The universe has started to answer my last question -- Already!

Or so I think...

This posting here on Copyblogger accidentally fell into my lap when perusing Danielle LaPorte's ever-wise, uplifting , and inspirational blog and subsequent twitter site. The Copyblogger posting talks about the motive of one's writing, specifically when blogging and about how it can come from either a self-serving motive or in service of one's audience. Though I don't necessarily see a blog as my end all be all, it's undoubtedly going to provide initial and ongoing value for both me -- and if I'm lucky-- for others. It really makes perfect sense that if you're blogging just to make revenue, the content would wind up diluted, weak, and drab. To this end, being in service of others is actually self-serving, only it's a backwards way of getting there. A difference that makes all the difference in the world.

What's really funny about this find in a without-a-doubt- non-coincidental way, is that the blogger who directed me to this posting on providing valuable content as gifts to your readership...was a blogger who provides this for me. What a perfect circle.

Though this doesn't answer my question entirely about what to focus on, it does give me a motive to live by. I also got to see my question start to be answered much faster than expected....Priceless. I'm learning that you really do get what you ask for.

How to Determine a Creative Path

Living out my professional life for 10 years has brought me to the distinct conslusion about what I enjoy most. Creating with words is where it's at for me. I know I'm not the best at it, and have a ton to learn, but I really feel at my peak-- and most invigorated through the act of writing (and from the finished product).

Yet that leaves me with an important question. Just what is it that I am to write about? I feel like an expert on very few things, and some of which I really don't want to spend time writing about! Yet that begs yet another question (I'm good at the question-thing, can you tell?)...does one have to be an expert to begin to write about something? Perhaps not.

I simply don't have the answer. The title of this post begs an answer. I know I like to write about life and do journaling. I know I do not like to do magazine-style writing, I don't even begin to know what it would be like if there was a novel for me to write -- so what is it to be? Perhaps posing the question to the universe is all that I need to focus on for now.

Flying Toast Revisited

Today the toast ejected out of one slot and landed squarely in the other. I saw it out of the corner of my eye....wishing I'd seen it directly but it gave me a morning giggle once again. Thanks magic toaster!

Appreciating Small Things

There's nothing grumpier than me first thing in the morning. By "first thing", I am referring to approximately the first 1.5 hours I am awake. Could be an exaggeration, but for those unfortunate enough to have known me in the early mornings...it's my most unpleasant time. This morning was not much different, until my english muffin flew out of the toaster and landed with a small "plop" right onto the counter. This gave me a chuckle. I know, it's a small silly little thing, but what isn't funny about that scene? Are you a total grouch that you're not laughing if a small piece of toast goes unexpectedly (because I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to do this) flying out of the toaster and lands on your counter? This happened today, and it probably won't happen tomorrow or the next, or for a very long time for that matter -- so by that logic, I'm a winner!

There's opportunities like this all day long that nearly always go unnoticed as we live in our worlds of importance, to-do's, deadlines, and stress. Like stopping to smell the roses, I personally like to stop and laugh at silliness in life. Winning things like the random toast flying isn't a big deal...it's true, but if you let it get to you and actually make you smile, your day will be that much brighter.

Unexpected Inspiration

A small commandment I spotted on the Happiness Project Toolbox gave me a lightbulb moment. It said to "be the person you want to be with and fall in love with" (emphasis added). I love two aspects of this commandment: 1)It focuses on being as the active means of "having"...a truth in life I've found hard to comprehend at times, but impossible to avoid; 2)I can't think of a better motivation to be your best self, than to put yourself into the shoes of a person who loves you, an iteration of the golden rule most appealingly put.

Perhaps this inspiring thought has been out there for me to notice before and I've either missed it or dismissed it. I'm noticing now. Sending a thank you to the "interwebs" and all of its participants for this gift of sharing wisdom.