Daydreaming

Meditation

Contemplation

Balance

Self-enjoyment

Truth

Indulgence

Aloneness

Self-imposed Isolation

Self-immersion

Stillness and Silence 

Additional Resources on the Sweetness of Solitude

Wisdom Quotes Video - You Tube  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EyixdxfCv4 

Funny loneliness

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/957153/goodtolove_com_funny_loneliness/

Article on Overcoming Loneliness

 http://www.personal-development.com/chuck/loneliness.htm

142 Songs on the Subject of Loneliness & Isolation – Songfacts

http://www.songfacts.com/category-songs_about_loneliness_or_isolation.php 

There are many ways to view criticism. The task that artists must take on when they finish a piece of work is to be able to deal with the disappointing responses that come from their critics and to not let them dampen their spirits, to continue to create, especially, when they are doing the very best that they can.  

 Criticism can be viewed many ways – Here are just a few to consider:

Denigration – scorn and disrespect

Lack of praise or appreciation – disdain over numerous attempts

Poor evaluation – another’s assessment of one’s artistic results

Critique of one’s work – appraisal of one’s efforts

Unsolicited comments – unwelcome remarks

Analytical analysis – methodical reasoning

Progress report – ongoing opinions

Disparagement – belittling of work or harsh ridicule

 Censure – reproach for efforts made

Deduction – inference

Criticism is merely that, a way that people interpret an artist’s efforts to meet his or her imaginative goals.  Overly critical observers cast dispersion on what the artist does based on their opinions of the his or her work.  Some people are better at evaluating an artist’s vision than others, but in any case, whatever comments are made they are subjective and remain subjective until the artist chooses to invite them to be anything more than someone else’s truth.

 I have never met an artist that would prefer to be deprecated rather than fully appreciated.  I personally see little value in attacking someone else’s art because doing so might interfere with their intuitive attempts at creativity, and that is not what I want to do with an artist who has the daring to put something out into the world with his or her signature on it.  

Artists are creators of art, they are individuals who produce and initiate things that are unique and different unto them. I, for one, do not expect them to be performers as such, although a few of them are at times, equally as adept at being one-of-a-kind, personalities.

Many artists tend to dress, speak or act out their art; their outrageous behavior is what makes them even more intriguing, which I believe is what encourages them to be so outlandish and eccentric.

5 Ways How to Survive a Slight

Self-control  – Aim for A Responsive Reaction, use it to Build a Creative Foundation

Build a Support Platform that Connects you with  People who Naturally Admire your Creative Nature

Be Your Own Work of Art – See Everything Else As Just an Extension of Who You Are

Let Your Projects be Your Reward – Make the Process More Important than the Outcome

Open Up to Other People’s Opinions and Recognize Them for Just What They Are – Just That!

Others Views on the Subject –

Handling Criticism Phobia -

http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/criticism-phobia/understanding/ 

Overcoming Phobias including reacting to unfair criticism

http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/criticism-phobia/understanding/

Coping with Infuriating, Mean and Critical People

http://www.amazon.com/Coping-Infuriating-Mean-Critical-People/dp/0275989844 

Breaking the Cycle – how to respond to overly critical people

http://sfhelp.org/cx/apps/critical.htm

 Why are some people overly critical

http://www.amazon.com/Coping-Infuriating-Mean-Critical-People/dp/0275989844 -

I started thinking about writing this blog with one question in mind, what is dating about in 2011? I did a little research and came up with the following insights, I hope you will agree or share your comments with me on the subject:

Good Dating Judgment Comes From Experience and from Getting the Inside Scoop –

• There are no “steadfast rules” anymore
• Women are still battling stereotypes
• Too many men are confused about their masculinity
• Financials are a serious consideration in potential mating opportunities
• Women are still looking for security over love but many still do not realize it
• Men whether they admit it or not are looking to marry-up to improve their status
• Women with children are not out of the dating game as much as they think they are
• Some men actually prefer to work their way into a family unit rather than start one up from scratch
•  Men like women to carry their own weight but don’t know how to express their preference
• Men need to feel as if they are needed
• Women are less in touch with their femininity and more about trying to meet marketing dictates about how they should look and act
• Men know the difference and shy away from women who have to try too hard to be “pretty”

If you want to be a successful dating who to Stay Clear of the Following:

