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Posts Tagged ‘Inspiration’

Inspiration Prompt #19 – New Year Greetings and a Giveaway

Monday, September 29th, 2008
Seagulls and sunrise
Image by 5348 Franco via Flickr

Today is the new year’s eve, according to the Hebrew calendar. The beginning of a new year is always a good opportunity for an internal check-in. New resolutions. New wishes and dreams. An opportunity to look afresh at life and re-sketch my path in it.

I enjoy pondering both on the Jewish new year and on January 1st. Exhausting any opportune moment to go back to the drawing board of life and making sure I’m not walking on the wrong path too long.

I would like to celebrate the new year with a giveaway for you!!!

Giveaway –

I have a copy of the book: Visual Chronicles by: Linda Woods and Karen Dinino to give away. It is a beautiful book, filled with loads of creativity.

You may click on the link to look inside the book on Amazon.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post and write how are you celebrating or going to celebrate the new year and on which date or dates?

I will draw one happy winner on October 14th, which is Sukkot’s eve. So make sure to stay tuned for the winner’s announcement.

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Inspiration Prompt #18 – Book Meme

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.
Mark Twain

Books are my great love. I can get lost in a world made up by the author and stay in it long after I have finished reading the book. I feel extremely passionate towards events and people in memoirs (and sometimes in fiction novels as well). I can finish up a book in one long reading, even if I start on one day and finish on another… I can wake up in the middle of the night, feeling I must go on and read. I am like that – either going at full steam or not going at all… I’m a nerd but I don’t mind 🙂

I have always been like that. I have always been a bookworm. I remember stacking books under my pillow as a small child. To my parents’ dismay, I always fell asleep over a mountain of 8-10 books, my neck completely bent and distorted but a smile was smothered all over my face. I also have numerous pictures with a book opened, held in my hands, while I was fast asleep…

This is why I immediately knew I had to follow a book meme I saw on She-Power (a great blog, by the way), which goes like that:

What was the last book you bought?

A Brother’s Journey, by Richard B. Pelzer.

Name a book you have read MORE than once

Life Artist, by Ali Edwards.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

Tuesdays With Morrie, by Mitch Albom.

How do you choose a book – eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews

Recommendation & summary.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

I love both just the same.

What’s more important in a novel – beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

Beautiful writing is REALLY important to me. I can derive great joy from the writing by itself. However, if the plot has nothing to it, I’d probably lose interest pretty quickly.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

Mariam and Layla in A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

For good measure I am going to throw in some questions of my own to the book-meme:

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?

Nineteen Eighty-Four, by George Orwell.

The Anti 9 To 5 Guide, by Michelle Goodman.

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

Kafka On The Shore, by Haruki Murakami – last Thursday.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

No… Though I really should…

You Are Tagged –

I would love to hear your answers to the book meme and get to know you better. Please leave your answers as a comment to this post – you can also link to a post on your own blog. Spread on the book meme and don’t forget to tag three other people while you’re at it.

I tag Vered (though I know you’re not really into memes), Amy and Joce – three talented bloggers I luv.

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Inspiration Prompt #17 – A Simple Hug Can Light Your Day

Monday, September 15th, 2008

A simple hug is a sign of fondness and empathy. A hug is offering warmth and closeness. A hug can transform someone’s day by knowing that someone actually cares and is there to offer a soft spot to fall into.

Have you hugged someone today?

Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment and have a fabulous day and a wonderful week.

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Inspiration Prompt #16 – Authenticity

Monday, September 8th, 2008

If I am I because I am I, and you are you because you are you, then I am I and you are you. But if I am I because you are you, and you are you because I am I, then I am not I and you are not you.

–Menahem Mendel of Kotzk

Authenticity is the most important building block in leading a creative life.

Unfortunately, modern life does not give much room for authenticity. The fast pace of life, the strong wish to fit in and adjust to social conventions, the fear of criticism and ridicule – all are pushing us towards living the life we think we should live, rather than living our life authentically and allowing ourselves to roll the way we roll.

This week’s inspiration prompt is all about authenticity.

Follow these 2 easy steps to become more authentic:

  1. Let go of preconceived ideas. Fitting in and following conventions cannot lead to innovation. Great ideas are always conceived by thinking “outside of the box” and breaking all the rules. This is what “new” is all about. Forget about what other people think is right or wrong. Stop listening to what other people consider as ‘art’ or as “proper writing”. Make your own rules.
  2. Reconnect with yourself. After you have let go of popular conceptions (or misconceptions), you need to find your own voice. Think about what makes you “tick”, consider these questions:
    • What book do you revisit time and again?
    • What color or color combination appeal to your eye?
    • What song do you hear over and over again?
    • What images come to your mind when you are daydreaming?
    • Without any restrains of time and money (or gossip…), what do you see yourself doing in life?

    After you have found your own voice, nurture it and follow its advice – following your own voice and believing in it is the very definition of authenticity.

What do you think about authenticity? Do you feel like you are true to your self? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts with me.

Giveaway –

You can still win a free copy of my new e-book. Leave a comment here with some feedback on this blog to enter the giveaway.