Expectations and Attachments; a Holiday Trap.

Hi All,

Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, Seasons Greetings....etc, etc....  I hope you're enjoying the Holiday Season, whatever you celebrate.  We've had a nice little taste of winter here in Phoenix, AZ this year.  It's been on the cool side - and I'm loving it.  I hope wherever you are, things are going well.

I got up early this morning and was doing a few things around the house, before going in to work with a client.  It was peaceful and quiet, and my thoughts turned to the expectations and attachments that we can sometimes have around the holidays.  Those are two things that can be a huge trap for resentments and disappointment during what should be a festive season of joy.  Because I've fallen into this trap before, (several times), I thought it might be a timely topic for the blog.

When we're kids, so often we had expectations of Santa Clause, friends and relatives bringing toys and gifts for us.  When I was growing up, we had a routine - Christmas Eve we went to church and while gone, Santa came and delivered presents.  After church we had treats, opened gifts, enjoyed family, and had a great time.  Expectations met, right?  What if we were really attached to recieving a certain special gift - and didn't get it?  If we got it, what if it didn't live up to the hype?  What if it got broken shortly after recieving it?  Sometimes the disappointment could be pretty big. 

As adults we can have expectations and attachments that set us up for disappointment also.  These expectations may not even seem unreasonable.  However - are we attached to them so much that when things change we have a resentment?  It's a trap, and especially easy to fall into during this season of peace and love.

Here are some examples many of us can relate to.  We may make plans with friends and relatives and excitedly look forward to them... then, they cancel.  We may be counting on a particular special gift from someone near and dear...and they don't deliver.  Are we attached sometimes to Holiday traditions going off in a particular fashion...but then they just doesn't measure up to past celebrations?  These can be a sure fire way to become sad, angry or even resentful.  It's happened to me before, (more than once), and probably has happened to a lot of us.

So this Holiday Season, I'll be celebrating Christmas with my family as usual.  Sue and I go to church on Christmas Eve, exchange gifts with the family Christmas morn and enjoy other festivities.  There are things I need to do to keep my expectations and attachments in check, so I can just enjoy the season.  The first thing is obvious - take a look at myself.  Am I attached to people, places, things, events?  Do I have expectations for any of these?  If so, who or what am I judging? What I need to do is release these; let these go.  When I do, I release myself from them.

When I'm in the middle of the Holidays what can I do to stay centered and feeling good?  For me, I find I need to remain flexible.    I find that I need to go with the flow.  This means not being rigid or attached to things going my way.  Things change and sometimes they don't go the way we want them to.  Relax, take a deep breath and just enjoy the ride.  For me, so many times situations like that turn out better than my expected agenda.

The last thing is, remember to fill your heart with gratitude.  There's always something to be grateful for.  A quick prayer of gratitude or carrying an attitude of gratitude with me always makes me feel good.  It just seems to work that way.  It's been said, nothing changes the energy of a situation like gratitude.  I find that true in my own life.

Enjoy the Holidays.  I hope you find joy and peace and happiness this Season of Celebration.  Take a little time to be grateful and enjoy those around you.  While you're celebrating, remember to keep an eye on how you're feeling.  If you start to feel a little out of sorts...perhaps you might take a look at any expectations you're having, or are you attached to anything?  Regardless of the details - you may just have the best Christmas (or other Holidays), ever.

Enjoy.

Peace and Love,

Tom

Merry Christmas Everyone

Hi All,

I just wanted to share my annual Christmas Greeting with you all.  I've been working on it for the last few weeks.   As is my custom, I create an annual Christmas card and send it out via social media.  As a lot of my artwork these days, this started with pencil and paper and was finished with Wacom drawing pad, Apple computer and Photoshop.  I hope you enjoy it.

I just want to wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  I hope you are able to enjoy the Holiday season, wherever you are.

From our hearts to yours - may you and yours have a wonderful holiday season and make next year the best ever.

Peace and Love,

Tom and Sue Kreienbrink and family

www.behance.net/tk-art

Expectations - It's a Trap

Hi All,

It's been a while...Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  I hope the holiday season is going well for you.  Things are starting to get a little hectic here, but that's how it gets.  Humbly, I'm grateful for having lived another blessed year.

So I was thinking about a topic for today and what could be helpful.  The topic of expectations came to me.  It can be such a trap for us so many times.  What do we expect of others?  our careers?  stores at Christmas time?  traffic? etc... Sometimes we're disappointed by people, by life; we can have high or even lower expectations that aren't met.  When that happens, how often do we go into a funk with a mindset like, "Wow...that's so unfair, life isn't fair," or, "is it too much to expect that my friend would...(fill in the blank)."  It can mess with our inner peace and serenity.  It can start those thoughts rolling around and around in our head...nonstop.  Maybe it keeps us awake at night.  And, of course, we may even be right, but that doesn't really change anything...does it?

