Envisioning Possibilities
Family
When we were raising our daughter, I would read this quote from Gibran’s from time to time. A wonderful reminder that our children are not exactly like us.
“Your children are not your children. They are sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you. And though they are with you, they do not belong to you.”
My daughter is her person, with her talents, skills, and interests. She is a marvelous person for whom I am most grateful to breathe the same air.
A few additional quotes – tugged at my heart today from the wisest of our interpreters.
From Desmond Tutu: “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”
From Marcel Proust: “The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.”
Friedrich Nietzsche: “In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.”
Barbara Bush: “To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.”
Mother Teresa: “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”
Michael J. Fox: “Family is not an important thing; it’s everything.”
Alex Haley: “In every conceivable manner, the family is a link to our past, a bridge to our future.”
Join me July 23 and July 30 for Envisioning Possibilities – evening 6 – 7:30.
www.envisioiningpossibilities.com a workshop given by Advanta Strategies.
Branding
Branding isn’t built in a studio—it’s built in the moments between meetings, at networking events, and even while waiting for your latte.
From Drawings to Dialogue
Designers aren’t just visual thinkers—we’re translators of imagination.
When you can turn drawings into dialogue, every presentation becomes a partnership.
How Humor Can Lighten the Room
A smile can make your design pitch twice as memorable. Humor, when done right, isn’t about being a comedian it’s about being human. A little laughter reminds everyone that design is supposed to bring joy, not stress. So the next time you walk into a presentation, bring your sense of humor along with your fabric swatches. You’ll leave behind not only a beautiful concept but also a positive impression.
Starting Again 2024
Happy New Year.
Question of the year 2024 – from 2023. What’s working for you?
I’m a list maker, so I’ll begin.
Working for me # 1 – Sleep Habit
I end every day writing a list, surprise, right? I write not just thinking about – it’s easy to go to bed and think oh, that went well or that was good. But writing it down and, in some cases, noting how that happened? When I write how I made that happen, I’m surprised to learn that I planted a seed a few days, weeks, or months ago, and the outcome started growing. The result is incredible, and I am grateful. The acknowledgment of that outcome is in my writing at night.
I write the three things I’m grateful for during the day. The results are fascinating.
1. Most importantly, I get a good night’s sleep. I haven’t stuffed my mind with useless trivia or negative thinking.
2. It helps me reflect on the things or circumstances I created to support that good part of the day and how I can repeat them.
Working for me #2 – Website Building
I am learning how to build my website again. Paul taught me in 2010 to develop my website from scratch. It served me well for many years. The new one is one in WordPress but with Elegant Themes and DIVI. I love it! I love working on it and figuring out the puzzle. Yes, it would be faster and easier if I hired someone to do that for me. But I’m not in a rush, and yet I am in a hurry. The joy of working on it outweighs the time it takes.
1. Learning Divi
2. Researching the best templates and methods of communication
Working for me #3 – Envisioning Possibilities
I have chosen a new set of words to define the purpose-driven vision workshop I’ve been doing for years. Although, many people find the terms interesting and exciting to follow, I was bored with the words.
I believe the concept is strong and still stands, but PDVB? Even the acronym looked stoggy.
Advanta Strategies is over 20 years old and it is my main business, this year I added a spark to it.
1. I purchased a new URL
2. Using Divi – created a website for people to sign up. www.envisioningpossibilities.com
Knives
Seems the culture for using a knife started atleast two and half million years ago and were made from a variety of metals i.e. copper, brass, iron, steel and ceramics. Their uses included hunting, carving and eating. Knives were a tool as much as a...
Napkin
Napkins Whose napkin is it anyway? Is my napkin on the right of the place setting or on the left? According to Emily Post ( http://emilypost.com/advice/informal-place-setting/), this is where the napkins can be found. "Napkin: The napkin is folded or put in a napkin...
Presumption
Etiquette requires the presumption of good until the contrary is proved.” ― Emily Post, Emily Post On Etiquette
No work
What is more perfect on Labor Day than no work? No washing and drying of too many dishes and silverware Fancy napkins or not Making it pretty too! Seems the best way to make it pretty and no work is to use paper everything. Paper plates are a good starting place. But...
Business Slow
Business is Slow - now what? Be tender with yourself during the slow times in your business. I panicked all the time – Too much business – get it done, get it done, do it right, get it done. I panicked when there was too little business. Get more work, get more...