• A person who falls in love too fast
• A name dropper – someone who tries to overly impress you
• Men or women who mistreat pets or who have no use for them
• People who hates children or cannot be bothered by their presence even for a short time
• Those who lives in a completely sterile environments devoid of any plants, flowers or any other signs of natural life
• People who cannot mention having a good time without connecting enjoyment to substances such as: alcohol, recreational drugs or enormous amounts of rich food
• Candidates who never want to introduce you to family or close friends
• People who act awkward when you suggest that they meet your family and friends and make all kinds of excuses to avoid potential encounters
• Shifts the conversation when you mention long-term plans of any sort
• Speaks only of issues and concerns that involve him or her personally
• Expects too much from you and resists turn taking
• Wants to share intimate details about life way too soon in your relationship
• Keeps talking about Ex’s and how he or she was victimized by them

 Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.  ~Auguste Rodin

CNN’s Matchmaker’s Tips on Dating

http://articles.cnn.com/2008-03-03/living/o.dating.dos.donts_1_tough-love-first-date-matchmakers?_s=PM:LIVING

Thoughts on Serial Dating

http://articles.cnn.com/2008-03-03/living/o.dating.dos.donts_1_tough-love-first-date-matchmakers?_s=PM:LIVING

Some Profound Very Personal Female Insights on the Why’s and Wherefores of Dating

http://datingdc.wordpress.com/2011/02/19/why-do-i-write-this-blog/

Pointers on How To Enchant Women

http://www.100-dating-tips.com/

Cashing in on Corporate Dating Nuances – A Glimpse into a Premier Dating Service

http://datingdc.wordpress.com/2011/02/19/why-do-i-write-this-blog/  

Sexual Politics in Higher Education and Beyond – Dating Bans in the Corporate World

http://dankprofessor.wordpress.com/2007/09/11/dating-bans-in-the-corporate-world/

   Tips on Avoiding Dating Discomfort

  http://attractyoursoulmate.blogspot.com/2008/11/larina-kase-on-facing-dating-discomfort.html 

Intelligent Interactions – what to say and not to say on a date

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xbzccc_secrets-to-successful-dating-conver_webcam

For as long as I can remember, I have always been able to predict with vivid imagery, a certain amount of accuracy of  future events.  At first, I just thought it was just a mere coincidence, an occasional probability, but after a while I begin to notice that I would frequently have very specific hunches and whatever it was that was emerging through my subconscious intuition would eventually, come to pass, which was immensely encouraging because I had dramatic evidence that supported my mental visions.

Over the years only a few of my closet friends have been made aware of my intuitive powers and will sometimes ask me to predict an outcome of a future event for them.  If I work at it I can get a strong indication of what could come about, but I am cautious since my vision can be tainted; I find that I want to give my friends evidence that will help meet their highest expectations as opposed to what may in fact, be just the opposite conclusions.  As a result, I keep a lot of my revelations to myself until the natural course of events is unveiled and discovered by them.

It seems that as I mature my range of future knowledge about people, places and things has become more instinctual to me and I find myself more trusting of my intuitive feelings. I know that if I perceive something before it actually manifests it is because there are many psychic clues along the way to what eventually appears evident long before its time. 

I am far from alone; there are many people who I have met throughout my lifetime who have shared their memories, dreams and their own special reflections relating to precognition.  One thing all people with future sight have in common is that after a while we all start to detect similar patterns in our awareness and if we choose to take them seriously, sooner or later, we increase our abilities through recognizing the value of our visions and following our insights.

More on this Topic –

Video Precognition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwjwP3aUSd8

Precognition Test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pd4zPeGfis&feature=related

Parapsychology

http://www.arielspeaks.com/Paranormal/New_Age_Parapsychology.html

Conscious Universe

http://www.deanradin.com/NewWeb/TCUbiblio.html

Develop Clairvoyance

http://www.develop-clairvoyance.com/precognition/

Every one of us has the capacity to tap into our supernatural intelligence in order to better recognize what is of great spiritual consequence and soulful in another person.  Although, some people require greater contemplation, once we have mastered the capability to see what is best in a person we begin to experience a six sense with which we can use to detect their otherworldly qualities.

The instant spiritual connection we make with others comes from our intuitive aptitude about people.  Honoring all that is good in a person and thinking of him or her as a gift in this world is what makes us more instinctually aware a person’s spiritual qualities even if they themselves are not in touch with the pure goodness that lies within them.

This ability to sense in others what is not so readily apparent to most upon a first encounter is of tremendous value when interfacing with the spiritual personhood of an unfamiliar being. Unfortunately, it seems as if the majority of people have become too desensitized to instantly determine the reflection of another person’s unearthly attributes, fears surrounding fragile egos is generally the most common barrier that comes between two souls.  