First of all, having expectations of people, events, outcomes, etc...can be a trap.  Holding on to expectations can cause you to have a huge resentment.  Look at any resentments you have; was there an expectation in there somewhere?

What I'm talking about is; how attached are we to our expectations, and how do we act or react when our expectations are not met?

Now - think.  How do you react when your expectations aren't met?  Do you freak out?  Do you get on a soapbox and preach?  After all...you've been wronged.....right?  If you react like that, you're probably going to be upset a lot.  Even when our expectations are low, people, events, and outcomes will still fail us, on a regular basis.  It just happens.

First - It's not personal - it's life.  Don't take it personally.  Things happen.  Even if someone tries to make it personal for you, you can choose to take it personally or not.  It's always your choice.  Are you flexible?  When life throws you a detour (and it will...usually daily), can you go with the flow?  When I was in the Air Force, they used to say, "Flexibility is the Key to Air Power."  The more flexible you are, the more you'll be able to deal with life on life's terms.  Learn to flow with life.

If someone let us down, maybe there's more going on than we know.  We can be kind and maybe give them a break, maybe even ask how they're doing; instead of reacting.  If its an event or outcome that lets us down, we can remain calm and be flexible knowing that everything happens for a reason...usually for reasons that I don't know.  Again - I can get mad and frustrated or I can be present, take a breath, and remember to have gratitude...and move on.

From a spiritual standpoint, I can give it over to God.  Let go and Let God, as they say in the 12 Step community.  I trust that there is a plan for my day and my life and that if I do what's in front of me, things will work out.   When I'm frustrated and mad that my expectations weren't met, perhaps I'm trying to be controlling and I'm being inflexible.  Do I want a result that, (no matter how right I am), is just not going to happen?  Having a little humility and remembering that I'm not in control or responsible for everyone and everything, usually helps a lot.

Of course I'm not recommending that we be a doormat and let people walk all over us.  Sometimes we need to take action...that means to act - not react poorly.  This also has nothing to do with optimism.  I'm very optimistic.
It's all about detaching from expectations.  There's an old saying - "you can be right, or you can be happy."

This Holiday Season, and every day thru the year.  Watch your expectations.  Detach in a loving way, be flexible without being a doormat.  Let go and Let God.  You may find a lot more peace in your mind and thoughts....what a great Christmas present that would be.

Peace,

Tom

www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com
www.Facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

Take Care of Yourself this Holiday Season

Hi All,

Well, the holidays are closing in on us fast.  Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas will follow a month after.  Of course, there are other holidays as well.  Here in America, it usually gets pretty hectic, as people are shopping for the perfects gifts to give, preparing for holiday meals and get togethers, and of course, going to one or maybe several parties.  Of course, this all happens while you still go to work and live your life.  It's no wonder many people get overwhelmed and even run down and sick, during and after the holiday season.

So that raises the question; how can we take care of ourselves this holiday season?  If you want to enjoy yourself and come out the other side of the holidays in good shape - you need balance.  Go with the flow and try not to overload yourself too often, or at all if you can help it.  Of course for most of us it's easier said than done.  Sometimes you can slip out of a party early or take short planned out shopping trips when you can.  Pull together with others and share the preparation duties when you can.  Try to simplify where you can and not overdo it too much.  As Thoreau said, "Simplify, Simplify, Simplify."

the holidays can be a real balancing act.

Remember the basics; proper rest, good nutrition, take a good multi-vitamin.  But that's not the whole story.  How else do we take care of ourselves?  How about doing something good for yourself?  Get a massage or a reflexology session.  Pamper yourself.  Enjoy a relaxing meal with a friend and then go to a spa for a little pampering.  Remember guys - massage is just as good for men as women.  Plan a little time to just relax and recharge your batteries.

Take time for yourself every day.  Take 20-30 minutes every day to just relax.  Sit down in a comfy chair, close your eyes and just relax; be aware of your breath, in and out.  That's meditating.  When you do that, bring yourself into the present moment.  Let go of the past events of the day and your life, and don't think about the things your need to do or plan for.  Just enjoy the moment.  It's so good for you and it's a good practice all year round.

Sometime or several times during the day, stop and just be grateful for whatever you're doing.  Practice gratitude while you're at work, shopping, relaxing at home, or whatever and wherever you are.  Being in present moment and practicing gratitude will bring you an overall sense of feeling good.  If you're feeling down at all - it may be time to start practicing gratitude every day - I promise - it's helps.

Feed your mind and spirit.  Are you taking time to read?  Take a little time and do some reading.  If you haven't been studying your spiritual texts lately, it's certainly a good time of year to take it up again.  Go to church.  Take a little time for worship.  Of course,  you don't have to go to a formal place of worship to do this, but it's certainly nice to worship with like minded people - or if it's been a while, to try something new.

