"Color inspires"

10/31/14, I couldn't resist.

     WOW!  This song is from my music class in elementary school

There was an old woman all skin and bones, oooooo. 

She lived done by the old grave yard,  oooooo. 

One night she thought she'd take a walk, oooooo.

She walked down by the old grave yard, oooooo.

She saw the bones all laying around oooooo.

She went to the closet to get a broom oooooo.

She opened the door and BOOO!!!

                                        Happy Halloween

Looking back I realize that what I meant to say and I neglected to share with you in words. 

Sorry or better luck next time, is there such thing as luck?

Do you have a favorite color?  If so, what color is it?  

I love all colors, for me to pick a favorite color I could prioritize by order.  The particular shade of a given color can change my order of most to least.  First: 1)  Blue, 2) White, 3) Green, 4) Brown, 

colors of halloween

Inspired by Color

http://www.color-wheel-pro.com

*   Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love.

* Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation.

*  Yellow is the color of sunshine. It's associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy.

*  Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Dark green is also commonly associated with money.

*  Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.

*  Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.

*  White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is considered to be the color of perfection.

*  Black is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery.

                                                                            

Colors of Fall

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     The leaves on the trees burst with radiance in colors of red, orange, yellow.  In the cool autumn air I can see my own breath.  Fall just happens to be one of my favorite times of the year. 

Is it true, looks can be deceiving? 

     Being new to the Pacific Northwest it has taken me twenty four months to get to where I am now.  Beginning to feel somewhat comfortable in my skin.  

     Oregon has much to offer.  A two hour drive you are at the Pacific ocean coast or Mt. Hood where snow covers the mountains top all year long.  The rainfall in the region makes for the trees and vegetation to be green and lush.  Oregonians,  folks native to Oregon tell me they love rain and some say they have webbed feet. 

     

      

     I began by claiming that I simply wanted to undermine the plausibility of the appeal to appearances in matters of perceptual belief. Most of the arguments I have offered, however, have been more strongly stated,

viz., I have apparently tried to eliminate them rather than simply render them less credible. But the notion of appearances is deeply entrenched, so much so that simply undermining their credibility may require overstating the case somewhat. The central theme of the above arguments is that appealing to appearances misleads us. The appeal misleads us into giving the wrong sorts of explanation, both with respect to the psychology of perceptual belief formation and the justification of perceptual beliefs. In short, appearances can be deceiving. And they probably are.

http://link.springer.com/article

Inspired by Kindness

A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing either to assist or to cheer up an individual person or people. 

The phrase may have been coined by Anne Herbert, who says that she wrote "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty" on a place mat at a Sausalito restaurant in 1982 or 1983.^[1][2] Either spontaneous or planned, random acts of kindness are encouraged by various communities.^{[citation needed]} Another story credits much of this phrase to Bakersfield College professor Chuck Wall of Bakersfield, California.^[3][4]

     In our fast-paced, high pressure society we are encouraged to take care of ourselves and not worry about our fellows. This has become such routine, that we have forgotten how to be kind to strangers for the sheer pleasure of helping a fellow human being. In today’s world people are very skeptical when strangers perform random acts of kindness. We observed reactions to a random act of kindness. We gave 122 people a flower. We did not find significant differences in reactions to kindness by age of the receiver. However, we did find that women responded more positively to kindness than did men. Also people tended to respond more positively to kindness when the giver was white regardless of the race of the receiver. (According to the Social Science Journal) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science

Inspired by the Power of Touch

The healing power of .....

     Touch, positive reinforcement,  kind words, selfless acts of love, giving without expectations, greeting strangers with a smile, opening the door for someone just because, appreciation expressed with a thank you, hugging friends and loved ones, holding hands, 

   

 Inspired to Thank You

     Thank you!   I have experienced some bumps along the way and to be realistic more bumps and possible curves are ahead.  So my advise for you is proceed with caution and keep both hands on the wheel.  I will keep you informed and  entertained.   I will do my best....

     I encourage feedback, happy or not.....knowing that I am being heard is enough.

Thanks! :)

   

                                                                     

     One thought leads to another that leads to yet another.  hunger craving desire infatuation passion, etc...

