Are We There Yet? The Art of Timing

A few fortunate beings on this planet have an innate ability to know when to act and when to wait. Many others are like the child in the back seat of the car with whisperings of "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" as little Susie kicks the back of your seat to a beat only she can hear, only to ask more insistently five minutes later when a whisper becomes a shout and then a shout becomes a whining plea of "Are we there yet?"  

Most parents will start with a patient, "No, not yet" but as you up the ante may soon come back with a frazzled, "Does it look like we're there yet?!" Not to be outdone, the child now recruits her siblings in a chorus of "Are we there yet?" to which the only decent reply is, "Who wants to play the quiet game?" and suddenly the parent is not above bribing their dearest offsprings with a monetary reward for who can stay silent the longest.  

Not only is there unreasonable expectations about the destination itself, and God forbid it doesn't meet our ideas of where we are supposed to be, but there is a whole lot of disillusionment about how long or short it should take us to get there, wherever that may be, whether it be a physical destination or a goal.  

Now add timing into the mix.  If timing is everything then when do you act and when do you wait?  I, myself, have certainly had times when I have pushed, pulled, stood on my head, did back flips, and nothing has come of it, except the thumping of my own head from banging it against a wall (silly me), until one day it happened on its own accord with no assistance from me at all.  

On the other hand, there have been times when I felt as if I was procrastinating only to find that the timing couldn't have been better.  It was as if the stars had aligned perfectly for my very own benefit! What gives?  How do we know the difference?  How do we know when to take action and when to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride?

In photography, especially with action photos or images dealing with people or animals, if you hesitate, you miss the shot.  A person may have walked in or out of the frame, the perfect expression was suddenly replaced with a frown, or any number of things varying from subtle to very obvious can happen. I expect this is much like life.  

If we get a nudge to act on something and we sit on it, we may lose it or it may change in some way. This is not to say the opportunity may not come again or that it may not come in another disguise, but why take the chance?

Is it always going to be appropriate to act immediately?  Maybe not so perhaps it comes down to intuition and discrimination.  Experience will teach us better.  If we missed it one time, we may gain it another and so on and on it goes.  Besides, who says you won't gain something better by taking that detour?

What does this all have to do with photography and your Etsy business or with any business? Many of us give up before we begin.  We have a few false starts or nothing seems to be working so we sit back and wait when we need to take another step.  Or we take many more steps when a little patience may have gone a long way.  

Sometimes we have to do all we can do and then let go of our ideas of how it's supposed to go.  We have to leave room for God or the Universe or whatever or whomever you believe in to do Its part and if you think it's going to come easy, well, you may want to reconsider.  It may but chances are it's another way for the universe to see how serious you are about attaining whatever goal you are striving for.  

In the end, everything is in its rightful place.  It just may be different from where you thought so if there is something you can do and it feels right then act.  If not wait but whatever you decide, don't give up!  

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out."  - Robert Collier

Be flexible!  Allow for transformation.  There may be a worthier plan than the one you have in mind but if you are too attached to what your own vision may be, there won't be any room for anything else and you might miss out on something better.

Lastly when in doubt, take it moment to moment, love what you do and do what you love because as Elizabeth Kubler-Ross says, “It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth – and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up – that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.” 

Remember, there is always another mountain to climb, another level to go so listen.

Back in Business!

Ride 'em, cowboy!  We just might rustle us up some dinner after all!  *wink*

Yes!  Woo hoo!  Yippee ki yay and all of that!  See More Divinely Photo (Etsy store) is back up and running. Forward march!  

That bridge successfully crossed!  Whew!  *wiping sweat off of brow*

You're cute and all but I can't keep you.

Now that we have that monkey off our shoulder, we can move onto more pressing items like "Where did that monkey come from?" and other fun stuff.  

Let's save that for another day.  

Not to procrastinate or anything but today is a beautiful day and I, for one, would like to finish up in time to enjoy it! We can pick up here tomorrow.  Have fun, y'all!

Think You Know It All...Think Again

Photo Credit: Steve Carver

There's always another step, another level, another perspective...truth appears to be a subjective, continuous, spherical, eternal staircase, that builds and grows within us. (What is truth for me, may not be truth for you, and that's okay. Practicing tolerance is encouraged in all of life, including business and, if it isn't, than perhaps it would be wise to consider it.)

The fastest way to stop another level of understanding?  Thinking you have all the answers.  It doesn't leave room for anything else.  It's virtually a graveyard for the mind and Soul.

