Modern Creative Studio

Monday, January 9, 2012

It's so complicated to SIMPLIFY

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
-Leonardo da Vinci

How much do we love this quote? Simplicity and sophistication together is like perfection. I'm counting on this quote to keep me motivated and focused on the task at hand in the new year - SIMPLICITY. I have resolved to simplify. Not talk about simplifying or toy with the idea of simplification. Nope, to JUST DO IT. But please don't mistake this as a New Year's Resolution because I don't believe in those. Swore them off years ago. This is a decision I just happened to make at the beginning of a new year. Strictly coincidental. What I'd love for someone to explain to me is this: Why is it so darn complicated to simplify?

Here's the thing. I'm just an ordinary woman with extraordinary dreams in my heart. I've always lived by the mantra, "Go big or go home!" Admittedly, this has created stress in my life that might otherwise be avoided. For example, birthday parties in my home do not consist of party hats, cake, and a few candles. Oh no, no, no. We're talking fully themed bashes, from the last carnival game to the tiniest live ladybug. Bells and whistles, that's my middle name. Make no mistake - I enjoy the planning and the ooooo's and ahhhhhh's of the guests as they enjoy the extravaganza that may have been months in the making. But at some point, the anxiety creeps in and I wonder why I seek to add more chaos to an already chaotic life. Why can't I just simplify? While it may not be birthday parties, you undoubtedly have an area in your own life where you've wondered the same thing. While I'm far from mastering this skill, I'm learning. Why not take the journey with me? It's a process and it takes effort. Like on a daily basis, and at times, an hour-to-hour basis! Maybe it means you repeat it over and over in your head like a crazy person (yes, I do this). Or perhaps you enlist the help of your best friend to keep you in check. Chances are, she'll ask you to return the favor! If you're visual by nature, go to Hobby Lobby and pick up one of those cutesy signs to hang on the wall: SIMPLIFY. I have one in my pantry! Whatever method does the trick for you, go with it and let the simplification begin. Dig deep and figure out what areas of your life have been controlling you and take the control back. Guess what? It feels incredible and before you know it, you'll be a skilled simplify-er. Okay, that's not a word, but you get the picture.
Happy simplifying!

Don't be a Debbie

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn
out.
-Art Linkletter

True dat, Mr. Linkletter. We know that attitude is everything. Mind over matter. The power of positive thinking. Blah blah blah. We've heard these things a countless number of times and a lot of us even buy into it. I know I do. So why is it that we continue to sabotage ourselves? It has puzzled me for years and I've struggled with how to "just say no" to negative thinking! I don't wanna be a Debbie. When life doesn't turn out exactly how we planned it, immediately the thought is, "I'm a failure and nothing ever goes right for me." Wahhhhhhh, wahhhhhh, waaaaahhhhh.

But what if we took pause and looked at the situation from a different point of view? Sometimes what we initially saw as a failure turns out to be a beautiful mistake. But we're so sure we don't like Green Eggs and Ham that we miss it entirely. Yet I've known people who have this innate ability to roll with the punches. And quite honestly, there was a time I wanted to punch those people. (Sorry, but we keep it real here at MCS!) No matter what's thrown at them, they approach it with an inexplicable grace. It's almost like they welcome whatever life has in store.

I want what they have. I no longer feel like decking them. In fact, I admire them. So I started asking questions. Lots of them. And what I found was that there's no real secret involved. Faith most certainly plays a role. These positive people are making a choice, by faith, to make the best of the way things turn out. A CHOICE - novel concept, right? Yet it doesn't come naturally to most of us. We have to work at it and be deliberate in our decision to resist the familiar "See, I really can't do anything right" reaction. I'm here to tell you that attitude IS everything. Taking charge and choosing positivity has changed me - and it can change you too! It's empowering and it's contagious. I want to inspire others. I want someone to look at me and think, "I want what she has." Make a bold move and give it a try. Tell those negative, self-defeating thoughts to take a hike. CHOOSE TO MAKE THE BEST OF THINGS. Start now by fighting the urge to roll your eyes and chalk this up to another corny "being positive rules" post. Besides, you've already read this far so why not decide to just say no to negativity? Plus, nobody likes a Debbie Downer.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Lose Your Marbles

Ever have one of those days? That's probably a silly question. Of course you have - most of us have those days! You know the ones I'm talking about. The kind where you're certain THIS is the day you will, undoubtedly, lose your marbles. You step out of bed, ready to embrace the weekend with gusto...and trip over a metal Tonka truck you'd swear the kid positioned there on purpose. You make it to the bathroom only to realize (a little too late) that there's not a square of Charmin to be found. Your husband has already headed out for 12 hours of golf (I mean, it's only fair after a tough week at work, right? *insert sarcastic eyeroll here*) Just down the hall, you can hear Spongebob Squarepants blaring and can picture your children's eyes glued to the sponge in HD. You cry out to them, imploring them to spare just a square (think Elaine from Seinfeld). It's as if they don't hear you, but you know that's not possible, because they can hear you two towns over. After 5 minutes of pleading, one of them shows mercy and brings you the roll from their bathroom. Which has 2 squares left on it. Now you've got the picture, right?

This is a "losing your marbles" kind of day in my book. But let's get to addressing the true inspiration for this post. MARBLES. Well, puzzles, really. There were gobs of them at the $1 Store and I couldn't help myself. Rummaging through kitties and flowers and quaint country scenes, I see the winner - MARBLES. Only 500 pieces? I wonder how this could possibly challenge my wildly intellectual mind long enough to be worth even a measly dollar? Shoot, that puppy will be done in 10 minutes flat. Fuhgettaboutit, puzzle. Fascinated and eager to prove my puzzle prowess, I hand over my buck. I start it that night and am surprised at how relaxing it is. Mama needs an outlet - could this be it? The family has no desire to pitch in, which quite frankly is a relief. You're mine, multi-colored marbles. Puzzle schmuzzle. The outer frame goes together like nothing. At 1:00am I decide perhaps it's time to retire for the evening and wonder if they should have put a warning on the box for people with a touch of OCD to steer clear. I work on it here and there as I pass by. If I had more time to devote, surely it would have been completed already. But I'm a busy, working mother with responsibilities for goodness sake. It's A LOT of marbles. And so many different colors that look disturbingly similar. I digress and surrender to the power of the measly 500 piecer. It was a long, arduous process. But strangely gratifying. Pounding my chest in true caveman style, I watch it take form over the course of 3 days. I can feel my heart rate increase as I realize my diligence has paid off and I'm down to the last 20-30 pieces. (I'm slightly concerned at how invigorated I am. I actually used to have a life - I swear!) Now I'm rolling and they're fitting in with little effort. Oranges, reds, greens, blues, swirling together, but now forming a discernible picture. I put the last piece in place only to realize...it's NOT the last one at all! The outline of a lone, empty space seems to taunt me. Deflated, I search the floor, on hands and knees, sure it has to be there. I sweep, I hunt, I interrogate small children. To no avail - it could have become a dog treat. Or maybe this is what a dollar gets you these days.. I just wanted to check it off my To Do List. I wanted to shout BOO-YAH! I accomplished something and it felt good! I stared at that missing piece for quite some time before acknowledging the irony. Marbles. So many marbles. All of them laughing hysterically along with me as I realize today was just another "lose your marbles" sort of day.

P.S. Photo was not acquired via google.com. Nope, it's the puzzle, people. Cross my heart.