There it was, in blinking red LED proof. I lost and kept off five pounds.
When I stepped off the scale, Dr. Janov, my ponytailed nutritionist, looked up from my chart approvingly. “How did you do it?”
Without hesitation I said, “I stopped eating.” Nothing else works. Can I run more than five miles every day? No. Does keeping a food journal work? Sometimes, and only because I would rather not eat than be bothered writing stuff down.
He nodded in helpless agreement. That’s when I noticed it. “OK, enough about me. What is going on with you? Are you still doing static trapeze? You still 162 pounds?” He seemed heavier. Not physically, but in spirit.
Static trap, yes. Same weight, no. Why? Oh, a summer of slamming ice cream after his girlfriend left abruptly in April. Lots of late night Mexican food. And now, really high cholesterol numbers and his weight inching its way relentlessly north.
“When is your next recital? I’m bringing someone for you to meet.” Seth simply cannot resist an opportunity to make a schiddach (Yiddish for playing matchmaker). “She’s cute, she’s smart, she’s fun and she would love to see you hanging upside down in tights.”
We decided that was the best plan of action. Dr. Janov will find out when his next static trapeze recital will be, I will call for the results of my blood test and discuss the details. Seth will talk up Dr. Janov to his friend. We will bring two people together.
And lose weight at the same time. What could be better than that?
If you need a good weight loss doctor, just let me know. If you need a date, call Seth.
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I am intensely curious about the sources of creativity within all of us. There are days when my imagination is on fire, ideas jumping out of the burning house. And then, there are times when my mind is a desert.
How does your imagination work? What influences, kickstarts, sets off the great ideas we have? If you are as intrigued as I am, this is a great must read.
Here’s a little video he did that captures the essence of the book in a quirky illustrated narrative.
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We are on the last day of our journey. Today is the last step of the Twelve Step Plan for Restless Creatives, an unbelievably inspiring experience for me and all because of the thoughtful feedback and insights you have shared with me as I put this together.
When I began creating the plan, I thought to myself, “I can’t be the only person in the world having a hard time keeping it together, feeling good about myself and looking fabulous on a daily basis! I bet lots of people know lots of ways to to this.
None of us is as smart as all of us.”
And sure enough, with your help, I learned many ways to get to Wow! and I loved hearing about your unique experiences getting there.
Thank you all so very much for your generosity.
Here is the complete Twelve Step Plan for Restless Creatives:
Do you remember being amazed by things as a child? Curious about everything, always ready for the next adventure? That is a wonderful place in time that exists in all of us. Go back to it. The universe is full of wonder and will meet you there.
Be open to it always.
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Someone I know recently asked me for something I could not give. So, as politely as I could, I said no.
And waited for the whiplash of rejection to smack me in the head.
Oddly, it never happened. I was relieved, and then curious. When a thoughtful handwritten note arrived thanking me for my time and consideration, I was impressed.
Of course we all dislike getting a no. We attach way too much of ourselves to these decisions, at least I do, and in doing so, make it difficult to pick ourselves up and move on. No matter how hard it is to believe that someone is not as taken with your project as you are, it is never a good idea to splutter a knee jerk response. “Are you crazy???? You have no idea how great this idea is!! What is wrong with you???” Most people will simply smile back at you and silently chalk you up as Someone To Be Avoided At All Times.
Which is exactly what I didn’t do. In fact, I responded to the invitation she had enclosed with her note and thought to myself, “I really should get some notecards, too. So much more personal and memorable.”
Be more than gracious when you get a no. Be thoughtfully creative.
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Before you jump in and answer that, do you know the difference?
A famous designer of understated luxury clothing that I adore said, “Life should be about optimum, not maximum.”
I absolutely love that! I want the utmost, not the most. Quality quality quality over quantity. This is what we want more of.
Albert Kreimler does not live in the center of the world. The quality crafted garments of dreamy double-faced cashmere he creates are of the most famous line that you probably never heard of. He is almost reclusive in his approach to the fashion universe preferring to invite select buyers to see his collections in the lofty landscape of St. Gallen, a town in eastern Switzerland tucked between the Appenzell Alps and Lake Constance that happens to be famous for its textile and embroidery houses.
Just as in his tailoring, Kreimler’s reasoning is smooth and precise. “There is so much stimulation out there,” he says. “We’re flooded with images. Other senses and needs tend to get shortchanged.”
It is this relentless focus on perfecting certain distinctive elements that, in the hands of Kreimler, will transform a simple garment into a sublime one.
I often find myself bouncing between the sublime and the ridiculous. With a little inspiration from this Swiss designer I am looking forward to tipping the scales towards the sublime. And that is what you can do too. You may be closer to sublime than ridiculous and that is great. If you are not, here are a few thoughts to help you get started.
How am I going to do this?
1. “We are very no-logo,” says Kreimler. “But certain things are just very Akris (his company).” First of all, I am going to distill who I am into the things that are just very me. And knowing me, you know that is something I want to say without hesitation in seven words or less.
Artspy, momspy & nonprofit knitter
The less things you have, the more you can be. Strange, isn’t it? Think about what truly defines you.
2. “It has to be,” he says, “the exact right thing at the exact right time.” Never waver from the code of the house. The heart of my writing will always be in service to you. My stories, my wonderings, my knitting instructions and how to change the world are all ways for me to bring you things about the universe I live in. Code for me is cool stuff for you.
What is the code of your house?
3. Fashion has just moved toward where Albert has always been. This is the trend according to a seasoned buyer at Bergdorf Goodman. My belief is that your world will come to settle at your feet if you consistently deliver the best of who you are, uniquely and selectively.
Tell me, do you live your life at maximum or at optimum?
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photo by Marco Sanchez
I write for love and money. It is my everyday passion. What's yours? 
