Box with Locks – Image by Dean Moriarty from Pixabay
When it comes to all ideas are you likely to stay within the confining lines or do you think outside the self-containing and limiting box?
Sometimes, we do indeed, have parameters that we have to work on so that there may be an issue or concern to start off with that have some causal boundaries. If we are ever going to improve, however, we need to stretch our imaginations and mind muscles.
I think, honestly, the issue started when we were told to be “correct” or “right” back when we were young people and we were instructed to only fill in pictures by colouring inside of the line-drawing. Who says that is the right approach?
Now, I absolutely love beautiful art but isn’t beauty found within the eye of the beholder? Aren’t some of the greatest artists in the world ones who come up with new forms and styles of artwork?
I remember loving art as a youngster from even before kindergarten. I loved to express myself with colour. I just enjoyed seeing something great come out of those little colourful crayons. I loved to create and did follow the rules and coloured inside those lines. I was not about to get into trouble.
En Formation – Artwork by Mary Mikawoz
I continued my fascination in art until junior and senior high school. In grade 10, I took an elective in Art class but not beyond then as I thought it was too frivolous of a pursuit and needed to focus my studies in serious subjects like Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
I remember my art teacher in grade 10 being such a fascinating person – a real avant-garde type of personality. She liked my art work a lot and my creations were often chosen to be featured in a number of art shows or displays in various malls around the city.
Morphology – Artwork by Mary Mikawoz
I remember her special love of the expression of abstract art. I could not fathom it. In my judgment, I saw it as artwork that was simplistic and was created by a person who could not draw. Somehow as the years went by and that initial influence of my art teacher, I realized that those artists often could draw really well but chose to express themselves in another fashion. I then came to be impressed by them and their work. I could see how the essential elements of the object could be represented in an abstract way or concept.
Bursting Through – Artwork by Mary Mikawoz
I started to experiment and I found that there was a special fluidity and flow to my drawings and paintings. It helped me not only on an artistic level but also on a mind level where I could use both my left and right-hand hemispheres of my brain.
When dealing with issues or problems at work, I was able to work outside the box. When coming up with new mission statements or major organizational work concepts, my mind soared as I learned to love to express new ideas. I loved to have brainstorming sessions where we fed off of one another’s ideas as nothing was left off the table and no one contradicted each other’s ideas to begin with. It was amazing how often we built on each other’s mindful expressions: building up the foundation of a new house of concepts.
Heart Roots – Artwork by Mary Mikawoz
So, when it comes to work or in life, are you still limited by the old paradigms or are you opening to the new, infinite world of potentiality? I hope you are open to stepping outside the box to create a new and novel approach!
Mary Mikawoz February 19, 2023
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Alphabet Song of Positivity – Photography & Poetry by Mary Mikawoz
I wrote these words to this poem or song of positivity a very long time ago – definitely over a decade ago, circa 2007. They are meaningful and are ones that I hope impacts many people in a positive way. As we enter the New Year tonight and transition into a very New Year of 2022, I hope and pray that everyone takes the initiative to put some or all actions into positive intentions and goals for themselves. I think we could bring the best parts of yesteryear and leave that which no longer serves us behind and reach for a new and brighter future and presence.
I took this photograph of the moon as it was waning back in May 2021 and we are like the lunar cycles, always changing with the seasons of the year.
Here is the poem.
Alphabet Song of Positivity
Achieve Your Best Believe In Yourself Care For Everyone Desire and Create Experience and Enjoy Life Focus Your Goals Go With the Flow Heal Your Soul Inspire and Mentor Others Join The Cause Keep The Faith Live, Love And Laugh Manifest Being Name Your Plan Open Your Heart Present Your Best Side Question Your Problems Realize Your Potential Synthesize Success Think of Wellness Understand People Visualize Wealth Weave An Incredible Future X Out The Negatives Yield Abundance Zero In On Your Dreams
There is something to be said about seeing the potential in something or someone. There are the ingredients of greatness in everyone but we need to tease it out bit by bit.
Most people give up too easily and look the other way without seeing what can actually come to be if only effort is applied. Keep going, it is a just a matter of time before greatness and ease come into your life. There is always a glimmer of hope even if you think it is not worth it.
With my Art, I am often in a zen-type of mood and with my Photography, I feel as if I am inspired by God or the Universe to capture these moments in time.
Thanks in advance for liking commenting, sharing and purchasing. Check out my other images and collections. Thanks for all positive feedback.
