from the mental and emotional chains that weigh down the heart and mind? Therapy, Counseling, Treatment of some kind, medications? What if others took accountability for their actions instead of playing the victims in the outcome? Does that not justify the means? 

It is exhausting to live in a world where there is so much evil. Whether it be unforgiveness, power, hatred, control, or betrayal. Somehow the minds of human beings need to shift. But how? 

If a human being did not have lungs, they could not breathe. Without breath, they would be nothing but a mere vessel of bones without life. 

I want to take a deep breath today and exhale all the pain, the betrayals, the wrongs, the hatred, the control, and the evil that human beings have inflicted on me. But how...? Is it not all about accountability? I am held accountable for everything I do by others. Then why is that not the expectation for them? Oh wait -maybe they feel they are above reproach or accountability? 

Accountability - everyone needs it. Everyone needs to be responsible for all their actions whether they are good or bad. That is what is wrong with our land today because so many people before us and currently, just shrug their shoulders and turn the other way. Good grief. 

Yet, if I were to falter - I can guarantee my wrongs would-be put-on display for all to judge. Then why is that not the case for those around me? 

I take joy in knowing that one day - every single human being (regardless) of what you believe or not - will stand before the Almighty Judge, God the Father and be held accountable for all of the thoughts, the actions, and the wrongs as well as the rights that they have ever done. 

The next time you want to have a thought about something evil, remember - that too will be judged. 

Regardless of who you are. One day, there will be a Day of Reckoning. The time draws nearer each day...how are you going to answer? 

If the bird did not have a song, it would not sing. If we did not have a heartbeat, we would not breathe. 

There is time to make things right. Amends need to be made before the heart stops beating. Once that happens, it will be final. No more chances to make wrongs right or turn hate into love. Unforgiveness can be forgiven if there is true remorse. Only the person staring back at you in the mirror can control those actions. 

What is stopping you to turn the page to a new chapter in Life? 

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