Celebrate Creativity...

So a new journey has begun for our family,  and our daughter….She has just been accepted to a school in our area that has an Orchastra and Choir program,  and some arts type focus.   She has another workshop experience for another school the end of March,  with fewer spots available…but she is up for the challenge…and the opportunity.  This program has a more overall arts focus,  not just  mainly emphasis on music.   I have been inspired and challenged by a video that was posted on Lester  B. Pearson school for the Arts website …a TED talk on creativity….Here’s the link to the talk. http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html    So can schools really kill creativity?   The talk suggested that education has been at fault in some realms of “educating” the creativity out of our children.   I believe that there are many things about systems in society,  including our regular education system that are prone to blocking creativity,  if we allow it to,  however I am a firm believer that creativity will find a way,  and children do find ways through their resilience of maintaining their creativity.   It is that spark,  that little bit of rebellion against systems that can keep that creativity alive,  whether this rebellion be blatant….or hidden deep within.  

If I believe this,  then why would I want my child to attend a school for the arts.   

Though I believe fighting for these strengths to shine through can make one stronger…I also believe strongly that I want our daughters full potential to be realized,  and since her strengths are the arts and creativity,  I want her to learn through this potential and help it grow.   My nephew struggled in school, though he had an exceptional IQ  especially socially until my sister made the decision to have him apply to a school for gifted children in the states.   He has flourished so much in this program that he graduated and received a $40, 000 scholarship to a school of music in the STATES.   I found it interesting that the TED speaker chose to comment on right brained thinking of educators,   and how most University Professors are “stuck in their heads”   and right brained thinkers…. I believe this again is a generalization….,   I find being of “creative mind” ,  can be a pretty “heady’ experience as well….yes….its about expression…and forms of expression….but before it meets the medium…whether this be dance, creative writing,  drama, forms of visual arts or music….or problem solving….or inventing,  or new ways to approach old equations,  or looking at sciences,   or nature,  ….the creativity experience is a very “heady” and thoughtful experience indeed….      So cheers to our Jaz !   I am so proud of her.   We’ll have to find a fantastic way to celebrate this success and potential for the years to come.   If she gets accepted into Pearson,  we’ll have to support her in whatever decision is best for her.   

Self Committment to Peace and Energy

I was thinking the other night,  that is was ironic that I had stopped the act of blogging shortly after I had stopped running….and remembered that one of the things I enjoy so much about running…is that it provided me time to collect and organize my thoughts around different subjects.   This winter has been brutal and its taken its toll in a number of ways.   I ran religiously until the first major snow fall on Dec 6, 2010.  My last official run was the Santa Shuffle the morning of Dec 4, 2010.   Yes,  I have still been running sparatically on the treadmill,  and I have still been vigilant about working out at least 6 times a week,  but I definitely feel and miss the difference that running provided to my life.   

This means I know I need to be committed to get back at it.   So here is the plan.   I am writing this as a commitment so I can hold myself ,  and ofcourse my audience can help me be held accountable to this commitment.   So what have I been doing with my time,  and why if I have been still faithful working out,  have I noticed a real difference. 

1.         I know I have not been doing quite as much cardio as I had been.   Up until Dec 4, 2010 I had been running 3-4 times a week-  30 minutes at the minimum  and at least one of the runs was one hour.   I am only doing about 20- 30 minutes 4x/ week on the elliptical at present,  rarely on the treadmill,  and no outdoor running.  

2.       My eating habits are rapidly going downhill again.   I do fairly good during the week maintaining a good diet regime,  eating every few hours and smaller portions,  however weekends I’ve been indulging a little more,  and I have been snacking late nites on things other than my protein shakes.   I definitely notice I am not as “lean and mean” as I had been just a few months ago. 

What am I doing that is still good?   

Well-  I am still working out faithfully 6 x’s a week.

I started attending a boot camp one time a week to try to kick start by butt in gear. 

I am still going to my personal training every other Thursday. 

I still am going to Pilateez every Monday. 

I feel like I am in a bit of a rut….so how can I get out of this rut….

I have challenged myself to be ready for my first 5 km run  of this year  by February 27, 2011,  The Really Chilly Road Race.    I am challenging myself and friends to enter a “Warrior Dash” on July 9, 2011 in Barrie Ontario.    I plan to participate in every run of the Honda Series.   I will be running the 5km run for the first 2 working my way back up to a 10 km run.     

I have to start back this week with the right attitude,  and that means diet too!

I will be starting “next week”  if I can shake this cold that doesn’t seem to want to leave me   to attend the 5 km/  10 km clinic on Monday nights at Runners Choice.     On Thursday nights I will be attending the Learn to run,  to also help me get my distance increased again.   I will be attending boot camps every Saturday Morning.   I will still be religious about exercising the other days in between in my new home  built gym, ( circuit training w weights and cardio combined)   and I will be adding a  Saturday run in there at some point.    This summer I plan to join the ½ Marathon training group  Saturdays if I have been successful at achieving the above mentioned goals. 

So lets give me a month…and see what kind of damage I can do.    I mean damage in the kindest,  most positive way.   Will this help my mind feel more organized again….and help me regain that peace of mind and energy I so enjoy.    Here’s to peace and energy!!!