"Overwhelmed" the Wounded Healer album by The Followers 

Inspired byArt

     Walking through the exhibit at Sylvania North View Art Gallery this past spring  I recall looking at each piece; some mounted on the wall,  some hanging from the ceiling and others sitting on a shelf.  Art allows for the artist to express themselves.  Curious, I walked the entire span of the room and remember one particular piece that struck me.  It stopped me still in my tracks.

     May I describe it?  Let my apology if I forget any important details.  Here goes.

   

    Vibrance captures my attention.  I stop.  My eyes take hold of beauty.  One individual expression portrayed in acrylic speaks.   Accepting the invitation I remain still as my every sense comes to life.  I smell the promise of rain.  I feel a breeze brush my cheek.  I hear a bird chirp for joy.  I taste refreshment as my thirst is now quenched.    Am I convinced or just mesmerized?

http://www.pcc.edu/about/galleries

"Inspired to"

Inspired to do?

   10-08... What one thing do people want to do before they die?

According to; http://forum.santabanta.com  here are the top 21 things people want to do before they die.

1. Become a millionaire
2. Travel the world
3. See the Northern Lights
4. Trek the Great Wall of China
5. Be mortgage free
6. Go to the Inca Trail
7. See all seven wonders of the world
8. Visit the Egyptian Pyramids
9. Invent something that changes lives
10. Visit Antarctica
11. Go to the orient express
12. Go on an African Safari
13. See the Taj Mahal
14. Learn to play the piano / guitar / drums
15. Stay a night at the world’s best hotel
16. Build your own house
17. Drive Route 66 in the US
18. Go to Lapland
19. Swim with dolphins / sharks
20. Emigrate
21. Learn to speak another language

Why we judge others?

Are you one to judge a book by it's cover?

Appearances can be deceiving

According to Forbes;  http://www.forbes.com

     Most people will judge you within the first second of meeting you and their opinion will most likely never change. Making a good first impression is incredibly important, because you only get one shot at it.  They suggest the following;

1) Set an intention

2) Think about your ornaments

3) Be Conscious of Your Body Language

4) Avoid bad days

5) Be interested and interesting

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Don't sweat the small stuff and remember everything is small stuff

What do I want to teach myself?

I want to teach myself to be prepared for whatever comes my way,  to be comfortable in my own skin,  to be organized, to roll with the punches.

     

"Take time to stop and smell the roses" 

    Our class joined into groups and formed questions that we wanted answered.

     Then we round campus and approached fellow students and future students asking their opinions and response.   

     I met a man outside waiting for his appointment with his seeing eye dog.   He was inquiring about becoming a student.  While he waited I asked him, "What was the meaning of happiness?"  He responded, "Adolescent struggles, sufficient character, crazy thoughts and a healthy relationship with a female who offered an even exchange." I thanked him for his time and left him wishing him luck.  

     I met a woman in the cafeteria and asked,  "what is happiness?"   She responded, "Seeing her mom,  since the last time she saw her was 2012."

     

    May I?  

     

     After further research and analyze I lost my rhythm as my thoughts, ideas and insight seemed to disappear.  I looked around and noticed of my environment as everything around seemed intact.  "So where have my thoughts, ideas and insight escaped?"  Am I suffering from writer's cramp? 

     What is writers cramps, anyway?   According to Oxford University Press in an article by,  M. P. SHEEHY, C. D. MARSDEN  http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/brain/105.3.461

Writers Cramp—A focal Dystonia - Concludes that isolated writers' cramp is a physical illness rather than a psychological disturbance, and that it is a focal dystonia.

     Well my hands and fingers seem to move about freely and I do not feel any discomfort.  Maybe my diagnosis of writers cramp is merely my own thought and figment of my imagination. 

     Functional recovery from chronic writer’s cramp by brain-computer interface rehabilitation: a case report    http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2202/15/103

Impaired sensory-motor integration during grasping in writer's cramp.

                                         

 Let's consider... 

     According to Bob Miglani Become a fan  Author, 'Embrace the Chaos'

     How to Detox Your Mind:  Lessons on How to Stop Overthinking

1) Stop consuming the news.   

