Be YourSelf and Grow Podcast episode 8. I’m your host Ken Law. I’m an artist who discovered some truths about myself, my art and the world around me. So tune in to learn more. By talking about things I have discovery, I hope to create an interest in art, and hopefully put art back into your daily lives. So, Turn off your TVs and Phones and pick up a pencil, marker or a crayon, and start creating because it’s healthy.

What are we talking about Today? As I recall, last week we were talking about the noise inside your head. Professionals call it your ego, the East calls it the Monkey, and I call it noise. We also know that this noise is usually negative. It creates a lot of unwanted stress that in turns brings about lots of health problems. We don’t want that, right?

Lets take a look at a few ways of turning off the noise inside your head and improving your health.

One of the best ways of turning that noise down is by meditating. Meditating is not as difficult as people think. It’s actually quiet simple. Meditation is nothing more than concentrating in the present on one thing, and you don’t really have to get into a special sitting position or repeat single sounds to meditate effectively. You can meditate almost anywhere too. I meditate severals times a week.
Although it is simple, some people may find it hard to grasp. If that’s the case, start doing a hobby that you enjoy. When you do something that you enjoy, you begin to concentrate on the act of doing whatever it is. Hobbies like knitting, sewing, woodworking, building models just to name a few are great ways to get started. Athletes call it getting into the zone. When you are in the zone, you concentrate on the action being preformed, and everything else is forgotten. That’s meditation!

I like to paint. When I paint, I will fall into a meditated state where the only thing that exists is the canvas in front of me.

Painting is so effective that people are trained to be art therapists. Victims of horrible traumas are treated through art. Some war veterans paint to self heal themselves.

When I discovered painting the second time, I picked up a brush, started applying paint, and never stopped to think about the rules, regulations and what experts believed art should be. Instead, I started painting for myself. I developed my own rules and procedures. As I painted, I began to relax, focused and became more confident in myself and what I was doing.

Painting helped me to focus on painting. That small but important fact turned the noise down to a whimper and eventually off while I was painting. I’m not sure if the voice in your head can be eliminated completely, but it can be controlled.

Once I started to take note of the wonderful differences it made in my life, I started meditation again. I don’t recall why I got out of that habit years ago, but I am certain that it had something to do with “do more and be successful” life.

Everyone has heard of multi-tasking. I remember in one of my photography classes in college, the professor said that the human eye can only focus on one thing at a time. I think for us to be effective in our daily lives, we too must focus on one thing at a time. Even if multi-tasking is possible, I really don’t think it’s very effective.

Our lives are complicated with do more philosophy when we should really slow down and start smelling the roses. We are surrounded by senseless noise and chatter that has nothing to do with who we are and what we want to do.

My suggestion is to simplify your life by concentrating on the moment. Live in the moment. What happened in the past, or what will happen is not important right now.

Find something that you like to do and loose yourself doing it. Keep practicing it until you become really good at it. You don’t need any talent, just practice. That’s it.

It doesn’t have to be painting, although I would love to see you paint. It can be as simple as doodling. Severals times a day practice doodling.

I hope this helps.

Next time, I’m going work on some questions that I have been asked about from other people. Use the comments below if you have one.

Finally, I want to invite you to join my art club where you can get some art prints, art puzzles and even some miniature paintings for your home or office. Go to http://www.patreon.com/beyourselfandgrow I also have some free stuff there too.

I’m Ken Law Artist and remember, be yourself and grow. Don’t forget to leave your comments and thoughts below. Make it a great day because it is your choice! Adios Amigos