Other self-protections contribute to mortal walls of division which also keep spirits apart; issues such as, preoccupation with being judged, for example, gives us a misread on people or if we neglect to lend them our full, undivided attention, we fail to be rewarded with a glimpse into their true intuitive natures.

Recognizing a person’s soul and connecting with their spirit is not contingent on whether or not we like a particular individual’s personality.  If we are capable of getting a take on a person’s spirit it cannot be masked by the other person’s abruptness to us. 

Just as is the case with personalities, some spirits are more receptive to us than others, but an encounter with another being’s soul is unmistakable; the experience always leaves us feeling euphoric because of the energy associated with the duality that occurs.  

Interfacing with another soul feels like we are engaged in a dance in which two of us are connected as one, and when the music stops, we feel redeemed by the richness of the positive appreciation that has been awarded to both of our spirits.  

There is a synergy that exists bringing a mutual insightfulness when spirits interface, intertwine and depart from one another’s company, inevitably, after the meet-up, we are forever changed by the ethereal sensation we experienced because the memory of the encounter remains stored in our spiritual psyche.

“When a soul knows without a doubt that it cannot be separated from its Source, that it cannot be damaged in any way by the actions of another, it will be truly free in its human experience. Fear and love cannot co-exist. Freedom is a choice. Peace is a state of mind. Love is all there is.” (Low, Karen, Exploring the Fear in the Akashic Records.)

Spiritual Intelligence Further Defined

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_intelligence

Conscious Pursuits reflecting Spiritual Intelligence

http://www.consciouspursuits.com/SI/SpiritualIntelligence.aspx

Exploring the Fear in the Akashic Records

http://www.tnetimes.com/article/320-exploring-fear-akashic-records-karen-low-spiritual-guidance-book-life-multiple-lifetimes-reincarnation/

Recognizing a Soul Mate

http://www.tnetimes.com/article/119-recognizing-soul-mate-best-friend-Carlton-Haney-Out-Blender/

Shamanism

http://oro.open.ac.uk/9606/

Songs of the Spirit

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/eveningmusic/2008/jan/21/

Jim Ocean

http://www.jimoceanmusic.com/fr_songsaboutspirit.cfm

Flow is a state of great tranquility and improved power of the mind. 

• Optimal writing experience
• Devoid of multi-tasking actions, involvement in repetitive tasks or any thoughts whatsoever of ongoing efforts
• A low (in fact) no, anxiety mood
• Pure childlike, unadulterated mindset (without any type of agenda) complete – JOY
• Being totally absorbed in task – in a hypnotic state, when you become as one with your undertaking
• Sense of effortless action
• Complete immersion in the experience
• Total enjoyment
• Tuned –in and zoned-out
• Day dreamy
• Relaxed – with no distractions, no distress
• Wave like pattern of processing – in a way it could be compared to body surfing

Where it has been experienced before –

• During sports activities
• While reading
• When watching a movie
• When singing in a choir
• Playing with an animal
• Interactive session with an infant

When it Occurs –

• If a task is not too easy (too boring and / or redundant)
• If a task is not too hard (intimidating and anxiety producing)
• Matching skills to performance demands

How to Transform the writing experience into an occurrence that invites the “flow” experience

• Acknowledge what aspects of your writing project you are incomplete with
• Detect why
• Devise a plan to master weaknesses
• Identify who or what can help end the struggle of writer’s block
• Re-approach writing work by breaking it down into sizeable parts
• Look for soundtracks of sophisticated musical arrangements that challenge the brain to make strange and unfamiliar associations for example an audio feed of: consistent knocking noises, oscillating humming sounds, monk-like chanting, whining sounds with steady pulsating beats, chiming, currents of flushing water or the whistling of wind blowing  to dispel all mundane thought patterns
• In the culinary world, flow can be compared to simultaneously blending together a carefully composed composition of succulent flavors intended to enchantment the taste buds and please the penchant of the palate

In a Nutshell – the condensed version

• Describe
• Recognize
• Plan
• Provide
• Assign
• Avert
• Master  

Another way of looking at Flow and its effect on writing

• A clustering of intellectual impressions in our sphere of our attention
• Rheumatic tempo synchronization
• No barriers, no shortages, no stopping of creative ideas
• A string of thoughts all in succession, connected by a universal force
• Related thought arrangements that form a larger body of realization
• Characteristic of what is and can be the best of our expressionistic repertoire
• A distinctive sequence of sparkling ideas that burst forward
• A creative well-spring that surges up from the deepest depths of our untamed imaginations and is vibrantly alive reflecting the pulsation of our inner spirit

