Inspiration for a joyful and creative life

"Dream Conversations" by Sally Evans

Making your dreams come true and living your desired and inspired life is an ongoing journey of discovery.  And a process.

Don’t you sometimes wish you could just push a magic button and everything would be perfect – now?

But it really isn’t about achieving one goal or one moment that defines your happiness or your life.  It is about the journey of discovery and the adventures and opportunities along the way.

I have spent a lot of time resisting the fears,  risks and even some of the joy and excitement along the way.  I have spent a lot of time getting in my own way.

Realizing that all the stages, including  failing, trying again, re-evaluating, re-inventing and refining goals are part of the process of living my dreams allows me to see it differently.

Just like the creative process which has it’s moments of excitement and momentum along with lulls and incubation.  It helps to know there are a myriad of stages and the feelings that go with it that allow you to continue to grow.

Your journey is usually a series of spirals and rarely ever a straight line.

Even though it might be frustrating – isn’t it comforting to know it’s not black and white? There isn’t a check point at the end of the line where someone stamps your Dream Card- granted or denied.

And if you are discovering and appreciating the journey along the path of your dreams, you’ll expect twists and turns along the way.  You won’t give up so easily when you encounter them, and you may even come to regard them as opportunities to grow.

I have recently starting using Springpad and I love it!  Since I have online businesses and do a lot of computer work, I am constantly finding resources, websites, and items I would like to save.

Well, my old method was to print things out.  And depending on what it is, I still do.  But I was getting buried in paperwork and then I had to file it!  More work, more time, and more paper!

With Springpad, I can bookmark a site, or a page, or clip something, and save it online.  I especially like that I can easily add tags so I can search or find it later.

Let me give you a couple of examples of how I use it.  I might be working on a project, and come across a site I would like to explore later…because I’m trying to focus on the project at hand!….I can “spring it” and add appropriate tags and a description if I need it.

I have used it for creativity and time management sites, cool artists, craft or home projects, recipes, website designs I like to help me re-design my jewelry site, virtual assistants or affiliate partners, research for articles, and lots more.

If you are planning a trip, you may want to save several hotel sites, or siteseeing activity sites, restaurants, etc. that you can reference later without writing down all the information or printing it out.

SpringPad also has specific folders for books, recipes, wine, music, movies, businesses, contacts, etc. if you want to use those.

They have a button that you can drag to your toolbar that makes it really easy to just click and add the page or site you want to save.

Keep Track of Your Lists

I haven’t used this feature yet but you can also create lists such as shopping lists, task lists, or checklists.

Add Events, Coordinate with Google Calendar, and Set Alarms

You can add appointments, events, or set an alarm.

You can access your information from anywhere online.  You can send other people your finds by email.  You have an option on each entry to make it public or private.

You can access your bookmarks and lists from your mobile phone.  And there is an IPhone app for it.

I may have to move into the 21st century and get an IPhone or Blackberry.

I haven’t even begun to explore all it’s uses but what I’m using so far is great.

If you have other ideas for how to use Springpad or use other services that you really like, please add a comment and share your experience.

An Easier Way to Set Goals

As we enter a new year, in our area, the ground is covered with white, sparkling snow like a blank canvas, fresh and full of possibilities.

How are you starting off the new year? It can be exciting and overwhelming.

As you set goals, are you making a giant to do list that would be intimidating for someone running their own country?

Are you vowing to do better than last year? Or are you feeling bad that you haven’t made new promises yet that you’re afraid you won’t be able to keep?

What if one of your main aspirations this year could be to simply enjoy your life more?

“The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever his is.” – C.S. Lewis

With a slight change of perspective, it is possible. Think about each area of your life such as relationships, finances, career or business, mind, body, spirit, fun and recreation. Try to write down at least one thing that would make it more enjoyable and more satisfying. How could you make it easier?

The best part is it could be something very simple. Here a just a few possibilities.

• What if you devoted an hour or two a week to a dream or goal you’ve wanted to do for a long time but haven’t found a block of time to accomplish it?

• What if you let go of the pressure of having a certain outcome or deadline?

• What if you were trying to cut down on coffee or sodas and you add a glass of water in between each cup?

• What if you got help from a friend on something you’ve been procrastinating and dreading? My sister and I did this with some of our clutter and it was a huge help!

• What if you gave yourself mini rewards to recognize your efforts?

What if you got in the habit of asking yourself how you could make something more satisfying and easier before doing it? You may come up with some great answers and even better a habit of enjoying life more.

How can you make things a little easier this year?