Search This Blog

Saturday, December 26, 2015

When You Can Do Good, Do Good!

    How observant are you? Well, I thought I was an observant human, until a 2-D class instructor changed my perspective. Kai pointed out that artists (working artists) are observers. They notice things that other people don't. I began to look intentionally and noticed a lot I had originally missed.
    Just like writers. A writer can hit a nerve because they saw something, something innocuous that the rest of society misses, and when they share their viewpoint--nerve hit!
    Being observant requires that we look outside our selves, our phones, our televisions, and see what is really happening around us. Look into faces, meet their gaze, smile. 
    Our prevailing culture is preoccupied with ourselves. Trust me when I say this is not an exclusive trait. It's not just the Western hemisphere that is guilty of this self-absorbed lifestyle. It is not just one certain generation displaying this tendency. It does not belong to an a singular politico. It is not tied to specific ideology. It is not economically indicative. We are all, ( let me be specific...ALL), preoccupied with ourselves. 
    Now, I have not excluded myself from this malady. As an artist and a writer I can get lost in how my work is perceived, received, or rejected; instead of being lost in the process of sharing my expression.
    Take a moment, reflect on what's weighing on you. Right now. Just take a moment. No spiraling allowed. Even if we are concerned about someone else it is usually in relation to ourselves---how it will affect us, etc... Okay, stop reflecting.
    Let's decide to observe. Look up, look outward to those you pass. Smile or nod. Show them you see them. 
    You. See. Them. You, see them.
    If the person you notice has a nametag, use their name. Hearing our name from someone else can have the same effect as a caress, a hug. Kindness does not cost a single cent, but can be invaluable to the recipient. Give it lavishly.
    If there is a need you become aware of and can fill it, then fill it!! No, you do not have to wait for someone who is more qualified, wealthier, or that has more time than you do. If you have the means to lighten someone's load, remove a burden, bring a smile into their eyes; then do it.
   When you can do good, do good.

Ciao for now,
-Trish
    






Thursday, December 10, 2015

Sharing Passion

    My favorite people in the entire world are passionate people. I mean the type that radiate an all consuming obsession. They are engaging, interesting, heartwarming.
    The young man tuning my piano as I tap away at my keyboard is passionate about pianos and playing them. No lukewarm pianist is he. No, he is compulsive about owning, fixing, and playing a variety of pianos. He spends his weekends as a street player. Hauling his smaller piano to Austin and sharing his passion with passersby; working for tips. I love to listen to him rhapsodize over his latest acquisition, the smallest baby grand.
    Another of my favorite passionate types has dedicated herself to a homeless shelter, the residents, and the overwhelming need for the homeless in her area. She engages these individuals daily. What passion; what love she has for them and her work!
    I love passionate people, because I identify with them. Your being is so filled with ideas and emotions; whether it is huge and multi-faceted or layered with nuance. You must share before you burst!
    My compelling need is to share, to teach, to encourage, to impart. It does not have to be grandiose; just sharing a minute particle of my passions and I am satisfied.
    Today on the AlteredPages Blog I share my passion of creating with an Activa product, Modena Soft . Please take a look and share your thoughts.
   As the notes from my Grandma's newly-tuned piano echo repeatedly and surround me; I dream of Christmas carols past, the memories of the passion that drew them forth, and the promises of future passion shared.
    Share your passion today; you are my favorite kind of person.
Ciao for now,
-Trish





   

Monday, December 7, 2015

Cruisin' Thru Winter

The winter season can have differing perspectives.  Arizona was perfect in the winter season at about 70 degrees most days...well for the 1.6 months we had winter; but it was so worth the summer agony of 110 degrees. Really it was! Minnesota was an entirely different story with -60 degrees with or without the wind-chill.  Brrr, don't miss that bone-numbing cold; did love the Spring tho with all of its hope of life. Now Central Texas is a bit bipolar; 39 one day and 70 the next.  Good thing my wardrobe is flexible. 
One popular way to escape the shivery weather is travel to warmer climes. Hawaii, the Caribbean, or perhaps Mexico. Tropical cruise lines count on our compulsion to migrate in a southernly direction, when the Snowbird deep within each of us calls out. 
My knit cap is off to those of you able to fly or cruise your way to the sunshine.  My commiseration if you are caged in an icy igloo, waiting for the thaw.  Either way, today's project on the AlteredPages blog can help you capture past, present, or future escapes. 
Cia for now,
-Trish  

Monday, November 30, 2015

Today on the AlteredPages Blog

My second post on the AlteredPages Blog is up for perusing. Get Well Spoon
Being part of a Design Team is as thrilling as I expected, yet more nerve-racking than anticipated. Don't misunderstand; it's not the work or the blog, it's my expectations of myself. It's the 'newness' of the position.
Anything new brings anxiety and expectation. I love new, I love challenges, I even love the crazy learning curves, but I am not crazy about my need for feedback. That is how I gauge how well I am doing or if I need to 'pump it up' or back off. I wish I had an internal guide that adjusted my expectations automatically. Maybe then I would remember to breathe, slow down, and enjoy the journey. 
So here is my thought of the day: 
"Enjoy Today For it May Be All You Get".
Enjoy my blog post and for heaven's sake give me some feedback for my sanity. 
Ciao for now,
-Trish
Renaissance Woman Extraordinaire