Joey O'Connor's Blog, page 10
February 18, 2013
3 Ideas for Cultivating a Fruitful, Satisfying Life
Do you know it’s possible to cultivate a more fruitful, satisfying life than you ever imagined? Everyone is searching for a life they hope will be filled with satisfaction, meaning and purpose. Cultivating that life we long for is possible, but I’m not going to offer easy platitudes…it is challenging. This past weekend, I spent two days at The Grove, the 12 acre organic lemon and avocado farm owned by The Grove Center for the Arts & Media. I’m learning a lot about cultivating. I’d like to sha...
February 14, 2013
I Love You Unconditionally…On One Condition! (Free PDF)
Happy Valentine’s Day! To get you in that lovin’ mood, I hope you’ll love a free PDF of the introduction of my marriage humor book, I Love You Unconditionally…On One Condition! Can love be funny? You bet! But more importantly, creating the right conditions in your marriage is essential for a long and satisfying marriage. Read on…
If you want to create great conditions for love to flourish in your marriage, you need to read the best information about true love. The first place to start is God’...
February 9, 2013
Question of the Week #8: How Do You Cultivate a Beautiful Life?
Welcome to the Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #8: How do you cultivate a beautiful life? When was the last time you asked yourself that question? Do just want a life or do you want a truly beautiful life? Cultivating and creating a beautiful life demands your very best time and attention. Read on…
Much of my life and work involves working with all kinds of artists through The Grove Center for the Arts & Media. I also spend a fair amount of time cultivating The Grove’s 12 acre organic a...
February 7, 2013
The Importance of Spiritual & Artistic Community
Do you belong to a vibrant spiritual and artistic community? I recently wrote that artists are one of the most misunderstood tribes on the planet, which is one reason why belonging to a thriving spiritual community of artists is essential to thriving as an artist. Today, I want to share with you a wonderful essay from Create: Transforming Stories of Art, Life & Faith. It’s written by Karen Covell, founder of the Hollywood Prayer Network. Karen delivers an important reminder why spiritual comm...
January 29, 2013
Question of the Week #7: What Do You Say to Someone Who Doesn’t Understand Your Art?
Welcome to the Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #7: What do you say to someone who doesn’t understand your art? Let’s face it: Artists are probably the most misunderstood tribe on the planet. I have talked with so many artists who struggled with frustration, hurt, and resentment from being misunderstood. Whether as a young child, a teenager, or adult, some (not all) artists have had their dreams squashed from friends and family who do not understand what makes them tick. Read on…
Much o...
January 27, 2013
Dare to Fail Greatly
With your art, are you willing to fail greatly? In your life, do you have a deep inner conviction that you really are on the right track? Even though it all may blow up in your face? Are you willing to appear wrong because what you’re doing is right? Even if you’re doing the unthinkable, will you forge ahead even though you may fail? Our willingness to risk great things and fail in the process says a lot about our faith and who we are. Read on…
Before this week gets ahead of you, I’d like you...
January 25, 2013
I Love Artists Who Go For It!
I love artists who go for it. Artists who go for it are people like Brian Swerdfeger, who overwhelmed me with inspiration today. Brian’s got guts and I want more of what he’s got. You see, Brian just doesn’t say he is an artist. He is practicing his artistry in a radical and bold way. He’s an inspiration for other artists to get out of their comfort zones and reach for challenging goals. Brian’s going for it in a big way. A professional musician, he was also the head of marketing at Taylor Gu...
January 24, 2013
Artists & Marketing: Don’t Vote for Other People
I know many artists who say they’re terrible at marketing. How are you at selling your art? When it comes to marketing and selling your art, are you like many artists who would rather be dragged across broken glass? Marketing feels so “commercial.” Or egotistical. Or “beneath me.” Or above me…who would want to buy my art? Does trying to sell your art feel like taking your clothes off in public? Why subject yourself to rejection or people not understanding your art?
All these myths, errant idea...
January 22, 2013
Searching for that Missing Peace?
Last weekend, I told you I was going on a search and rescue mission for missing puzzle pieces. My previous post was all about being creative and getting out of ruts by doing something new. (I wrote about it here in Do Something Different Today!) My “Do Something Different” was simply taking the time to put together an uncompleted puzzle that was sitting on my friend’s table for over a year. I didn’t finish the puzzle, but it’s now a heck of a lot more complete than when I started. When I arri...
January 18, 2013
Do Something Different Today!
This weekend, I want to challenge you to do something totally different. Get out of your rut. Remove yourself from routine. Do something totally out of the ordinary. Do something extra-ordinary! Be creative…for God’s sake (I’m serious when I say that), you are made in His image and made for so much more!
See this picture of the puzzle? That’s what I’ll be doing this weekend. Totally different for me…Gee Joey, sounds fun. Read on.
Right now, I’m in Post Falls, Idaho with my good friend Rick Dunn...
