Journaling???

Do you journal? Do you keep a diary of any sort?

I have been on this path of self discovery for a long time and only began journaling a few months ago. I was faithful about journaling everyday and then stopped. WHY??? I don't know!! I kept my journal and didn't read any entries for about 2 months. Then I went back and reread my thoughts and was absolutely amazed at how interesting and profound some of my thoughts were.

I haven't written anything in my journal for about a month now. I miss it! I need to get back to it. Maybe if I pick it up and read my thoughts it will motivate me to write more.

Meanwhile I have to share this wonderful website that I stumbled upon this morning:

http://www.teras-wish.com

This website will help to awaken and open your mind about the creative spirit that lives inside of you.

Here's a direct link to her page about journaling:

http://www.teras-wish.com/tera/journaling.htm

If you've ever considered journaling, or even if you haven't, browsing and reading through this website will make you wish you did! I love the idea of the collage journals! I bought a sketch pad a few months ago with the hopes of taking time at least once every week to try and sketch whatever comes to my mind. Well I haven't used it yet, but now I am motivated! I am going to make it a point today to get it out and not only sketch in it, but add my own creative ideas using collage, writings and ramblings about my days and thoughts, etc! It sounds alot more fun than just simply writing!

I just HAD to share my new found discovery with you. I hope it helps you find your way or at least keep you on track of forging your own creative path! I'm going back to reading a bit more inspiration from Tera's before the kids wake up! This is wonderful!!

Jane - A Painting Mom

Talents and Gifts

Here's a fantastic quote that I came across...

"If you have a talent use it in every way possible. Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke."
-B. Francis

This quote tugged on my heart strings...I found it on a calendar from 1996 and it just happened to be placed in September's page...my birth month. Freaky? No. A sign that I'm on the right path? Synchronicity? Maybe.

Do you have a talent? Don't say "no!" Everyone has a gift but many people just don't know what their gift is. My daughter is 8 years old. I have been noticing lately that she has a beautiful singing voice. I noticed it a few months ago when I overheard her singing "America the Beautiful" in the next room. I was impressed, but wondered if maybe I just had a biased opinion. I heard her singing again and again and started paying close attention. I really do believe that maybe she's gifted musically. I keep encouraging her to sing for me, but she won't...that makes her nervous. So I am not pressuring her. I told her that one day when she's ready maybe she can sing for me. Meanwhile I'm trying to explain to her that she has a gift and she needs to share it with the world.

I explained to her that not singing would be like me not painting. Please understand that I'm not trying to brag. My daughter is one of my biggest fans. I had to put things into context for her so she could see my point. I wanted her to toy with the thought, "What if mommy, who I believe to be a really good artist, wouldn't dare paint a picture for me?" I hope that maybe using this tactic will get her to see that she shouldn't be embarrassed by her voice...she should share it!! Share your gifts! If you don't know what your gift is then search your soul - what are your hobbies? Your interests? How do you like to spend your free time?

Having trouble figuring out what your gift might be? I like to help people figure this out by telling them to think of their life this way...What if you truly didn't have to worry about money? You somehow managed to have enough money to sustain yourself and your family for the rest of your lives. What would you do with your time? Now be serious...don't make a joke like, "Heck I'd travel the world!!" Maybe you would and maybe you could...but sooner or later you'd have to come home. What would you do then? How would you spend your time? Gardening? Singing? Painting? Decorating? Building? Organizing? Helping children? Helping Senior Citizens?

Seriously think about it and see what you come up with.

Let me leave you with a link to one of my favorite inspirational websites
French Toast Girl:

Click the link below - it will take you a page of her site where she has a great short story that will leave you with lots of thoughts of yourself, your life and how you are living each day!

Paint Me

Jane - A Painting Mom

A "Bizy Moms" Fan

When I first started researching the thought of starting a home based business I came across a number of wonderful sites that were extremely helpful.

Bizy Moms

Entreprenurial Parent

Money Making Mommies

There are tons more available on the net and you can easily become overwhelmed, so start small. The sites listed above are the ones I chose to start with.

Before I get too involved please understand something - I didn't wake up one day with the idea to draw house portraits. The idea came to me one day after MONTHS of research. So forge ahead knowing that this journey is not going to be easy and it won't happen overnight. It takes time and patience to figure all of this out. Be honest with yourself and don't just make a choice based on how much money you can make. Base your choice on your interest, too. Sure the money is a goal, but the more important goal in all of this is to do what you love!

Of the sites I have listed above "Bizy Moms" was my favorite. They have a section called Biz Ideas that I visited very often. I went to that section on a daily basis and probably read almost every article. Each and every story is great and very inspirational. If you can, read them all!! Even if the business idea wasn't one of my choices or the path I wanted to take the stories still completely inspired and motivated me hang in there and start something. It was so encouraging to read the stories of the women who started with nothing and turned their lives around!

A few months after I figured out my path and got things set up I was so grateful to have stumbled upon the Bizy Moms site. Out of gratitude, I chose to to contribute my story. I wrote my story back in 2001. After a few months Bizy Moms added my story to their Biz Ideas section. I was thrilled to be listed among the hundreds of talented business owners there. But more importantly, over the past few years several women and men have contacted me because of that story. I tried helping whenever possible. It's a wonderful feeling to be able to 'give back'.

Jane - A Painting Mom

What would I do?

I had a bad headache the other day. I get headaches every now and again, but my husband has been going to school for Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy and has been able to help alleviate my headaches for the most part. But the other day I had a nagging headache that just wouldn't go away. When this happens I get discouraged (as do most people) and my mind tends to wonder. For a second I panicked and thought, "What if I find out I have an inoperable brain tumor and I only have 6 months to live?" So I explored that thought...really thought about it. What if? How would I live my remaining days?

First of all I'd cherish every second I could with my kids and my family. I'd forget about all the small and petty stuff that we all concern ourselves with constantly. But beyond that I thought about how I'd try to make a difference for others. What do I have to offer? The first thing that came to my mind was how happy I am building my own business and creating products with my God given talents. I decided that if I only had 6 months to live I would try to help others see that everyone has some gift or talent--EVERYONE!! I would help people to figure out what their gifts are. I'd show them that they can and should create their own destiny using their talents, abilitites and interests. Then I thought, "No one knows how long they'll be here...no one. So why am I waiting? Why not just do it now???" So here I am...offering help to anyone willing to listen.

Here's a quote from our beloved Oprah:

Use what you have to run toward your best - that's how I now live my life.
- Oprah Winfrey, O Magazine, August 2003

Search your soul and figure out what is is you wish you could do with your life. If you aren't able to come up with anything think about it this way...

What if you truly didn't have to worry about money? You somehow managed to have enough money to sustain yourself and your family for the rest of your lives. What would you do with your time? Now be serious...don't make a joke like, "Heck I'd travel the world!!" Maybe you would and maybe you could...but sooner or later you'd have to come home--physically and mentally. What would you do then? How would you spend your time? Gardening? Singing? Painting? Decorating? Building? Organizing? Helping children? Helping Senior citizens? Teaching? Really think hard about this and be completely honest with yourself.

Meanwhile here's another great quote from Oprah:

I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.
- Oprah Winfrey (1954 - ), O Magazine, September 2002

Keep track of all of your ideas. Be completely honest with yourself. Consider purchasing the book See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar. It is an incredible motivational book that I have been reading. It's absolutely amazing and you will not regret the investment!! It can be bought on Ebay for a couple of bucks so don't say you don't have the money! ;D

I'll be posting again very soon with more thoughts, ideas and advice!

Jane - A Painting Mom