From time to time I hear someone say, "I have no creativity skills whatsoever." or "I could never think up something like that." There may even be some of you thinking that right now.

Well, when I hear that I always respond by saying that the creativity they seek is right there just waiting for them to tap into it. I guess you just have to give the ideas swirling around in your head a try and not worry about the outcome. And being creative is not just about paper, glue or thread. It can be the way you handle social situations or raise families, for example.

It all sounds a bit Yoda-ish but it's true. I think everyone has the ability to develop a skill (in this case creativity) and when you try and continue to keep at it, your new skill becomes a habit, and boom -consider yourself creative!

So I'll leave you with this quote and you can be on your way to unleash those ideas.

Have a good day!

You can "click" on the picture to enlarge.

Wednesday Quotes - about talents and skills in a round about story

The thaw is here...See you next year, ice!

When I first started this blog, I had no idea what I was doing. I still don't really. I had no idea where I wanted it to go or what I wanted to convey. Still don't. But I guess that's why it can be a sea of random topics. I didn't even know what to title it and wish I would've done something different but in the end, "Enjoying the simple things" suits me I guess.

I've never been too fussy or needy. Just the everyday norm was okay with an interesting adventure or two thrown in for good measure. I can remember as a child going on walks all by myself on our property and lying down under the big oak trees. I could lie there all day and stare at the sky but occasionally popped up my head to make sure a tractor or cow wasn't coming by. The ability to relax any cares away felt good. I was always strangely happy and didn't need to be in a mix of friends to feel included because I had myself and I quite liked her.

Last night my boy had a complete meltdown which is not uncommon with his behavioral disorder. Sometimes though, it takes every ounce of strength for me to stay calm. Every ounce.
And sometimes, no, many times I fail to do so.

After much frustration about his day and homework, he began to stop and listen. With my arms around him to keep him calm, I asked if he trusted me. Through sobs he said yes. I asked him if he felt that I knew what I was doing. Again, he said yes.

I took him through a calming, breathing exercise and asked him to relax and listen. He did. I told him to lie down and rest his mind and body and that tomorrow would be a better day. By resting early, I promised that in the morning we'd tackle his homework together. It would all work out.

As I was leaving his room, he pointed to a book and asked if I would read it. It was "I'll Love you Forever." By its end and in tears of sorrow, he leaned in to me and said he loved me and apologized. I did the same and reminded him that he could always trust me and that I would be his advocate, always. We would beat this problem but it'll take work.

I only tell you this to illustrate that from the beginning I feel I was destined to have this challenge with a child. I can see now how those inherently given abilities of being mostly happy and taking life in stride are my talents. I never thought they were all those years growing up. I even skipped out on Jr. Miss because I had no idea what talent I could possibly provide. But just like anything else, I need to keep those talents in check and push myself to get better at things which propose more of a challenge.

While those were less noticeable than the talents I wished for like singing - tone deaf here! or drawing - stick figures only! or being musically inclined with instruments - have you ever known anyone who played "air saxophone" in band because they couldn't figure out how to read music? You do now! It was like lip syncing only with a saxophone. I just couldn't get it.

I am thankful for those lesser known talents. And God, in His infinite wisdom, gave them to me because He knew I'd need those skills to get through what was to be, like last night.

Sometimes we may look upon another and wonder how they managed to get into the talent line twice. Measuring yourself up to someone else will never result in anything positive. You will always be disappointed in one of you.

So in this long, round about Wednesday quote, remember that your skills and talents are still being honed, no matter your age because you have much to offer. It just may be the complete opposite talent that you hoped for but it is important none the less. Use them all and find new ways to go about it.

Have a good day.

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me.”

~ Erma Bombeck

Success and The Keys

Eleanor Roosevelt once said that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

I taught the young women ages 12-18 at church about the ability to succeed and the keys to our success. Our discussion led us to finding out why we are so quick to underrate ourselves and why our attitudes about ourselves can hinder that success. Why, when someone compliments us, do we feel the need to reply with a negative remark? Why can't we just say, "thank you." It's not vain to accept a compliment and think to yourself, "I do look good today!" After all, we believe we were born in the image of God. Don't you think He did good work??

I also asked to whom they spoke with on a regular basis. One girl said, "Ourselves"

Everyone giggled.

I told her she was absolutely correct. Our internal dialogue is going on all day long. I know when I am working around the house and make a mistake, I'll say to myself, "That was a bonehead move, Laura." "Way to go, exlax." or "nice job, dufus."

They giggled again.

But it's true. We talk to ourselves (maybe you don't) or think about things all day long. The more you fill your mind with negative thoughts about yourself, the more you are limiting your success.

Doubt, insecurity, or fear of failure creep in and poof! there goes some of our talents that could have been and who knows what successes you could have had with those.

We do have to acknowledge our weaknesses so we can try to make them strong. And if there are things that we perceive as weaknesses which cannot be changed like foot size, height or even material wants (Hey, who wouldn't like a 2009 Mercedes SL65 AMG 604 HP Biturbo v-12 engine with 19 inch alloys??) then we need to let it go and focus our energies on what we can change. So, while I do like my narrow foot size, I know I'll never be 5'10" and I've given up on that car dream...for now.

Now I know that training your mind to develop a positive attitude isn't easy.

For some it is a constant struggle. I would never reduce to triviality the effects of depression on one's mind. I would never tell a person with depression to just get over it, have faith and you'll be healed. I think mood disorders are just as real as diabetes or cancer and should be treated just as aggressively. So for those whose struggles include depression, I understand that simplistic solutions for you may cause a spiritual isolation. Mood disorders are very real and should be dealt with professionally and with sensitivity.

I wanted the girls to see that success can happen and even at their young age, they can come to know this.

And there are keys to success.

We discussed these keys and I told them that they had the power, together with faith to do anything that they wanted. It was up to them to go for it.

When they know who they really are, they are better able to rely on their own strength and not be defined by what others think of them. They can also differentiate by what is real and what advertisers want to make them think is real. I told them not to wait until they are 30 to figure it out. It's okay to know this now. It's okay to study this out in their mind and try new things and be leaders now. I said that when they hang back, hoping for other people to speak up, all those others are waiting for someone to speak up too.

I guaranteed it.

Some of the best leaders in this country are the ones who had an idea and wanted to affect change somewhere and didn't let anyone hold them back.

Brother Raleigh, in a beautiful testimony, said there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his children. I reminded them of that and asked them to imagine their Heavenly Father saying that.

He did.

It is called The Atonement.

And no one want us to succeed in life more than Heavenly Father.

I swear I saw light bulbs over each of their lovely heads.

And I hope they saw a heart over mine. Because I love them.

Saturday, in preparation for the lesson, I went to the flea market and gathered all kinds of vintage skeleton keys. You know I love vintage and it doesn't take much arm twisting to get me to go to the flea! I tied each key with ribbon and gave one to each girl as a reminder that they hold the keys to their success.

The keys were all different shapes and sizes. All very sculptural and beautiful.

Each opens a door somewhere.

It's just up to us to find that door.

Thank heaven for friends, family and a loving God to cheer us on in our search.