Danie-j

What are you looking for? What are you focusing on?

Wed, 11 May 2011 11:28:00 -0400

Motivational speaker Tony Robbins in an exercise asks his audience to look around the room and count the number of brown things that they see. He then asks them to close their eyes, and recall how many red things they saw. They laugh, because they obviously didn’t see anything red, because they were only focusing on looking for brown things. I often refer to this exercise when I’m feeling negative, and only focusing on “the brown things.”

You only see what you’re looking for.

A few weeks ago, the weather was perpetually grey and gloomy and I was feeling quite stuck in a rut, so I challenged myself to go out and only look for colour. My attitude and mood changed almost instantly. My world became more interesting, vibrant and exciting by simply changing my focus.

In the cherry blossom's shade there's no such thing as a stranger. ~ Kobayashi Issa

Mon, 09 May 2011 19:53:00 -0400

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers. ~ Claude Monet

Fri, 06 May 2011 20:08:00 -0400

A foggy night Haiku

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:14:00 -0400

Evening mist blankets
Quiet hope lies patiently
As daylight withers

She lives on beneath everything I do. Her presence influenced who I was and her absence influences who I am. Our lives are shaped as much by those who leave us as they are by those who stay. ~ Hope Edelman

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:52:08 -0500

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats. ~ Albert Schweitzer

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:56:00 -0500

As much as I’ve been loving braving the cold for inspiration, for a change of pace, I dug up a few gems that I took last summer. As part of my yearly visit to The EX, a must-see is always the cat show. It’s always so much fun to gawk at the superstar model cats, and even more entertaining, watch their crazy-cat-lady (and sometimes crazy cat-dude) owners.

The snow falls, each flake in its appropriate place. ~ Zen koan

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:27:00 -0500

Although you might not understand why, you are exactly where you need to be right now.

On my journey out into winter wonderland today, I somehow managed to drop my sunglasses, and of course because of the snow, I didn’t hear or see them fall. When I realized that they were gone, I told myself that it must have happened for a reason.

That reason was to randomly find them an hour or so later on my walk back. I snickered to myself, put them on, and smiled all the way home.

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." ~ Albert Camus

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:30:29 -0500

"The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper" ~ Eden Phillpotts

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:27:14 -0500

Tip #3

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:28:44 -0500

Many freelancers, and entrepreneurs like myself, have the luxury and privilege of setting our own work schedules. If you’re in such a situation, really try to take advantage of this freedom by varying your routines.

If you don’t have a job working from home, or have the ability to dictate your work schedule, there are still many things that you can do to switch things up in order to break from your usual grind. If you normally drive, take public transportation and save some gas money and the environment. If you’re heart set on driving, take a different route. I myself like to take different routes on the subway or while walking (even if it takes longer and its somewhat out of the way), just to change the scenery and feel like I’m experiencing something new. Sometimes when my condo elevator is out of commission, I’m forced to ‘do it a different way’ by taking the stairs - unlucky for me its usually when I’m coming home with my arms filled with groceries haha! But yeah, occasionally take the stairs and give your body some extra exercise. Eat lunch in the park instead of at your computer (I know I’ve been guilty of that many times!).

Don’t get me wrong, routines are important, but it’s a matter of figuring out which ones serve you, and which ones are making life repetitive. Having no routines at all is unhealthy and unproductive. Routines and structure force us to get things done! Just make sure to stay consciously aware, and catch yourself when you slip into auto-pilot and are just going through the motions. Keeping things new and fresh help you to stay present and feeling more alive.

Last summer I started swimming in the pool in my condo during my normal ‘work hours’ to change the flow of my day. It was a great way to have fun, get exercise and refresh my mind for the rest of my work day. Unfortunately this newfound pastime was cut short after getting a ton of water stuck in my ear, bleaching my royal blue bathing suit to a purpley-pinkish colour, and frying my hair with an over-chlorinated pool! But don’t let this deter you from trying something like this. I had a blast, and now that the pool guy has convinced me that the problem has been fixed, I might just give it another try. Swimming is good, chlorine is not!

Lately I’ve been varying what I work on day-to-day. One day I’ll focus on the creative, by designing posters, drawing and brainstorming. The next day I’ll work on all of the nitty gritty administrative tasks that need to get done. Some days I won’t work at all, which sometimes makes me feel guilty, but I realize the importance of taking breaks, stepping back and gaining perspective.

Tip #2

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:03:46 -0500

This tip is especially important for freelancers and those who work from home and are not constantly ‘out in the world’. Living and working in the same space can sometimes give you that dreaded cabin-fever feeling. It’s great to be able to roll out of bed and into work mode without a commute, but sometimes the lack of outside stimulation can be quite monotonous. So the obvious cure for the fever, is to get outside! Many times I’ve spent the entire day, maybe a couple without stepping foot outside of my condo and it always leaves me feeling stagnant and well, just blah in general. So now I try to leave my home at least once a day, even if it’s just a quick walk around the block.

When you go outside for a change of scenery bring your work with you. Same goes for those who work in offices that allow you to leave your workspace. Take your laptop or notebook to a park, cafe, library, hotel lobby, gallery, food court, the possibilities are endless. People-watching is a great source of inspiration. Eavesdropping on conversations at the mall, museum and hospital have given me endless ideas, if only I was a comedian or writer.

