Books That Add Daily Clarity

Mark Twain points out that simply being in a bookstore, library or even seeing own book collection causes an "absorption of wisdom" yet opening those books and actually reading books is what truly satisfies.

I have several books that make it to my daily reading. My main course is the Bible, especially Psalms and Proverbs, and the gospels. Add to the menu: Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach, which is truly "A Daybook of Comfort and Joy" as well as Moments that Matter by Catherine Marshall. I'll write about the latter right now.

My respect of Catherine Marshall goes back to my junior high school days of working in the library. I picked out a book named "Christy" from the free book box not really knowing who or what it was about. To my surprise I couldn't put the book and down and read the whole book within a week. I have in fact read it 4-5 mores throughout my life as well as reading other works written by her: Adventures in Prayer, A Man called Peter and Something More.

Daily devotionals are not so easy to match to where you are spiritually, some are too dry, others ramble and some just miss the mark. But Moments that Matter seem to speak each day to things that make sense, and digs into those deep places inside your life and thinking with a concise clarity of wisdom that actually makes sense. I am always amazed that the topic each day directly related to something I am working through in reality. It's my favorite book of all, read daily with even the letters of the cover worn off.

On Oct. 12 she writes about Psalm 139:17 and God's Plan for each life and how we wander off His path at time, often keeping people from returning to Him because of mistakes made. Here is how she wraps up God knowing everything about us and how He precedes and follows us:

"Most of us believe God can handle the 'befores' provided we cooperate; but that He can also walk into our past and correct our mistakes, that seems too good to be true."

I highly recommend this devotional as one to further your understanding of God's personal love and interest in your life. She writes with utter transparency and inspiration about this often complex journey of being a believer.

Did I mention that the pages are paper that is silky smooth and engraved in gold etching of flowers and delightfully designed? This devotional is just the right size to fit in a drawer by your bedside table, a drawer in your office and a meaningful gift for anyone.

Tell me, what's your daily read?

Barbara

Check out Anew Life Coaching Rediscovering the Art of Living 

Coaching for Veterans from Stand Beside Them is a wonderful resource for our military members. "Our sons and daughters have stood by us, 2.5 million of them since 2001, unconditionally with incredible courage, commitment to duty, honor, and integrity, at great sacrifice. Now it’s our turn to stand beside them." -Stephanie Richmond, Founder & CEO, Stand Beside Them, Inc.

Launching a Practice...

The practice of Life Coaching that is! 

It's been nearly a year since completing a Life Coaching course, and one year of study with Argosy University towards a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I gained a passion for working with people during my time as a Sales and Business Development manager where simple practices of setting goals, working plans and writing out goals and dreams were foundational to lives changing for the better both personally and business wise.

During the last years of employment I had the honor of mentorship by a very wise manager who being immersed in Stephen Covey's "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" guided me into a realm of self actualization. The focus on was coaching others to realize the same seven principles by practice and education and all without judgement. He clued me into all the puzzle pieces of unlocking other peoples potential in ways that were meaningful to them. It was not normal management using methods of telling but of asking. Lots of questions. Asking questions at levels which brought about insight and revelation to the one giving answers.

All those experiences opened my eyes to a new calling and ultimately gave cause to leave the corporate world of sales into this new vocation of Life Coaching. My aim is to become an Art Therapist when I finally finish my Master's but in the meantime, it's a goal to practice the art of Life Coaching - a life ANew!

Here's the website just made this week: 
ANew Life Coaching and the facebook page as well: ANew Life Coaching - Facebook

Ranting on Craigslist Want Ads

It's become clear that finding jobs or employing people is not as simple as before. Searching is exhausting and employers demand far more from one person then should be. I posted this 6 days ago in the Arts | Media | Design category of jobs on Craigslist.

To Artists and company who seek to employ Artists: 

Everyday I read the various job posting from businesses and companies who want artists/graphics/web designers to work for them. You give an extensive grocery list of numerous, sometimes exotic ingredients needed to fulfill the tasks needed to run your business. You require degrees, experience of so many years, credentials, and proof of artistic ability.  

Really? You obviously don't know anything about how creative people live, move and breathe.  

