The
Toniq
October 18,
2023
2023
Dear Paul, Cat Has Problem Sharing the House With New Puppy
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
Recently, there has been a change. The family has brought home a puppy. And when I say this, I mean a puppy. A very young dog.
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October 16,
2023
2023
Embracing Failure, Yeah Right
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
As a creative, you’re told that failing is part of the process, that failing is good, and that we make mistakes to learn from them and improve. That's great; good words to hear. I mean, we all love failure, right? We all know that failure is a vital part of the creative process, so yay, failure!
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October 11,
2023
2023
Revisiting the Power of Automatic Writing
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
We at ThoughtLab are very interested in creativity, how to manage it, how to spark it, and how to keep it going. Our creativity blogs have addressed such things as saying yes, playing simple games, the courage it takes to be creative, fighting creative droughts, and so much more.
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October 9,
2023
2023
Fall Festivals Matter Now More Than Ever
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
This past weekend in my newly adopted hometown of Port Angeles, Washington, there was the annual Crab Festival. Each year the town comes alive with food vendors, craftspeople, kids, families, and a lot of really great dogs.
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October 9,
2023
2023
Dear Paul, The eternal question about love.
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
We are not so removed from our four-legged brethren as we think. For the animals in the woods, they have a biological imperative to procreate, and so do we.
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September 29,
2023
2023
Beyond the Brief: How Creative Agencies Spark Creativity in Everyday Life
By
ThoughtLab
ThoughtLab
Creativity, often regarded as the lifeblood of innovation and progress, extends far beyond the confines of artistic expression and professional projects. In today's fast-paced world, where routine and the mundane can easily stifle imagination, creative agencies play a pivotal role in rekindling the flames of creativity in everyday life.
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September 20,
2023
2023
The Need for Optimism
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
For most of my life, optimists have puzzled me. I’m not a very glass-half-full kind of guy. I’m very much glass half shattered, bloody lip, why does this always happen to me, kind of guy.
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September 12,
2023
2023
Dear Paul, Fear of having face eaten putting a strain on the relationship
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
... but mostly, I am afraid of having my face eaten off if the chimp goes berserk. My boyfriend says that’s not a thing, but I really believe it is. Can you offer any advice?
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September 8,
2023
2023
Dear Paul: My Girlfriend Feeds Me Bread When I get stressed. Is This a Thing?
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
She says her grandmother, who was Mexican, told her that when people get stressed or frightened, eating a fresh bolillo roll calms the fear and reduces the stress.
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September 6,
2023
2023
Dear Paul: Is Dining Alone Really That Bad?
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
I have no problem doing things alone, movies, sporting events, theater, or dining. Doing things alone does not lessen the event or the joy of the activity. I have never thought that I needed someone else with me to validate my experiences.
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August 24,
2023
2023
Perfection Paralysis: Overcoming Creative Blocks
By
ThoughtLab
ThoughtLab
In the world of creativity and artistry, there exists a paradoxical phenomenon known as "perfection paralysis." It is a state where individuals striving for excellence and perfection find themselves stuck in a perpetual loop of self-doubt, fear of failure, and an inability to move forward with their creative endeavors.
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August 23,
2023
2023
Cultivating a Supportive Environment for Creatives
By
ThoughtLab
ThoughtLab
Creativity is the driving force behind innovation, art, and progress. Cultivating a supportive environment for creatives is essential in fostering their talents, unleashing their potential, and inspiring groundbreaking ideas.
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August 22,
2023
2023
Letting Go of Perfection: Cultivating a Creative Mindset
By
ThoughtLab
ThoughtLab
The relentless pursuit of perfection often comes at a cost, stifling our creativity and hindering our ability to grow and evolve.
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August 21,
2023
2023
Finding Beauty in Imperfection: The Art of Wabi-Sabi
By
ThoughtLab
ThoughtLab
Wabi-Sabi is a traditional Japanese aesthetic philosophy that embraces the transient, imperfect, and incomplete nature of all things.
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August 15,
2023
2023
Dear Paul, I did all the right things; This Woman Owes Me a Date, Right?
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
Let me start with this NPR survey that found 81% of women have experienced sexual harassment. That’s an incredible number. And being sexually harassed isn’t something any woman deserves.
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