I was the first individual on either side of my family to go to University. It was never a question of If I go to college but a question of "which college will you attend?". Along the way a phrase was born which I feel, although I understand the reason behind it, limited the scope of my reality. That phrase was, "You will get a real job."
My creative abilities were encouraged. I was told that art makes you a more well-rounded individual and that art was very important. My family listened to music from all over, attended cultural events and enjoyed trips to the museum. There however are no working artists in my immediate family. Art was not a "stable" aspiration and therefore not in the realm of "A real job".
I have discovered that there are many displaced artists in my family tree. I am not content to sit on the branches with them. I have discarded that phrase from my reality and have invested in the artist in me. Fortunately I have fantastic friends who also support me in this creative endeavor. Since December, a whirlwind course has been set in motion leading up to the fantastic culmination of me having 2 of my pieces selected to be a part of a group exhibit in the Art 4 All People Gallery, in Malibu! Today officially launches my website complete with ways to keep up with me on my journey by both Facebook and Twitter. This Saturday is the official Artists Reception. Find out more about this event and join me on my Journey as I experience this amazing adventure. http://www.madnaloy.com/
Monday, May 14, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
The Discipline Train
dis·ci·pline- 1.(n) training to act in accordance with rules; drill: military discipline.
2.(n) activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training
3.(n) punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.
4.(n) behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained
by training and control
5.(v) to train by instruction and exercise; drill.
6.(v) to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.
I want it NOW! How do you learn to appreciate what you have if you are just handed everything? I need the latest technology be it laptop, notebook, or phone. I must have that cookie, cake, fancy dinner. I need those shoes, that car, a flat screen television. I deserve a trip to someplace I've never been. I need it. I want it. I deserve it. Give it to me now. Where did this attitude start? Let's go back in time.
"When I get older, I am going to do what I want." "I can't wait til I'm a grown up so I can do whatever I want." "Adults have it easy they can do whatever they want." "when will I get to do what I want to do?"
Sound Familiar? Words you've heard by pint-sized complainers;words spoken by you in the past (or not so distant past). These are statements that have complicated truths. I AM older and for the most part I do what I want but in order to do that I have to be disciplined enough to do what I need to do. Society, these days, seems to be heavy on the instant gratification but light on the discipline that goes with long term satisfaction.
Discipline is not a natural state. If you notice each definition has train or training as a part of it. Constant conditioning is an on-going life-long process. Those who are truly "having it all" learned this lesson long ago. Think of the habits you have and then think of the world you believe you should live in. Is one keeping you from the other? An honest assessment might shed some life on your reality.
It's more difficult than you ever imagined to be an adult. If you are responsible for more than just yourself it is even more of a world of discipline in which you must live. If I wake up on a Saturday morning, decide to stay in my PJ's and eat cookies all day, that's me but what kind of example does that set for others if you are in charge. If I leave my clothes all over the apartment, that's me. If I invite someone over, how comfortable will it be for that person? How comfortable will I be letting that person in? The list goes on.
I HATE eating oatmeal (unless of course it's in the form of an oatmeal, chocolate chip, walnut cookie). I have high blood pressure and oatmeal is good for helping to lower cholesterol and maintain a healthy heart. I eat oatmeal. I don't want to exercise. I do want to be comfortable in my own skin. I balance a small amount of exercise with eating well and portion control. Do I have off days? YES, everyone does. Do I slip? Of course! Do I continue to do what I know I have to do even though it's not what I always want to do, YES because that's what a REAL adult does.
We need to start training the younger generations in the fine art of discipline. We need to start revisiting this skill as adults as well. You are not always going to like not getting what you want but do not consider it a punishment. Only one definition of discipline is about punishment. All the rest are about the ways we can use this sadly lacking ability to train ourselves to do what must be done in order to have real and well deserved fun in our lives.
2.(n) activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training
3.(n) punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.
4.(n) behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained
by training and control
5.(v) to train by instruction and exercise; drill.