2) Reduce stimulants (coffee, soda, etc.).

3) Soak the mind with positive juices.  

4) Get up and get to work on a goal, a project or a specific task.

Every time you start overthinking and get into a spiral try this: change your physical position -- sit up, change posture -- and do something physical.

Physical activity, let's give it a try.  What can it hurt? 

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     Through "Independent research' I found that music offers uplifting effects and relaxing effects. 

     Music is an art form whose medium is sound. Its common elements are pitch (which governs melody and harmony), rhythm (and its associated concepts tempo, meter, and articulation), dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture.  "Wikipedia"

     

     I interviewed Melissa, a grade school music teacher.  She shared that in her experience music has proved therapeutic and has healing powers.  Her brother has cerebral palsy and music allows him to use his extremities with agility.  As he listens to music his entire demeanor becomes positive as though pain free. 

     I interviewed Andrew, a school teacher.  His mom has the early stages of Alzheimer's.   In his experience with his mom he has found that music has the power to trigger memory of her past events and restore her youth.  Music sounds similar to a fountain of youth?

http://www.nydailynews.com

     Music & Memory founder Dan Cohen distributes donated iPods to nursing homes, bringing dementia patients a sense of calm and igniting buried memories. It’s helped lower the amount of antipsychotic drugs administered at nursing homes and brings patience peace, he said. A new film, ‘Alive Inside,’ tells their story.

 What to do with my ideas, my thoughts and my insight?

     After class I sat outside basking in the natural daylight reviewing class notes...my assignment,  to choose two board topics and one narrow topic to research.  I was excited to choose topics that interested me,  research them and design a blog to display my process.   I chose "Music" "Inspiration" and "How Music can affect a person's mood?"

     I love music and many times a song or lyric will come to mind during a conversation and as a natural reaction I express that lyric into the conversation at hand.  Music is powerful and resembles part of my identity.

     I observed while driving to school one morning a young man waiting at the bus stop.  He appeared to have headphones on and listening to something.  As I watched he moved his body around, up, down, back and forth as his head was bobbing up and down, his arms moving around, his lips moving simulating that he was speaking or possibly singing along or repeating what was being relayed through his headphones.  He went about doing dance like moves as though he was enjoying himself.   As I watched him in motion a smile came to my face and I wondered what he was listening to and if I had not been driving in traffic I would have considered approaching him to ask him that very question.  This observation is valuable and I must use it as part of my research.  Thank you, to the man at the bus stop..

     This assignment offers many avenues to incorporate in my process; observations, research and interviews.   I enjoy people and they intrigue me.  I like watching people, listening to people and talking to them as this allows the opportunity for me to become more familiar with how others think, feel and respond.   Asking people their opinions can be perceived that you genuinely care about them.

     

     

Music therapy

     I can envision my last massage therapy appointment listening to the music in the back drop.  The lights are adjusted down to dim.  The soft music introduces therapy into the massage and creates a relaxing atmosphere.  

     I mentally go to my place of peace.  I am seated on a rocking chair on my screened porch looking out to a spectacular view.  The trees offer shade that stretches across the meadow, leaves dance upon their branches by the gentle breeze.  The grass is green and lush from the spring rains.  I see ahead to the stream flowing over the rocks and my clear view across the bank to the other side where the terrain gradually turns into hills.  In the distance the hills  take the form of mountains.  Above all of this are peak glistening white and covered in snow.  

     The sky a shade of azure, the air is clean and fresh,  the light breeze offers just enough comfort as I sit and enjoy my view.  

     An hour has past and my massage therapy appointment is over.   Now, back to reality.

   

     

     

"Inspired by the direction to make a difference"

Inspired by Happiness 

     Happiness. "What is happiness?"  A question such as this is certain to receive varied responses 

depending on who I ask.  

     The Partridge Family a television series from 1970 played a opening theme song encouraging their audience singing phrases such as, "Being together, singing together, come along and get happy."  

     

     Happiness defined in the webster dictionary;  Happiness is pleasure, joy, exhilaration, bliss, 

contentedness, delight, enjoyment, satisfaction.   Happiness results from the possession or attainment of 

what one considers good.  