Did you ever once think that artistic and creative people don't fit in your tidy little boxed jobs that pay a pittance for the things you ask for? First of all you are asking far too much of one person to do your print design, multi-media projects and web design and programming.  

You want ONE person to perform the work of at least THREE creative souls, and then pay them peanuts to jump and dance for their supper.
Seriously, are you stuck in the middle age thinking that you are the Lord of the Manor and we are your subjective surfs?  

As for all the graphic designers, artist, web people and anyone creative, you are selling yourself short by taking jobs from these JOB IN A BOX thinking companies. I know we all need income and work to stay afloat in this world especially with the economic challenges that our dear crumbling government has bestowed on us.  

We sell ourselves short by being the square peg pushed into the convenient round circle of the corporate American dream to be an artist or designer. Then it chips away our creativity until we are just rats on a wheel. Really? Is this what you signed up for when you paid for your expensive degree - $10 - $20 an hour grinding away at a job where you are under appreciated and under paid?
Viewing the job search in the creative ads in Craigslist is like lending yourself for a torture chamber experiment.  

I would rather work on a farm, in a grocery store or garden shop then to slave myself out to a company or business who wants to kill the Golden Goose -- the creativity inside me to create works they get paid extraordinary dollars for.
I am tired of sending out resumes and never hearing back from these businesses that simply don't get people at all, especially creative people. It's not just the pay I am asking for its recognition for a gift that can't be licensed, degreed or used without the utmost respect and appreciation. So this being said, I don't want your job offers unless you can give that in return.  

If you are likeminded, let me know! Perhaps we can educate the general public to the beauty of our gifts to this world that actually are meant to bring that giftedness out in everyone we meet, have contact with and know!  

"Art is an act of the soul, not the intellect. When we are dealing with people's dreams - their visions, really - we are in the realm of the sacred. We are involved with forces and energies larger than our own. We are engaged in a sacred transaction of which we know only a little: the shadow, not the shape." ― Julia Cameron

Living a Creative Life

To live a creative life, you must lose your fear of being wrong. -Joseph Chilton Pearce

1976 Still Life

 I took my first steps towards becoming a painter in art  by taking classes by professional artists who truly knew what they were doing. I chose against Art College or degrees because I rarely saw any professor famous for their art. I did read about the artists who became great for their passion to paint, create and show their work simply because they had nothing else but that. Can you imagine that several of the greatest artists were rejected by schools of art?

During the years of learning to draw, mix colors and paint I copied other artworks, still life settings and practiced all the time wondering when it would simply just flow. Teachers gave instruction, but it was up to me to draw from that inner well of creative fires. Years of classes passed and fear of making mistakes took its toll. I would shrink sitting in front of blank canvases, fearful that I had no ideas or that it wouldn't turn out a masterpiece. I simply gave up art.

1998

Then a incredible time arose when living overseas. I met another artist who showed me how to break out of being a camera artist of perfection and make friends with mistakes and lessor works. We simply just worked on painting whatever came into our heads. The cloud of fear lifted and the flow now unclogged, trickled small works at first.  Just like priming a dry water pump takes some patience and and time, the flood of amazing art sprung into existence the more I worked my arts.

All fears set aside, mistakes were now blended into every painting created. I lost my fear of being wrong, lessor or a failure. I live the creative life in joy.




You can see my earlier works in this gallery which opened today:
http://barbara-beckazar.artistwebsites.com/art/all/amalgamarts+beginning+works/all

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LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS  Choose Clarity

Yin and Yang of Technology

I'm taking a college course in information technology including learning more about spreadsheets and how to make it work for daily use. We had to write about 3 things that we use on a regular basis. I cited address book and contact information, GPS maps on a phone and of word processing with graphic design programs as all making my work and home life easier. Then I pondered the impact of dependance on these devices... What would happen if we didn't have them?

All the ways we use as technology are so common we are all quite dependent on them. It's hard to imagine not having a phone around for the multiple tasks it offerers: call, texts, contact list, calendar and even figuring tips and simple math like discounts at stores. In some ways it's a bit sad, because figuring out numbers in our head is good for the brain as is writing letters and card and using postage.

Here are some of my thoughts about technology from another view as well as quotes along with some powerful questions to ask yourself if you are reading this.

