Time to Move My Cheese?

Did your boss ever tell you to get use to moving your cheese? Well, I had a boss who did!

" Who Moved My Cheese" is actually a motivational book, written by Spencer Johnson. If you've never read this book, you probably wouldn't know that this is not a book about cheese at all. It's about how to deal with...gulp...Change.

 When I was gainfully employed, and had been on my job for about 10 years, we were introduced to our 4th office manager and soon to follow was our 4th set of new protocols. Needless to say our enthusiasm for all this continuous reworking of the same things, began to make the natives restless and irritable. 

So, I decided to discuss this with her, which didn't go over very well. In fact she felt the need to enlighten us about how to "accept change" and then handed me this book entitled "Who Moved My Cheese?" And strongly advised me to read it. 

Funny that she chose that particular title
because anyone who knows me, [except my new boss] knows I can't eat any kind of actual cheese food! Not that I won't.... but I physically can't keep it down. Been this way since I can remember.

 Still, I find it hilarious that it has always been an issue in just about every social situation I'm ever in, regarding food. When people find out about my "dietary misfortune" they instantly go wild eyed, then for some reason want me to clarify this problem I have with cheese!


 "What do you mean by you don't like cheese? Are you allergic or you just don't like it? Cheese has a right to the truth! Did your mother drop you on your head or did you just "decide" to commit this cheese hating crime against nature?"


I dunno. I just know I can't eat it. But, whenever my discrimination against cheese has to come out, people always shrug and decide that I"m just a freak of nature. However, I seem to get through life without alienating too many people over my "cheese prejudice" .  Most of the people in my life accept this apparent flaw in my character and love me anyway. 


But....I digress, as I often do. Which is one of the things I would like to change.
The truth about me is I don't mind change at all. I even seem to really grow and learn what I need to know and do, when things are shaken up a bit. Doing things a new way is no problem...... It's constantly changing the same things over and over for no well thought out reason or worse, trying to fix things that aren't broken or won't improve a situation, that I have a problem with.

Anyway, there is definitely room for improvement now. Including some things I would so love to change.

I have been told that if you want to change something about yourself, like bad habits or obtain good ones, and you seriously buckle down about it, that it takes various amounts of time to succeed. Some say 21 days some say 31 days, etc.  I've decided 31 days is better. After all, why limit your chances right out the gate right?


 So, for one entire year, I've decided to pick one good habit I'd like to acquire and work on it everyday for 31 days and blog about my progress or lack of it. I've decided, if it hasn't taken hold after 31 days, then it probably never will, and I'll move on to the next one and revisit the stubborn one later.

Which brings me to this blog....my first good habit that I hope to keep! I gave up blogging before simply because I didn't think one single person was reading it. No followers. Except my darling daughter. Thanks sweetheart! 

 But since then I've discovered though some research that I just have to stick with it. Even if it makes me feel silly, just talking to myself everyday :P And now that I've reopened my Etsy store, a blog would definitely not hurt ;)

So here ya go day two and another post! Go me! 29 days and counting down. 

How about you? Does anyone out there want to begin a good habit or quit a bad one? You can post your beginning and I'll encourage your progress right here. Post your comments everyday about how it's going for you and we'll motivate each other. 

Until then, thanks for reading and 
Many Blessings to you, 
~Kim K.







 

Have you ever wanted to know......???

I have defintely been away for a while. But recently I've learned a few things about blogging. While studying the subject, I immediately thought of the movie, Julie and Julia. You know the one where she tries a new Julia Child recipe everyday for a year and blogs about it. She didn't have any followers either... at first. Then suddenly people were dying  to know how the next day's recipe turned out. So, she ended up with thousands of followers.


So, I made a plan for a new blog. I gave my blog an new look. Created some new papercrafts. Reopened my Etsy store.


The plan along with posting more of my paper art everyday, is also to create and post a series of subjects about the Life of a Crafter. The what, when, where, and how did those amazingly talented people get where they are today? How do they stay there? Is it a trade secret? Or in real life do they stuggle just like the rest of us do, but they just have some secret tricks of the trade that isn't found in a craft store?

I know some of you have been crafting since your were children! But how do your make it fit into your life today? Maybe you have some life tips and tricks you would like to share here. The kind that helps you get through the laundry and kids and your jobs and your exhaustion, that gets you to your next crafting day. Then manage to create that next successful project when you get there.

I'm terribly interested in the everyday ups and downs of people who love to make things as much as I do. How much of their real lives does it take?  Is it their primary income? How on earth did you get there? I'm not really asking for trade secrets. I know there are things you'd rather not share.

I have so many burning questions about things other people seem to acheive so effortlessly, but eludes me no matter how much heart and dedication I have about it. Or even how supportive my family is.

It's easy to find crafting blogs about "what's your favorite crafting tool? And a million how to's for the same technique. But what about how this obsession of ours can take over our lives sometimes? Until our husbands are at the door of our craft room tapping on his watch.

Our hobby/business/craft/art is such a joy...most of the time. But what about when it isn't? How does the Great Talents get back in the game? I want to hear about the bad days too.  When nothing works out that your trying to do? How do you handle those days?

~Does anyone else wanna know if any of the amazing crafters out there had disappointing prototypes before they got right? How did you figure out what you were doing wrong? Was it instant beauty or did a few things end up in the trash first?

NO PRESSURE HERE~ Again, I don't want anyone to feel I'm pressuring you for your trade secrets or anything. I just want to know the story of your crafting bliss when you starte out. Did it take years of practice and dedication? Consistancy? Born with it? =)

TIME~How do some crafters manage their time so well. How are so many be able to create a new and gorgeous thing each and everyday and blog about every single day? Even holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can barely get the turkey out of the oven on time. But sure enough when I check the next day....you have seriously posted a project ON CHRISTMAS DAY!!  Some of you even find time to pre-write a weeks worth of posts before leaving on your vacations. Some while ON YOUR VACATIONS!

FAMILY~ What do your families think about how much time you spend on their craft.
   I mean does dishes and laundry pile up?

~ Do you suffer for your craft and let all the other stuff in life pile up until absolutely have to put your scissors down and start dinner and a load of laundry? Or do you have you got a system designed around your craft time?

Well, you get the idea. I won't just be asking kind of questions about crafting. I also hope to explore lots of subjects that are unique to a crafter's life that you just can't find on Bing or Google or anywhere that I can find with any consistancy.

I realize like Julie did in the movie, that no one may ever read the stuff I write accept me. But you never know, I may open my blog one day and find there are people dying to know what my subject will be today. I don't know tonight, but I'll keep writing and checking. It will be so interesting to find out.

And maybe your comments or questions will help us all get a little insite on how we can not only keep going when the going gets tough, but maybe create something amazing of our own!
I'll be here posting everyday. I'll pick a subject until I hear from you about what's on your mind. 

KEEP TUNING IN FOR 

 SUBJECTS OF A CRAFTING LIFE 

~Relationships with our ADULT children. And all that might entail.  Their spouses and your grandchildren.

~ Is your spouse or significant other supportive about your hobby, even if it's not earning any income?

~How do you feel about constant change? Is someone always wanting you to 'Move Your Cheese"?

  I hope you will leave a comment with your opinion on the subject of the day, for myself and others to read. And if you have a burning question relating to life especially as it relate to craft life, feel free to post that too. I'll make a list, and post about the subjects in the order they come in.

Until then,
Many Blessings to all,
Kim K.