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Art
I subscribe to a lot of “daily” emails chock full of news, stories, and yes, even cartoons art. There are two emails that I look forward to currently – one from StoryPeople that contains whimsical drawings accompanied with inspiring and thoughtful narrative, and the other “A Minute with Maxwell,” a one-minute leadership/coaching video focusing on a different topic each day. Yes, they are juxtaposed, but they definitely complement one another.
Daily emails can get annoying if you don’t utilize them and only end up deleting them each day; they can become like spam if you’re not attentive to them.
Do you subscribe to daily emails? What are the ones you look forward to each day? Which ones bring value to your life?
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I liken the blogosphere to a “blob.” A lot of people are afraid to start reading blogs because they think it will overtake them – they have issues with unread posts. Honestly, I did, too, at first; then I realized I control the flow of blogs just like I do with all social media, reading, and pretty much every other media outlet.
It’s not uncommon for my RSS reader to have hundreds of posts waiting for me to read. I can’t help it; I love a lot of blogs. I may let posts “pile” up, but it sure does make for some goooood reading time. So, as I wait for all my batch cooking to finish up for the night and my house is filled with the delectable aromas of simmering taco soup, cooling oatmeal muffins, and bubbling homemade apple butter (oh, yes, I did!) – here’s what I’m perusing:
Kim, at Emergiblog, is heading back to her roots and finding her voice while simultaneously cursing the thorn in her side at the moment – a step into electronic charting – and waxing nostalgic for paper charting. Boy, haven’t we all been there? Oh, if not…you will be, don’t worry.
Hugh McLeod, at gapingvoid, has a new cartoon that makes me smile. It’s so true…we need more love in business…including the business of healthcare! It’s why I wrote about love in management recently. *Sings “All You Need is Love…”*
The Nerdy Nurse has a pretty cool giveaway going on right now, you should definitely head over there and enter. You have a few more hours to get in on the goods.
Impacted Nurse is discussing verbal abuse as a result of a recently published Journal of Advanced Nursing article. The title will surely get your attention.
East Coast Creative has a super cute DIY idea. I can absolutely see this in my home, and I’m honestly considering it for my entire team…who says Valentine’s Day at work can’t be fu-uhn?! Not this manager.
Austin Kleon reminds people of the hazard of hanging out with writers. Truth.
So much good stuff to read and look at…ahhh…makes for a lovely time anytime. What are you reading? Viewing? Listening to? I’m always up for suggestions.
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A mentor shared this with me. It was just what I needed. I hope it helps you as it continues to help me.
Please get yourself educated as quickly as you can.
Don’t get mixed up by the crossfire of information.
The only way you’ll get there is by doing your own thinking.
So simply begin to dare, dare, dare.
Listen to your own mind.
It’s now possible for life to be a success.
For everybody.
– R. Buckminster Fuller
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I stole borrowed this book from a co-worker. I love it so much, though, that I’m purchasing my own copy. (Yeah, you heard me, Austin Kleon; I’m buying you a cup o’ joe. Who knows…maybe we’ve sat next to one another in an East Austin eatery and never even knew it. That weirds me out a bit, but I’m guessing we’ve never actually eaten/worked side-by-side otherwise I would’ve broken the invisible ice by saying something like, “I prefer neon index cards over white ones. Here…try ‘em.”)
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, by Austin Kleon, is a delightful jewel of a read. I gobbled it up in about 30 minutes, but I’m purchasing the book to read again. And again. I won’t quote the entire work. No, you need to visit your local bookstore or library and get the book for yourself. Yes, it really does have that much goodness within it. And, it’s not all text. Hooray!
Much of Kleod’s advice is already part of my life and routine. I gleaned some new tips, though, which I am excited to implement. And, I had to literally put the book down a few times to pause and think about some things he says about creativity and work and the mashup of life. I’m sure I’ll still be thinking about them over the next few days, as well. You’ll definitely see the influence of Steal Like an Artist on Nursetopia, and I’m already working on the suggested reading Kleod provides near the end.
Whether you consider yourself a “creative” or not, I promise this book is worth your time.
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Cell #22, Acrylic on Canvas, copyright Angela Canada Hopkins
“It’s actually a beautiful stain,” the pathologist quips. Stares of oddity and muffled chuckles fill the room. “Is something wrong? It is lovely,” I think. Turns out many healthcare professionals – and artists – think similarly.
Artist Angela Canada Hopkins definitely sees cancer differently, and as an oncology nurse, I love looking at her work. I hope to own one of her pieces one day, but for now the reverse of her business card – an image of Cell #22 - adds healthcare art to my office space.
Cancer is stunning in many ways. Hopkins’ work is a different kind of stunning and a reminder of the microscopic awe of the “Big C.”
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Langston Hughes is likely most well-known for his poem “Harlem.” His other works are equally wonderful and diversified. The Voice of the Poet: Langston Hughes is one disc, a super-quick listen, accompanied by a small printed book of his poems.
The audio is Mr. Hughes reading each poem and detailing the inspiration and circumstances surrounding each writing. The recording is actually multiple recordings pieced together, so the quality changes throughout, but it’s worth it to hear the poetry in the author’s own voice. His vocal intonation changes as he glides from poem history into the stanzas, like he’s transformed into the character. It’s delightful.
Listeners learn the happenstance leading Hughes into writing poetry, his influences, and even the strict poetic rhythm of the blues. If “a raisin in the sun” is your only remembrance of Hughes, you should definitely check out this book and listen to his cool, rhythmic stories.
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The goal ahead.
So far away.
Keep going. Keep going.
Diffusing the mind games step by step.
When there is nothing left to give, no more energy to push into steps.
Stop.
Only to realize the goal is behind now.
Much farther behind.
Revel in the success, the sheer will.
Rest.
Tomorrow’s new goal awaits
with an anticipatory voice,
“Keep going. Keep going.”
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This is one of my favorite lines from a striking Mary Oliver poem within She Walks in Beauty. You can download this one wild and precious reminder as a small poster or as a printable card.
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