Climate change

I'm signing petitions and doing what I can to reduce my carbon footprint on the earth. Can the planet be saved or will special interests be able to push their agendas forward with promises of fast profits? I hope the former, I fear the latter.

Summer Grades

I have an A in Art & Ideology in the 20th Century. My other class, Digital Applications, hasn't posted the final grade yet but I got an A on the final project so I'm fairly certain I did well. Yeah! I feel like I'm really going to get my MFA.

Too long

I haven't blogged in a very long time. I focused a lot of attention on the class I was taking so I could up my GPA. I'm happy to report that it worked. I'm off academic probation and am currently taking two summer classes. One is an art history class with a philosophy angle and the other is a skills based class with a focus on Photoshop and Illustrator. I'm looking forward to being involved in both. I hope to decide what to do with my major and/or school of choice by mid-summer.

As for the kids, Nicole had a great first year at college and Zach has turned his life around. They are both doing so well. I couldn't be prouder!

An amazing little video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY&feature=player_embedded

Fabulous article

Criticize Less, Manifest More Good

by
Linda-Ann Stewart

Do you remember how your mother used to tell you, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything?" Well, unfortunately, she was right. But not just so that you're nice or considerate. Not being critical is actually a spiritual principle. It's the Law of Attraction in action.

Wherever attention goes, energy flows. Whatever you focus on expands, whether it's a positive or negative, and whether it's in your life or the lives of others. Criticism is not only negative, there's usually a lot of force associated with the observation. That power gets the attention of the subconscious. And your subconscious doesn't distinguish between the condemning of others' actions and what's going on in your life.

When you're critical of others, the subconscious recognizes the image you're holding and energy connected with it. Whatever you put your attention on tends to grow because the subconscious thinks you want more of it in your life. When you judge others for some infraction, you're restricting the flow of Universal good into your life. In her audio "Prosperity Plus," prosperity teacher Edwene Gaines tells the story of when she first began attending a metaphysical church. She complained to the minister about every aspect of the service, the people, and the activities. The minister, very kindly, told her something like, "Be quiet. Your highest spiritual lesson right now is not to complain."

The Law of Attraction works by attracting what it is that you have your attention focused on, through feelings, what you think about most, and what image is predominantly in your mind. When you're focusing on what you disapprove of, you're attracting more of that into your life. Your negative feelings and thoughts have shut off your mental magnet for good. Instead the Law of Attraction is bringing you more of what you don't want.

- Ask yourself, "Why do I feel the need to disapprove of that person, situation or thing?"

Some people think that the only way they can feel better is to tear others' down. It makes them feel superior to the ones they're judging. It means that their inner critic is incredibly strong, and they thrust their own feelings of inadequacy on other's to achieve some relief from judging themselves. If this is the case, then you might want to work on your sense of self-worth. List the ways that you criticize yourself, and begin to respond to those statements in a more supportive way.

- Is the situation one that truly needs changing?

Sometimes you need to recognize and acknowledge the 800-pound gorilla in the room before you can decide what to do about it. You don't need to direct hostility towards the gorilla, though. That just perpetuates the situation by continuing to passively observe and judge. Instead, use that energy to be pro-active and determine what you need to do to make it better.

- Put yourself on a criticism diet.

No matter how tempting, don't criticize, condemn, judge, or disapprove of others' statements or actions, or situations or conditions in your life. This helps you become aware of how much you do it, and guides you toward avoiding it altogether.

- Find one thing to appreciate about the person or situation.

To paraphrase what your mother said, "Find one good thing to say about them." If you're stuck in traffic, you can appreciate that you're having time to relax and take deep breaths. Suppose your boss yells at you, give thanks that at least you still have a job. What is one thing that you like or can value about the person or condition?

As you stop criticizing others and condemning situations, you'll notice that your life starts to brighten. Finding something good about it gives the Universe, and your subconscious, the intention to bring something beneficial into your life. The Law of Attraction works whether it's negative or positive. Make the choice to put it to work in a much more beneficial way for you.

copyright (c) 2009 Linda Ann Stewart

"A nationally known hypnotherapist, writer, speaker and coach, Linda-Ann Stewart helps people rediscover their power and sense of self-worth. For a copy of her free ebook, "Secrets To The Law Of Attraction," visit http://www.Cedarfire.com/secretstoloa.shtml "

Grades

I have received a B on my first full project for the class I'm repeating and I am going to work hard to keep this momentum going. I'm really excited to do well this semester. I have a B+ average in my History of Graphic Design class so both are going well.

Class update

I did get into the class I need to take. The college decided to offer more sections so I'm very relieved. It is the same professor, however. I've already started working on the projects we'll be tackling this semester and am praying for inspiration and creativity so I can move forward.

A meditation

I get a daily email from Meditations for Women. Today's was especially good. Here's the link: http://www.meditationsforwomen.com/dailys/925285.html

I love this website because it offers a piece of wisdom every day in small, managable chunks. I share with some of my artist friends at Artella and they love them as much as I do.

This is an amazing concept!

Introspection

I have been spending a lot of time with a software program called the Wild Divine/Wisdom Quest. It was put together by Deepak Chopra and offers instruction on energy control and meditation breathing. It's also a phenomenal way to relax. Nicole and I have been fighting over it because we both love it so much. I bought it as a Yule gift for myself and I'm thrilled that she got so much benefit from it. She was really stressed at school last semester so what she's learned from it will help her this spring. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in learning to truly relax at your core. It is a spiritual experience not soon forgotten.

Classes

I finally got ahold of my advisor this week. She wasn't able to get me into the class I need to retake and to make it even better, she can't get me back into the one I dropped to make room for it. Lesson learned - don't jump the gun on dropping classes until you know you can get into the other one. I hope it's offered over the summer or my fall schedule is going to be really messed up. I can't move forward without this class. I sending prayers to the college Goddess.