6.(v) to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.
I want it NOW! How do you learn to appreciate what you have if you are just handed everything? I need the latest technology be it laptop, notebook, or phone. I must have that cookie, cake, fancy dinner. I need those shoes, that car, a flat screen television. I deserve a trip to someplace I've never been. I need it. I want it. I deserve it. Give it to me now. Where did this attitude start? Let's go back in time.
"When I get older, I am going to do what I want." "I can't wait til I'm a grown up so I can do whatever I want." "Adults have it easy they can do whatever they want." "when will I get to do what I want to do?"
Sound Familiar? Words you've heard by pint-sized complainers;words spoken by you in the past (or not so distant past). These are statements that have complicated truths. I AM older and for the most part I do what I want but in order to do that I have to be disciplined enough to do what I need to do. Society, these days, seems to be heavy on the instant gratification but light on the discipline that goes with long term satisfaction.
Discipline is not a natural state. If you notice each definition has train or training as a part of it. Constant conditioning is an on-going life-long process. Those who are truly "having it all" learned this lesson long ago. Think of the habits you have and then think of the world you believe you should live in. Is one keeping you from the other? An honest assessment might shed some life on your reality.
It's more difficult than you ever imagined to be an adult. If you are responsible for more than just yourself it is even more of a world of discipline in which you must live. If I wake up on a Saturday morning, decide to stay in my PJ's and eat cookies all day, that's me but what kind of example does that set for others if you are in charge. If I leave my clothes all over the apartment, that's me. If I invite someone over, how comfortable will it be for that person? How comfortable will I be letting that person in? The list goes on.
I HATE eating oatmeal (unless of course it's in the form of an oatmeal, chocolate chip, walnut cookie). I have high blood pressure and oatmeal is good for helping to lower cholesterol and maintain a healthy heart. I eat oatmeal. I don't want to exercise. I do want to be comfortable in my own skin. I balance a small amount of exercise with eating well and portion control. Do I have off days? YES, everyone does. Do I slip? Of course! Do I continue to do what I know I have to do even though it's not what I always want to do, YES because that's what a REAL adult does.
We need to start training the younger generations in the fine art of discipline. We need to start revisiting this skill as adults as well. You are not always going to like not getting what you want but do not consider it a punishment. Only one definition of discipline is about punishment. All the rest are about the ways we can use this sadly lacking ability to train ourselves to do what must be done in order to have real and well deserved fun in our lives.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Don't Check Me In
Why are we checking in to any place that's not an airport or a hotel? Why are our friends trying to check us in? Who thought that giving a precise map to the location was a good idea?If you are online and not aware of all the possibilities then you have been at some point and time checked in. There are apparently rewards waiting for those people in to this idea. I however am not fond of this particular form of online intrigue.
I am just as guilty as everyone else for tagging photos of people who are with me at public events. I try my best to keep the tagging to a minimum and to the particularly pretty shots. The pictures of us all together after the event that will be posted are wonderful memories. I like the online ability to share the moment. It's as if photo albums found a new life where they are not being brought out to unsuspecting guests but instead left out for those with the desire to peruse to do so. This to me is information enough for any who cares.
I do not like the idea that someone, even a friend, has the ability to tell the world at large EXACTLY where I am when I am ACTUALLY there. I have personally turned off all of those permissions on my various accounts because I will tell anyone the following, "Don't check me in." As a single woman, I find it a bit unnerving that a map to my precise whereabouts can be generated to show you how to get to me too. If I want you to know where I am, I alone should be responsible for telling you.
I don't need to be the mayor. I don't care about the free stuff. I already am free advertising just by my posting that I went to your restaurant, movie, concert and the like. I do not need to be checked in and have the coordinates of my journey plotted for all to see. I just don't get how this is useful beyond the free stuff someone receives especially when that someone is not me. We all draw our intrusive line. Here's where I draw mine.
