Nancy Offers a New Reality

Website Updated!

Nancy Nordstrom — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 03:25:00 GMT

Hey, if you get a chance check out the new look at Imagine Nation! We're still fine-tuning a few things on the site but you'll get the overall picture. Everything should be working and finalized by Tuesday at the latest.

Feel free to let me know what you think. Personally -- I really like it!

Reflective, Meditative Mandalas

Nancy Nordstrom — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:30:00 GMT

I've discovered mandalas. Which shouldn't be so remarkable as we are surrounded by them. They are literally everywhere!

Mandala's are generally considered sacred circle that are used in a variety of faiths such as Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian. There are even Celtic and Native American mandalas. However, there are mandalas that naturally appear in nature (pun intended!) as well as throughout the universe. If you want to spot one for yourself, look for a circle with an intrinsic design within: an open flower, a cut tree trunk, your kitchen colander, an onion, even the stars

Okay, so you recognize that you have mandalas throughout your home and surrounding area as well -- which makes it sound as if there is an infestation of them. Why do I think they are so fascinating? Well, first of all, they are beautiful. You may have heard me discuss how the most ordinary things have a secret extraordinariness about them. Mandalas, and finding them within your everyday items, can make the most ordinary "stuff" seem extraordinary. The detail, the color, and the consistency, where there seems to be a lack of one, all make these simple circles fascinating.

But what I really like, and what I have discovered, is creating and coloring mandalas as a form of meditation and relaxation. In the process of working a circle you can actually free your mind from all the traffic that you jam in there throughout the day. The frustrations, fears, stresses, complications that are a part of your life are silenced, for a few brief, wonderful, rejuvenating moments. Working with a mandala is kind of like giving your mind a brain-break!

This mandala (entitled "Continuity") is one I created using the computer. In fact, I used the computer to color it as well! It's pretty simplistic, but hey, I've never declared myself an artist. Anyway, it's not about your creative ability, unless of course you plan on creating and selling them. It's about the way you feel when you are done, the energy, insight, and balance that you experience. In addition to using the computer, I've also colored blank mandalas using markers, colored pencils, and watercolor pencils. The medium I choose tends to depend on the mood I'm in.

If I've got you curious at all about mandalas, research them on the 'net, just put "mandala" in your favorite search engine. And if you are interested in coloring one yourself, download Flower Mandala now as my gift to you. There's a whole process to completing a mandala to ensure a positive mediative and insightful experience but just sitting down and taking some quiet time to color one will still do you a world of good.

If you'd like to know more about how to actually gain the full benefits of coloring and even designing mandalas, just send me an email by clicking here!

I hope you found this helpful. If so, let me know. And in the meantime, as always, keep your dream alive!

When Did Summer Get Here?

Nancy Nordstrom — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:41:00 GMT

Wow, it's already July and I'm just realizing that its summer! Understanding that summer has arrived is important. It means a new routine to accommodate the extreme heat as well as having my children home 24/7. If I don't develop a structured summer routine, it becomes too easy to justify not working due to heat and distractions.

Yet... it's now July and my summer routine is not in place. It explains a lot. For example, it explains why I've already been interrupted about four times!

It seems that I would have realized weeks ago that the heat had arrived (its roughly 115 outside) and that my kids have been hanging around a lot. However, for the last number of weeks I have been busy on a number of projects. This explains why my kids have that sort of glazed look in their eyes from too much TV, too much sugar, and too much computer/videos.

Ah, but now their days of freedom will be reined in as I stretch my imagination to find ways to keep them out of the sugar, out of my hair, and out of the heat.

You may be relying on your imagination about now, as well. Not on how best to entertain my kids (although suggestions are always welcome!) but on how to come up with sound excuses for not following through on those New Year's Eve resolutions you were so adamant about achieving just six months earlier!

Oh... did I bring up a sore subject?

Listen, don't let the fact that you have let some of those so-going-to-follow-through-goals fall by the side of the road. It happens. The question now is what are you going to do about them? Don't panic. I don't want you grudgingly grabbing them up and wearily giving them a second chance. What I do suggest, however, is that you take a good look at them. That list of resolutions that seemed so needed, so beneficial in January -- do they still have value to you today?