Get into the holiday spirit.  There's so much commercialization of Christmas, they're ready for it in stores at the end of September; it's hard not to be a little jaded sometimes.  However, don't let it get you down.  Enjoy the season, go to a concert or parade, break bread or have a drink with friends.   Just make the decision in your mind that, "I'm going to enjoy the season, this year!"

These are a few simple ideas to help, "make the season bright."  Have some fun and enjoy....and remember - take care of yourself.  And - remember those less fortunate.  There's much we all can do to help others during the holiday season.

May there be more, "Peace on Earth, good will toward men." this year.

Peace,

Tom

www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Balance for the Holidays

Hi All,

Hope you had a great week and are keeping warm.  It's been a pretty nice week here in Phoenix.  So, the Christmas season is in full swing here and it's getting busy and a little hectic.  Of course that means we may get a little stressed out at times, right?

I was talking about this with a friend of mine the other day and we did a hypno session with her as well.   When discussing her issue, the key word that came to me was Balance.  It occurred to me that we get out of balance during this time of year.  Why?  We're working hard, preparing for Christmas or other holidays, stores are packed, there's more traffic on the roads than usual, etc.

Why we allow ourselves to get out of balance?  No matter how hard we try to keep it all balanced out, it's hard to get everything done and continue to make time to relax by ourselves or with those closest to us.  There are more demands made on us, seemingly from all directions.  Even though its a season of love and giving, there's lots to do and probably more social events as well - the work party, extra church celebrations and celebrations thru other organizations as well, not to mention parties with families and friends.  It's a lot going on and so much fun as well, but it's easy to over do it.

With all of this going on, should we just give in and go with it?  Perhaps we can regain our sanity after the new year starts?  Well, there is something to "going with the flow."  Go with the current, but be a little selective about which or how many events you attend.  You don't have to go to all of them.

Slow down a bit.  Take it easy and make a little time for yourself.  Take 15-30 minutes a day to just relax, maybe close your eyes and meditate.  Get a massage (I know a good place to get one).  Watch some football, or engage in a favorite hobby.  Get some exercise every day.  Be gentle with yourself and make a little time to relax.

Remember every day to be grateful for all the blessings we have in our lives.  Carrying an attitude of gratitude makes you feel better and is contagious.  Its good to get off the "pitty pot" and start looking at the good things going on.  Sometimes just being grateful for the air we breathe, the water we drink and a little food can make a difference in our outlook.  Conversely, there are always going on that we'd like to change in this world and a lot of times the world does not cooperate with us.  Dwelling on those things will only make us feel worse.

Meditation is always a must.  15-30 minutes of pure relaxation.  It's like re-booting the computer.  No TV and put on some very relaxing music - then just relax the body and mind.  If you have too many things on your mind, remember to bring yourself back to the present moment and maybe try focusing on your breathing.

Get involved in worship.  Christ is the reason for Christmas.  Which ever holidays you celebrate this time of year, get involved in the spiritual celebration.  Remember why these holidays exist in the first place.

A little bit of prevention goes a long way.  Keep your diet moderate, but don't deprive yourself either.  Get rest, down time, and make time to have fun with family and/or friends.  Do something nice for someone less fortunate.
Keep it in balance and you'll less stressed and feel much better come January.

May God Bless you all this holiday season and have a very well balanced Christmas.

Peace,

Tom

GLori Hallelujah!!

Hi All,

It's Thanksgiving week.  Thursday is Thanksgiving Day, one of our favorite holidays where we take a break, gather with family and friends, and give thanks for all the...For Everything.

Recently I was contracted to do a logo that seems to fit the theme.  The name of the company sort of sounds that way anyhow.  The logo is for an on-line shopping site called, GLori hallelujah.  It's really a cool site and a great deal (so check it out www.facebook.com/GLorihallelujah ).

The client's name is Lori.  "G" is what her grandkids call her.  "hallelujah" fits with the gratitude she's in for her family, her life, etc...  So, GLori hallelujah is the name she chose for her company.  I like it, it's catchy and it's personal, but she needed a logo.

Lori liked a script font spelling of the name - but, like the name of her company, it needed a personal touch.  We kicked around some ideas but they still weren't quite working.  Then she sent me her handwritten name and pointed out the unique manner in which she makes the L.  It all fell into place around that handwritten L.

Logo for GLori hallelujah - violet version

As you can tell, the L is a unique style - very personal to my client.  I made the sizes of the script typestyle varied and linked the G and L together, to balance out the logo.  Lori likes it and I feel like it works.  It's representative of my client and her company in a very personal way.

GLori hallelujah Facebook cover photo version

I made a black and white and 6 other versions; basic colors and metallics.  I also put a handful of Facebook cover pics together (like the one above).  Since social media is such a big part of marketing, these will come in handy.

