Inspiration for a joyful and creative life

I saw the wonderful movie Julia and Julie last weekend.  Most likely you’ve seen the ads for the movie and you may have had one of two reactions.

If you are like me and love to cook, and remember watching Julia Child on PBS, you were eagerly anticipating the movie.  (I hope PBS will air her shows again.)

If you are like my son, he can’t imagine why anyone would want to watch a movie about someone blogging about cooking.

The movie was so well done on many different levels.  The writer and director, Nora Ephron, showed the parallel lives of two women sharing their passion for cooking and life.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.  Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”     -Albert Schweitzer

Julie Powell, a writer, is ignited by her passion for  Julia Child, author and teacher of Mastering the Art of French Cooking .  Julie chose to blog about her experience of working her way through the cookbook in a year.

Here are some of the lessons I got from the movie:

Finding out what you love to do and are passionate about is worth the effort.

It doesn’t mean you’ll get famous for doing it but it does mean you are using your gifts and talents for a more rewarding life.

Being persistent and patient is its own reward.

Both of these women spent a great deal of time and effort pursuing their passions of cooking and writing, and had many frustrations and dashed hopes along the way but they kept going.

Having support is key.

In the movie, both Julia and Julie have supportive husbands and friends.  Having at least one person that can help you remember that you are capable and wonderful despite the disappointments is priceless.  It can be hard to be persistent and patient without a little pat on the back sometimes.

You never know what might happen.

Julia Child didn’t start out writing a cookbook so she could be a well known TV personality and chef, and wasn’t expecting that to happen.

Julie Powell wanted to give herself a gift of creating a goal and finishing it, and while she hoped that people would read the blog, who would have expected that would lead to a book and a movie?

There were so many levels that I enjoyed this movie.  I loved the passion it showed, both with their careers and their husbands, the story of possibilities, the reassurance that dreams don’t always happen overnight, and the wonderful acting, writing, directing.

What did you think?

Our black lab, Nikki manages to teach us a thing or two about living a happy life with her profound wisdom.

If You Want Something, Ask.
Nikki may take this a little far and can be shameless in her persistent pleas for dog treats. But the fact she “asks” for them every chance she gets by trying to lock eyes with us and move us toward the treat jar, as if we are in a hypnotic state, she gets more treats. She keeps us reminded of what she wants and doesn’t assume we’ll remember on our own.

Show Your Appreciation
When you pet our dog and she really likes it, she moans with loud, audible breathing that sounds like Darth Vader. It’s hard not to laugh and keep petting her.

If we had known this about her from the beginning, we may have named her Mona (Lisa) instead.

Enjoy Your Work
She takes her job seriously as Ranch Security around here. She takes great pride in barking at coyotes and raccoons, and chasing squirrels, but wags her tail just the same.

Learn to Relax and Take a Break
This may be one of Nikki’s finest skills. While being in charge of Ranch Security is an unrelenting 24/7 on call business, she takes her relaxation just as seriously.

She knows to be her best, she has to listen to her body. When she is sleepy, she doesn’t fight it. She gives it 100%, takes a deep breath, and surrenders to as many naps as it takes.

Wag Your Tail
If you’re happy and you know it, wag your tail. Good moods and enthusiasm are contagious. No matter what kind of day you are having, when you are greeted with such obvious delight, it’s hard not to respond in kind.

As we mature, we learn not to outwardly show our emotion. Maybe we could let just a little of the merriment out now and again. Perhaps it would be better to show your momentary glee in public by smiling, giggling or clapping. Wagging your tail may have undesired consequences.

Be an Explorer
Using all your senses, especially your intuition helps you to be alert and aware for adventure along the way.

Being ready for a crumb dropped here or a scent on the trail of excitement will make today another really good day.

P.S. I did the painting above with acrylics.

Please comment on this and share lessons you’ve learned from your pet.

You Can't Do It Alone

Whenever you are starting something new, there are so many things you don’t know.  You don’t even know what you don’t know yet.

One of the best ways of figuring out how to do something is to find someone or several people who are doing all or part of what you want to do and pay attention to what they are doing.

Basically, you are finding mentors who can help you learn along the way.  You can find mentors in books, through the internet, on websites, blogs, or asking others.

Do they have a program, ezine, class, seminar, or book?  Can you volunteer to work for them (think apprentice)?

Sometimes starting can be the hardest part.  You don’t have to know how to do everything before you start.  Just gather some information and take a small step.  And then another.

One way I am sharing knowledge is through interviewing interesting and amazing people I’ve come across for my series of Inspired Artists and Creative Entrepreneurs.

Barbara Winter, author of Making A Living Without A Job,  shares her delightful outlook on creating a joyfully jobless life.  And Rena Klingenberg shares her refreshing ideas about being an artist, entrepreneur and single Mom and keeping the balance in her life.

So, remember, you aren’t alone.

Who or what has helped you to do take that next step?