What do you think of when the days begin to lengthen and the weather brings peaks of sunshine and warmth to warm up your soul? I’m pretty certain that you think of words like, new beginning, transformation, renewed energy, and get an itch to do something new and different. Well me too!
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Here is the original card I drew and painted for the word ABUNDANCE. I fell in love with this girl and the dog looking out the window to see the world outside of her house. The bird is sweeping past flying towards the array of opportunities that lay ahead in the wide open world. Can you feel the freedom of opening your mind up and coming up with other opportunities when a door suddenly closes? It will happen for you too!
Coming Soon… I will have some of my card deck’s original artwork for sale in my Artfulgivingshop (or click the SHOP tab above). If you have a request for a specific design, you can let me know by posting below.
Wishing you a happy heart day! This girl is a part of my card deck, MAGICAL MIND-SHIFTS…Ignite Your Inner Power, Build a Business and life you love! Today is a special day and I wanted to introduce this sweet “modern-day Japanese Kokeshi Girl” to you! Pay attention to her powerful message. I always listen to her message because I have a bad habit of thinking that I can change others. I don’t like the stress it puts on me when I think that way. Can you relate?
Here’s the message:
CHANGE… If you are seeking change, first create change within yourself, instead of trying to change others.
Your Task: Ask yourself this question. “What kind of change can I create so that goodness will spill out into the world?”
YOUR “AHA” MOMENT: You realize that you are taking steps to create a better world by reinventing yourself everyday.
This is my 62nd drawing I finished to be added to my Magical Mindset card deck and I’ve become so fond of this card that I wanted to share it with you its message. The title of this card is APPROACH.
This type of labeling takes place often in my business. I hear someone saying, “She is lazy! She never cleans up her work are”. Can you see how easy it is put a label on someone? It always works out better if you address the behavior by saying something like, “I noticed that you left work yesterday forgetting to sweep your work area. I know that you were in a hurry but I just wanted to remind you so you will remember to do it today. Thanks, I really appreciate your hard work in keeping our workplace as pristine as possible.”
Approach – When a person feels like they are being unfairly labeled or attacked, their first instinct is to go on the defensive.
Your Task – Address the behavior, not the PERSON.
Your “Aha!” Moment – The person acknowledges your concern and understands the true intent of your message. Without being confrontational, you have left their self-esteem intact!
Too bad that we hear this kind of labeling everyday from our government leaders. It makes us all upset when we hear people of different ethnic backgrounds, gender, disabilities and lifestyles being labeled with a negative message. Each one of us can create a more loving world if we are mindful not to put labels on people. What do you think? Do you like the message on this very last card I created? I’d love to hear from you. Please share your own experiences and ideas below.
If you could share some wisdom you learned in life that might help others solve a problem or live a happier life, what would that be?
This colorful and inspiring card deck I’m creating is the result of me asking myself the same question at the beginning of 2018. I’ve worked for a year and created sixty hand painted images, words of wisdom and recommended action steps.
My super-talented Editor, Randy finished the final edits today and I’m excited that the project went off to Tanya Back, my Graphic Designer!
Why did I create this card deck, Magical Mind-shifts…Words to help you build a business and life you love? This comes to you with much love and my desire to share the wisdom I learned from building a business that I absolutely LOVE! People always ask me, “What is the one thing that kept you going through the tumultuous times in your business?” My answer has always been, “I don’t accept how things are. I see how things can become.” I made it a practice to use everyday words and my imagination to develop a positive attitude and take actions that lead me to a better place.
To create a life you love requires clarity in thinking, courage, and discipline.
We have the power to change the way we think by simply shifting the meanings in words we use. When we combine words with our imagination, we can propel our thoughts in a creative direction and force ourselves to focus on what we want to achieve. By putting ourselves on the right track and following our values, we are choosing to live a life of purpose.
I have experienced this evolution in my personal and business life. When I feel discouraged or things appear to be hopeless, I force myself to see things in a new, more positive way. When there is clarity in my thinking, I am creating good choices for myself. As a result, my ideas are centered around what I believe, how I choose to live my life in order to fulfill its maximum potential, how I choose to love and support myself and others, and, most importantly, how I choose to have a happier and fulfilling life. As a result, my life has changed in so many positive ways. I have been able to achieve so many more wonderful things in business that reflect my beliefs, my transformation, and the personal investments that I have made in myself.
If you start by making small changes, you will soon find that you have more balance in your life and are creating a life that you actually love to live.