How do we generate more ideas? Here's a few suggestions: feeding your mind with books (preferably ones that make you think or stretch you a bit over easy reading - save those for the beach or when you need a short break from "reality"), learning a new language, writing, meeting with other like-minded people, visiting art museums, yoga, contemplation, spending quality time with your family, eating well, tapping into your creative side by drawing/painting or any other art that speaks to you, even if you think you don't do it well. (There's always paint by numbers!  Hey!  Don't knock it!  You may actually get hooked.) It's all connected, and I assure you if you take care of ALL of you then all of you will take care of you.

Philadelphia Art Museum, 2010 

The mistake we seem to make is when we get so lost in one aspect of our life, so much so that we forget all else. When any one part of us is being sacrificed for too long then we can expect diseases or illnesses of the mind, body or emotions to ensue.  It's a cry for balance, to let us know there is a part of us that is out of whack and needs attention. Don't wait that long!  It could be too late.  (Of course, it's not a guarantee that you won't ever get sick but it sure will decrease your chances; it will also increase your ability to heal if your health does lapse.)

Think you don't have the time?  It's your choice but it seems to me to be a pay now or later kind of system.  Do the right thing(s) now or pay later.  Have fun with it!  Experiment. Add a little here and a little there and see where it takes you.  Let it expand you and the rich rewards of that expansion will effect all areas of your life, bringing more joy than you ever imagined possible.

Success is a Verb

Success is perpetually in motion.  There is no destination, unless designated.  What do I mean by that?  If your definition of success is to create a multi-million dollar company and that target is achieved, you may consider yourself successfully at your destination if you choose to stop there.

What if you decide to go beyond that?  Will you set new objectives?  Having reached this landmark in your life, do you now set a new intention for a multi-billion dollar company? What happens when victory reigns over this creation as well?

“Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”

― Albert Camus

In order to keep the momentum going, I would think that it now has to flow outward. For one to keep receiving, balance may need to be attained. There are many who could benefit from the successes being built: family, employees, and community. After all, how much money does one really need? How many houses, cars, TVs, etc are necessary?

What good are all these material things if you will not live long enough to enjoy them?  Or your family or health has been sacrificed at the expense of them?  A void of loneliness or low self-worth cannot be filled with things, eventually when playing with all the toys is finished, you will long for what we all come to long for...divine love.  Arrival here means a need to give out to balance the flow of what you are receiving.

Will your ambitions be for the love of power or for the power of love?  It is a choice that will be made continuously.

In the last post I promised to expand on criteria for success and I have not forgotten. What does it take to be successful?  If the only measure of success is how much money has been accumulated in the bank, the boat may have been totally missed, in my humble opinion.

Success, for me, is more often in the simple day to day happenings: the tiny moments that we can take for granted like a cup of coffee mindfully enjoyed on a quiet morning, an intimate walk barefoot on the beach, a shared smile or hug, or the knowingness that I have made some progress big or small in my life or in those around me.  It is knowing I make a difference simply by being here right now.  It is gained in numerous, subtle ways.

For others it may be just waking up in the morning, getting the children out of the house to play instead of staring at electronics all day, or finding ten minutes of sheer silence in their chaotic world.  It could be losing those last 10 pounds or finishing their To Do list. Success comes in all shapes and sizes.  It's a merely a matter of perspective and attitude.

What is the criteria for success? This author thinks it may be purely subjective but what do I know?

Arms and Heart Wide Open

Worthiness is a key element to receiving.  Positive affirmations and all the positive thinking in the world cannot bring you what you don't truly believe you are worthy of receiving.  A lack of self-worthiness has the potential to block the acceptance of gifts from the universe and will undermine all else.  This is how powerful belief and emotion are.

There is a great book called:

Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath.

http://books.google.com/books/about/Switch.html?id=XmzbeoN-KZ0C

No, I am not getting anything to promote it.

If you don't read another book, read this one!  It's so easy a child can understand it, and it shows how one person CAN make a difference in business, at home, and in the world.  It shows example after example of how the power is within you to make small changes with tremendous impact.  (I have read it twice already and I'm thinking about a third time.) Enough said!

From my own little side of the mountain at this moment, I will tell you that abundance is our divine inheritance, but like most anything else, it is an inside job.  If the world you see reflected on the outer is not in keeping with what you would like then it is within you to change it.  It may not be in the way you think, though.

Most people assume they will triumph if they toil a little harder or if, instead of working 10 hours, they work 14 hours a day.  They push and push and push.  It may produce eventually but is there a better way?