Who would have ever thought even 10 years ago a phone could take pictures, be used as a level, a compass or to play games with? These devices have become the electronic control centers to many a persons home and business. In my mind I make a conscious effort of balance between my own control of real life and the virtual life.

What are your thoughts about being dependent on technology?

The flip side of technology can be ominous. Have you read the book "1984" by George Orwell? His prediction about technology taking over the world is a very dark picture of how computers are destructive to history and human relationships. He writes about Newspeak as the way the world communicates, thinks and behaves.

Are we headed that way ourselves?

Quotes from 1984:

"Don't you see the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the language of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible because there will be no words in which to express it"
— George Orwell (1984)

"If you can feel that staying human is worth while, even when it can't have any result whatever, you've beaten them."
— George Orwell (1984)

Quotes about the other side of technology:

Once upon a time we were just plain people.  But that was before we began having relationships with mechanical systems.  Get involved with a machine and sooner or later you are reduced to a factor.  ~Ellen Goodman, "The Human Factor," The Washington Post, January 1987

This is perhaps the most beautiful time in human history; it is really pregnant with all kinds of creative possibilities made possible by science and technology which now constitute the slave of man - if man is not enslaved by it.  ~Jonas Salk

Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards.  ~Aldous Huxley
It is a medium of entertainment which permits millions of people to listen to the same joke at the same time, and yet remain lonesome.  ~T.S. Eliot, about radio

Tell me your thoughts!

References:
Technology Quotes Retrieved 3/2/2013 from : http://www.quotegarden.com/technology.html

1984 Quotes Retrieved 3/2/2013: http://www.goodreads.com/ Search 1984 George Orwell and Quotes.

Establishing the work of our hands

Let the beauty of the Lord God be upon us and establish the work of our hands for us.” Psalm 90:17

My prayer this year 2013 is for clarity, simplicity and to experience the abundance of life that Christ the Lord promised to those who seek Him. It’s His beauty in teaching forgiveness, love and mercy that frees us from the darkened world of sin replaced by the light of truth and wisdom. Only then will the work of our hands be blessed and established.

If we are influenced by the media, Hollywood movies, politics, current events, the narrow focus on whats wrong with America where do we find hope? If all the division of parties and peoples, the hatred between religions, racism, progressive liberalism, socialism, communism, verses capitalism and conservatism — all these schisms prove only that we are doomed. 

Despite the overwhelming darkness in global world affairs and economies, unrest in the peoples lives, and unending corruption and wickedness in the political arena, I remain certain that it’s “the beauty of our Lord God” that reigns above and beyond all else. No twisting of history, or promise of political change will ever bring down or replace the Sovereign place of Creator God or the written word of scriptures.

The One true God gave us His WORD (son of God) and to those who believe and have faith they are rooted and grounded in the eternal kingdom of God sheltered under His wing of care. (Read Psalm 91) Standing on the Word I have no fear for myself, family or friends and for that matter my country, this nation. God is not a mere wisp of deity made up in any mans mind, but He is there, and in the words of Francis Schaeffer “not Silent.”

Go ahead and read it yourself: the Torah/Holy Bible contain truths that cannot be shattered.  The word gives hope, a future and guidelines in opposition to Human secularism, occultic influences, and political power trips, and the emptiness of consumerism and celebrity worship. Even the emerging watered down churches filled with entertainment value cannot diminish beauty of our Lord God and the eternal truth that there is Heaven and there is Hell. You are either once born or twice born through His son, Jesus Christ. If you don’t believe it’s your choice of free will and between you and your maker. Jesus commanded us to love our fellow man even when they don’t agree, love is the sign of a true believer.

The greatest evil of all was the death of the innocent Son of Man crucified. You see there is nothing new under the sun, this world has seen evil days before and God is not unaware. On the contrary, He beckons us back to Himself-to the origins of our faith back to the written Word.  We are to carry our concerns, and daily needs in prayer to Him, replacing fear with faith. 

For now I’m in agreement with 2 Chronicles 7:14 seeking God and turning from my own wicked ways and humbling myself to pray not only for me, but for our nation. 

