How's your week going?   Mine, I'm trying to keep up. I have been preoccupied with work and I've taken on some pretty challenging tasks.  As my mom labeled them as ''going the extra mile'' from Napoleon Hill.  These are tasks that are not really part of our job, but taking the initiative to help others without expecting compensation because we are willing to do it out of a positive mental attitude. Let's see where that leads. :)

The perks I get from these voluntary tasks are; a bursting sense of purpose, motivation, inspiration, lots of learning from mistakes, new techniques and new information leading to learning a new skill, increased confidence and that wonderful feeling when the colleague or boss asking for help smiles with gratitude. I think the rewards are already enough to compensate for the extra hours put in and the adventurous feeling doing it.

I love the sound of that--Go the extra mile.  Speak soon.   Wishing you all a wonderful week!

How's your Monday going?  Hope we all start this week with a big smile.  As we plunge into the work week, I'd like to write about one of the niggles I've been trying to avoid. Don't we all?  It  is organizing the utility room.  (So boring, right?)

Let's make the utility room a fun storage place then.  We should consider ourselves lucky if ever we have one.  It's a luxury to have one nowadays especially living within a highly priced vicinity.   If ever we are missing this space, convert a wasted corner into a concealed storage closet or convert an empty wall available in the service area of your flat.

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Hello everyone!  I was touched by this quote. It sums up my feelings for the last few weeks.  I have been away from the brushes and easel for quite a while and I miss it.  There are two pending paintings waiting to be finished and I hope to finish them soon enough to start a new one.

I just thought of some questions that I used to ask myself when I was searching for passion.  Life has a bland way of expressing humor when this whole time, what I like doing has been right in front of me. I was just too afraid to admit it.  I was in denial for a long time.  I'm still in the process of coming right out and hopefully one day I get to do what I absolutely love.

• Which activity makes you smile while you're doing them?
• What is it that makes you so excited, you start forgetting the challenges you're currently facing?
• What were you mostly occupied doing when you were a little kid?  Something that matters a lot to you and you absolutely love doing?
• Is there a place you go to that makes you genuinely happy?  Where is that place and what does it tell you?

I can hear my husband saying, " I don't think. It makes me tired."  as my laughter echoes back drowning the thoughts surfacing from somewhere unknown to me.

Asking myself those questions, I remember watching my artist neighbor paint.  I would try to buy candies from his wife at their small store so that I could go to their house to watch him work on his canvas. I asked him a lot of questions about art and I knew then I wanted to paint too.

I also remember drawing a lot on paper and posting all of these drawings on the garage wall of my cousin's house to turn it into a gallery. I was charging an entrance fee for anyone who wants to look at them  even at my aunt who owns the house. :)

It may sound silly but these type of memories most often than not reflect some sort of sign guiding us what we are meant to do. Urging us to work on a skill that we may not even know exists.


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I think it's about time Design Gourmande throws a Give Away.  It's my way of showing you how grateful I am to you for  reading the posts.  You have no idea how happy it makes me to see that this blog which started out originally as a journal turned into an archive of daily inspiration.  It's a wonderful feeling to see you creative and wonderful readers out there visiting the site.

Here's the giveaway:  Urban Decay  Black Lite Special :  24/7 Eye Pencil Zero and Ultra Lengthening Skyscraper Mini Mascara

Hope you're having a blissful Friday!  Speaking of blissful, here's an inspiring pin board of zen bathrooms  with touches of wood for your picking.  Which one is your favorite?

How's your Wednesday going?  Mine has been a hectic one. Quite understandable on the busiest day of the week  Today, I'm posting inspiring finds.  Transform your empty console, your entry hall, or beige pillowed sofa with a dash of pretty.