I am just as guilty as everyone else for tagging photos of people who are with me at public events. I try my best to keep the tagging to a minimum and to the particularly pretty shots. The pictures of us all together after the event that will be posted are wonderful memories. I like the online ability to share the moment. It's as if photo albums found a new life where they are not being brought out to unsuspecting guests but instead left out for those with the desire to peruse to do so. This to me is information enough for any who cares.
I do not like the idea that someone, even a friend, has the ability to tell the world at large EXACTLY where I am when I am ACTUALLY there. I have personally turned off all of those permissions on my various accounts because I will tell anyone the following, "Don't check me in." As a single woman, I find it a bit unnerving that a map to my precise whereabouts can be generated to show you how to get to me too. If I want you to know where I am, I alone should be responsible for telling you.
I don't need to be the mayor. I don't care about the free stuff. I already am free advertising just by my posting that I went to your restaurant, movie, concert and the like. I do not need to be checked in and have the coordinates of my journey plotted for all to see. I just don't get how this is useful beyond the free stuff someone receives especially when that someone is not me. We all draw our intrusive line. Here's where I draw mine.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Earth Day
I'll admit it. I just nodded along the first time I heard about this day I had no idea of where it came from. I mean. Earth Day? What do you do? Why does it exist. When did we start celebrating this? It was a complete surprise to me. Over the years it's value has become well known to more and more individuals across the globe. Thankfully we have decided to use this time to truly make the masses aware of the Earth and all it's needs. This week my elementary school is celebrating "Earth Week". Here's a bit of history to let you in on the reasons why. http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-history-movement
Monday, April 16, 2012
Want vs Need
Struggling to find the difference between want versus need has been a lifelong issue. I want to be independently wealthy. I need to work. I want to be thinner, I need to exercise. I want to travel the globe, I need to figure out how. These are logical want and need progressions. However, I have noticed society has progressed into "needs" that are definitely NOT needed.
A commercial ran the other day that stated "Tired of missing out on the best things in life because you don't have a flat screen tv?" No one NEEDS a flat screen tv in order to have the best things in life. If your reality requires high definition television in order for it to be the best, you need to reconsider your priorities.
I've mentioned this before in an article about the sense of entitlement going around in the younger generations these days. It appears that it is more pervasive than just the sense of entitlement. Somehow what we want has transferred itself to the what we believe we need category.
Currently, I work with children that are around 10 years of age. Most of these kids are not required to do any chores. Over half of my class of 34 are not even required to make their own beds. It rained unusually hard last week and several of them asked me if they could call their parents to get dry shoes. If these are the building blocks for the future of society. I fear the world will be crumbling around us in the years to come.
How can this lot distinguish between legitimate wants and needs if everything is taken care of for them? Expectations will continue to run high and what these children believe should just happen will become more and more outrageous as time goes on.
A friend of mine actually said to me "I HAVE to watch the games.", when I suggested she cut her cable in order to lesson household expenses. Apparently the reality of having to buy gas to get to work or food to feed the family was greatly shadowed by the NEED to watch a sporting event. If both the children and the adults who are meant to be guiding the children are caught up in this continued keeping up with the Jones' mentality, how can we possibly move forward?
We need to figure out how to bring boundaries back into reality and actual wants and needs back into society. We want and need better healthcare. We want and need better choices for political offices. We want and need homes in which to live, food to eat, clean air to breathe and an end to social and racial tension. We don't have it. No one NEEDS an iPad, a Kindle, or a Kardashian....yet somehow they are all here and thriving.
"You can't always get what you want But if you try sometimes, well you might find
You get what you need." The Rolling Stones were quite correct in this statement. We need to try , not some time, but all the time. That time is Now.
A commercial ran the other day that stated "Tired of missing out on the best things in life because you don't have a flat screen tv?" No one NEEDS a flat screen tv in order to have the best things in life. If your reality requires high definition television in order for it to be the best, you need to reconsider your priorities.