Interestingly, you may realize that some of them were more gung-ho than true goals. This is okay. Such considerations were meant to fall to the wayside as you probably never saw their potential from the start. Many of our resolutions, in fact, tend to be thrust upon us, changes and goals that others feel we need to make. We may agree, but we may not see the same necessity for them as they do. Such influenced goals never really stood a chance from the beginning.

However, in that pile by the side of the road of neglected resolutions, there's a good chance one or two of them do have value to you. There is no reason you can't pick them up and start back up where you left off. Take them and return to realizing those changes you do see as necessary in your life.

Whether it's January or July it really isn't too late to follow through on your dreams. Reality is that if the dream has value to you, truly, has value; you will pick it up, dust it off, and return to creating its achievement, eventually. But why wait? Why not start now?

Okay. I'm a fairly fast typist. All in all this should have only taken me a few minutes to write, but having been pestered a number times while writing I finally caved in and took my kids swimming. So... hours later and having forgotten to put sunscreen on myself (!), I want to wish you good luck with those dusty resolutions and remind you to always keep your dreams alive!

Nancy_Nordstrom_20087616564.flv

Nancy Nordstrom — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:29:07 GMT

Attitude - Perception - Change
http://blog.nancynordstrom.com/2008/07/06/nancy_nordstrom_20087616564flv-2.aspx

Nancy_Nordstrom_2008618201210.flv

Nancy Nordstrom — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:24:00 GMT

Guess I just keep playing around. It will be interesting to see where this all leads!
http://blog.nancynordstrom.com/2008/06/18/nancy_nordstrom_2008618201210flv.aspx

Testing

Nancy Nordstrom — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Hey check this out -- I've got audio! Am I turning high-tech or what? If I've figured this out correctly, and you'll know if you can play the audio, then who knows what I will do next? Actually, I do, but you'll have to check back to find out what's planned!

New Reality Starts with Something New!

Nancy Nordstrom — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:16:00 GMT

Hello Everyone!

Although Imagine Nation has been around for a number of years now, www.NancyNordstrom.com is all brand new. You just "gotta" check it out. And along with the new site, comes this new blog!

Okay, I'll admit to feeling a bit hypercritical here. I've never seen much use for blogs in the past -- that is, until I realized it would be a useful tool for me!! I've been trying to figure out ways to share ideas, insights, tips, and techniques on regular basis. Since I'm not big on peppering your email inbox on a daily basis, the blog idea began to make more sense.

If you are familiar with who I am, then you know as an empowerment speaker and goal strategist I'm all about creating the life we deserve, in turn, creating the world we deserve. It all works by osmosis, as I grow and flourish, you'll grow and flourish, and those around us will do the same. So visit this blog often, and when you do, forward it to family, friends, and colleagues. We each deserve to live the life of our dreams. Share the info!

It may seem odd, in these days of uncertainty, stress, and negativity to encourage you to follow your dreams. In fact, some would say it would be completely irresponsible. Actually, I think it is a perfect time. Since depending on others to create the change we need isn't quite working out, looking within ourselves, starting with our own lives seems the most sensible thing to do.

In these troubled days, it is basic characteristics that are needed for change to truly take place, characteristics you need to discover within yourself: having a positive attitude, thinking creatively, being aware and being willing. These, along with kindness, patience, and a generosity of spirit will move you further forward than staying within the mired and murky waste of stress and tension.

If you are looking for ways to move forward, if you feel stifled by old habits and are trying to move past to more positive ones, if you are finding yourself stuck in the waste I just mentioned above, then please visit my blog often. I will do what I can to supply material frequently that will help get you up and moving.

Please bear with me, however. I've yet to master the techniques of getting this up and running. Hopefully, curiosity alone will have you visiting often. I mean really, what could I possibly do next?

Hmmmm, let me think about that!

Thanks for sharing the dream. As always...

Keep the dream alive,

By the way, I include this picture simply because, apparently, pictures make blogs more interesting! Additionally, studies show that animals, especially baby animals are considered very appealing. So, here is a picture of my two dogs: Smudge, a 7 year old Red Heeler-Mix (obviously not a puppy) and Mad Dog, about 3 mos in this picture: a Chihuaua-mix. Seems like they're enjoying life -- or Smudge is about to enjoy a snack!