We wish you a happy safe holiday season!
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Thank you Brian at Philosophers Notes for his notes about the six core virtues for the Positive Psychology Movement which are the keys to living a happy life.
1. Wisdom
2. Courage
3. Love
4. Justice
5. Temperance
6. Spirituality
These virtues are manifested into our own personal strengths. They are your 'Virtues In Action'! Know your signature strengths, use them often, you will be happier! Then, GIVE THEM consciously and deliberately everyday in greater service to the world.. something bigger than yourself.. and you will enjoy a happy life, full of rewards and meaning.
Brian's 'Signature Strengths' (which he confirmed at authentichappiness.com) are 1. Creativity, 2. Hope & Optimism, 3. Courage, 4. Kindness & Generosity, 5. Energy & Enthusiasm 6. Wisdom.
I like t think I know myself and I can guess what my strengths are, but I am always interested in the scientific approach. So, I am working on my signature strengths analyzation at authentichappiness.com right now and will post those here soon. Join me and find out your own! And then apply them to embody these happy-making core virtues to get to the best place for you in your own life. Find your calling! Find your Authentic Happiness. :D
Labels: philosophy, success
Attributes of <TABLE>
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Labels: success, tables, web, web-design
Check how your website is seen with this new tool by google labs. You can even resize the window to every different browser size and get quite a decent idea what your visitors see. There are other similar design tools out there if you do a search for "heat maps" - another very useful step in the design process for the aspiring webmaster.
Labels: design, google, tool, web, web-design
The First Christmas Stamp The U.S. post office issued the first Christmas postage stamp in 1962. It featured a wreath and two candles and sold for four cents. Two years later, the first religious-themed Madonna and Child stamp was issued. The postal service has issued a new Christmas design every year since then with the exception of 2000, as the postage rate was scheduled to increase on January 7, 2001, and they didn't want to be saddled with a lot of leftover stamps.
link: mental_floss Blog 6 Christmas Firsts
WHO: New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
WHAT: The Art of Getting Your Story Out There - An Artist Entrepreneurial Workshop
WHEN: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 : 9:30am - 11:30am
WHERE: Concord, NH @ the Red River Theatre 12/8/09
WHY: Learn to create your Artist Statement, a Mission Statement, a Press Release or an Exhibition Proposal.
This was meant for artists - but I do believe it is a universal process.
This workshop helped explore ways to find your special reason, your empowered drive-force, the passionate story behind the work you do and meant to plunge you deep into the "why's" of your artistic journey.
How do we do that? Delving into our source.. ?
From what was presented, it is a controlled, safe environment where two or more people can talk and keep searching into "why?" Answer once, and then once you answer, again ask - "Why" - and then again, and again, and so on, and so on, etc etc until you reach the "Oooooo" moment.. emphasis on Ah-ha!
Everyone's 'Oh' moment varies and it may take some time to get there.. but it seems to work as long as the person being asked "why" feels safe. It can be done by oneself, but feedback is preferable and a somewhat faster approach or so we're told.
After the time spent doing that, and you've come to know your true source - the one which drives your creativity.. it's time to articulate it into an Artist's Statement!
The equation might look something like: (S)(CM) + CC - [x(Y)+BIT+OC] = BINGO!
The equation longhand: Your Source (S) MULTIPLIED BY a Creative Metaphor (CM) PLUS a Curiosity Compound (CC) MINUS how many (x) years (Y) you've been doing your work and boring industry terms (BIT) and overused cliches (OC) EQUALS One heck of an Artist's Statement! BINGO!
Once you can articulate that, galleries are going to be more interested in you. Customers are going to buy more from you. Success will be knocking whole-heartedly on your door and ringing the doorbell. 'Why' you ask? Haha.. because your statement of introduction has connected to your audience - through already popular story hooks.. the common threads that bind us together. Because they have found resonance with your words.. now they want to meet you to understand what this all means. This is a door that leads to confidence building, and conversations, and relationships. What you really want is to create a friendship. When you can make a friend, you can have the world! Without it, you are doomed; and if your door is never opened to begin that conversation - your business is doomed too. (Check out this one minute 14 second video to see what I mean)
Here are some typical statements in a bad Artist's Statement:
"Here is my PROCESS.
These are my MATERIALS.
This is who I have STUDIED WITH."
..snore..
Let's try again. This time:
YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT:
..is the core of your message.
..is a Vision Statement.
..has Passion.
..tells your viewer about YOU.
..gives people a reason to care about your work.
..is not like other artist statements.
..should make you want to go look at the work.
..can be a metaphor for you (symbolizing what is is you do)
..should be more about you and not about the process or tools you use.
..is intense and powerful.
..IS ALL ABOUT 'WHY' (ie: What is your story?)
It doesn't have to have all of these things listed above but be sure you are on the right tracks searching for and using these!