You don’t have to leave your home to change your environment. Just working in another room can give you a fresh perspective. Weather permitting, my favourite place to change things up is to work on the balcony. Very lucky for me, I have a view of the lake, which is an endless source of inspiration for me. In the summer months I like to pretend that I’m on vacation while eating breakfast out there. The little table and chair set up is a perfect place to sip tea, daydream, write and sketch. Try to find a little sanctuary of your own that you can escape to when you need to get away from your desk. A breakfast nook, by a large window, backyard patio, anywhere that offers a quite space to make your own.

Lastly, you don’t have to leave your workspace or office, just rearrange or change it. Cleaning works wonders to change the energy of a room. File all of those papers that have been stacking up and get rid of the unnecessary clutter. I try to do this at least once a week, if not once a day. Bring new life into your space by hanging inspiring artwork and surrounding yourself with beautiful things that bring you joy. I have filled my office with plants, which really brings the space life and serenity.

Tip #1

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:23:00 -0500

Ok here is my first of many tips that have helped me in my own creative process!

All of these tips will probably be of little use if you don’t follow this first simple step - so try to make this a priority. If you don’t already have one, get a journal / notebook / sketchbook to jot down and record any ideas that come to you. If you feel so inclined make your own book, make your own paper - go nuts! Just make sure that its special in some way, because hey, you’re special, and your ideas deserve to be honoured and documented with style.

Yes this isn’t groundbreaking, but will be essential if you want to make sure that none of those brilliant gems slip away because you weren’t prepared. Bring your book everywhere. Like waking from a dream and trying to grasp for memories, idea’s are very fleeting, and with our busy lives, you can’t expect to remember them hours or days later. Strangely enough my best ideas usually come to me when I’m either taking a bath, or just about to fall asleep, so I’m learning to make sure that my book is always by my side. Having your book with you at all times will likely make you more open to look for new ideas everywhere you go.

Along with your book, its also helpful to bring a camera with you when you go out. Nowadays that’s a pretty simple task, seeing that most devices have built in cameras. Video cameras, and voice recorders can also be quite useful. My personal preference is still a notebook however, because I love keeping all of my ideas and concepts in one central place. It’s a good feeling to have a book of ideas for a later date, when you’re feeling stumped and out of ideas.

Whatever method you choose just make sure you are documenting your ideas - they’re precious, and you don’t want to lose them!

Stuck in a rut? Is life feeling stale?

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:32:24 -0500

Feeling like you’re life is in a repetitive pattern, not interesting, inspiring or exciting? Or are you an artist with a creative block, a lack of passion and no new ideas? The obvious answer to these problems is - well, do something about it! CHANGE something! Change is key. In order to get fresh new ideas, you have to experience different things in your life.

Now, you don’t have to make drastic changes, or have wild and crazy experiences. Sometimes making the most simple changes can have a significant impact. I often think about one of my favourite quotes from Dead Poets Society to remind me of the concept of just changing your perspective.

Creativity and excitement is already within you. Its just a matter of stirring things up, rearranging components to unveil that force inside and allowing it to flow outwards.

In the following days, I will be posting suggestions and techniques on how to overcome your creative struggles as well as bring more excitement and inspiration into your lives.

I ♡ squirrels!!

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:43:04 -0500

I have a real soft spot for these little buddies, but man are they difficult to photograph. Next time I’ll make sure to have a pocket full of seeds or something.

A breath of fresh air

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:59:00 -0500

I had forgotten how much I love going to Allan Gardens! This lush tropical oasis is truly a break from the city, and a much needed breath of fresh air. Similarly to how steam rooms and saunas are a detoxifying place to relax, I feel that this beautiful greenhouse conservatory has the same effect on me. If I lived closer by, I would definitely make a stroll through this greenhouse a daily ritual.

When life gives you organic carrots - juice them!

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:02:16 -0400

This juice was unbelievably delicious - so sweet and flavourful. Locally grown organic really just tastes better!

Free Organic Food!

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:35:00 -0400

FREE - ORGANIC - FOOD - three of my favourite words! This morning non-profit farm Back 2 Basics partnered with the Zeitgeist-Toronto group to hand out 4000 lbs of produce (carrots, potatoes, onions and squash) for FREE!

“Because the necessities of life should come without a price tag.”

That was the message of the day, along with the promotion of the benefits of locally and sustainably grown food. Thank you to all who were involved!

I will follow up with an entry on how I used these delicious and nutritious goodies!

Cheesy Toronto postcards!

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:16:46 -0400

When taking photographs in my neighbourhood, I’ve noticed that the CN Tower always has a sneaky habit of getting into the shots which instantly makes them look touristy and postcard-esque. Well..why fight it?

Happy Halloween!

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 13:11:00 -0400

Since I still had the old photo album out, I thought I’d share one of my finer halloween costumes. What makes this costume so special? Well it was made with a lot of love by my mother. Many hours were probably spent planning, cutting, sewing and glueing this beauty, and by the looks of my gaze in the mirror, I felt pretty darn spiffy wearing it!

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower" ~ Albert Camus

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:06:42 -0400

The autumn colours never cease to amaze me. To end a cycle with so much enthusiasm and beauty is really magical.