I believe to be human is to be creative. That creativity comes in many different shapes and styles and is unique for each and every one of us. I believe creativity is something that keeps us sane, hopeful, and happy. And there is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that the pursuit of creative activities keeps us healthy!

Have you ever thought you might have already done your most creative work? For many people creativity doesn’t peak till later in life, sometimes much later.

Grandma Moses (Anna Robertson) started painting in her 70s and sold her first painting at age 79. She continued painting for the next two decades. Laura Ingalls Wilder was in her 50s and 60s when she wrote the much-loved series of books called “Little House on the Prairie.”

Maybe you think you aren’t the creative type? Well think again. I’m sure you are more creative than you might believe.

Have you ever had to think fast to get yourself out of an uncomfortable
social encounter and come up with a colorful story? Maybe you’ve
prepared one of your own culinary creations for a potluck dinner and
received compliments you did not expect? Or you might be one of those
rare individuals with a talent for being unusually well organized.

Appreciate your creative abilities and ask yourself if you might expand
on those talents or if there might be something else you would like to
do or learn. Picture yourself taking up a new hobby or creative
activity.

If you are good with your hands, you will enjoy a visit to Etsy . This colorful well-designed site is bursting at
the seams with wonderful homemade and artistic items. Surfing through
the pages on this site is sure to get your creative juices flowing.

If you prefer to be inspired by ideas, I’ve found a terrific website
filled with creative tools and techniques called The Enchanted Mind
Website.
I encourage you to check it out.

Instead of thinking of the second half of your life as a time to slow
down and become less able, imagine all the new opportunities you could
have. At this point in your life you might still have children at home
or aging parents to care for. But that will change. At some point you
will, I hope, have more time for you. Will you be ready?

The one thing I know to be true is that you will enjoy life most when you live from your heart! Being true to yourself is not easy but it matters for your health and happiness. So be kind. Care. Don’t treat yourself badly. You matter.

Here’s a short clip I found on You Tube for a movie called "The Secret". I have not seen this film and don’t know what the rest of the film might be like. It may or may not be worth seeing. If it is anything like the short video clip, I look forward to seeing more.

Enjoy!

How do you reach out to others? Juan Mann is a man with a mission to reach out and hug strangers to brighten up their lives. Hugs! What a wonderful thing to share. Take a moment to watch this amazing video! I hope it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling as it did for me.

I found a site that offers short video clips each Monday morning on thought provoking and inspiring topics. This week’s topic is “God &  Chocolate Ice Cream” by Michael Neil, an actor, writer, and radio show host. The topic caught my attention!

Michael’s short anecdotal stories and comments got me thinking more about who I am and what I want. I encourage you to follow the link below and listen to what he has to say when you get a chance.

What is it you want in your life that you might already possess the ability to have? What then? Do you still want it?

What do you choose to do with your life? How are the choices you make impacting who you are and how you feel?

What happens when you get stuck with decision making or on a creative project?

Can the spiritual live alongside the material?

There are no right answers or wrong, just food for thought. Go check it out:

monday9am.tv – short films that do something

(The video clip is about 7 minutes long.)

technorati tags:creative, meaningful, living, choices

Rich, silky, sensuous…how do you perceive chocolate? Do you hunger for certain brands or flavors? Have you had an opportunity to explore the depth of creativity that goes into the making of unforgettable chocolates?

The next time you savor a new piece of fine chocolate ask yourself how you might see chocolate as an inspiration for creative choice in your life. How might you have fun exploring the possibilities of pouring yourself into a new project or cause with hope and anticipation for a positive result just as a chocolate artisan might feel when he pours and shapes chocolate into new creations.

Take a few minutes and watch a short video on some of the many chocolate choices available at Cocoa Bella Chocolates. I’m not sure where this shop is located, New York City maybe? Enjoy and think possibilities…

YouTube – Chocolate Television: Episode 1 – Cocoa Bella Chocolates