A little "corner" of my workspace. The painting and bird are by Vanessa Valencia. The globe is Napoleon III, the basalt candlestick holders are Empire and the books are 18th-century French.
I am dealing with a family issue that is causing stress and wreaking havoc with my concentration. Will answer your email and catch up with your blogs soon. Meanwhile, I'm trying to remain calm, keep an objective outlook and an open heart. My friend Julie has posted some lovely San Francisco photos for me today. See for yourself!
Thoughts on creativity and deadlines
From Julia Cameron's The Sound of Paper:
"...Many of us set an impossibly high goal of productivity for ourselves. We want to finish the novel by next week and if we can't do that, we're a failure. We want the energy to work all night, to burn the candle at both ends, no matter how exhausted and burned-out such behaviors leave us. When we set our creative jumps too high, we often refuse to jump them. "Not today," we say and defer our creativity one more day.
"It is better and healthier to set our creative jumps within our creative reach. Take pen in hand. Is there an arena in which you set your goal improbably high? Write about this. Having done a thorough inventory of your creative self-sabotage, set a new creative quotient that you will be able to meet with some ease. Take your creative goal and plan it out. What do you want to have done a year from now? Six months from now? One month from now? One week from now? Working "backward" in this way allows you to set realistic creative goals."
Where's the real story?
San Francisco Chronicle readers have to go elsewhere for the real story behind the newspaper's perils. Read David Cay Johnston's insightful piece in the Columbia Journalism Review.
And the Rocky Mountain News is the latest longtime newspaper to bite the dust.
I'm sorry I've been absent so much from blogland this week, and didn't realize you were under stress...Whatever issue you've been facing, Tara - I hope and pray that it's been fully resolved now. Wishing you harmony and happiness, and sending you loads of love~XOXO
Posted by: tinker | 01 March 2009 at 21:54
I recognise that little corner :)
Posted by: Di Overton | 01 March 2009 at 12:01
Hope things turn out okay.
Posted by: gladys | 28 February 2009 at 15:23
Thank you all for the kind messages of support. Your words have helped in a difficult situation. Merci bien!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 27 February 2009 at 22:47
I will send postive thoughts your way for a resolution of family issues.
Yes, we do put high expectations on ourselves, I know I sure do. Then I get very frustrated when I can't achieve the goals. Thanks for your words from Julia Cameron.
Posted by: marilyn | 27 February 2009 at 22:19
Dear Tara,
May your family issue be short lived. Your workspace is an inspiration. So beautifully composed; I'm sure every item has a story.
Posted by: dutchbaby | 27 February 2009 at 18:23
Dear Tara! As I sit here looking at the mountains of paperwork that are somehow camouflaging an entire desktop...it's wonderful to see the beautiful "corner" of your workspace! Hum, perhaps there IS something to feng shui after all. I'm sending a big hug and beaucoup good wishes. I hope whatever issues you are dealing with are soon resolved in a positive way.
Posted by: Susan | 27 February 2009 at 18:01
A big hug to you Tara and hope everything will fall in place soon...
and may i say, you've got an impeccable taste ! LOVE your globe and Vanessa's poetical art !
haut les coeurs....
xoxo
Posted by: my castle in spain | 27 February 2009 at 17:44
oops ... ((HUG))
I am not awake
Posted by: lacithecat | 27 February 2009 at 08:23
((HUH))
Posted by: lacithecat | 27 February 2009 at 08:22
Hey darlin' - wondering and worrying about the stresses that are impacting you. We need to talk.
In other news, the papers arrived - merci, merci, merci!! Tu est merveilleux!
Bisous,
deb
Posted by: JanePoet ~ JP/deb | 27 February 2009 at 07:53
My daddy used to say "And it came to pass, doesn't say it came to stay" you'll get through this with you usual grace and courage. And backwards planning? It's been my stock and trade for many years now and served me well. In business they call it a logic model, great minds I tell ya! smooches
Posted by: Leau | 27 February 2009 at 05:35
My sweet Tara, hope everything falls into place. Thinking of you.
Posted by: Yoli | 27 February 2009 at 04:16
.....so sorry to hear of your troubles....we shall eagerly await your re-emergence....when you are ready!
I read recently that.....a little rain must fall on each of us...so that we see the brightness when it arrives.
Posted by: Sandra | 27 February 2009 at 02:07
Keep Calm & Carry On .. .
alas, too often easier said than done. Thanks for taking the time to post this gorgeous photo ... . . love every yummy inch.
Hugs - Judith
Posted by: judith | 27 February 2009 at 01:21
Thinking of you and sending love...
My creative process feels bottled up, sitting in my mess here..waiting waiting for my space to be done so I can move in!!
take care and take it easy on yourself.
x..x
steph
Posted by: stephanie | 27 February 2009 at 01:03
I hope things are better by the time you read this. I'm so glad you liked the photos. I really did take them for you and I know you can tell.
xoxo
Posted by: tangobaby | 27 February 2009 at 00:59
Your nature is to support and encourage; now your host of friends will support and encourage you, whatever your struggle and challenge. Prayers and all my best to you!
Posted by: Rebekah | 27 February 2009 at 00:48
Oooh, I do believe I'm a little jealous of your workspace, Tara; I especially love the globe.
And from across the pond, here's a wish that your family issues get resolved soon. Take care.
Posted by: Scotty | 27 February 2009 at 00:47
Be strong and courageous, Tara. Thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way.
Posted by: RD | 27 February 2009 at 00:27
Family issues can certainly distract you. HUG "It is better and healthier to set our creative jumps within our creative reach." It took disability to get me there. I was a type A personality. lol
Posted by: Tammy | 27 February 2009 at 00:15
I love you, sweetie. : )
Posted by: Christina | 26 February 2009 at 23:36
Sending prayers and good energy your way....
Posted by: MiddleAgedWomanBlogging | 26 February 2009 at 23:34
Wishing you strength and understanding.
Posted by: materfamilias | 26 February 2009 at 23:14
Don't know what going on but
thinking of you and sending hugs your way Tara. Love VV's painting hanging over you here.
Thoughts about working on goals:
The most important thing is to enjoy the process while working towards a goal. If we become stressed or ill, then what is the end result really worth anyway?
After a project is finished, it's a great feeling, but it's over!!
Then we will have the challenge to set the next goal!
We must learn to be gentle with ourselves because we are not perfect.
life is not perfect,
BUT having a passion and being in the middle of working on a goal is (or should be) one of the very best feelings on earth!! To be lost in the creative process is pure bliss!!
xox
Constance
Posted by: Rochambeau | 26 February 2009 at 22:44
i think it's a planetary misalignment making things go all awry.
and isn't julie wonderful to post those photos for you to try to cheer you up!
:-)
Posted by: julochka | 26 February 2009 at 22:20
Hang in there Tara. Sending a big hug your way. xo
Posted by: Rosa | 26 February 2009 at 21:59