 “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

~~~~
LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS with clairty. 
Choose Clarity

Don't Throw a Good Thing Away

USING A P&G SWIFFER MOP?

Think again! In 2008 I wrote about Proctor and Gamble and their ploy to deceive customers with their mops, squeeze dollars out of us with their mop and dusting systems as well as increase the amount of waste products in cleaning solution bottles and disposable pads. You can read that Blog post  here: BABY COME BACK . Clearly P&G gets a huge THUMBS DOWN. 

Here's a Great Company for Mops! 

My new LIBMAN mop is superior to P&G’s system. It comes with a washable pad, and a container that you can fill with any cleaner you like. Plus if you click on the link to their website you get a $5 mail-in rebate! I bought my new mop last year and highly recommend it. I use it with my favorite cleaners from Melaleucca or Gold Canyon Candles Rosemary Floor cleaner. It means a lot to save money these days as well as to protect the waste of environmental hazards. Libman clearly stands for all these issues.

All about LIBMAN from their website:

Bringing the world a better way to clean through innovation, design and quality. For over 110 years, the Libman family has made quality their utmost priority. William Libman started The Libman Company in 1896 with one mission; to make the finest, most durable wire-wound corn brooms. William’s sons, grandsons and great grandchildren have since expanded that mission to include the finest mops, brooms, brushes and cleaning tools.

From now on, LIBMAN in my choice of cleaning tools.

This all American company provides us with CHOICES, savings and tips to clean that are truly GREEN and truly is an environmentally responsible company. Their products are for the home, outside, industrial use and refills or replacement parts for them all. 

It's important to give word of mouth advertising especially when things work. So don't believe the BABY COME BACK commercials or any for that matter.

Try LIBMAN products. If they work and you are happy, like them on FaceBook!

Then tell everyone you know about the products that work for you. In fact, write to me letting me know your very favorite companies and products. I'll feature them on this blog! 

The Yin & Yang of Life

My mother gave me a diary when I was in the 4th grade. It was her practice to write daily and she figured it would be good for me as well. It was red and had a key which made it very special. In those days I reported what any normal fourth grade girl would write: went to school, took a bath, fought with my brothers, washed the dishes and so forth. By the time I turned fourteen I discovered life wasn't so easy, my hormones changes and everything seemed chaotic. Writing it all out felt good. Now the little diaries were replaced by notebooks, and became a practice of mine to this day. I have boxes of these spiraled notes, or composition books in black and white awaiting a time in the future to be read by me.


It's was always my habit to use journaling as a dumping place for all the dark thinking, griping, bad days and things that just simply confounded me locked inside my head with no other place to go except a page in a notebook. I even used to own a black paper  notebook  allowing me to write in pencil so that not even I could decipher the junk being written down. That one eventually ended up in a ceremonial burning and departure from a bad time in my life. For the most part anger to rage to sadness and desperation filled many pages releasing my mind from sinister grips of bad thinking. That is the content of my lifelong journaling. They were a friend to me when no human being could possibly understand or so I thought.


On occasion a poem, prose or  "aha moments" of enlightenment or resolution, graced a page or two with even illustrations to boot! There were many prayers, recordings of memorable events or dreams. I suppose there is even a yin and yang to everything in life. Black ink on white paper (or visa versa), good and bad, hard and easy, male and female, complaining or gratefulness. 


This year, I immersed myself in reading a devotional called Moments that Matter by Catherine Marshall - a womanly sage, full of deep yet gentle wisdom. She takes a day with a promise of scripture, an example from life and paints her words like a Masterpiece concisely into something worth remembering. She is never judgmental or trite, always open-ended with room to apply the meditations to my life.


I realized that all my writing doesn't have to be about darkness. I experience so much good, pleasant times and memories. I determined with her influence and authoring model to spend more time in authentic stories, with gratitude, noble messages, and solution based writing. That and keeping things short, which in case you haven't noticed, is very difficult for me to do! There is always room for improvement...


~~~~
LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS with clarity. 
Choose Clarity

Nothing New Under the Son

Let the beauty of the Lord God be upon us and establish the work of our hands for us.” Psalm 90:17

My prayer this year is for clarity, simplicity and to experience the abundance of life that Christ the Lord promised to those who seek Him. It’s His beauty in teaching forgiveness, love and mercy that frees us from the darkened world of sin replaced by the light of truth and wisdom. Only then will the work of our hands be blessed and established.