A good one sounds something like this:
"I see my work as a small link in the long tradition of sculptural object making, a practice that uses the language of plasticity in the creation of forms capable of storing and radiating spiritual energy. My sculptures are relatives of the organic forms that surround me in my everyday life in rural Newfoundland. Through my work I attempt to grasp the inherent rift and accord between humans and the world around us in our indefatigable search for a place between the atoms and the stars." - Luben Boykov, www.sculpturebyluben.com
Mary Petzak, editor of "Singing Your Own Praises" writes, "Publicity is recognition by someone other than the artist that there is a unique story to be told."
It's rare for people to actually care about our story and listen to when it is told. The purpose for us is to find our unique story - and then articulate it somehow in a statement so the world will be curious to learn more. Your Artist Statement can change for different purposes as long as it still talks about your core values. But see, you have not even started the first and I've got you onto another one. Take it easy, it will come. Good Luck and enjoy your process to get in tune with your own, "Artist's Statement." ..RA
Labels: success
Here they are.. after 240 questions.. My Signature Strengths:
Robin's Top Strength: Appreciation of beauty and excellence. You notice and appreciate beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience.
Robin's Second Strength: Curiosity and interest in the world. You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.
Robin's Third Strength: Forgiveness and mercy. You forgive those who have done you wrong. You always give people a second chance. Your guiding principle is mercy and not revenge.
Robin's Fourth Strength: Spirituality, sense of purpose, and faith. You have strong and coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe. You know where you fit in the larger scheme. Your beliefs shape your actions and are a source of comfort to you.
Robin's Fifth Strength: Creativity, ingenuity, and originality. Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.
Authentic Happiness gives 'your' top 24 .. so it may be useful to list them all:
Strength#6 Zest, enthusiasm, and energy Regardless of what you do, you approach it with excitement and energy. You never do anything halfway or halfheartedly. For you, life is an adventure. Strength#7 Fairness, equity, and justice Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance. Strength#8 Leadership You excel at the tasks of leadership: encouraging a group to get things done and preserving harmony within the group by making everyone feel included. You do a good job organizing activities and seeing that they happen. Strength#9 Citizenship, teamwork, and loyalty You excel as a member of a group. You are a loyal and dedicated teammate, you always do your share, and you work hard for the success of your group. Strength#10 Gratitude You are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks. Strength#11 Love of learning You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn. Strength#12 Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind. Strength#13 Capacity to love and be loved You value close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated. The people to whom you feel most close are the same people who feel most close to you. Strength#14 Honesty, authenticity, and genuineness You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretense; you are a "real" person. Strength#15 Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness You expect the best in the future, and you work to achieve it. You believe that the future is something that you can control. Strength#16 Humor and playfulness You like to laugh and tease. Bringing smiles to other people is important to you. You try to see the light side of all situations. Strength#17 Kindness and generosity You are kind and generous to others, and you are never too busy to do a favor. You enjoy doing good deeds for others, even if you do not know them well. Strength#18 Bravery and valor You are a courageous person who does not shrink from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain. You speak up for what is right even if there is opposition. You act on your convictions. Strength#19 Industry, diligence, and perseverance You work hard to finish what you start. No matter the project, you "get it out the door" in timely fashion. You do not get distracted when you work, and you take satisfaction in completing tasks. Strength#20 Social intelligence You are aware of the motives and feelings of other people. You know what to do to fit in to different social situations, and you know what to do to put others at ease. Strength#21 Caution, prudence, and discretion You are a careful person, and your choices are consistently prudent ones. You do not say or do things that you might later regret. Strength#22 Self-control and self-regulation You self-consciously regulate what you feel and what you do. You are a disciplined person. You are in control of your appetites and your emotions, not vice versa. Strength#23 Perspective (wisdom) Although you may not think of yourself as wise, your friends hold this view of you. They value your perspective on matters and turn to you for advice. You have a way of looking at the world that makes sense to others and to yourself. Strength#24 Modesty and humility You do not seek the spotlight, preferring to let your accomplishments speak for themselves. You do not regard yourself as special, and others recognize and value your modesty.
link: :: Authentic Happiness :: Using the new Positive Psychology
Labels: success
Just say "no" to contracts like this: | Lightstalkers
What are they thinking showing this to potential photography contractors? crazy I tell ya.. crazy.
Labels: photography
More from Brian:
1. Optimism - Control Your Mind
2. Vision - Find/Know Your Vision
3. Self-Awareness - Know Thyself
4. Goals - Practical/Reality
5. Action - Just Do It
6. Energy - Optimize thru proper self-care
7. Wisdom - Embrace Life/Love What Is (the Power of Now)
8. Love - Give Yourself to the World
9. Courage - Without it, You Can't Do Any of It.
10. Spirit - Align All 9 Other Principles through Spirit.
Labels: philosophy, success
Robin-Ann.com Photography: www.robinannpeters.com
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