Favorite Seasonal Joke :)

Ready for it?

Just a dash of nostalgia coupled with the sad reality that to the class of 2018 

Justin Timberlake will only be the guy who brought Sexy back...

May Preview:

Awesome things are coming for #BeDelightful! Starting tomorrow, I'm focusing on the heart of this project: helping others through random acts of awesome. Cookies will be baked, balloons and bubbles shared, cards written, books donated, coffee purchased... and that's just the tip of the iceberg. 

Spring is a time of renewal; let's get into that zone by focusing on others. Big things, little things...  Just reach out to someone and make their world better for having met you. If you need ideas, keep checking back, I've been brainstorming and have ambitious plans for May. 

Also, if you've got epic ideas, but don't have the time or resources to make them happen, post a comment below. A few things could happen if you do: 

1) I could pick up the idea (and you'll get a heartfelt shout-out when I blog about it) 

2) I could hook you up with someone cooler than me who's looking to help and would be perfect for the job (I know some highly cool people, so this is entirely possible...)
3) You could inspire a random person (which is the point, so you're already winning). 

Either way, You're fantastic :) 

Dreaming up Delight, 

K

Iron Man vs Barbara Corcoran: What I've Learned about Being Enough

Sometimes, I Feel Like I'm on the Wrong Team... 

For various reasons. It could be that I'm not thin enough, smart enough, pretty enough, talented enough, charming enough... "Enough" is an awful qualifier because it assumes that there's a bar that, once reached, will be the standard of happiness. Problem is, not matter how close we come, that bar just keeps moving. 

You know the people who solely exist to encourage others? I'm blessed with a few in my life, and one of my favorite PDX people, Jimmy, has a saying for whenever I apologize for not being enough. He smiles, looks me straight in the eyes and says, "Don't be sorry, be Kate."

I Love That. 

Late Night Reading

Yesterday I spent time trolling Goodwill for necessary additions to my library and found Barbara Corcoran's If You Don't Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons On Your Pigtails. The epic title alone made it a must have, and 5 chapters later I'm sold. The book's tagline is "lessons I learned from my mom," so that was cool as well. 

The title phrase comes from an anecdote about Corcoran working as a server and finding herself in competition with a busty gal over patrons. Mom's advice: don't waste time wishing you had what the other guy does; put ribbons on your pigtails and be absolutely sweet as you are. You cannot flaunt what you don't have, so figure out what makes you shine and work it!

I am Iron Man

This video is my new favorite. I love the ingenuity of the concept (chalk drawn weapons being used for the most incredible backyard "war" ever) and the fact that the creators were in high school at the time of their first viral video in the series. Imagination can do amazing things when unlimited.

The magic, for me, lies in the last 30 seconds or so. After a massive battle with escalating weaponry they're down to two lone survivors. Blue has all but decimated Orange, but then the final Orange guy finally emerges onto the field... as Iron Man. He then powers up and flies off to the cheers of the enemy. 

Mind. Blown. 

That's the goal, people. Be so Delightful, that even the other team has joy in your triumph. Those are the hard-earned cheers, and they're the ones that sound sweetest. 

Cheering You On,

K

Beat The Blues

- Being Delightful begins with taking care of ourselves. One of the harder times to do this is after a break-up, no matter how “mutual" it may have been. So, here for your benefit are my

10(ish) Things to do After a Breakup

Crying is Therapeutic.Take a few seconds to acknowledge that the person was important to you. It’s ok to grieve the loss of that relationship, but don’t let it lead you to destructive habits (no, drinking right now is not a good call).

Find An Anthem. Pick a song that empowers you, then put it on repeat. Yes, your neighbors are tired of it, but you need it right now.

Dominate some Chocolate Chip Cookies. If you need a great recipe, I’ll send you mine. You don’t even have to bake them because cookie dough is just as awesome unbaked (disclaimer: your mom warned you about salmonella).

Bust a Move. Take a dance class, and it’s best if you drag a friend along. Even if neither of you knows what you’re doing, it’ll still be a blast. Plus, following a partner can get you out of your head. Also, look at these people, you can be this cool!

