A truly fantastic speech and declaration. I encourage you to watch it regardless of your current belief.

This week’s Illustration Friday topic is: Remedy. I immediately thought of the headaches that arrive the morning after a crazy Fourth of July Celebration here in the States. Those of you who are musically inclined might notice the reference to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy…

Happy Independence Day, America!

© Darice Pauselius

“#Trust30 (Self-Reliance) is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself.” Today’s Challenge: Fault and Change

I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Think of all the things that are not working in your life. That job you don’t like, that relationship that’s not working, those friends that annoy you. Now turn them all on you. Imagine that everything that’s not working in your life, is your fault. How would you approach it? What would you work on to change your life to the state that you want it to be?

I’m not going to be so quiet anymore. Fair warning.

© Darice Pauselius

“#Trust30 (Self-Reliance) is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself.” Today’s Challenge: Image

Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mess up your hair. If you are wearing makeup – smudge it. If you have a pair of pants that don’t really fit you – put them on. Put on a top that doesn’t go with those pants. Go to your sock drawer. Pull out two socks that don’t match. Different lengths, materials, colors, elasticity.

Now two shoes. You know the drill.

Need to add more? Ties? Hair clips? Stick your gut out? I trust you to go further.

Take a picture.

Get ready to post it online.

Are you feeling dread? Excitement? Is this not the image you have of yourself? Write about the fear or the thrill that this raises in you? Who do you need to look good for and what story does it tell about you? Or why don’t you care?

I understand the purpose of this exercise, but I think it makes our audience seem a bit shallow. I try not to spend time with people/groups that place value on appearance. Yes, it’s sometimes important to ‘look the part’ and conform to the norms, but in general I place a lot more worth on people expressing their authentic selves. Besides, what’s the point of weary funky mismatched socks if you have pants (however ill fitting) covering them up!? ;-)

© Darice Pauselius

“#Trust30 (Self-Reliance) is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself.” Today’s Challenge: 10 Year Text

Speak what you think now in hard words, and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said today. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Imagine your future self, ie, you 10 years from now. If he/she were to send you a tweet or text message, 1) what would it say and 2) how would that transform your life or change something you’re doing, thinking, believing or saying today?

The Text: You’ve got this in the bag, baby!

How it Affects Me: Big affirmation!