Our desire for acceptance and inclusion can be so powerful that we fail to apply logic to our thought process.

Impulse buying, a common driver to the advertising media, is but a minor manifestation of this enigma.

All too common is the sad scenario of an aborted dream or forgone pleasure for no other reason than a unqualified opinion or misdirected remark.

• You’re not (good, smart, rich, …) enough
• You’ll never be (successful, popular, happy, …)
• That’s really (stupid, silly, weird, …)
• You’re (worthless, dumb, odd, …)
• I can’t (depend on, be seen with, stand) you

Sometimes we justify our emotional reaction by giving power or authority to the source – they are my parent, teacher, boss. Alternatively we react illogically out of fear for rejection – that of a peer, social clique, or idol.

Whatever the reason or justification we allow a small insignificant voice to defeat our natural, logical thought process and change the course of our lives.

The impact can be a short detour if we can recognize the emotion for what it is, assess it from a purely logical perspective and make a pointed effort to get back on track and focus on what really matters to us.

The longer we take to realize the impact of our emotions, the greater the effort and time to get back on track but with patience, persistence and the knowledge that we can overcome our emotions we have the strength to put our focus back where we want it and work toward our true goals.

Allow me to illustrate:

You’re in your car, happily driving down the road, when another driver unexpectedly passes you (although you’re keeping up with the speed limit in their mind you’re driving too slow), displays their “opinion” in an unpleasing gesture, and cuts back in front of you too short causing you to react quickly by swerving off the road into the shoulder where you run over debris resulting in a flat tire.

In the moment your emotions run wild (anger, frustration, anxiety, guilt) as you apply logic to the situation and find a safe place to change your tire (or better yet call for help). This thoughtless and inconsiderate act by another human being, over whom you have no control, has negatively impacted your journey leaving you with a choice – do you abort your plans and return to where you started (forever shrouding your failed trip with the misdirected blame you impart on the other driver) or do you accept that you are in control of your emotion and choose, after a short delay, to forge on toward your destination.

The time it takes you to make a decision and get your focus back on your journey, along with the distance to your destination will depend on the length of your journey and the distance to your goal. If you’re in the first day of a cross country trip and fix your tire so you’re back on the road quickly this incident will have little impact on your overall journey. On the other hand, if you’re on the way to the grocery store down the street and you need to wait for help, the incident could result in a major delay in achieving your goal – but with focus you’ll still get there.

Often when we look back on situations similar to this we realize they are just a small bump – most times not even a bump but more like a prick (painful but usually short lived) – in the road along our journey.
Do your emotions sometimes get the best of you. Would you benefit from a safe way to take control of your emotions, apply logic to any situation, and focus on what really maters to you? Join me on a S.E.L.F. Odyssey and learn a new way to express yourself on a Journey Through Art.

How do we inspire others to be part of the something greater than ourselves?

Inspiration is the greatest logical gift of understanding and determination which require permission to examine what is truly a gift of our universal state. In other words our universal state can establish our true strength and our common weaknesses. Therefore, the artistic concept of universal state can logically guide and grow the complete understanding to our true innate abilities for true prosperity in the form of expression.

Inspirational Moment

Choose to choose establish a choice which inspires an artist to expand their voice

The ultimate goal is to make people aware of their leadership qualities and stand strong in life’s adversities. Leadership could provide an individual with the ability to create a network of supporters. The empowerment of our growing leaders will gain a self sustaining quality which helps in understanding the power of each individual.

I believe everybody is an artist as well as a leader in our own lives. The expression of the artist is a creative tool which establishes our sacred space to promote our inner strengths. The leadership tool guides the individual and leads them to a focus of understanding and strength in our true core belief. Journey Through Art program is meant to establish the combination to move forward as life leaders in every aspect of lives. The creative journey is the vehicle in understanding our true belief. Our true belief will help to establish an understanding that the core values will always remain the same and will only heighten the awareness of ourselves and others. In other words, making us more aware of people and things around us as well as create an element of empowerment to handle things that come our way.

Barbara’s thought for the day: leadership through empowering thoughts

Wisdom: Think what you feel and feel what you think

I will be sending out daily blogs on my journey of exploring my program in great detail. Please feel free to express healthy comments or advise on this blog.

May 18th – Introducing my program

The program Journey Through Art is based on a series of steps to find the core self through the three fold belief system. This belief system is based on emotion, logic and focus which are important key elements in establishing our true belief system. This three fold system of emotion, logic, and focus is based on the understanding that we have an innate ability to heal along with a strong purpose through this natural belief system.

Journey Through Art’s main goal is providing a safe environment to explore this natural system of belief. In other words, feeling safe is one of the tools used to help with the breakthrough of each individual and their goal in establishing their own natural belief system. The ELF (emotion, logic, and focus) system provides the vehicle to explore the understanding of core beliefs.

With the end of the path along my journey that brought me to Winthrop in the pursuit of furthering my formal education in sight, I find my self often caught up in contemplation of this same theme.  Where does this leave me now?  When will I see clearly the intersection of the new avenue that will lead me to the next phase of my journey?  What will I discover amidst this new adventure?

Faith: Gainful employment with an adequate source of revenue to reward my efforts in learning and a chance to utilize my new found skills and knowledge is my prayer.  But in spite of my faith, I can’t help but wonder – what opportunities will I have?, where will they lead me?, who will I meet along the way?, how will I inspire others?, when will I know what follows Winthrop?

Gratitude: For the folks with whom I have crossed paths along this leg of my journey, especially those who have been a source of encouragement and strength – for you I am eternally indebted.  For the experience, the professors that challenged me and allowed me latitude to find my way.  For my future, the opportunity to grow and the freedom to seek new horizons.

Excitement: As I anxiously navigate toward my next destination and anticipate the Bon Voyage celebration as I prepare to set sail toward my next horizon.