This is my abstract interpretation of trois oeufs or three eggs. Originally, the picture was drawn with pen and then added to with India Ink. I then added colour to it. Symbolically, eggs represent many things to many cultures including birth and fertility. I like the potential that eggs represent and the ability to grow into something bigger and better.
Thanks for liking, commenting, sharing and purchasing.
If you are interested in a print, contact Mary directly at Mikawoz@gmail.com
Book: “Be Amazing: Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential,” Paul S. Boynton, Skyhorse Publishing, 2020
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book available: January 7, 2020
“Be Amazing” was an inspirational concept and experience that Paul S. Boynton received after visiting and receiving outstanding service at a restaurant. From there, he goes on to explain that giving your all is necessary in your endeavours. He writes, “It starts with a desire to be the best we can be in a specific area, followed by a decision to actually make it happen.” That is the essence of the book as Paul outlines a number of other people and situations that were outstanding in his opinion.
He outlines six points for Amazing Qualities. One of the quotes that he writes that I like is when you are doing that one special thing, you don’t have to be the best and as a Zen saying goes, “Flowers don’t compare themselves to other flowers, they just bloom.” That is a very encouraging thought and causes some self-reflection.
Mr. Boynton goes on to say that people know when people are being authentic and when they are with the “real deal.” People can recognize a disingenuous smile and reaction.
He gives out some steps on being amazing. They are as follows:
Find your “Spirit Blueprint”
Making a decision
Discover what amazing will look like
Making it happen
He writes his book from a question and answer process. This is how he engages the reader. I understand why Paul does this although I am not sure I like this process. I would prefer he just wrote the book in a straight-forward manner with the assumption that the reader has had those questions and he would answer them without indicating each time what the question was or is.
I like how the end finishes with a quote such as: “Remember, every book began with a single sentence. And every garden started with just a few seeds.”
This book was rather short. I would have preferred a longer version with more stories and examples of excellence.
For an inspirational short read, I give this book a 3.75 out of 5.
Tags:Paul S. Boynton, Skyhorse Publishing, Amazing, Purpose, Fears, Potential, Self-development, Self-help, Spirit, Spiritual, Power of Yes, Begin with Yes, Spirit Blueprint, Decisions, Action, Motivation, Inspiration, Mary Mikawoz, Mikawoz, Book Review
Book: “You Were Not Born to Suffer: Love Yourself Back to Inner Peace, Health, Happiness & Fulfillment” by Blake D. Bauer
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
This book is extensive. I took the maximum time to read this book before it left my computer due to time restrictions. The practical questions are worth their weight in gold. They are very in depth and inquisitive. They make you really wonder about your past and how it has affected your current status in life. I particularly liked the letters written from your current age to your 5 year old, 10 year old, 15 year old and 20 year old stage and so forth. It continues to your current stage of development. In exchange, you also write from a younger age to the current age a letter. It is very informative what comes out of your mind.
The beginning is good but is indicated as an introduction. It should not be that as it is already an intimate part of the book. It should have been chapter 1 and continued onward.
Blake write about the butterfly scenario. I love this story because it says so much. A butterfly was trying to get out of its cocoon and a person thinking they would be kind in helping it out cut it out of its cocoon. Not realizing that blood runs to its wings and that the butterfly comes out exactly when it is strong enough and ready enough to come out. The person did not help the butterfly but hindered the life path of the butterfly. The butterfly was bloated and could not fly. That is with us people. We need to deal with the difficulties to deal with the good things afterwards. It builds strength.
Blake indicates that we become depressed or unwell because we have not learned to express our emotions. We need to remain healthy and happy throughout our lives but for this to happen, we need to be aware of how we are feeling and able to bring out the good and the bad. We need to be authentic to ourselves.
In fact, no one is a bad person for wanting an authentic life. It is simply a desire that each human being has and should have. If we are not reaching our potential it is because we don’t know how to meet our needs. We don’t even know how to ask for what we want or need.
Our egos are not wrong. If we do make our egos wrong, we effect our psyches in a negative way.
According to Buddha, it is not to live in the past or the future but it in the present moment that counts and makes all the difference. There are many good quotes from many good sources throughout the book. I also liked the affirmations that are included after the chapters.
We do need to realize that negative experiences from the past were there to teach us a lesson for leading towards our true purpose. “Everything is exactly as it is supposed to be.”
With that, I will close my review and recommend this book for anyone who is suffering. Read the book and enjoy the insights. Take the time to do the questions as they bring much insight that you would otherwise would get from a counsellor but this way you can do it on your own. Best of luck.
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