If we are influenced by the media, Hollywood movies, politics, current events, the narrow focus on whats wrong with America where do we find hope? If all the division of parties and peoples, the hatred between religions, racism, progressive liberalism, socialism, communism, verses capitalism and conservatism — all these schisms prove only that we are doomed. 

Despite the overwhelming darkness in global world affairs and economies, unrest in the peoples lives, and unending corruption and wickedness in the political arena, I remain certain that it’s “the beauty of our Lord God” that reigns above and beyond all else. No twisting of history, or promise of political change will ever bring down or replace the Sovereign place of Creator God or the written word of scriptures.

The One true God gave us His WORD (son of God) and to those who believe and have faith they are rooted and grounded in the eternal kingdom of God sheltered under His wing of care. (Read Psalm 91) Standing on the Word I have no fear for myself, family or friends and for that matter my country, this nation. God is not a mere wisp of deity made up in any mans mind, as in a title of Francis Schaeffer's book “He is there, not Silent.”

Go ahead and read it yourself: the Torah/Holy Bible contain truths that cannot be shattered.  The word gives hope, a future and guidelines in opposition to Human secularism, occultic influences, and political power trips, and the emptiness of consumerism and celebrity worship. Even the *emerging watered down churches filled with entertainment value cannot diminish beauty of our Lord God and the eternal truth that there is Heaven and there is Hell. You are either once born or twice born through His son, Jesus Christ. If you don’t believe it’s your choice of free will and between you and your maker. Jesus commanded us to love our fellow man even when they don’t agree, love is the sign of a true believer.

The greatest evil of all was the death of the innocent Son of Man crucified. You see there is nothing new under the sun, this world has seen evil days before and God is not unaware. On the contrary, He beckons us back to Himself-to the origins of our faith back to the written Word.  We are to carry our concerns, and daily needs in prayer to Him, replacing fear with faith. 

For now I’m in agreement with 2 Chronicles 7:14 seeking God and turning from my own wicked ways and humbling myself to pray not only for me, but for our nation. Not only our nation but for you if you are reading and have no hope!

 “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

*Just a note about the emerging church here in the West. I was at a point when "Church-ianity" failed to satisfy my longing to know God. Then the most amazing pastors crossed my path with knowledge of the Old Testament, Jewish history and opened the truths of the New Testament as I never heard before. 


Their Biblical, spirit filled teaching changed my spiritual walk with Messiah Jeusus forever. When Christians aren't fed from the Vine of Judaism they will forever be disconnected from the plan of God. You can find these special Pastors still teaching truth of Scripture after many years since.


