Live by the principles of creative people
Creativity isn’t something you have to be born with. Here are some habits and traits of creative people that you can put to work in your quest to make your imagination blossom:
- Intolerance for boredom. Creative people don’t like to spend their time with the same old ideas. When they get bored, they start looking for something new and different to play with.
- Willingness to take chances. Trying or suggesting anything new has an element of risk. The people you want to emulate aren’t afraid of being laughed at or rejected as long as they’re committed to their ideas.
- Enthusiasm. No one works hard on a project or idea they don’t feel strongly about. Don’t pursue a project if its possibilities don’t excite you.
- Generosity. Don’t worry too much about people “stealing” your ideas. Creative types know that they do better when sharing their thoughts with a wide array of people and listening to the feedback they generate.
- Optimism. You won’t succeed if you think only about the possibility of failure. The most successful creative people reached their goals because they never believed that giving up was a good idea.
- Realism. At the same time, the best artists, writers, designers, and entrepreneurs understand that hanging on to an idea too long doesn’t work.
Persistence is a positive trait, but it has to be tempered with an understanding that moving on to a better idea is sometimes the best path to take.
The reward
A couple in Staten Island thought the rusty metal box mired in foliage deep in their backyard was an old electrical box. They’d noticed it when they moved into the home but never paid it any mind.
Years later, after a wildfire damaged trees and other vegetation in the area, they had a better view of what was hidden in their yard. What looked like an old utility box was actually a rusty, weathered safe.
They opened it and discovered tens of thousands of dollars in cash, lots of jewelry including an engagement ring, and a document that listed the address of a neighboring property.
The couple paid a visit to the neighbors and asked if they’d ever been robbed. The family told them they’d been burglarized years ago and that their safe had been stolen.
At that time local law enforcement didn’t hold out much hope that this family would ever recover their stolen property.
Yet years later they recovered their property thanks to the honesty and goodwill of their neighbors.
People have asked this couple why they didn’t keep these found treasures for themselves.
The wife said: “It wasn’t even a question. It wasn’t ours.”
The husband added, “Good karma.”
The reward for their honesty, for doing the right thing, for returning something that wasn’t theirs, was good karma.
HEALTH NEWS REPORT:
Heavy drinkers let ‘bad’ bacteria flourish in their mouths
Rubbing alcohol may kill germs and bacteria, but booze can leave behind the kind of bacteria you don’t want in your mouth. An article on the Healthline website reports on a study of drinkers that found that heavier drinkers tend to have more harmful bacteria in their mouths and less beneficial bacteria, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and other oral health problems.
Your mouth contains bacteria that’s beneficial to your health, fighting strep throat and other conditions. Studies have found that heavier drinkers tend to have less of this kind of bacteria and more of the types that cause oral illness, thus making it more difficult for the “good” bacteria to keep that “bad” bacteria in control.
Because moisture helps the good bacteria thrive, doctors recommend taking a sip of water for each slug of alcohol you swallow, as well as avoiding alcohol-based mouthwashes. Brushing regularly with a gentle
toothpaste and flossing are also recommended.
Gardening may benefit mental health
Getting your hands dirty in the garden may be one way to fight depression, according to the Gardening Know How website. Fresh air
and sunshine help, but scientists say there’s a natural antidepressant
in soil: Mycobacterium vaccae apparently has the same effect on
neurons that Prozac and other medications provide. The bacterium
enhances the production of serotonin, the lack of which has been linked to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses.
Experiments using the bacterium with rats appeared to increase
cognitive ability, lower stress, and create higher levels of concentration.
Studies testing the bacterium on cancer patients found that the patients reported less stress and a better quality of life. The effects can come from the air, touch, and through the blood in case of a cut in the skin. You should always wash your hands after working in the dirt, of course, but a few hours in the garden every week could have a positive effect on your physical and mental health.
Tips for cutting your cancer risk
You can reduce your risk of cancer by up to 40 percent with these simple—but maybe not easy—tactics, according to the World Cancer
Research Fund. None of these are surprising, but all are important:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Walk more; sit less.
- Include more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans in your diet.
- Avoid high-calorie foods.
- Don’t eat lots of red and processed meats.
- Limit your consumption of sugary drinks.
- Abstain from alcohol.
Live a fuller life by enhancing your senses
Our senses are our connection to the world. They can make us feel more alive. Here are a few tips for heightening your senses:
- Touch. Close your eyes whileyou are performing familiar tasks. Closing your eyes will prevent your sense of sight from predominating. To stimulate nerve endings, go for a massage.
- Smell. Sniff specific objects and pay close attention to what you are smelling. Add smells to familiar items, for instance by sprinkling cinnamon in your coffee.
- Taste. Eat foods that are high in zinc, or take a multivitamin that contains zinc. If you are on medication, it can affect your taste, so check with your doctor.
- Sight. Make sure you wear 100 percent UV-blocking sunglasses. Take off all your eye makeup at night, and always clean your contact lenses.
How high achievers succeed
Do you wonder why some people manage to achieve so much in their lives and careers? You can reach their level of success too—if you emulate some of their attitudes and actions. Here’s where to start:
- Know what you value. You can’t get what you want unless you know what you want. Start by identifying times when you were happy, proud, and fulfilled. Look for common denominators to determine your values.
- Don’t obsess over your weaknesses. Everyone has weaknesses, and some of them can’t be eliminated. Don’t use them as an excuse for not pursuing your goals. Focus on your strengths and seek goals that let you use them to their maximum.
- Ask for help. You can’t do everything yourself. Be willing to ask for help from people who can compensate for your weaknesses and maximize your strengths. By the same token, be ready to help people who ask for your assistance. They’ll be more willing to return the favor.
- Take initiative. Don’t wait for permission to follow your dreams. Look at what you want to achieve, make a plan, and start out immediately. Identify one thing you can do to get started—and then do it.