Test Your Water of Creativity at the Painting On Water™ session on Tue, June 21, from 4 to 5:30 in Atlanta during the CPSIConference.

Below is the description.
or click here and see session #210

How might your creativity flow like water? From Wall Street to Hollywood, from customer service to product design, creativity and innovation are the buzz words. Come take a quick lesson on creativity and practice immediately: Painting on Water™. Literally, use water as your canvas.

Experience the sense of flow that all creative professionals thrive through this unique session. This session serves as practical application of the CPS, Creative Problem Solving model.

This highly praised interactive program is an innovative application of science and visual art that offers elements of cultural diversity. It is designed by a mechanical engineer and an award-wining artist to engage the mind and the senses in multiple levels.

Learn directly from the original developer of Painting On Water™ -- a contemporary version of Suminagashi (Sue-me-nah-gah-she). It is based on an ancient art of flowing ink on the surface of water, originated in China over 2,000 years ago. As a bonus, you will also gain insights into the Asian wisdom and Chinese legends.

Past participants have found it to be a fun, unique, thought-provoking and memorable creative experience that goes beyond expectations. Suitable for anyone with a curious attitude. No pre-requisites. No artistic talent necessary. Must be 21% open-minded. No drop-ins.

   * One of a kind
   * Fun, hands-on, interactive
   * 100% experiential learning
   * Both relaxing and energizing
   * Asian cultural wisdom

Learning Objectives:

   * Apply Creative Problem Solving model
   * Build Creativity Confidence for Problem Solving Skills
   * Create a piece of art
   * Tools and technique
   * Exercise letting go

Take Away:

   * Create and keep your personal piece of Painting on Water
   * Gain insights into the Asian culture and philosophy
   * Shift Perspectives to Challenges, Changes and Chaos

Registration on-line

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Be part of the history. Click here for details to attend in person from 10 am - 7 pm CST or watch streaming alive, TEDxIIT.com

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

As a member of IIT alum and National Speakers Association Illinois Chapter, I am pleased to be the co-chair and emcee tonight. Please come join us.

6 - 6:30 R & R - - Reception and Registration (free)
6:30 - 9 Program (paid ticket require)

Sign up now

Direction to IIT Rice Campus

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

WildChicago.m4v Watch on Posterous

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

21 days ago, I started posting my art story book, Forever Dragon, one page per day on the blog. I am here to report that I have managed to keep this up, and have every intention to continue till the story is completed.

Thank you for those who patiently waited all these years. Thank you for those who check in.

Yes, I can get in the zone even one page at a time. Same goes to your novel, phD dessitation, research and big dreams.

What could you do one per day that is meaningful for yourself and others?

To start from page 1, read about the genesis of the story, click here.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

The Art of Being Supportive.

My friend, David, completed his Swim Across America challenge this morning, see email forward below. I am proud of you, David. Since I could not be in Baltimore to swim, David and others, represent those of us who wish to lend support.

Being part of the champaign to raise $400,000 makes me feel like I was in the water, part of the ocean. Given that about 70 percent of our planet is covered by ocean, I use ocean as metaphore often.

What could you do to-day to be part of the ocean of support, metaphorically speaking?

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Lunken  
Date: Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Subject: THANK YOU! re:Swim Across America-Baltimore
To: Amy Basic

Dear Amy Thank you for your generous support. I completed the 3-mile swim in just over 1:32. It was a beautiful sunny day, the water was fantastic and I felt very lucky to be a part of this inaugural event. I want you to know that every dollar raised will go directly to the Kimmel Cancer Center - over $400,000! Pretty darn amazing! Thank you for supporting me - I am honored. Sincerely, David Lunken Thank you for your support! Click here to visit my Web page Swim Across America, Inc., [SAA] is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming- related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service.   www.swimacrossamerica.org   © 2010 Swim Across America · Privacy Policy · Opt-Out

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Here is something to do with water.

What is admirable is that David set the goal of $500 and he is way over.
Busted the thermometer in just a few hours.

How would you honor a friend like David?
Be supportive.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Lunken <dlunken@pimidlantic.com>

I just signed up for Swim Across America this Sunday. It is a fundraiser to support the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. I will be participating in a 3-mile open water swim in memory of my dear friend for over 30 years, Michael Nozik who passed away from a brain tumor at the age of 42 leaving behind a wife and 2 young boys. I would love your support.  Any contribution you can make to help me reach my goal of $500 would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the last minute request.