Support – Assisted vocabulary

• Unconventional input and nontraditional output
• Target terms
• Narrow or broader word variations
• Mental retrieval
• Different configurations
• Blissful writing applications
• Warmly wise

Laid-back Approaches to Writing

• Valuable insights
• Exquisitely said dialogue
• Marvelous written work
• Thinker toys
• Theory X
• In the spirit of synergy 
• Intrinsic motivation
• Words cannot fail me
• Feeling the presence of a higher power
• Unleashing the creative spirit

More on this Topic:

Johnston  Joni E. Psy. D. Complete Idiot’s Guide to Psychology,  (pp. 309-310) outline

Creating Writing Flow – 10 minute pre-writing exercise

http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2010/06/10-minutes-of-gibberish/

Book on Flow – The Psychology of Optimal

http://books.google.com/books/about/Flow.html?id=epmhVuaaoK0C

http://books.google.com/books?id=epmhVuaaoK0C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

a real treasure.

It is difficult to make new friendships but necessary if we want to avoid social isolation, especially if we are extraverted personality types.  Inviting new people into our lives requires some serious social management if we want to circumvent connecting with the wrong types who are not in sync with our thoughts or our  ideas about life. 

No one wants to fail at their friendships because linking up with people takes time and energy and it is disheartening when our efforts are less than successful.  The important thing to remember is that our friends are merely on loan to us, and that from time-to-time people change, and so do we.

How to recognize when friendships are badly out of balance; here are some patterns to be on the lookout for:

a major disconnection between the two of you

mismatched geography making it difficult to get together

your plagued by boredom and distraction when you are in his or her company

there is resentment on the part of either one of you

when you discover disloyalty

or  insincerity

or there are changes in perceptions that you once shared

your friend demonstrates impatience with your schedule or with your life’s responsibilities

there is constant one-upmanship between the two of you

there are discrepancies in values

he or she utters anti-Semitic remarks

or racial smears

there are differences in your  ideals

something inside of you tells you that there is something missing in the relationship

he or she constantly exaggerates

you are subjected to constant gossiping

you notice other forms of unethical and unacceptable behaviors

When Not to End a Friendship

• when the two of you engage in a heated debate or a highly spirited dialogue about something you both feel very passionate about but cannot agree on
• when one of your friends is undergoing life changes such as: moving in with a lover, undergoing a divorce or planning a marriage, or in the process of giving birth to a new baby
•  when there are sharp discrepancies in your social classes
• when you discover personality traits that occasionally irritate you
• when the criticism that is being directed at you is constructive and not intended to hurt or humiliate you

Possible Candidates for Friendships

• neighbors
• facilitators of seminars or workshops
• coaches
• wardrobe or interior designers
• facialists
• yoga or exercise instructors
• concierge of local hotels or managers / owners of bed and breakfast establishments
• people you volunteer with
• friends of relatives or co-workers
• members of your faith-based communities
• community activists
• dentist or dental hygienists
• accountants
• lawyers
• boutique owners
• people you meet while your golfing, playing tennis or swimming
• Persons who attend the same sporting events
• People you meet at book signings or museums or art showings
• Individuals who you run into at local coffee shops or restaurants

Understanding our own feelings about the value of friendship is essential if we want to draw people to us that have the capacity to appreciate our inner nature and our special way of relating to others. We are all gifts to one another and at times, our presence in each other’s lives can be life changing, not to mention, in some instances, even life saving.   

Timing off? The Ebb and Flow of Friendships

 http://www.thefriendshipblog.com/blog/out-sync-friendships-matter-timing

When Friends walk Away

http://www.crystalinks.com/friendshipover.html

How to Make New Friends

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Friends

According to Jean Langlois, ScD, an investigator in epidemiology at the National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, women over the age of 50 that lose a lot of weight are actually at greater risk of fracturing their hips.  In fact, the study showed that when women lost 10% of their weight or more after the age of 50 their chance of fracturing their hip more than doubled. As a precautionary measure, physicians recommend that women reach an optimal weight and stay at that size, taking into account, however, that heart disease associated with being overweight is even more dangerous than a hip fracture. 

Exercise is always good for reducing pounds and inches but did you know that women who participate in aerobic workouts up to three times per week have a lower risk of developing breast cancer.

