Update

Attempting to consolidate the slightly defunct 2007 blog with the more recent indspark website. A lot of exciting developments are beginning to occur- check out news to follow.

Cleaning revisited

In preparation, for school start, I am back in cleaning mode. I have revisited Peter Walsh’s book, “It’s All Too Much” (see Spring Cleaning post) and I am therapeutically fighting my way through the clutter again. Hopefully, this time for good!

The 4 Hour Work Week

I just listened to The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris and was invigorated to hear a like minder speak a shared life philosophy of  living life now. While I am not quite as advanced or out there as Ferris, I drew alot of inspiration from what he said and will absolute aim to integrate some of his ideas into my daily living.

Vacation

I am now returning from a fabulous road trip of New England and parts of the Hudson area of New York in the USA. New England is composed of the states of Maine, Massachusettes, New Hampshire, Vermont, Conneticut and Rhode Island. My family flew into Boston rented a SUV fitted with a GPS system of which we subsequently called Mary. If ever you should venture a road trip…..in the US or outside….I HIGHLY recommend the use of a GPS system. It can be a lifesaver as well as saving you from countless discussions with your spouse or driving partner or backseat drivers.

If you are interested in more on our actual trip…..see my companion blog….http://theexperientist.wordpress.com

until next time……

Post Its on your desktop

Perhaps this is not new to everybody but, it was new to me and I have been interested in just such a little piece of handy software.  So, what am I talking about? Well, actually I am talking about Dema Virtual Notes. They are easy to use, flexible and actually being freeware, well, they are free for your downloading pleasure.

I’ll be baaahk

It would seem that the time bandits I thought I had shaken- I’d not shaken at all. However, it is very late (or early, dependent upon your perspective) and I am now very tired so although nothing more will be happening right now, this blog is not defunct. I’ll be baahk (Schwarzenegger is probably well tired of that line) But I’m not. Catch you next time.

Time Bandits

Well, suddenly it happened again. A blink of an eye and “wuptzie” the time bandits have attacked again. At the risk of sounding extremely self important, I will invoke the well worn cliché of there not being enough hours in the day. Truth be told some days this feels true but, mainly it isn’t. If there were more hours then chances are that I, for one, would not be more effective but, chances are less effective relying on the false security of extra time. (Wow, this is a real rambler…..my apologizies, especially to any foreign visitors.)

Sometimes, however, one does just need to ramble. I didn’t want this blog to become defunct so here I am rambling away. I am working on getting my ”actual” site up while simultaneously managing several other projects, and as I started off saying suddenly I was attacked by the time bandits. Time to blog went from sparse to spartan. Can I even say that? Well, sure I can but, does it make sense? Well what I mean is that (excuses, excuses) I got sidetracked. Sorry, I’ll try not to let it happen again.

So, how have you been? I hope that you all have had an enjoyable week and are making your own plans to make the coming week even more so. Make yourself a priority in your life. You’d be surprised how many people don’t. Do something nice for yourself.  Time bandits or not. Little things mean alot- in the big picture and especially over time. Invest in you cause you are your own best investment.

talk to you soon…..

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Actually….everything.

Well, the weekend is just about over and time to adjust ones mindset toward the week to come. I enjoyed time with my family, eating good food, having lazy mornings and taking care of (the neverending) domestic tasks that fill everyday and weekend life.

In between, I have also managed to make a big dent in my latest literary acquisition. Robert Fritz’, Creating: A practical guide to the creative process and how to use it to create anything- a work of art, a relationship, a career or a better life.

According to Fritz, “Love is what creating is about. The love comes first, and the situation later. In the creative process, love is generative rather than simply responsive. A creator is able to love something that does not yet exist-even in the imagination-and bring it into existence. From nothing something is formed.”

Wow!

As a creative being  and a mother. I wholeheartedly agree.

I am always on the look out for interesting theories, methods, trends, innovative thoughts, etc…. While getting my Master’s of Science Degree in Information Technology (Design, Communication and Media); I began spending a great deal of time more formally investigating my interest in creativity and innnovation. Fritz’ 1991 book is of great interest because it speaks of the creative process in broad and useful terms. Most of the books I read on creativity are found in bookstore educational or design sections this is the first to come from the self help section but, it is just as valid and applicable as education or trade literature. The book is broken down into four parts which include: the creative process, distinctions, creating what matters to you and the many universes of a creator. I read through the first two parts in an evening (actually night for me). Now I am looking forward to getting to the meat.

Fall in love with the idea and create the life you want.

The secret

Over the past few days I have been occupied with finding out more about this The Secret buzz. Apparently quite popular in the States after being shown on Oprah twice and once on Larry King.

I quite coincidently ran into a very interesting and talented expat that I have known for years but, with whom I never had really spoken. After not having seen her for years, I ran into her twice within a one week period and found that there were strange commonalities and shared interests between us. The second day I ran into her, we decided to go for an impromptu coffee and enjoyed a quite extensive conversation on many things. At one point, she laughed and pulled out a DVD that she had bought to see my reaction. The DVD was The Secret and my expression was blank. 

Until that moment I knew nothing of it. She laughed a little again and said, okay then, I’m gonna send you a link and you check it out. Here it is: http://www.universallawstoday.com/secret.html.

Well, being the infamous infomaniac that I am, at first opportunity I opened the link and began viewing these short films. 11 in all each approximately 7 minutes long. Again timing being everything.

I have spent years headed towards this philosophy through a range of books, workshops, people, sites and experiences. The format however in “The secret” makes the philosophy unfold in an easy, interesting, if not, slightly dramatic, clear manner. I did do a bit of distilling but, ultimately for me, it is an impowering piece of work that provides a bit of INDSPARK (see the first entry) to move forward towards achieving my own dreams and quality of life. Perhaps it can do the same for you?

I don’t know , but, life can be difficult enough so, I am appreciative when extended a helping hand. You decide what works for you.

Thanks C for letting me in on The Secret.

Until the next time…..

Spring Cleaning

Well, the sun is presently shining in Copenhagen and a feeling of spring is in the air. I am purging years worth of clutter in an earnest attempt to simplify, improve the living space and overall life quality for my family. A tall order, perhaps, but one certainly worth the effort. More is not better. Often, more is just more.  Sometimes, more is complicated and other times more is just bad.

I recently listened to Peter Walsh’s book, “It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff “. I downloaded mine from www.audible.com but, you decide where and in what form you want it if at all. I am big on multi-tasking and audio books pleasantly allows you to use your hands for other things while enjoying the latest book. Listening to audiobooks is one of the great enablers for catching up on your reading, learning new skills, escaping into a faraway adventure or getting self help on the fly while doing a host of other things-walking, riding or cleaning, to name a few. After 6 hours of listening to Walsh’s book on clutter management, I was motivated to tackle clutter I had ignored for years. Over the last 48 hours, I have given away the equivalent of 9 large green garbage bags of clothes, kitchenware, books, toys, etc… and I have thrown out 5 garbage bags of shredded paper and a few bags of miscellaneous junk. I have also set a date to have 10 additional garbage bags picked up for charity during the coming week.  I can, of course, not guarantee you the same results. Timing is everything. Thankfully, I chose to listen to this book right at a time when I was ready to act.