C.Q. (not to be confused with D.Q.)

I am sure that you have heard of I.Q.

Intelligence Quotient.

Most of you have also heard of G.Q.

Gentleman's Quarterly.

Many of you have eaten at D.Q. ******

Dairy Queen.

What do you know of C.Q. ?

Probably nothing.

Creativity Quotient. It is a term that was pointed out to me by a good friend. It was an article in the New York Times.

I googled C.Q. to see if the term is “out there”. It isn't.

The writer of the article, Patricia Cohen, has coined the term. You can find the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/books/08creative.html?ref=science

I love this article. It explains a lot.

Often, it seems that C.Q. is the lesser regarded distant red headed cousin of I.Q.

C.Q. is not talked about much.....because..... well, you know (said in hushed tones).......

I am a BIG believer that the sciences are VERY important. I think that “practical work” generally brings home the bacon more than creative ventures.

I also believe that creativity is the spice of life. The life of the party. Fun.

I mean, really, how many times do you sit around as a tinker, tailor, soldier, accountant and belly laugh about debits/credits, anatomy or a hard tack to starboard?

CREATIVITY....it enhances life.

The creativity inside of you can enhance your own life and the life of others when you ask it to come out and play.

If you truly have no creativity inside of you, you can go to a book store and buy creativity for about $20. Alternatively, you can go to a movie for about $10. If you prefer a solitude moment of creativity, buy a coloring book and crayons (hell, go for the sparkly Barbie ones). Color OUTSIDE of the lines! Free yourself of convention.

Wake the C.Q. within. Do this in any manner required to tap into that original genius. Once you embark on the creative path, your creativity will resonate and GROW.

It's time to get fanciful and imaginative......bestow interest to your life! Attempt to get in touch with this inventive side and share it with others.

No more ho-hum, hi -ho, or ho-ho life.

You are now free to live and color outside your box.

Sit back, imagine and Enjoy!


****unless, of course, as your trainer and nutrition consultant I have advised against it.

Encourage

I was given a gift this weekend.

Not once but twice.

I attended two dinner parties one day apart.

A friend of mine said something that may alter the course of my being.

How powerful.

She had read my latest blog, Zebras, and had told me several times how much she enjoyed reading it.

I thought that she was being nice.

But, two days in a row at these dinner parties, she once again applauded my story.

And then....she said it......

“I think that you should write a book.”

That was stated on Saturday evening. I do not believe that there was much alcohol involved in this comment. I was sipping on Perrier and she appeared perfectly sober.

“I think that you have a story there and it should be told....you should write a book.”

That was articulated on Sunday evening. I was drinking this time but she still seemed completely un-inibriated.

I suppose that it could have been one of those passing things that people say at dinner parties.

I don't think that it was.

I am not sure how I know but I feel certain that she was serious.

She was sincere.

She really liked my “voice”.

The beauty of her words are how they touched me.

They encouraged me.

This wonderful woman is a professional who is highly regarded in her field. She is a gentle and private soul. I have always respected her and have stood back in awe at what she has accomplished in both family and career arenas. She is VERY intelligent and has seen a lot of the world.

AND....she liked MY voice.

Wow.

I have been told before that I should write. I have been told this by friends who I make laugh. They think I have a lot to offer the world because they think so highly of me. They think that I can share my ideas and make others laugh.

Their belief in me is pleasing....but, I was still positive that they only saw me through their fruit stripes (***) colored glasses.

This encouragement was different. This was more objective.

This encouragement invigorates me.

This encouragement has me contemplating a careless run in the writing field.

The writing field full of glorious modern day writers like David Baldacci (I used to see him~my touch with fame~ when I worked at UPC), John Grisham, and Nicholas Sparks. Oh, to write alongside the likes of Dana Mallon, Marie Keith, Leslie Morrissette, Michelle Kelley and Marianne Hobart.....would be a pure honor and pleasure.

All of these writers can spin a tale and weave stories leaving their readers spellbound. They write long and intricate stories. Stories that leave me hanging on the edge of my seat or crying in my favorite chair.

Me?

An attention deficit mom/trainer (squirrel) who can only write about 2-3 pages before the idea goes Ka-put.

A person who feels everything when they write.......and when the idea loses steam, so do they?

Me? Writing alongside them?

But, this woman obviously thinks so.....
…............................................................. and now...

…................................................................................SO DO I.

What is my objective in writing?

To write the simple things in my mind. To write about ideas that I feel passionate about. To write about things that seem so obvious to me. To write to entertain myself. To give myself energy through laughter.

I write about my epiphanies that make me happy. I write to focus and to share my views with the hope that they might make someone smile or find an answer or see things in a different light-heartedness.

Now, somebody else sees my objective. They are encouraging me to continue to entertain others and help others entertain new ideas through writing.

Encouragement: It is important to say positive things to people . Something good that you see in them. You never know where it might lead or in what way their lives might change when you utter encouraging words to them.

Thank you, Karol, for believing in me.

You changed my view of myself....

….................changed my view for the better.

..........................You gave me the gift of encouragement.


***see zebras posting, August 2010.