Amazingly, anorexia is not an eating disorder that affects young women reports Paul L. Hewitt PhD, associate professor of psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.  Only 25% of the women who die from anorexia are overachieving, young women, in fact, the majority, four out of five, who lose their lives due to anorexia nervosa, are a shocking 45 years of age or even older.

Many women are closet smokers who use nicotine as a measure to control their appetites and because of this strategy suffer years later even after they have given up smoking because they are two to three times more likely to suffer from incontinence than those who never smoked cigarettes at all. Studies indicate that nicotine constricts the bladder, causing unintentional urine leakage. 

The foods mature women eat have a big influence on their overall health. Few women meet their calcium requirements says Ethel Siris, MD, professor of clinical medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City. Bone thinning is grossly undiagnosed in women over 50. Women with low bone density suffer broken bones at twice the rate of those with normal bone density and those with osteoporosis, four times the rate.  The recommended intake of calcium for women 25 to 50 years of age is 300 mg of calcium, eight ounces of milk or yogurt.

Here are some more interesting facts about weight loss involving women 40, 50 and beyond…

Facts about Women Losing Weight After 40 / 50

Losing Weight after 50

http://www.riverofhopeinternational.org/home-and-family/losing-weight-after-50-often-ignored-facts-about-the-fast-ways-to-lose-fat-and-excess-weight

How to Lose Weight for Women Over 50

http://www.livestrong.com/article/90509-lose-weight-women-over/

Fighting 40’s Flab

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/fighting-40s-flab

Losing Weight After 40

http://cgi1.usatoday.com/mchat/20050418001/tscript.htm

Weight loss through hypnosis

http://www.dallasfastweightloss.com/fastweightloss/successstories.php

Here’s what to do tomorrow 1^st thing if you cannot lose weight after 50

http://www.nowloss.com/cant-lose-weight.htm

YouTube Video – Unbelievable Research to help eventually minimize the effects of aging

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSSs1C-MmJ4&feature=related

Keep me safe from terror,

guard me from hostile scams

and the rage of violence.

Enemies sharpen their tongues

and aim bitter words like arrows

To ambush the innocent

With a sudden brazen shot.

They polish their plans

Conceal their traps,

asking, “Who can see them?”

They hide the evil they plot

How devious the heart!

God shoots an arrow instantly they are struck.

God trips them on their own tongues.

All who see it tremble.

The whole world stands in awe, they talk of God’s work and

Ponder its meaning.

The just rejoice and find refuge in God. Honest hearts sing praise.

We dress for display purposes, attiring our secret selves in distracting costumes that are intended to enhance our silhouette or physique and make a good impression. We place attention on areas that we consider our physical attributes and downplay our less than attractive bodily features.  We like to select clothing that satisfies our need to express our originality and that communicates our moods socially. We pick out an outfit to wear, depending on our feelings at the time, the particular activities we will be engaged in, and the length of time we will be wearing the garment. A fabrics appeal varies but is always contingent on how the material fits our shape and our full-scale bodily proportions: the way in which it folds, creases, and its opaque qualities and if we are trying to conceal or reveal what lies immediately underneath.  Definition, contour and form are brought to light by the ability of the material to absorb rays where illumination intersects. It is most flattering where there is evenness and a broad flowing line, and where there are shadows there is curvature at the central point’s establishing the direction that observer’s eyes will travel.   Accessories rearrange proportions, add a touch of glamour or detail to our apparel by accenting a certain part of the garment making it more pronounced, ornate, interesting, thoughtful or tasteful in its appearance. 

To an untrained eye, a person’s clothing or individual style may be hard to distinguish but for the clothing connoisseur who views a person’s attire all in one glance,   the individual is perceived as a life size portrait, a human creation whose image is either pleasing or harmonious to his or her eyes or irritating and disconcerting.  Those of us, who are ultra sensitive to aesthetic compositions of any kind, cannot dismiss the distinctive rhythm of another person’s unique style as it reflects the expressive quality of the wearer.  The attire each of us chooses to wear when we venture out, visually signifies more than just our days clothing selection, it also exemplifies the energies of our spirit, along with the more soulful aspects of our intuitive persona.

More on this topic –

http://www.profoundaesthetic.com/lookbook.html

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2247227/how-is-dressing-for-the-day-like-marketing-your-business-

http://www.thestyleblogger.com/tip-of-the-day-attacking-the-rain-in-style/

http://www.thestyleblogger.com/lookbook/

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewattire/a/interviewdress.htm