Beyond the Ordinary🔭🔬👓🔍

Published: Fri, 09/13/24

Updated: Thu, 09/19/24

Awareness Precedes change.

Robin Sharma

When I sit and think about the untapped potential of human beings, I'm always amazed at what is possible for us. We have superpowers that can set us apart from the crowd we rarely use. And one such power is our awareness. Now, I know what you're thinking. "Awareness? That's your big secret?"
Hear me out.

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Be aware of your surroundings.

We're constantly bombarded with noise—advice, TV shows, self-help books, and an endless stream of content—most of us are walking around blind to the world around us. We don't need some fancy trick or groundbreaking technique to gain an edge. We just need to do what most people don't: pay attention.
Let's start simple. Next time you're in a conversation, really listen. I mean, listen with your whole being. You'll be amazed at what you pick up beyond the words. Body language, tone, the things left unsaid—it's all there if you're tuned in.

🌟 Unleash Your Imagination with the Create-A-Creature Contest.🌟

Do you have what it takes to add a new creature to the annals of speculative fiction? We're calling all dreamers and visionaries to craft a unique creature that could roam the lands of a fantasy realm, stalk the corridors of a spaceship, or haunt the ruins of a post-apocalyptic Earth.

Challenge Details: Design an original creature that could exist in any speculative fiction environment. Describe its habitat, behavior, and how it interacts with other creatures or humans.

How to Participate:

Creature Description: Submit a detailed description of your creature (300 words max). Include the creature's name, appearance, abilities, and any special traits.
Habitat and Lifestyle: Explain where your creature lives, its role in the ecosystem, and any notable habits or survival tactics.
Interactions: Describe how your creature interacts with other species, including humans. Are they friend or foe? Mysterious or well-known?

Judging Criteria:

Originality: How unique and creative is your creature?
Detail: How well-developed and vivid is your creature’s description?
Integration: How well does your creature fit into a speculative fiction world?

Prizes:

🥇 First Place: A feature in our next newsletter, a $100 gift card to a popular bookstore, and a custom illustration of your creature by a professional artist.
🥈 Second Place: Your creature featured in our newsletter and a $50 bookstore gift card.
🥉 Third Place: Mention in our newsletter and a $25 bookstore gift card.

Submission Deadline: [Insert Deadline Here]

Prizes:

🥇 First Place: A feature in our next newsletter, a $50 bookstore gift card, and a chance to write a guest post or interview about how you came up with your First Line Hook.

🥈 Second Place: Your First Line Hook featured in my newsletter and a $15 Amazon gift card.

🥉 Third Place: Your First Line Hook in one of my Facebook posts and a $10 Amazon gift card

Submit Your Creation: Email your creature's description and any optional sketches to [Insert Submission Email Here]. Please format your entry with your contact details and the title "Create-A-Creature Contest Submission".

Dare to invent a creature that could captivate the minds and hearts of our readers. We can't wait to see what unique beings you'll bring into this world!

Submission Deadline: Be sure to submit your submissions by 31st October 2024.

Here's a little trick for my fellow creatives out there. Before you start your next project, take three minutes to meditate. Just three. It's not about reaching enlightenment; it's about slowing things down and sitting quietly observing your amazing mind.
Trust me, great ideas bubble up from the vault of your subconscious in this state. It's a practice you should seriously consider. Your creativity will thank you.

Y, Patra and Suzy - the ladies from Bad II the Bone.

Good Girls Gone Bad - supernatural action thriller.

Now, let's talk about worry for a second.
I struggle with this, but I'm much better than I was. I understand that sense of control you think worrying gives you. Yeah, that's an illusion. Worrying does absolutely nothing except steal your peace and cloud your judgment. That's why when I feel like I'm spiralling into worry, I make myself aware of what I'm doing. I stop, immediately take any action that can impact the cause of the worry and then let it go.

I'm not going to lie; I do ascribe to the hustle. I don't think you can achieve anything worthwhile without hard work, but here's a radical thought: enjoy the pain. Be aware that you can switch your perspective by giving that tedious task some meaning. Find joy in the mundane. Wash those dishes like you're conducting a symphony. Write that report like it's the next great novel. When you open yourself up to enjoying aspects of life that are challenging, boring or painful, you unlock levels of creativity and insight you never knew.
It's challenging but so worth it.

Here's another uncomfortable truth: Be aware that all our problems are rooted in our resistance to life. Clarity comes rushing back when you learn to let go and flow with what is. It's like hitting the reset button on your luck stats. You only have control over your thoughts and actions. Work hard. Do the right things more often. It's not sexy advice, but it works. Show up consistently, regardless of how you feel. This is how you develop that intuitive feel for your craft, whether writing, public speaking, or pottery.

Be aware of this beautiful, scary, mysterious world we live in. Get out of your comfort zone. Literally, explore new places. Your brain craves new information and new challenges. Keep it sharp, keep it aware.

Remember this, Gentle Reader: external things don't determine your emotions. Your thoughts do. When you grasp this, the world's power over you diminishes. You start seeing things as they are, not as you fear they might be.
Speaking of fear, here's a little secret: it loses power when you look it straight in the eye.
Don't run from it.
Face it.

Peace, love and power.