     Good - what is good?

Inspired to make a difference 

     Pressing onward through this journey of my daily ritual I often times wonder,  "What difference can I make?"

     People that I am fortunate to encounter on my path appear to be going on about their business in a hurry and disregard those around them.  

     I turn my head and look in front of me at a young woman walking towards me and she exchanges eye contact,  then I offer a smile and greet her, "good morning."  She responds with a smile and expresses her similar response in wishing me a good morning.  This small gesture exchanged between the two of us makes the world feel a bit smaller and I am excited for the start of my day.

     I embrace each opportunity that presents itself and strive to make my insignificant presence known.  Now I grasp hold of the inspiration I feel and use this as my approach toward other opportunities as they present themselves.   My original question raises another,  "What difference do I want to make?"

     The difference I am able to make is to be the very "difference" I seek.

                                                                

Inspired by words

                             May the road rise up to meet you

                          May the wind be always at your back

                        May the sun shine warm upon your face;

    the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

                     may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

                                                                     

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     From the very first day I was excited.  Inspired in the moment feeling free.  This very inspiration is what created by topic.   "Inspiration"

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"Come, sing and join in exploring!"

   

Ideas

The who, what, where, when, why and how of inspiration.

The many facades of inspiration. 

The meaning of inspiration.  What does inspiration look like?  How can inspiration affect us?  Why does inspiration exist?  When to use inspiration?  Where can I find inspiration?  Who and what is my source for inspiration?  

      May I be open to receive whatever crosses my path.  "So lets get started."

                      

          

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      Travels throughout Oregon intrigue me.  Here are some of my intriguing discoveries.

Washington Park in Portland

washingtonparkpdx.org/

‎

 Portland's Washington Park. At this park you will find a Reservoir - Lewis Clark Memorial - Sacajawea Statue.  
    Just a short walk away from the Lewis and Clark Memorial stands a tribute to the only female member of the exploration team, Sacajawea (or Sacagawea, depending on your spelling preference).  The statue of the Shoshone Indian woman, without whose help the Lewis and Clark expedition would have surely failed, was placed here during Portland's Lewis and Clark Centennial celebration in 1905.  A group of Portland women raised the money for its creation.

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum

 http://www.gorgediscovery.org/   

LEWIS & CLARK

     In May, 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on an amazing expedition across the Louisiana Territory. These true American heroes faced unknown people, harsh conditions and unexplored lands to secure a place in history as two of the world's greatest explorers. One of the expedition's stops along the way was near present-day Yankton, South Dakota, and the Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce along with the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan has put together this site to celebrate Yankton's place in history as well as sites along the rest of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Oregon City, Oregon 

www.historicoregoncity.org/

‎

Oregon City

     Founded in 1842 near where the Willamette River flows into the Columbia River, Oregon City was the first territorial capital of Oregon.

     Always a natural place of commerce between Indians and whites, the town also utilized the nearby river as a dependable source of power for mills for its economic development.

     Due to the great migrations along the trail, Oregon City grew rapidly as an economic center of the territory. Emigrants arrived here at the end of the trail to establish their land claims in the region.

     Local industries sprung up to resupply emigrants planning to start their farms. Today, the city is a suburb of the much larger city of Portland, Oregon.

Oregon City: The end of the Oregon Trail Historic Site

      What interests me is that these historical events originated in the Midwest.   This provides for me a feeling of connection.     Is this mere coincidence, maybe, possibly, except I don't believe in coincidence.  

     Recently I moved from Midwest to the Pacific Northwest....

Maybe,  just maybe I am a modern day Pocahontas from Lewis & Clark trespasses along my trails towards and throughout Oregon.

 To know of me may help explain the meaning behind my madness.   

      

     My ancestors are German, French and Native American.  I am the fifth child of ten children born in St. Louis, Missouri. 

stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/  www.stlouisrams.com    blues.nhl.com

 Missouri referred to as the "Gateway to the West" & the "Show Me State."

      I am fortunate to play various roles; child, sister, mother, student, roommate and friend.    I am not a performer  though I often times dream of such.    As the saying goes, "If the shoe fits, wear it".

     

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