Metallic Silver logo version

Christmas Facebook Cover photo version

Violet Facebook cover photo version

So Glori Hallelujah - have a great Thanksgiving everyone!  Every day is a great day to be grateful, but this coming holiday season, I hope you have the opportunity to take even a small break, and enjoy a little relaxation with some special people.

Be good out there and always take the opportunity to say something nice to another person.  Be good to  each other.

Peace,

Tom

My online art and design sites:

www.behance.net/tk-art
www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design

Holiday Wishes - e-Christmas Cards

Hi Everyone,

Happy Holidays, whatever Holidays you celebrate.  Personally, I celebrate Christmas.  It's been a busy fall and start to Winter.  School's keeping me very busy, and the holidays are always a busy time around here too.

Today I thought I'd highlight some of my Christmas Cards that I've created in the past.  I've made many over the years, but I've got three here today.

2011 Holiday Card - digital art

The artwork above is the card I sent out this year even though it was really a last minute "throw together."  I came up with an idea, scanned in a pencil sketch and went to work.  I decided to have some fun with it...after all, it is Christmas.  I love using the program Painter, with my Wacom Tablet and Mac computer.  Most of the picture was "painted" with the chalk tool in Painter.  I wanted to have fun with a loose, fun, chalk or crayon type illustration.  When finished, I posted to Facebook and sent out to friends and family attached to an email as well.  I just don't send cards in the mail any more (judge me if you will, but that's a tradition I don't do).

2010 Card - digital art

The 2010 card was a little bit generic, but it also reflected our location and also the Christmas star, that led the Wise Men to Bethlehem.  We had moved to the desert last year from the East Coast of the US.  I love Christmas in the desert, reflected in the mountains and cactus with lights.  This one was more of a simple and clean design, produced on computer using Photoshop and sent out via email and social networking.

2009 Christmas Card - digital art

Finally, the 2009 Christmas Card.  This one started with a little more developed pencil sketch, painted with Wacom Tablet and Photoshop.  We were still in Washington DC, so I've got Santa on the White House roof top with monuments in the background, and the Star guiding to Baby Jesus in the manger.

This was fun and I put a little more detail into it than some of my cards.  I also created individualized cards with this theme for some colleagues at work and a few others.  I also sent it out in a wider distribution via electronic media.

I hope all of you are having a very happy and peace filled Holiday Season, whatever holidays you celebrate.  Merry Christmas and have a Joy filled 2012.

Peace,

Tom Kreienbrink

Barry Sanders - Yes Another Football Pic

An old friend of mine, Greg, has been after me for years -- "Tom, do a picture of Barry Sanders.  He was the greatest running back of all time" -- and so on, and on.  Well, Greg's been a Detroit Lions fan forever, and God knows, they don't usually have a lot to cheer about, so finally I got around to working on it.

All joking aside, I've been wanting to work on this one for a while.  I figured I'd do a combination technique using a pencil illustration and Photoshop to finish it out.  After a little searching around, I found some reference material and decided on the layout.  Next - I got out a big handful of pencils, a pad of bristol board, and got to work.  I like working out a nice pencil rendering using a variety of pencils from the hard 4H pencil all the way to the very soft 4B (and all the others in between).

Pencil Portrait of Barry Sanders - base illustration

I scanned the portrait in to my iMac and worked on adding a little more detail in and darkening some of the tonal values.  I did this in Photoshop using a Wacom tablet.  Using the brush tool in photoshop and the pen stylus and digitizing tablet - it has a similar feel to painting or airbrushing (and it's much more forgiving if you make a mistake).

A great feature in Photoshop is the ability to work on various layers.  It's just like it sounds - like transparent overlays that stack up from bottom to top.  So as I go, I create layers and worked in some color on the uniform and his face.  I keep it kind of soft, allowing the pencil to show thru.  Then I added some additional texture and color on a couple of layers using the powder blue color and some really large irregularly shaped brushes.  Afterward I adjusted the layer opacity, giving it just the right amount of color and texture.  For me, there's quite a bit of adding and subtracting in these processes too - it's a process.

Finishing touches were applied with a nice border; a rugged almost rock like texture which is opposite of the soft translucent colors over the image.  I selected the border area and painted in some light and dark colors.  Next, I started experimenting with various filter effects until I was pleased with the colors and textures.  I finished it with a Layer Style, using the Bevel and Emboss effect.  I selected the Inner Bevel style and Chisel Soft technique, and adjusted the depth, size, and softness until I was happy with it.

Barry Sanders portrait...finished artwork

Finishing touch...a nice white stroke around the image and my signature.  And there you have Barry Sanders - who, in the opinion of my buddy Greg - "is the best running back  in football history."  Glad you aprove Greg.

Have a great week everyone.