The holiday season (and New Year) approach. Time to share hits, tips, and tricks that come from what we learn in the more than 400 Club Ed classes we offer each year.
Enjoy!
Collect the rain.
Thinking of installing a rainwater collection system? Wondering how much water you can collect? Amazingly, a 1-inch rain on a 1000 square foot roof will produce over 600 gallons of water. (Master Gardener Ann Brown notes that you can fill a 55-gallon barrel with just 1/4 inch of rain.)
The Hill Country averages 30 inches of rainfall annually, so with sufficient storage capacity, the average home should collect sufficient water for household use.
Sharpen your tools.
“A dull tool is a dangerous tool.”
So says Dr. Tom Harris, gardening wizard.
"You have to work harder to make a dull tool work," he noted. "If the blade is sharp, it will do what it is supposed to do, easily. If it is dull, that's when you make a mistake."
No matter how you do it, keep your spades, scissors, knives and shears sharp.
"It is just fascinating," Harris said, "when you can get something sharp enough to shave with, whether it is a shovel or a razor."
Dance!
According to Nursel Conrad of Kerrville School of Dance, dancing is like taking a vacation. Benefits include improved coordination and flexibility, increased strength and conditioning, plus it raises your awareness of rhythm and balance, and raises your creativity and self-confidence. So move!
Misdirect.
When performing magic, the point is not to “trick” or audience. Playing a trick on someone makes them appear the fool.
Magic instructor Alan Fox always made the point that you are creating an “illusion.” The more you draw in your audience’s help in creating that illusion, the more they appreciate the performance.
Tricks are for Halloween; magic is timeless.
Change yourself.
Life Coach Leia Francisco knows no one can change you except you.
"We are not advice givers. Coaches believe you - the client - have the answers. Our real power is helping you clarify the issues, understand the possibilities, then help you take action."
Like the proverb, it's not just feeding you fish; it is teaching you how to fish.
“You are never too old to develop your life purpose and goals."
Keep your scroll up.
When playing the violin, keeping the scroll up will help your bowstick go straighter. (Cathy Learoyd will teach a complete course in fiddling in the spring.)
Back up your computer.
The three rules of preserving computer data:
1) Back it up
2) Back it up often.
3) Back it up in three different places.
Be a clown.
When appearing in clown, you typically get three types of reactions.
1) Total belief. These people rush up for a hug or photograph.
2) Discomfort. These people keep their distance or walk away.
3) No reaction.
These are common responses, according to entertainer Shannon Anderson, aka Sunshine the Clown. “It is often their own insecurities that keep them from playing with you. But they will usually come around if you leave them alone and just keep playing.”
Write a song.
When writing a song, start with the words, then add music. Or, start with the music, then come up with the words. Or, start with an idea, then combine words and music.
(Obviously, there is no rule for writing songs.)
Finally, the most important rule of all...
Breathe!
Pat Labeda, Hypnotherapist, learned this basic of relaxation while working at a trauma center. She noticed that people under stress stop breathing deeply. Simply taking several deep, cleansing breaths can lower the heart rate, freshen the mind, and induce calm.
See you in class!
XXX
The new Spring 2011 Club Ed catalog is now online! Printed editions will be mailed after Christmas, but all courses are open for signup at www.clube.net.
There is still time to get an eGift card - in any amount. Click www.clubed.net, or call 830-895-4386.
No comments:
Post a Comment