 

Please support me!

 

Click here to visit my Web page

 

Thank you!

David 

David Lunken | PI Midlantic

400 Cedarcroft Road | Baltimore, MD 21212

410-961-5555 | www.pimidlantic.com

PI Worldwide Video Testimonial

 

 

Swim Across America, Inc., [SAA] is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming- related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service.

 

 

 

 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

The pdf file below has the identical information as this blog. You may download to your desktop and forward to your colleagues. 

NSA-IL SpeakerU.pdf Download this file

As a visual artist and a mechanical engineer, I was never trained to be a speaker. If I have something to say, I would express in paintings. And I would express in equations and formula.

Then I discover the art of speaking. The art of being able to share with others, in more ways than one.

Thanks to National Speakers Association, NSA. I found an abundance of information about the speaking business many years ago. Of course, there are tons of information out there on the web. Choosing the proper source could be daunting.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

9 years ago this day changed many lives.

9 years ago this day, like many others, I was changed.

I felt the need to be more useful. To make a contribution to mankind. What was I doing being an artist, creating the art that most people said it could not be done? And I was enjoying it all alone. I did not want to be alone any more.

Later on, I turned the PaintingOnWater™ into the speaking business, Making the Impossible Possible. In stead of just talking about the concept, I was able to demonstrate, with show and tell. Now, I take it another step further. I have the audience experience it, do it and sense it themselves, with the message for the Art of Being. I am not alone any more.

9 years ago this day, I was alone at the condo and felt an eerie dead silence. All phone lines were jammed. Skype and Google Voice were not available yet, back then. Let alone any form of social media connection. Unable to reach my parents in Hong Kong, I went down to talk to my doorman, Ken. Someone I can see eye to eye, through my tears. I was glad that he was there. I was not alone any more.

Just called Ken to thank him for being there, 9 years ago. I am going down to give him a hug now.

The Art of Being after 911.

What do you wish to change, consciously?

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Happy MindCamp to all who are attending.

For those who don't know what it is, check out their website. It's an annual takes place in September, near Toronto, Canada, at a YMCA facility, outside the city. Basic setting for maxim interaction between the participants. It's a setting that allows the mind to camp, for a change.

Fond memories of the year I attended Mindcamp. The atmosphere was approachable, non-judgmental and friendly. Tim Hurson, author of ThinkX, is the founder of Mindcamp and the Hub. Recently, I told him the following story.

= = =

Three days before, I left Beijing and arrived Chicago to attend the opening of my solo exhibition at Fermilab. Then I flow straight into Toronto. Arrived by 2 am.

When I presented my Painting On Water™ workshop at 8 am the next morning, I only expected a few early birds to show up. To my surprise, it seemed that half of the attendees were there. They were awake, energized and eager to learn this ancient art form. The next day, I joined Bill Oslen and taught a facilitation course, from Zero to Participation. It's a lot of fun when every participant wants to be there. Great place to camp your mind.

Later on, I took my first rope course and experience the Art of Being.

As a city girl all my life, I am not an outdoor type. I was sure that I would make a fool of myself. Nevertheless, in the great Mindcamp spirit, I took Rope Climbing.

Neil and I partnered together just because we met on the trail a few minutes before. He looked like an outdoor sportsman. I was sure that he would get to the top without sweat. I was there to experience. No expectation. No judgment.

It was a beautiful cool, chrisp September day in Canada.

Rope climbing was a lot more challenging than it appeared. It's absolutely necessary to keep the balance with your partner. Otherwise, the bar would tilt off to one side. Then it's nearly impossible for you to stand. Neil and I helped each other, strategized and calculated each of our moves.

The climb got harder and harder.

To my surprise, at just below the highest bar, Neil told me that he could not go further. And that he would help me to the top bar. I started brainstorming and offered several suggestions that we could make it up there, together. I tried my best to persuade him to reach to the next level.

At about 300 ft up in the air, we had a "conversation." Since I talked with my hands, always, the folks below started to gather and looked up. They thought we were having some kind of argument. After a while, Neil firmly said that it was a physical thing. And that I should just move on.

With the crowd cheering on down below, I stepped onto the highest bar, with tears rolling down.

It was the tears of joy. And it was the tears of experience.