Could success be attained more smoothly by contemplating each major move?  Would it be achieved more easily by relaxing, listening, and paying attention more to that inner voice within you?  YES!  The truth is, at least as I see it so far from my own experiences thus far, is that the sweet victory of accomplishment in any area of your life requires a healthy balance of inner and outer work.  Not too far to one side or the other, and a view of detachment, meaning doing the work but not being attached to the result of that work.  It is to allow for other outcomes that may be better for us in the bigger picture so be flexible!

In summary, all I can say is, we've got this!  We are learning and growing every day; opening ourselves up to all that we deserve and more.  We will assist others along the way, too, because in giving we naturally receive.  By helping each other, we climb the ladder quicker and we become successful together.  You cannot help another without helping yourself, too! Competition is pointless.

Slow and steady wins the race at any leg of the journey.  It is wise to strive only to be better than we were the yesterday and not compare ourselves to others.

What race?  Just having fun!

Next stop....Criteria for Defining Success.

What Does Love Have to do With Success?

Staying active is essential and is one example of love of self because when you truly love yourself you take care of every part of you.  Swimming, hiking, walking...whatever your physical exercise is of choice is vital to all the bodies:  physical, emotional, mental, and Soul.  (It doesn’t have to be an hour at the gym every day:  a leisurely stroll, if you are living a sedentary or even a busy lifestyle, for 1/2 hour every day would be a great start and will build its own momentum.)  

Contemplation Trails at the Temple of ECK, Chanhassen, MN

When there are disturbances that cause pain in the physical body, this becomes more challenging and another opportunity to grow presents itself.  While it is tempting to curl up in bed and pull the covers over one’s head, it is that much more critical to keep moving and to keep showing up.  

Pain in any form is not to be ignored.  It is helpful to ask key questions to aide one along their way.  Some of the questions I might ask are:  what is it trying to telling me about my current state?  What can be done to discover the cause or the root of this, most times, “unwelcome” guest?  Is a change in diet needed?  What small adjustment can be made with maximum benefits?  Is this related to a past event or to something I am doing or not doing now?  

While it is good to have some kind of mental analysis of it, it is every bit as important (if not more) to look at it from a higher viewpoint; this means at least some time spent in silence allowing the questions to float softly through as if observing feathers floating upon a river and then letting them go.  This is easier than trying to block all thoughts from your mind because “the more you resist, the more they persist.”  Meditation is a wonderful tool but for those of us with a more active mind, contemplation (a more active form of meditation) is much more agreeable.  

A chant can be used.  I choose HU, (pronounced hue), which is the highest vibration one can sing. It has had tremendous results for me, although I don’t sing it with the intention to do so, only to open contact between the highest power (whatever you may call that power:  God, Jesus, Allah, divine love, Spirit, etc) and myself.  You can learn more about HU at: http://www.eckankar.org/hu.html.

If you would prefer to sing OM, love, or just focus all of your love upon someone who opens your heart and makes you feel happy than please feel free to do so.  It is a matter of personal choice and what works for you.  Be assured...taking this time every day is a gift that you give to yourself.  

Now what does this have to do with your business/dreams or your journey to a successful new you?  Everything!  When you are feeling good, happy, and relaxed then you are open to all the wonderful opportunities and adventure that life has to offer.  Isn’t that what it’s all about?

Note:  My Etsy store is temporary suspended.  No worries, it'll be up again soon.  Thank you for your patience.

"How Many Licks Does It Take to Get to the Center of..."

If this were TV and this was a 1970s commercial, it would end with "...a tootsie roll pop" but we aren't traveling back in time.

I think he's still counting....

We are rolling right along and wondering, "What are buyers looking for?"  "How many posts need to be written?"  And that's our first mistake of many so we are going to allow ourselves to enjoy whatever it brings, regardless of the many questions that may plague us.  We can't lose the fun and the sense of adventure, even when there are days it doesn't seem so fun anymore....especially when it doesn't seem so fun anymore.

Glitches happen.  There will be setbacks or hiccups so it becomes a choice of how we will react. It's a vicious circle if you allow yourself to get caught up in reactions so what's the solution? Sometimes it's waiting and sometimes a different approach is needed.

When in doubt, keep doing what you can do and leave some space for an opening or an opportunity to resolve the issues because there will be issues...it's a given.  No amount of pushing will help if the time is not right so why bother?  Relax and keep doing what you can do.

This pretty much says it all...

Baby steps.  One tiny step at a time.  Rinse and repeat.

Also this applies to life as well as business.