I've mentioned this before in an article about the sense of entitlement going around in the younger generations these days. It appears that it is more pervasive than just the sense of entitlement. Somehow what we want has transferred itself to the what we believe we need category.
Currently, I work with children that are around 10 years of age. Most of these kids are not required to do any chores. Over half of my class of 34 are not even required to make their own beds. It rained unusually hard last week and several of them asked me if they could call their parents to get dry shoes. If these are the building blocks for the future of society. I fear the world will be crumbling around us in the years to come.
How can this lot distinguish between legitimate wants and needs if everything is taken care of for them? Expectations will continue to run high and what these children believe should just happen will become more and more outrageous as time goes on.
A friend of mine actually said to me "I HAVE to watch the games.", when I suggested she cut her cable in order to lesson household expenses. Apparently the reality of having to buy gas to get to work or food to feed the family was greatly shadowed by the NEED to watch a sporting event. If both the children and the adults who are meant to be guiding the children are caught up in this continued keeping up with the Jones' mentality, how can we possibly move forward?
We need to figure out how to bring boundaries back into reality and actual wants and needs back into society. We want and need better healthcare. We want and need better choices for political offices. We want and need homes in which to live, food to eat, clean air to breathe and an end to social and racial tension. We don't have it. No one NEEDS an iPad, a Kindle, or a Kardashian....yet somehow they are all here and thriving.
"You can't always get what you want But if you try sometimes, well you might find
You get what you need." The Rolling Stones were quite correct in this statement. We need to try , not some time, but all the time. That time is Now.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Bunnies and Eggs
As a child, Passover was directly related to the special movies on television. Lots of "Pharaoh let my people go." quotes were all I actually understood. As I have grown older however I recognize the significance of Passover more readily than bunnies and eggs. I like the rituals and traditions it brings. http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/871715/jewish/What-Is-Passover.htm
Easter has always meant chocolate bunnies and colored eggs to children who celebrate. Dying eggs festive colors then going hunting for them was always fun. Baskets filled with sweet treats that you traded with siblings, biting ears off bunnies and making faces at funky jelly bean flavors was always a routine right there with going to church. Springtime rituals crossing over into the story of Jesus, although fun, the connection still confuses me.http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-easter
I will admit though, Sees Candies half price the day after Easter sale on chocolate eggs is calling my name ;-)
Easter has always meant chocolate bunnies and colored eggs to children who celebrate. Dying eggs festive colors then going hunting for them was always fun. Baskets filled with sweet treats that you traded with siblings, biting ears off bunnies and making faces at funky jelly bean flavors was always a routine right there with going to church. Springtime rituals crossing over into the story of Jesus, although fun, the connection still confuses me.http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-easter
I will admit though, Sees Candies half price the day after Easter sale on chocolate eggs is calling my name ;-)
Monday, April 2, 2012
April Fool's Day
Hopefully we all arrived to today without too many pranks along the way. April first has been known as a day where practical jokes run wild and free yet we are not exactly sure why we do it.There are numerous rumors of the days creation but this is one day where the origin has definitely been lost.
I like the idea of a designated day of laughter. We need more laughter, light and love in the world. The wisdom of this day is lost on most as foolishness seems a great waste of time to many. We often get too caught up in the pressures of reality to understand that young or old we all need to laugh. It makes you live longer.
As long as everyone is in on the joke the day is good. It's the pranks that cause mayhem to happen. A good joke and we are all laughing and happy. A prank and someone's being laughed at, not with. Hopefully all the April Fool's out there know the difference. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aprilfools1.html
I like the idea of a designated day of laughter. We need more laughter, light and love in the world. The wisdom of this day is lost on most as foolishness seems a great waste of time to many. We often get too caught up in the pressures of reality to understand that young or old we all need to laugh. It makes you live longer.
As long as everyone is in on the joke the day is good. It's the pranks that cause mayhem to happen. A good joke and we are all laughing and happy. A prank and someone's being laughed at, not with. Hopefully all the April Fool's out there know the difference. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aprilfools1.html
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