How’s Your Perseverance?

by | Feb 25, 2011 | Contemplation, People

I am a big fan of the Enneagram, which outlines the nine basic personality types of human nature. Each type has a basic motivation which drives their ego, and also a basic essence or worldview at their root. I am, for the most part, a five on the Enneagram, also known...

Being Challenged, Artistically that is!

by | Feb 23, 2011 | Inspiration, Photography

At this time of year, I do find it hard to get outside and photograph. And this month has been particularly awful, with a treacherous foot thick layer of ice in our driveway and on the roads. Thankfully, the ice is now gone but the cold lingers. However, two of my...

5 Ways to Stay in the Flow

by | Feb 21, 2011 | Books, Inspiration

In his book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (paid link), Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, outlines how being in a state of flow can enhance both creativity and happiness. Csíkszentmihályi defines flow as: “… completely focused motivation, a...

Meet the Artist ~ Gumnut Inspired

by | Feb 16, 2011 | Inspiration, People

This is the second interview on Be Inspired. Today, you will meet the lovely and talented Gumnut Inspired, an artist I met through The Thriving Artists Project with Melissa Dinwiddie. Nutty, as she calls herself, is the person responsible for the design of my pdf...

Who Will You Thank Today?

by | Feb 11, 2011 | Books, Inspiration, People

Gratitude is key to a happy and successful life! Do you believe this? I know that shit happens. I can’t begin to tell you about all the crappy stuff that is happening in some of my friend’s and families lives right now. But even most of these things...

Comfortable with Change

by | Feb 9, 2011 | Photography

I spent 14 years watching this, my favorite tree, change color. Actually, it’s my favorite because it’s really two trees that look like one. In 2007,  I decided to document it for an entire year. In 2010, it was taken down for a new house. The wood was...

Thoughts on Being Iced In

by | Feb 7, 2011 | Contemplation, Inspiration, Photography

Last week was an interesting one, that’s for sure. Weather was crazy in many places and Indiana was no exception. It started Monday night with a downpour of sleet. Yes, it looked like it was pouring rain but left a thick layer of ice. We got a short reprieve,...

9 Ways to Tap into Your Creativity

by | Feb 4, 2011 | Books, Inspiration

Inspiration is the impulse which precedes creativity. Matthew Fox is a prolific author and progressive Christian. One of his many books is simply called Creativity (paid link). There is a spiritual focus to the book, but it is also chock full of great insights for...

Meet Melissa Dinwiddie, ARTpreneur

by | Jan 31, 2011 | Inspiration, People

I am excited to introduce the first interview post on Be Inspired. Melissa Dinwiddie is someone I have only met recently but definitely fits the mold of inspirational people. Melissa Dinwiddie is a multi-passionate, creative ARTpreneur. You read that right. Inspiring...

Grace and Four Blocks to Openness

by | Jan 28, 2011 | Contemplation, Inspiration

I love the word grace. Someone who moves with grace is considered to be elegant in manner and actions. To say grace before a meal is an act of humble thankfulness. To offer someone grace is to grant them a favor, or mercy, or some expression of goodwill. In...