I have a special favor to ask you. Do you think the Magical Mind-shifts card deck can serve as a tool for your life-long learning? Do you think learning to shift your thinking on how you interpret everyday words might lead you to a more productive and satisfying life? I’d love to have you post your comments below.
Happy New Year! This morning, I’m thinking of what I want to accomplish in this coming year. I got up at 6:00 AM and couldn’t resist tip-toeing into my craft room and quickly draw this image on the paper. It helps me to put my thoughts together with something visual. I think most of us like to see an interesting image instead of seeing your thoughts only in written words. Do you agree? I’d love to spread the idea of spending time in doodling this year. Yhea, it really relieves my stress when I draw, paint and cut up colorful paper to express what’s on my mind. One thing I know for sure, when I see this girl with so many ideas for the year, I feel motivated to get them done for her. I will have to get busy if I want to get some of these things done for myself. The first step will be to choose my top five things from this drawing and create a simple business plan and a “TO DO” list for each project. I’m a firm believer of using the “TO DO” list to hold me accountable. If you want to stay focused and accomplish your goals, try this for yourself! More planning ideas to come!
PS – My card deck project is getting close to the finish line and I can hardly hold my excitement back! I feel compelled to give you a sneak peak of the cover image. What do you think of the title I chose after many hours of going back and forth with my advisors?
MAGICAL MINDSHIFTS, Words to help you build a business and life you love! Hmmm… I’d love to get your feedback. Here is the front cover of my card deck. I’m wondering if the image appeal to you. I’d love to hear from you.
Happy December, everyone! I always feel so inspired at the beginning of the holiday season. My holiday planning begins on September 1 of every year. On this day, I make a four month work plan that covers all the things I have to do every single day until the end of the year. This kind of stay-ahead planning has helped my business to receive the most potential from the holiday season.you
Here’s a quick holiday checklist questions to probe your good-will for the season:
–What will you be doing to thank your loyal customers?
–What will you you be doing to appreciate your employees?
–What will you be doing to help your business increase sales?
–What is one thing you will do to give back to your community?
–How will you decorate your environment and package your gifts?
Holiday season inspires me to new arts and crafts project or something that inspires my creatively.
I can always tell Christmas is coming when I get my creative energies going. I’ve been staying up nights drawing, painting and glazing these beautiful ornaments to sell at our 12th annual Angels for the Animals fundraising month. When bought in my salon, proceeds will be donated to Pasado’s Safe Haven, Old Dog Haven, Ginger’s Pet Rescue and Precious Life Animal Sanctuary/
These ornaments are limited and now loaded up on my Artful Giving Shop You can click the SHOP tab above to view the creativity I’ve loaded for you.
I will be donating 10% of the proceeds to one of the four animal welfare organizations I support. I would love to hear what you’re planning on making this month – perhaps something for the holidays or a gift for a loved one?
PS- I will be unveiling an exciting new product in January that will get your creative juices going to step into a fulfilling and productive 2019!
When I was a little girl, I dreamed of sharing my art with the world. Today, I’m excited to announce that my dream has come true with the launch of my online gift store, the Artful Giving Shop. Browse the handmade cards, original artwork, and prints to see what sparks joy in your soul. Each piece arose from a place in my heart where those sparks were truly needed.
Handmade art restores creators, givers, and receivers.
Happy days were scarce while growing up in Japan during the bleak days following the end of World War II. My fondest memories, were making colorful hand-made items using paper, yarn and scraps of Japanese fabrics. I sold them to the neighborhood kids in exchange for play money. I still remember the expressions of joy on their faces as they carefully picked out their choices from the handmade tags, cloth bean bags and origami folded candy wrappers while visiting my make-believe store. It made me feel special when Mother marveled at the array of artwork and craft items I created and exclaimed, “Keiko, wait and see. When you grow up, you will have your own gift store!”
At the age of 11, when my mother brought me to America, I began the arduous task of learning English and acclimating to the American school system. It was often difficult and humiliating, but when things got a little bit too hard for me to take, I always brought out my watercolor set and painted. Art was the one thing that uplifted my spirit, no matter how bad things were.
Artful Giving Shop was created to bring some of those magical moments that I have experienced. I’d love to have you visit my new on-line store, click on the SHOP tab above or go to www.artfulgivingshop.com. While browsing, I hope you find the perfect something that will bring you the same joy that I experienced while creating it.
When you buy my art, you are giving a helping hand to abused animals.
A 10% of proceeds from every sale will be donated to rescue and rehabilitate abused farm and domestic animals.
www.pasadosafehaven.org www.olddoghaven.org