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April's Topic is "Happiness" and features weekly posts to help you through the creative process-
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WHAT IS GOOD FOR US? |
Knowing what and how much of something is “good for us” is
an eternal challenge that we all face.
Often the “right choices” means that we will deny ourselves pleasure. Like
not eating a 3rd cookie.
Your mind is then faced with playing mediator to your
“lesser” physiological self, and your “greater” moral self. Some days, we have ALL had to have the
3rd cookie!
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
How much pleasure and its excesses are acceptable?
When it comes
to pleasure, the debate has kept scholars, philosophers, and religious leaders
busy for centuries.
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| The Great Matter - Artist unknown (3) |
In 1534, King Henry VIII, a man not known to deny himself anything. Created his own Christian Church when he ordered the Church of England to succeed from Roman Catholic Church, Kicking off the reformation.
Earlier, the Pope had refused to annul
his marriage to Catherine of Aragon after not producing a male heir to the British throne. The annulment to allow the King to marry his mistress
Anne Boleyn.
This particular example of excess had a particularly high price for some of Henry's queen’s.
As artists we have found pleasure in the creation of art.
Each of us, at one time or another could be found guilty of “losing our heads”
in the pleasure of creating our own art.
Cookies, Kings and You?
What do Cookies and Kings have to do with us as artists? We admit to enjoying things that make us feel good, and from time to time we have a holiday tossed our way, and we "may" over indulge. Our occasional discretion's make us feel better.... don't they? Humans will go to extraordinary lengths to achieve "happiness"
Let's take a look at happiness and artists creative process-
WHAT IS HAPPINESS?
Happiness has various definitions, because it is something that varies by individual, for me it is the "quest for the appreciation of life"
Psychologist Martin Seligman (2) summarized positive psychology's findings:
Humans seem happiest when they have:
Pleasure: Beautiful view, Chocolate,
yummy food, foot rubs, romantic liaisons.
Relationship: Knowing we are “part of”. The social
engagement of interacting with others, even without the use of a portable electronic
devices!
Accomplishment: Realizing a goal that you have
established for yourself.
Participation: Engaging in an activity or event
that is challenging yet, enjoyable.
Purpose: Knowing we are part of something much greater than ourselves.
*Can you think of recent examples of your own happiness in each
of these categories?
Create happiness: would you like to be part of a happiness project? email me a .jpg photograph of a image that makes YOU happy by Friday April 6th 2012. My goal is to to collect 100 images, I will share your image in a special gift for weeks post.
Please include the following info in your email:
Email to: info@guitartam.com
Subject: Happiness Pic
Your Name: (if it isn't part of your email addy).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tamra Engle is a independent music business strategist based in the S.F.
bay area she is available for
private & corporate consultations to help you develop your independent business, produce your next demo. host a workshop or speak at your next event.
You can read more about how she can help you, when you join her mailing list
at www.tamraengle.com you can email her at guitartam@gmail.com
References and Credits:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiness
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Seligman
(3) http://www.flickr.com/photos/33317700@N07/3277702927/
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