It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, but I’ve been off trying to figure out where my creative energy is taking me. I’ve been involved with writing projects, but nowadays I’ve been really inspired by the nature around me, which has spawned many photographs.

I recently purchased a brand new Sony Cyber-Shot H55 which features their new Sony “G” lens. I wanted a new camera for a road trip I took to the mid-west and I like that this camera has a sweep panorama mode.

Here are a couple panorama photos I took at the Lauritzen Botanical Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska:

On the way to Nebraska we passed through Utah, which has some of the most beautiful landscapes that I’ve ever seen. I was in awe. The mountains were so colorful.  Although I loved the color pictures, for some reason I like the mountains in black and white mode much better:




All this photography has me thinking that I want to pursue this on a more professional level, which means that I will need a professional digital camera. I’ve always wanted one anyways, but still haven’t convinced myself into paying $2,000+ for a camera. However, then I thought that if I start selling my photos, the camera would pay for itself.

When I do buy a high-end camera, one option I have if I don’t want to dish out the money is to buy it used or refurbished. I could send it into a digital camera repair shop to get it fixed if needed. I found out about this online shop that specializes in camera repair. They fix just about every brand of camera including Canon camera repair.

Who knows, though.  If I just apply the Law of Attraction and practice what I preach, perhaps that professional camera may just show up out of nowhere.  It will be the right price and have all the features I want!

Like most areas in which the growth and development of your children is concerned, creativity starts at home. You control everything your child consumes during their formative years, so it’s up to you to ensure that their capacity for creativity is nurtured and encouraged from an early age. But if we’re being honest, we all face some of the same challenges when it comes to delivering a diverse palette of experiences for our kids. We get tired, or bored, or we may not even think of ourselves as being particularly creative. How can you teach your kids something you simply don’t know?

It can be much easier than you think. Take, for example, art. Maybe the closest you ever came in your life was the Art History class you took in college, and you had a rough time. You’ve seen your child draw stick figures and squiggles that make more sense than your Picasso-fied disasters of art projects. Don’t despair. There are ways you can nurture your child’s artistic talent without having to be a professional artist yourself. For one thing, you can take a trip to the museum. Almost every city has one and it’s a good way to give your child a taste of art through the ages. A lot of times, you can even find kid-friendly tours that make it fun (hey, you might even learn something).

If you’re worried that a museum might be a little too stodgy for your four-year-old, consider an arts and crafts class. You can usually find classes for kids through your local YMCA or community center. This will also give them an opportunity to interact with their peers and prepare for school (if they haven’t already had daycare or preschool). Or you may find that a “Mommy and Me” class with an artistic element is more to your liking. Either way, it will take the pressure off you to come up with project ideas.

If, on the other hand, you do find yourself interested in artistic endeavors, but maybe you just need a little help to make them kid-friendly, there is no better resource than the internet. Sites like www.artprojectsforkids.org and www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts can help you plan activities that will get your little tyke’s creative juices flowing (and create a host of decorations for your fridge). However, aside from making art accessible to your children, the most important thing you can do to engender creativity is to be supportive. Allow them to make mistakes and only offer help if they need it. You want them to feel comfortable (not controlled) so they can become confident in their own abilities. And be sure to compliment them on their efforts. Your praise will make them want to try more, and this is the most basic tenet of a creative mind.

Guest Post by Sarah of Australia Forum where you can find information about working in Australia and how to go about buying a business in Australia.

Photo Credit: David Sim

This month you can tap into a great deal of creative energy at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. From May 12 to May 23, 2010 creative people from all around the world gather for this well-known event that celebrates the film industry.

Cannes, Frances is a picturesque town full of of beautiful sites...

Photo Credit: Jamie Davies

Here is a video featuring the glamorous life in Cannes, France...



Even if you don't go to Cannes, France for this annual event, I urge you to go somewhere new to experience life. Ok, so what if you don't have the budget to travel to Europe? Visit a place in your city that you've never been before!

Most creative individuals thrive on experiencing new things and visiting new places. At least I do. Whenever I start to feel creative blocks, I go somewhere else to see new things and be around different energy. It's something I highly recommend that anyone do if you feel yourself becoming stuck and you're not sure how to move forward with a project - whether it's a story for a blog post, a piece of artwork, or a business venture.

A new scenery...different people...different energy - it all helps to expand your mind.

Are you following your dreams yet?  If not, I invite you to download and listen to the Studio 747 BlogTalk Radio show where I had Joe Heuer, the "Rock and Roll Guru", as a guest a couple weeks ago.

Click here to listen or download the show...

This was my first time talking to Joe over the phone.  We've been connected online for a few years now, so it was about time that we actually talked live!

During the show we were really able to get to know the real Joe and how he got to where he is today.  To sum it up:  Joe followed his passions and dreams.  He didn't let naysayers bring him down and he certainly didn't allow society to dictate what he should or shouldn't do.  Joe also shared tips on how you can get on your path to success and overcome fears or doubts about your passions and dreams.

There are three things I learned about Joe during the interview.  He's fun, he's enthusiastic, and he truly loves what he does.  You can hear it in his voice.  Our conversation really energized and inspired me!

Unfortunately, towards the end of the show there were some technical difficulties, so our conversation was cut a little short.  If you do listen to the show, I apologize for that.

Find out more about Joe Heuer by visiting his blog:  www.rockandrollguru.com.

Check out Joe's books on Amazon...

It's been awhile since I've posted an update on current topics around the Studio 747 blog network.  Here are five posts that I hope will inspire:

• Over at The Good Life I share some thoughts about happiness from Hale Dwoskin.  The main takeaway is that we don't need outside circumstances to change in order to be happy.  Happiness can begin now!

• Recently I met with a very enthusiastic and energetic entrepreneur named Glenne Seckelman, and reviewed one of the products she sells, Nu Skin Galvanic Spa, which I posted at Beauty Is Within.

• If you're wondering what personal branding means, check out my post on Online Business Resources. I talk about how you can go about discovering your personal brand.

• Is investing in the stock market part of your wealth plan? Marcus de Maria is a guest blogger at Fully Stocked where he shares 5 Tips for the Long-Term Stock Market Investor.

• Over at No Song Unsung, I ask, "Are You Enjoying the Music"?  This post was inspired by my friend, Joe Heuer, the Rock and Roll Guru.  I just finished interviewing Joe for the Studio 747 Blogtalk Radio Show, so if you missed it, click here to listen or download.  

How can I help inspire you to personal and/or business success?  If you have any questions, feel free to email me anytime:  info [at] studio-747 [dot] com