Random acts of Goodness Rock. Be altruistic and remove the focus from yourself. It’s a huge world, so take a second to think outside your bubble. So buy someone's coffee, put change in a parking meter, or just smile extra big at someone you don't know (depending on the city, this could freak them out and that's amusing too). 

    Excessive Cuddles with a Pet. If you don’t have one, borrow one… Same unconditional love and snuggles without you on poop duty…  That’s a win/win in my book. Even if your cat doesn't quite get it, they're still there for you. (Check out Schroeder!)

     Surround Yourself with Awesome People. Not the “better than you” awesome, but “make you better” awesome. They’ll be the ones you can trust to remind you who you are when you’ve forgotten.

    Put Flowers on the Nightstand. Treat yourself, and when you’re alone at night they’ll be there for you. If you have the opportunity, flower arranging is super Zen. (Rose @ Andrew's Florist hooked me up, these are glorious!)... For that matter, just go and create something. Paint, sketch, break glass for a mosaic (Highly recommend for aggressive moments), the world is at your feet. 

    Tell the Story. Not to every nosy person who asks, but to the people you trust. They’ll listen sympathetically and reassure you that it’s not your fault (which even if it’s not true, it’s still good to hear) and that you can do so much better (always true, keep moving forward!).

   Take a Drive. Just go, get away from the reminders and get in some quality "you time." Plus, you can blast your new anthem (just watch the speed limit... my lead food comes out when I'm jamming). Plus, being in PDX, both of these are just an hour or so away, which rocks my socks.

Find a Video That Makes You Smile. I'm especially fond of this charming little girl. 

Always Remember: 

 You are Timeless. The Sun rises each day to see your smile and ask your dreams from the night before as you danced with the moon and charmed the stars. The sunset yearns to reflect the unbridled imagination of your joy; and the playful breeze caresses the cheeks of humanity in a vain attempt to imitate your tenderness. You are loved, adored, cherished by each drop of rain that kisses the face of the Earth. Never forget that as you take tentative steps toward independence: Your love can change the world.

Here for you,

K

I'll Be Braque

Cubism's Forgotten Influence

Picasso tends to be known as the artist who radically changed public perception of art. He also happens to be one of the artists to highlight celebrity as a career strategy. However strongly associated, though, Cubism wasn't his alone. From 1908 to 1914 the charismatic bohemian was in close partnership with Georges Braque, a reserved French gentlemen. Together they built upon a foundation began by Cezanne, deconstructing their subjects as they infused African roots and emphasized the tactile space of a piece. 

Today, Picasso's works at the Metropolitan Museum of art total 1,211 while Braque's number 31. I believe the difference comes from Braque creating art for himself, not the public. In making the decision to pursue the art rather than public persona or ego, Braque laid a foundation for a significant moment that would all but forget his name.  

What I've been Told This Should Be...

The assignment: create a blog about a topic I understand and into which I have insight. This blog began as an educational tool. Let's transform that into something far greater. 

There are gaggles of blogs in existence today. Each with a blogger who has their megaphone poised, prepared to cry into the abyss of cyberspace, ready to compete for the potential attention of an audience. Each one with perspective unique to them as a result of their life's story. 

I'm not going to compete with those bloggers.

Instead, I'm starting a movement. 

(TED: Derek Sivers)

Dancing is utterly delightful; its highly social nature connects humanity as we celebrate together. The first guy (joyfully dancing with reckless abandon) is directly responsible for the epic dance party taking place, but one brave man isn't a movement. The movement begins when the second guy reacts to the catalyst, embracing it and joining with the same enthusiasm.

My Proposal to You

I'll agree to be the first guy, the nut; acting on the premise that I was raised to bring delight to the lives of others through small things and random acts of kindness. This blog is a record of me applying that fostered potential as I work toward being my best self and finding my joy through creating it in others. 

I'm asking you to be the second guy, the one with the real courage. It doesn't require reading my blog, only that you take the deliciously simple idea of #BeDelightful and live it in such a way that others will want to do so as well. 

However, that being said... I do hope you'll stick with me, I've got rather awesome plans in the works and it's always better when we're together.  Let's make the world dance!

Peace,

K