Here's the link: http://www.pastorfrank.com/ 
~~~~
LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS with clarity. 
Choose Clarity

Ordinary Daily Tasks

Keep Nice...
Words my OCD husband uses on a daily basis to reinforce my "Daily Tasks" of meditation. It takes huge efforts for me to put things back where they belong, keep things neat and ordered, as well as make the bed, wash dishes and put them away, and even polish the sink daily along with cleaning the counters. Sounds like a lot - but these are the things that glued my mind back together. You know the "before mind" that thought the only life was outside the home, and always wanted a maid to do all my cleaning. Well, truthfully it's still my wish!

I imagined that brushing my teeth or putting on makeup as a time to reflect & pray, while looking at me with care and gentleness. It worked for me during the worst down days, when all seemed dark and gloomy. These daily tasks actually brought me back in touch literally to the world of homemaking and sense of self.

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A Balanced Life

I will praise You, for I am fearfully & wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, & that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:13-15

I've found much balance being home, away from the work world the past two years. The spiritual growth makes up for the loss of job, status and income. Homemaking - something that always plagued my creative self, actually became a pleasurable focus. The art of cooking, keeping things organized and straight and homey is my daily meditation on what's important in life. A reminder that feeding and nourishing the soul is reflected through the home I live in including caring for the house. What used to be neglected due to the demands of a job that overtook my time, energy and even space indicating neglect is now a harmonious, ordered ambience reflecting a place of nourishment and well being. Trust me, it's not perfectly clean, not Better Homes & Gardens - it is comfortable!

I simply  forgot about nourishment of soul, being content, satisfied in the knowledge that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by Creator God. Just like weeds overgrowing a garden when not picked immediately, it was me who allowed work to overtake my existence replacing all else. I can't blame the job or even the career choice. I assume responsibility for becoming workaholic, losing touch with what's important and personal, people, my belongings and messy house. But all that changed.

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LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS clearly. 
Choose Clarity

Begin Again

CLEAR NEW BEGINNINGS
A lot of time has passed since writing here. My poor blogs have lain dormant long enough, time to plow up the sleep soil and plant new seeds for a blooming garden of new thoughts and ideas. This blog was certainly on the chopping block, due to it's neglect and lack of direction. Yet the thought of removing it just didn't sit well. Clarity is something I've worked hard on over the last two years and sharing that journey seems appropriate at this time. I have several notebooks full of recorded thoughts about the road I've travelled. It's time to share. Hopefully to find readers and contributors as well.

Posts will be short and sweet, sometimes sour or painful. Everyday talk, as well the things we use to make life will be looked at. Let's see what grows from seeds planted long ago!

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LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS with clarity. 
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thanksgiving...

there is no thanksgiving without knowledge of God who created the universe and all mankind. we now face recession, layoffs, political corruption, moral decay and all things that rob one of "joy". for a nation of people who allowed a handful of people to take GOD out of our schools, public view and other things, does it wonder the fail of society to hold us all together in unity? a nation that worships the creations i.e. celebrities, sports stars and designers all idols but not the God who created them? at this point i simply sigh with deep sadness for those without knowledge of the Ancient of Days, Almighty God who sent his Son Jesus to offer redemption to the world and forgiveness.

i write with gratitude to Creator of all things for our daily bread, for family, hope, faith and love which sustains us all regardless of unbelief, doubt or denial of the existence of God. nothing the "world" of governments, corporations or media remotely matches the deep satisfaction that faith and the word of God can give.

i am thankful for freedom. this a God given right to all humanity. Freedom which diminish each day by power hungry politicians leading blinded people into snares. for they will reap what they sow into eternity for leading them astray. freedom to choose good over evil and blessing over curses.

i am thankful my eyes were opened to receive the good news of the Gospel of Christ who set me free to choose life.

Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute

Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute

Shared via AddThis

A Salute to an All American Company

I am serving up some good news to your friends and neighbors — letting YOU know about Dreyer's Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute. In 5 years, 7,500 parties Dryers has GIVEN ice parties to over 75,000 happy neighbors.

Had enough bad news about companies, fraud and greed? Then check this story out. About 3 months I ago I came across a site contest asking for a short essay on why I think my neighborhood deserved an Ice Cream Party. First you must know that I love ice cream. Second, that my neighborhood is only 2 years old and was abandoned by it's builder due to the economic downturn and we have empty lots all over with a handful of actual residents. So, based on those two things I wrote to Dryers and entered the contest.

A month ago I received an email along with a real live letter through snail mail, both telling me I won. Out of 1500 applicants my story won! WOW. An ice cream party in Tucson and in my neighborhood. So today on July 25th I am preparing for this party. They sent me a box of goodies: apron with their logo, yard signs, name tags, door hangers with information, cups, spoons, napkins, even a Sharpie marker to fill things. I have a fistful of coupons for free ice cream, along with a camera for pictures.