It was a beautiful cool chrisp September day in Canada. There I was high up in the air, looking at the blue sky. Only a few days earlier, I was in the hot muggy Beijing street, sweating my way thru the traffic in a cab, rushing from one appointment to another. It was a surreal experience. For a few seconds, I did not remember how I got there.

Then, I snapped back. I still believe that we could both make it to the top together. The fact that Neil decided to stop, I wondered, if he wanted to give me the sense of accomplishment. Heck, he just met me 30 minutes ago. So that couldn't be the reason. It took me many moons later to accept the reality. He just did not want to go on further. He knew his limit and it was alright for him. It did make it easier for me to reach the top because he stayed behind to push me up. Thank you, Neil.

There was no competition. There was no reward. Yet Neil gave me the best gift of all. Learning to accept.

There were many stories told by mountain climbers about reaching to the top. It takes a team. More importantly, it was the gratitude of being on the receiving end.

Since I was a little girl, I was trained to take care of myself. Do not count on others. Do not wait for others to help. So, I have a very hard time to accept the help.

Sometimes, it is the parent(s), a teacher, a neighbor or a colleague who push you up, by staying behind. Sometime, we have to argue, and fight, like I did. Soemtimes, we have a hard time to accept.

At the end of the day, accepting is a part of the Art of Being.

Who had pushed you to where you are today?
and
What do you need to accept in your business and in your life?

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

After my post for Labor of Love yesterday, here are more examples closer to home. I admire Hazel and Ralph as they take actions and offer their labor of love on more humanistic level.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Most of them create for the sake of writing the blogs or painting a picture because they enjoy the act. They are motivated. They have an idea and they go ahead. Most likely, they neither take an order or being told to do the task.

Of course, the savvy readers know that there are professional bloggers getting paid to write and commercial artists for hire. However, my guess is that most of them are independent, creating for their own passion and pleasure, based on their inspiration.

They give birth to the babies: the blogs, the art, the new ideas and new products.

The reward comes when there is the social acceptance. Blogger needs readers; Painter needs viewers; Business owner needs customers. They need each others as the yin and yang.

Comments on the blog brings people back to read again and again. Then it builds the momentum. When the artists establish their signature styles which become recognizable, they gain a certain acceptance.

Entrepreneurs are also creative professionals. Typically, they see the opportunities that other miss. They are driven to solve the problems that others may not even know that exist. Typically, they have big dreams.

They take risk, just like the bloggers and artists. They created something different and never been done before.

Steve Jobs gave birth to iPod, iPhone and iPad. Larry Page and Sergey Brin created the biggest internet search tool. Jimmy Wales crafted the biggest encyclopedia worldwide, breaking the traditional model.

They took their risk years ago. Followed their dream and vision. Gave in their 10,000 hours, at least, to accomplish the global success.

What risk do the bloggers and artists have, you ask? Chances are, they do not have to risk their life savings or job security.

Think again. The bloggers and artists risk their reputations when they post their writing on line or display their art piece, at a public place for all to see. That's why some use pen names. Oh, well, K.J. Rowling may have a different reason for using her initials. I did the same when I published my thesis years ago. I will share the story of names some other time. Please do remind me later.

Anyway, the labor of love is responsible for most creation and well being, I think. Creation brings well being. If you catch yourself saying, I am not that creative. Think again.

Whether you work for yourself or someone else, do you know what is your labor of love?

P.S. In case you are not sure, my labor of love is Painting On Water™ since 1989.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

If I were to design a perfect phone system, google voice + google number will be it.

Choose your own google number now. People are garbing these number extremely fast.

1. Sign in you gmail account
2. Open another new tab or a new page from your brower
3. On this new browser, in the address bar, type in

Google.com/voice
4. Follow the procedures to get your own google number
5. Say thank you to google and the universe

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Maureen and all the members who worked on this project inspired me for this piece. Together, we do make a colorful picture and an impact. 

Bravo, Zulu. Be part of the team,  http://www.nsa-il.org/

 

Nope. This poster was not crated by using the PaintingOnWater™ process.
However, it was, the Art of Being Inspired.
It was being inspired by the current President of National Speakers Association, Illinois Chapter, Maureen O'Brian, who took us to places that NSA-IL had never been to before. She is also the CEO of Global Women's Leadership Forum.

 

In what ways, might you take your team to new ground?

In what ways, might you assemble a collage of diverse team members?

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »