Distractions, Clutter, and Creating Problems for Oneself

Why is this blog called Art, Music and Other Shiny Objects? Maybe it's for the same reason I haven't posted in the past six or so months: I tend to get a teensy-weensy bit distracted. Can you relate to that? It's ridiculous.

I pet sit this dog named Mac. Mac is awesome. And, it turns out that Mac LOVES snow (go figure). It gives him a bit of DADD (Doggie Attention Deficit Disorder).

Mac is about two and a half years old, and finally starting to mellow from a wild puppy-hood. But he still has tons of energy. It's my job to take him out and throw the ball a whole lot, running him like mad so he'll be too tired to cause any mischief. The goal is to use up a great lot of his energy, and in the summer this is not an issue. I throw the ball far (thanks to the Chuck-it; whoever invented it should be a millionaire), he runs for it, runs back, and we repeat until he's wiped out.

However, in the snow... not so much. I throw the ball once, he gets it, and runs off to frolic in the snow. He eventually brings it back, but he goes straight to a big snow drift and plops the ball in it. The he pushes it down with his paw and buries it. Then he digs like mad to find it, only to bury it again. So basically, Mac creates problems to solve them. He loves it. He has a great time. But alas, Mac is not focused on our goal.

You may think it silly for me to expect a dog to focus on, or even be aware of or care about a goal. And, you'd be right. But stick with me, because this is not about Mac the dog. This is about me, and perhaps about you, too.

I have a really hard time staying focused on the goal. And actually, like Mac, I don't even care about the damn goal when I'm lost in a world of snow. "Snow" for me being Facebook, the internet generally, articles, memes, friends that want to hang out, music videos, wine, food, all important cat videos... you get the picture. And if that's not bad enough, I too create problems and solve them.

This really needs to stop. And the beginning of a new year seems like a good time. But how?

I'm starting to realize that I'm a terrible decision maker. This accounts for the clutter on my desk and in my apartment, and that all leads to a cluttered mind. Just a few minutes ago I wasn't sure where to go with this post, and I suddenly found myself surfing Facebook on my phone. While sitting in front of my computer! I hardly remember even reaching for my phone. I think it's just a habit; can't decide what to do? Reach for a distraction.
It seems that distraction is a symptom of indecision. And why would a person not want to decide? Because we don't want to make a wrong choice. Or we don't trust ourselves to make a right choice. It's easier for me to look at Facebook, or to go find a snack, and then forget where was and what I was doing before. And this really is a form of procrastination.

So, this year, I want to be a great decision maker. Which is not to say that I want to make great decisions - I do, but my first intent is to just make a lot of decisions. With practice I'll get better at it, right?
New affirmations: I trust myself to decide. Deep down I know what the right decision is, and if I pay attention, it will be obvious.

As for Mac, I think I'll just let him have fun in the snow. One of the perks of being a dog.

Day 52, 100 Happy Days: It's All About the Journey

I had a really great conversation with some ladies in my studio tonight. One of the things we touched on is that there is no destination, no end; it's all journey.
As artists we may be more in touch with that than the general population. As painters we love the process. I suppose some of us (and at times most of us) get frustrated with the process and look forward to the finished product, but... is a painting ever finished? No, not really. It just stops in interesting places.

So, creating art is a very zen experience. It's about the process, not the product. It's a journey.

I tried to think of this as I headed out into the dark, cold, snow packed streets to walk a dog tonight. Instead of trying to rush through the walk and get it over with, I enjoyed that leg of my journey.

Having that mindset made it possible for me to see things that I otherwise might of missed. It really was a beautiful night. I love how the snow seems to make everything more quiet - is that an acoustics thing, or is everyone just indoors? Probably both. But hearing the snow crunch under my boots is a wonderful thing. As is looking at the little trail of footprints that the dog in front of me makes.

Day 47: Cancelled Plans and Blue Lights

Today was a good day, but I woke up exhausted and never quite recovered. So when my date let me wiggle out of our plans tonight... bliss. An evening in front of the TV snuggling with a pooch is just what the doctor ordered. I tend to overschedule my life. Need to stop doing that.

I took the picture on the left when I was out walking the dog this evening. Blue lights just seem to pull me in. As I took the picture in the dark, I noticed the vines below the lights, and realized that I have photographed those vines before. In fact, I think that every time I pass that house I take a picture or two. In addition to beautiful lights and groovy vines, it has trees that I can only describe as magical. They're like fairy tale trees. But not creepy "child lost in the woods about to get eaten by a wolf" fairy tale. Just dreamy.

Day 45, 100 Happy Days: Happy Dog + Repaired Car

This blurred cutie.

I was walking along, minding my own business, when what do I see but the sweetest puppy, stationed outside the neighborhood pub. This little one was the official greeter, and giver/receiver of love. SO sweet!

Unfortunately she/he was so excited and happy to be getting loves from yet another person, that I couldn't get a good pic. But that's okay. I was just happy to hang out for a few minutes with such a wonderful being.

Day 45 Bonus: My car is fixed!

My neighbors will love me again (or at least won't hate me anymore) because my squeaky belt was fixed. And my stinky exhaust leak was fixed, as was my leaky tire. Check engine light is off, parking brake adjusted. All for less money than expected, and in less time than expected.

Tabetha is happy. :)

Day 30, 100 Happy Days: Snow Sculpting

It was absolutely freezing this morning. My phone told me it was 1 degree, but it could have easily been below zero. And I had to get out in it to play with the dog I'm sitting.

I really wanted to mumble and grumble and be miserable about  going out, but instead I made the choice to embrace it. It only makes it harder when I resist what is. And I can do absolutely nothing about the weather! Nor the fact that I had to be out in it. Might as well enjoy it!

So I made a little penguin while I was out there throwing the ball around. Not bad for a first effort. I think it could have been better had the snow had a bit more moisture, and if I could have worked at it for longer than five minutes at a time. (Even with decent gloves, my hands hurt from the cold after a few minutes.)

Making snow art made me happy, as did giving up resistance.

Bonus happy: It never warmed up, but it was good to see the blue sky. 

And of course, there's this kid... ❤

My Happiness Project Day 47: A Cool Morning Walk

Just yesterday I was complaining to people about having to get up early to walk the dog in the cold. I like walking, and a dog is a great excuse for a walk, but mornings? No. I don't do mornings. And I especially don't do them in the cold... That is, unless I'm getting paid to walk a dog in the early morning cold. In which case I'm generally shuffling along practically being dragged by the dog in a zombie-like stupor.
But for some reason, today was different. Perhaps I was properly bundled, and had the right music, but I actually had a pep in my step! It was overcast with little snow flurries here and there. Twenty-seven degrees, but... I felt happy.

Maybe there is hope for me after all. 

Oh, also, men in the park playing rugby made me happy. Such a lovely sight. 

My Happiness Project Day 44: Opposite Dogs, Elusive Rooster Cats and Tree Roots

I like that after 44 days of this I can say that looking for things to make me happy is such a habit that I find them everywhere without really looking. The down side to that is that there aren't all that many things that stand out as big happy moments, but... I'll take it.

Today I walked the fluffiest of little fluffy dogs, and we ran into the the the biggest bulldog I've seen. He was off-leash and came galloping across the street to meet us. Bodhi - my fluffy buddy- is a bit skittish anyway, and was quite intimidated by this burly dog who was no taller than him. Of course he was just a big old love bug. Too bad I didn't get a picture of those completely opposite dogs together.




In other animal related happy moments, I finally met the cat of the house where I'm sitting. She's been very elusive, but finally came out of hiding tonight and is as sweet as can be. But the really great thing about her? She sounds like a little rooster when she meows!
Hilarious.





These totally amazing tree roots made me very happy, too. And finding the PS Express app on my iPhone that made the roots look even more beautiful, made me happy, too.

My Happiness Project Day 43: My New Furry Friend

Today this little ball of fur made me happy. He's my new pet sitting client, Bodhi. It took him a good half hour to gain my trust this morning before I could talk him into going on a walk. But as soon as his mind was made up and I mentioned "walk" he jumped up and twirled around. Adorable! Even at 8am.