The online the site has invitations, games, and projects for empty ice cream cartons along with instructions on how to give a great party. All this for FREE. Can you believe it? In an downturned economy Dreyers believe enough in our citizenship to give. I am actually stunned and honored to have won this prize. It's more than the ice cream it is hope and renewed respect for those businesses that care. From now on Dryers Ice Cream will be the only brand in my freezer.

So DRYERS ICE CREAM company wins the award for best company in America - for building communities in a positive way, donating back to the consumers with good will - no strings attached! I'll post about the party after it's done. By the way, after walking the neighborhood, I met lots of neat people who are happy that this is happening.

YOUR CHOICE: is PG GREEN?

I like good cleaning products. I like companies who I can trust have my well-being in mind. P&G state that do just that:

P&G is committed to social responsibility. We are always seeking ways to better integrate economic progress, social development and environmental concerns to ensure a better quality of life for future generations.

My experience tell me there are small reasons for dissention of P&G’s social responsibility.
Take the BABY COME BACK
Swiffer Wet or Dry Sweeper. I like this product. It’s easy to use, makes the floor clean and fresh smelling. On the flip side, you have to buy Cleaner Solution refills at $3.50 per 1 liter that lasts for about 6 large floor mops. Then you buy pack of 12 pads for $6.15. I’d say you use 3-4 solution bottles for every 4-6 pads. I’m not good at math, but keeping a clean floor using this method costs a lot of money.
They want us to buy this product so we will need them forever. Just like the song: ““Baby come back! You can blame it all on me…I was wrong, and I just cant live without you.” Think about the landfill and all those plastic bottles and dirty pads. Lots of post consumer waste … And yes Mr. Procter and Gamble -- baby, we will blame it all on you!

Wikipedia on P&G Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have identified Procter & Gamble as the 52nd-largest corporate producer of air pollution in the United States, with roughly 350,000 pounds of toxic chemicals released annually into the air.

On the other hand, Procter & Gamble has for several years funded a recycling school in the slums of Cairo, Egypt. The project teaches the people of the village how to properly recycle plastic and also the business and economics of recycling. So why not here in America?

I think we just need to communicate better with American Corporations. P&G's website is excellent. There are many resources like their Every Day Solutions pages... http://tinyurl.com/everydaysolutions with suggestions on Losing weight by House cleaning! (something I should be doing right now!

So check their website, find the products and write reviews. Let them know we want products that aren't so costly and are safe for the environment without all the plastic refill bottles. Then pass this link out to your your email lists so they too can choose clearly what's good for our earth.

P&G WEBSITE or send your thoughts directly CONTACT P&G
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CHOOSE CLARITY: BEGINNINGS...

Clarity synonyms: lucidity, simplicity, precision, intelligibility, and transparency.

Watercolors… In learning to choose clarity begin with what you think. We know our world by observation and thoughts. Our thoughts are either clear or hazy, confused or enlightened. What we observe leads to a vast assortment of thoughts. Thinking is much like watercolor painting.

When I think of clarity it brings me back to my first watercolor class, and the color wheel. I learned everything about art and life from those classes. We started with looking at subjects then drawing what we see. We used pencil sketches, then drawing skills, onto what makes a form i.e. shadows, highlights and median light. We finally were allowed to play with color by making our own color wheel. Until that class I’d never made a color wheel from scratch – those were always printed and paint tubes were already mixed. That class opened my eyes to many things.

I learned all colors originate from the primary red, yellow and blue hues. Primary colors are the purest form, as they stand alone, not produced from other colors. Mixing colors breaks the pure primaries down but also gives new range of tints and hues. Orange, green and violet come next. Then to the tertiary level blends into Yellow orange, Red orange, yellow green, blue green, red violet, blue violet.

Watercolors are known for their luminous glow, soft blends and often-brilliant hues. When mixing watercolors, one jar of clear water is used in the mixing and another jar is used for rinsing brushes. Contaminating the clear water with unclean brushes makes for impure color thus muddy paint. Muddy colors create flat, dull and lackluster paintings, not likely to gain viewer attention and best left for the trash heap.

Luminosity in watercolor painting is the aspiration for all artists in every work. That means the colors you paint with are pure and mixed properly. Luminosity comes from the shine of the white paper glowing beneath the applied paint. It can also mean that paper doesn’t show but the color is pure and richly shines on it’s own. Losing transparency defeats the purpose of purity and kills the glow. There is a point in each work that defines the time to stop work and finish. Many of my paintings have passed that point and ended up trash. Well, I did paint on the other side to save on paper!

Watercolor is one of the most difficult mediums to master. I faced my doubts and fears about being artist by learning to paint. It took me many years and hours of practice to create watercolors worth keeping. Now I’m an artist who loves to paint with watercolor. I’m challenged in new works to keep things pure, luminous within my own style and from what I see, not only in art but in life as well.

You see, the process of training, method of painting and disciplined practice gave me solid basis to become a fine artist. It built my confidence and chased away the doubts that plagued my mind about my skills and talent. It always seemed I never measured up to other peoples level and certainly not the history of masters over the centuries. My teacher explained to me that talent wasn’t the only thing making a person an artist. The best artists were self- motivated taught and trained. Talent without training often led to nowhere.

This process showed me a standard of measure and wonderful springboard into clear thinking. more on that later.

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