JaneInch
The other side of drawing something…Right Brain awakening…
The latest internet game craze brings us “Draw Something” A one-on-one Pictionary style game. You send the drawings back and forth over phone or pad and your opponent (or friend) guesses and draws something for you to guess.
I have honestly never been a “gamer” but recently joined the bandwagon with Words with friends and now this. I actually find it a great way to have a little causal contact and lots of laughs with my 83 year old mom. Never considering myself an artist, I approached this with the opportunity to learn something about myself and the brain. I have definitely learned a few things from this game that are metaphors for real life.
- It is often not the object itself, but what is added in around it, that gives it context and meaning and makes it recognizable. For example I may not see or guess sofa until a lamp is added next to it.
- Using this right side of the brain to try to communicate something to someone else…(visually) is a good exercise for me… what is it I need to show them completely so they “get” what I am trying to say?
- When I am receptive and just watch them draw (ie: listen with my eyes) my intuition will often come up with the word for the picture WAY before I might expect.
SO with all that said, I also just love finding my inner artist and am enjoying lots of laughs along the way.
Your Mess Is Your Message
If you struggle with something repeatedly, take note of that. I have often heard it said “Our mess is our message” meaning, what we struggle with most often is what we are here to learn and teach.
What are your own personal patterns that keep you stuck and feeling helpless? …what if you were here to help others overcome the very same thing? What if you could use what you have learned to help someone else? Now THAT is something to feel passionate about.
Musical Musings…Katy Perry
I am certainly not a music critic but I want to share a few thoughts beginning with Katy Perry’s new song, “Part of me”. Well I have always “liked” Katy Perry. Fun songs, cute, light, clever, dance-able, sing -able but I always felt there was a little something lacking. I saw her in concert and really loved it but this new song, in my opinion woke up something different in her…her soul. I know, I know she’s just another lucky celebrity you may say— however, I clearly feel that her recent break up with husband, Russell Brand has given her something to crow about. I feel the passion behind this new song way more than I feel in her other famous jingles.
Why do I even bring this up? This parallels something I see in working with coaching clients often…It is the hardships and trials you go through that give you your depth and soul. It is the challenges we overcome, that make us who we are and that can reveal our greatest gifts. Reflect back in your own life at obstacles you have overcome and see if you can recognize how they have served you on your own journey, made you more of who you are and made you more passionate about something.
So although I am truly sorry for Katy and her recent blip… I feel her music is richer. I think the lesson learned is that the “part of me” she sings about ie: her soul, can now be more fully revealed because of the pain she has endured. I feel more connected to her as an artist, like she is more “real” and vulnerable. It is in THAT space where we can truly connect…way more than we can with plastic bags, fireworks, cherry chapstick and Friday night…
Celebrity Corner…Layne Gray
This month’s Celebrity Spotlight features San Francisco’s Layne Gray. Owner of Vivanista, a business that helps nonprofit organizations improve their fundraising through a spectrum of downloadable tools and fundraisers-in-a-box.
Q: What inspired you to start your own business?
A: I wanted to find a way to truly help nonprofit organizations improve their fundraising. There’s no centralized repository of best practices in fundraising and I wanted to help make a positive change.
Q: How is your business a reflection of your own personality and passions?
A: I really love helping others – those who want to make a difference in our society. Whereas I enjoy speaking on relevant philanthropic topics, I derive enjoyment much more from being behind-the-scenes than in-front. I think that may surprise some people!
Q: What is your “bigger why” of being in business? (think why is it so important to you to do what you do)?
A: Helping others really is my life. Western civilization, in general, and the United States, in particular, sees the art and science of giving back as a fundamental aspect of who we are. If these nonprofit organizations can be more successful it provides greater return to those people, projects, and animals they serve.
Q: Three words that describe the essence of you and your business (don’t be shy!)?
A:
- Collaborative. I hate cliché’s but the phrase “there’s no ‘I’ in team” is so true. Especially with the importance of social media we must all work together to achieve things that are bigger than ourselves.
- Strategic. Especially as it pertains to nonprofit endeavors, the over-arching goals should drive the tactical implementation. That, indeed, is a philosophy I follow in life, as well. Although sometimes it is a kick to just mix it up!
- Fun. At this point in my live the time I allocate to projects must derive some level of enjoyment and satisfaction for both me and those around me. From a business perspective, I strongly believe that employees are much more efficient and effective if they are recognized for their contributions and enjoy what they do.
Q: What is your Geatest Lesson learned: Something you have learned about yourself in the process of becoming a female entrepreneur?
A: When things don’t go as planned you need to adapt.
Q: What is your secret luxury or indulgence?
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Celebrity Corner…Marybeth La Motte
Women Who Shine Like Stars In Their World…
This month’s Celebrity Spotlight features San Francisco’s Marybeth La Motte. Owner of Red Carpet Bay Area, a television show and website. Red Carpet Bay Area, the television show and the website, created by MBL Media Productions, an Emmy Award winning, full-service film and video production company specializing in the unique needs of events, the fashion and luxury sectors.
Q: What inspired you to start your own business?
A: I always wanted to start my own business, and one day I turned 40 and thought: if not now, when?
Q: How is your business a reflection of your own personality and passions?
A: I decided my business would combine everything I liked most from my varied careers: fashion, philanthropy, video production and being an active and contributing member of the community.
Q: What is your “bigger why” of being in business?
A: Good question. It gives me a reason to get up in the morning. I get depressed when I have nothing to do.
Q: Three words that describe the essence of you and your business.
A: Fashionable, philanthropic, social
Q: What is the greatest lesson you have learned?
A: That’s a hard question…I guess not to take rejection personally, it’s a business decision. Because I am constantly searching for sponsors for my television show and website, I face rejection daily.
Q: Your secret luxury or indulgence?
A: Turning off the computer and phone and snuggling with my son.
Q: What are some of your favorite restaurants?
A: I love Greek food: Dio Deka in Los Gatos (www.diodeka.com) and Kokkari (www.kokkari.com) in San Francisco are excellent. I also crave Mexican food with California flair from Tacolicious (www.tacolicioussf.com) (the jalapeno margaritas are addictive). Going out to dinner is a rare treat for me. I have an 8-year old son and I make dinner at home most nights; we eat as a family at 6:00 sharp.
Q: What are yout favorite shoes?
A: Most of anything designed by Bryan Atwood or Gucci.
Q: What books do you suggest reading?
A: The Classics.I can’t get enough of them. Right now my son and I are reading Aesop’s Fables and I am fascinated.
Q: What is your dream vacation?
A: The Beach; balmy nights, soft sand and warm ocean swimming.
Q: Who are the women who have inspired you?
A: I look for and find inspiration in people I see and interact with every day. Some examples of women who have inspired me: Nicole Klapman, my first boss; Janice Mabry, Red Carpet Bay Area’s writer; Jean Gwinner, my husband’s grandmother; Lyhn Haller, a friend who has stuck by me, doesn’t judge, tells me the truth, makes me think, and is there for me in good times and in bad; Cheryl Bartlett, my sister, who is also an entrepreneur.
To learn more about Marybeth La Motte you can visit her website and follow her online at:
Website: www.redcarpetsf.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/redcarpetbayarea
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RedCarpetBA
Women Who Shine Like Stars
In Their World…
Layne Gray
This month’s Celebrity Spotlight features San Francisco’s Layne Gray. Owner of Vivanista, a business that helps nonprofit organizations improve their fundraising through a spectrum of downloadable tools and fundraisers-in-a-box.
To learn more about my interview with Layne Gray, visit my Blog!
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