tHe LitTle b'S ThAt lEad To biG tHinGs

Over the past couple of weeks I've had several inspiring chats with radio folks from around the country to help our friends at Nature Made® promote: Fuel Your Greatness™. The Documentary.

Everyone approached the interviews with the same questions in mind......How do we stay above water during challenging times? What tips from a creative living point of view are there for everyone right now? As crazy as it sounds, I look at all challenges and struggles I'm faced with as exciting opportunities. I really don't know any other way. Every situation is viewed as an opportunity to try something new, to make a change, to approach things differently, to take action. It's a positive mindset that always produces solutions. I also make a point to not worry about things that are out of my control. It is wasted energy that could instead be applied to something I can control, and that's me and my actions. I live by the 'little b's of life', as I like to call them, and here are a few of them: Take any, all, (or none) of them and make them your own. Whether you're doing artwork, looking for a job, starting a business, running a household, being a parent.....they can be applied to anyone or anything!

b. courageous -- do not let fear hold you back from something. not everyone, and sometimes no one, will like your ideas. first and foremost, do it for you, because of you. go outside your comfort zone. great things happen when you challenge yourself.

b. unique -- inject a bit of yourself in everything you do. don't try to copy what someone else is doing. be inspired by it, but always try to do it up differently.

b. curious -- never lose that natural interest you have in things. question things. find out more. explore the 'what if's'

b. knowledgeable -- never stop learning. be a lifetime learner by taking classes; reading books; use online resources to your mindful advantage.

b. resourceful -- this is a big one for me. you are in charge of you. get rid of the words "I can't" or "I don't know how". don't wait for others to make things happen for you...(or you'll generally be waiting a very long time!) where there's a will, there's a way. nothing lends itself to clever ideas better than not having a budget, or not having access to certain things..it forces us to come up with other ways. sometimes, these turn out to be better ways.

b. open -- open your eyes and gain an appreciation for things that are different. you'll be inspired by everyone and everything around you.

b. handy -- no matter what it is, it takes hard work. be able to DO for yourself.

b. collective -- share your ideas, your discoveries, your experiences. surround yourself with positive people who are like-minded, have the same interests, are supportive. it's true...it takes a village.
reminds me of a quote I read somewhere....."what you keep to yourself, you lose. what you give away, you keep forever"

b. friendly -- share genuine smiles. it's contagious.

b. ready -- carry a small sketchbook/journal with you at all times. thoughts come unlooked for and when they show up, you need to capture them or they'll be lost forever. nurture and grow those thoughts & ideas.

Cheers to everyone I spoke with out there in radio-land and a huge shout of thanks for your time! Enjoyed every minute of it.
michele.