August 10, 2012 In appreciation, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

Maasai Gold

Just when I think my enthusiasm for the Olympics might be waning, something happens that fires me up.

Of course, just witnessing what the human body is capable of is pretty incredible. It runs faster, jumps higher year after year. Being a swimmer myself, I’m always especially riveted by the swimming ~ and the superhuman Michael Phelps just plants a big smile on my face. The very watchable, adorable gymnast Gabby Douglas was amazing, and the volleyball looks like tons of fun. The background stories of so many of these champions ~ and they are all champions ~ are fascinating. Even the commercials are good. (The Superbowl should take note.) Then came track and Usain Bolt, who continued to wow us. The women runners were equally fabulous, and then I thought I’d seen, well …enough.

But I happened to turn on the tube when the men’s 800 meter race was about to start, tuning in just as they were telling the story of Kenyan runner David Rudisha, and my heart smiled again.

I have a thing for Kenya, you see. I must have had some wonderful experience there in another life, because in this one, even as a child, it was one of the places I truly, truly wanted to see. The first line of “Out of Africa” always felt strangely familiar; making the call grow stronger. In 1990, I made that dream come true.

Let me just say that seeing giraffes in the wild melted my heart. Sleeping to the sound of hippos and the distant growls of cats; elephants walking up to my camera lens, ballooning over the Maasai Mara……  I absolutely loved it. We also met some wonderful people, among them members of the Samburu tribe, cousins to the Maasai. Same great height, stature and grace. Warm spirits, beautiful smiles, colorfully attired ~ and holy moly can they jump high. Their athleticism is undeniable … and so, I adored hearing David Rudisha’s story. (How can you not be good when you build your own track in the hard African dirt?) Then I cheered him on, yelling at the tv, clapping, woo-hooing.

I want to go back to Kenya, very much. But for now, it was a little thrill to watch this Maasai make his mark in the history books, the first of his tribe to win gold in the Olympics ~ and doing it with the flourish of new world record time.

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August 9, 2012 In appreciation, communication, design, graphic design, inspiration, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #60: Practice

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

“Practice makes perfect”. Or at least it makes for better. And better. And better. If you want to be proficient, you’ve got to plod on, persist, persevere, pursue and practice, practice, practice ~ and in the process come to know satisfaction and personal pride, and in the end, who knows how prolific you might become… and when you do, how glad you’ll be for having practiced your little heart out.

(And oh-by-the-way, the target’s always moving, so you’re never done……. but the good news is that it simply becomes a natural part of creating a better you. It’s never too late. So practice on!)

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August 6, 2012 In art, color, inspiration, life and the universe, photography By Patricia Saxton

Touch of Gold

All the questing for Olympic Gold has put me in a yellow state of mind. Glorious, bright, hopeful, sweet, soaring, spirited yellow…. Cheers!

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August 4, 2012 In art, books, branding, creativity, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

“where in the world is peace?” … illinois, new jersey and virginia

More great contributions to our “where in the world is peace?” campaign ~ with many thanks for your support, sharing and belief in the message that peace starts here, with each individual in everyday ways…. 52 weeks a year. Peace and appreciation to you all.

Sunrise at Snow Lake, Indiana

Hangin’ around at Dave’s Shack, Snow Lake, Illinois

Inspired redecorating with framed postcards in Virginia

“Peace & Happiness” Mousepad

At work in New Jersey

Sunset at Snow Lake, Indiana

Where to next?

(ps:  you can see all “where in the world is peace?” images compiled on our special “where in the world is peace?” page. Our book is on Amazon, our totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com and we’ll also post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)

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August 1, 2012 In appreciation, art, drawing, illustration, inspiration, life and the universe, skill By Patricia Saxton

What Olympians Know

Olympians know this: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” ~ Aristotle

It’s the same for any of us who dare to “do better”, to be the best we can be, and then some. To rise above. To discover, to conquer, to surpass, to make dreams come true ~ or to simply grow as spiritual beings. It’s the same for any of us who dare to bloom.

This is a favorite drawing that my daughter likes to show to her friends and say, “can you believe that’s a pencil drawing?” And she’ll often say to me, “Mom, how did you do that?  Seriously, how does that even happen?” And I tell her it’s because I practiced a lot lot lot. Yes, it’s something I had a propensity for early on, but I worked it. Like Malcolm Gladwell’s study in his book Outliers, I’d put in my hours. And if I hadn’t, this eagle would not be hanging on the wall as an unintended, but still valuable lesson right here at home.

Olympians, of course, really know how to work it. The hours they put in are nearly incomprehensible to the majority of us mere mortals, but the results of their habits are profound. I don’t know how anyone could escape feeling inspired to push a little harder, be a little better, aim a little higher. At the very least, we can admire the amazing human spirit, just by watching what Olympians know and exemplify.

And yet… without ever having stood on an Olympic podium with a shiny gold, silver or bronze medallion, there’s probably not one of us who couldn’t find a positive example of our very own that proves Aristotle right. Excellence is a habit, not an act. So go for gold.

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July 25, 2012 In art, books, creativity, design, drawing, illustration, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe, peace By Patricia Saxton

Fairies, Dragons, Charms and Peace

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” ~ Roald Dahl

Week 27 of “52 Weeks of Peace”, from “52 Weeks of Peace” the book.

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July 23, 2012 In appreciation, communication, design, graphic design, inspiration, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #59: Pencil

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

The #2 pencil: A simple, humble, eloquent, favorite tool. A fierce confidante with a rich history and a great future ahead!

…………..

The following is, for lack of a better word, a tribute I scribbled out a few years ago. (Unedited as of yet ~ but that will happen, surely before I get around to producing the book it’s meant to go with.)  Hope you enjoy it …

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July 16, 2012 In art, books & stuff, creativity, design, graphic design, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

52 Weeks of Peace [squared] / Week #70

Interposing an original floral abstract painting with one of the texts from the original series describing the many ways peace can be discovered, created, nurtured, and experienced in our every day lives.   ……  Long may peace grow and thrive in our hearts and minds.

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July 8, 2012 In appreciation, art, inspiration, life and the universe, photography, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Of Sails & Inspiration

“The sail, the play of its pulse so like our own lives: so thin and yet so full of life, so noiseless when it labors hardest, so noisy and impatient when least effective.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Seems that summer was only lazy when we were little. School was out, one day spilled into the next in a stream of endless popsicles, watermelon seed-spitting, some bike riding, swimming and even a touch of boredom.

Now that we’re all grown-up and responsible, many of us yearn for a few lazy days where neither work nor bills nor laundry makes demands.

Yearning may serve a purpose I suppose (like fueling the fires to change things up), but if we look around, we can also find inspiration at every turn. A day off here and there, a simple walk, even just conjuring up a lovely, breath-of-fresh-air mental image can supply new vigor to the withering workaholic who “must go on”!  Not as effective as a month by the sea, I admit, but effective nonetheless ~ so that we can be more like the sail that labors best.

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July 4, 2012 In appreciation, art, books, creativity, design, graphic design, illustration, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

Stars & Stripes

Happy Birthday USA!

In May 1776, Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. A year later in 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, establishing an official flag for the new nation:

“Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”

However, between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars and stripes to reflect each new state. This broad span of time without specific guidelines resulted in many design interpretations – which in a sense also reflects the deeply rooted sense of freedom so cherished by Americans. The expressions were rich and proud, eventually evolving into the flag we pledge allegiance to today.

Carrying that theme of evolvement forward, in 1986 I discovered a beautiful book by Kit Hinrichs, called “Stars and Stripes” – a compilation of exceptionally creative American Flag images created by some of the finest graphic artists of modern time. I found it absolutely delightful, and a great tribute to the creativity and talent that abounds amongst us – and the creative freedom we’re able to enjoy in this great land of the free and home of the brave.

Below are just 13 samples of the many ingenious designs from that book honoring our American flag.  Enjoy!

flag1flag2flag3flag4flag5flag6flag7flag8flag9flag10flag11flag12flag13all images copyright of creator

 

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