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Real Window Creative

Real Window Creative

By Christopher Boswell

Everything creative centered around personal growth, current events, self development and content creation. We are committed to connecting and helping others get what they want. cboswell@wamail.net Learn more at www.realwindowcreative.com or www.patreon.com/realwindowcreative
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Real Window CreativeFeb 25, 2020

00:00
05:16
20 Keto Affirmations

20 Keto Affirmations

20 Keto Affirmations for Better Health eat in a way that Promotes Ketosis and Weight Loss

Nov 23, 202223:04
Applying a Sales Managers Advice to Writing

Applying a Sales Managers Advice to Writing

Can Success be found in Writing by simply applying some habits of sales professionals?

https://medium.com/publishous/applying-a-sales-managers-advice-to-writing-43b309570b53


Nov 06, 202208:06
Covid19 Takes a Back Seat to the Human Virus Killing Us
Jun 11, 202017:40
Curate YOU an Audio Article by Christopher Boswell

Curate YOU an Audio Article by Christopher Boswell

Saying no more often could lead to a more curated and enjoyable life, by Real Window Creative, read by Megan Kumakura. Support us on Patreon for much more at https://www.patreon.com/realwindowcreative

“The pieces I chose were based on one thing only — a gasp of delight. Isn’t that the only way to curate a life?” ― Maira Kalman, My Favorite Things
The Onslaught of Things

Every  single day, my inbox is full of valuable offers for things I can  acquire that will supposedly enhance my life. My favorite is an email I  get every few days from B&H Photo.

They  sell a lot more than just photography gear and send out a daily deal  email with three or four items heavily discounted. I love electronic  gadgets and over the years this one has drawn me in the most times. Heck  there is not tax and the shipping is free!

So  I see it, click in and purchase that Police Scanner I apparently could  not live without. Or another Bluetooth speaker, set of headphones or  earbuds, even special finger-less gloves.

Then  there’s the two microscopes that take up and entire workbench in my  office. Or the outdated Tamron Photovix that I had to have, but have  never used.

Start Saying No

In an article by Michael Simmons titled Warren  Buffett: “Really Successful People Say No To Almost Everything” he  writes “When Bill Gates first met Warren Buffett, their host, Gates’  mother, asked everyone around the table to share the single most  important factor to their success.” Gates and Buffett both gave the same  one-word answer: “Focus.”

My interpretation, gleaned from a lifetime of studying what successful people do, sounds like this. Say no to everything that does not add value to, or is not in alignment with my mission. In other words, ruthless prioritizing and curation.

I  stopped going to the grocery store years ago, my food is now delivered.  Same with the lawn, the 4 to 8 hours I save every few weeks not doing  those tasks can be spent creating new artwork, or writing. I decided to  say no to spending my time on these two tasks, instead using it for  tasks more aligned with my passion.

These decisions took a while, Its likely counter intuitive for most of us. Doesn’t doing more actually bring abundance and opportunities into my life? The answer is not always yes.

Recently,  I also stopped answering the phone for all the automated sales calls.  It was irritating, same recording over and over from different numbers. I  now spend the time saved to block the phone number. This choice  effectively replaces the discomfort with a feeling of accomplishment,  just one choice.

I’m  not sure why, but there were no classes on decision making from  elementary school through to college. Looking back, it’s clear that I  could use some coaching in this area.

This idea has brought writing on Medium into a critical light for me. The jury is still out, more on that later.

Read the entire article and enjoy illustrations on Medium.

May 15, 202007:37
A Boy a Goldfish and the Local Library

A Boy a Goldfish and the Local Library

The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.Albert Einstein
The Library is off Limits

Back  in the day, while I was still kicking up my heals you wouldn’t find me  dead with a library card. I was getting ready to say, “I don’t know why” but that’s not entirely true, well, not true at all.

It  was tough for me to avoid run-ins with the local police back then, what  with cruising around looking for girls, driving too fast and drinking.  They tend to frown on those three items mixed in together at the same  time. Now I know, most everybody does.

Somewhere,  I had read an article talking about a project the police were using to  gather library card data for something or another. Right there I made  some adolescent decision that the library was a ruse.  A cover for or an extension of the local law enforcement. Not that I  had anything to hide, it took me about 15 years to shake that  resentment.Back in the day, kicking up my heels, I wouldn’t be found dead with a library card.

Read and enjoy illustrations at https://medium.com/the-4-elements-of-change/a-boy-a-goldfish-and-the-local-library-e852038d3f67



May 11, 202009:36
10 Benefits of Going Back to College at 53
May 11, 202009:01
H.A.L.T
May 09, 202011:03
Death Comes Calling on a Railroad Trestle
May 03, 202013:52
Being Here Now

Being Here Now

The Importance of Blooming Right Where You Are Planted

By Christopher Boswell Read by Brandon Rouzan

I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion — and where it isn’t, that’s where my work lies. ~ Ram Dass

Blooming  where you are planted, is so important yet easily forgotten. Up until a  few moments ago, I was working on processing images, and the one you  see above was in front of me. There was a gnawing feeling to move on, to  leave the work unfinished. A deeply rooted need in me to be distracted,  many interests pulling me away.

Stopping  for a moment, I thought about the photo, it was perfect for what was  happening to me. Or, more accurately, the actions I was faced with  choosing.

In  fact, the only reason I was sitting here trying to improve on this  image is because I had used half measures when I originally processed  and key-worded the photo. Once again, in a rush to get to the next  thing, so I could hurry and do that half way too! This occurrence in me has inspired a new inquiry about a seemingly almost universal human trait.

Just like that, the feeling is hitting me again. “Why was I wanting to write an article on this?”

A  voice asks this question from somewhere deep inside. I’ll answer it, or  maybe ask a question, “what would you rather be doing?” no answer  comes, I already know what activity I’m engaged in rarely matters  regarding my capacity to focus until finished. What does it is, my  judgements about it and the other stimulus hitting my Retinas and  Synapses.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present”
― Bill Keane

One  should likely resist the urge to name this behavior, especially using a  medical term that indicates something is broken. I don’t think anything  is wrong, but I do know that focus applied over time can create  wonderful accomplishment. It starts by being fully & happily committed to being where you are, after all, you won’t really be here for long.

Read the entire article on Medium


Apr 26, 202006:02
The Incredible Cost and Loss from Making Assumptions
Apr 24, 202005:58
H.A.L.T.

H.A.L.T.

Could we already possess a wonderful tool for increasing effectiveness and averting disaster?

“Self-care is how you take your power back.”– Lalah Delia

At  some point along my journey it became clear that most of the time I  operated on emotion. I’d grown up watching others engage emotionally, no  other way was known.

Then life began to educate me.

One  of the first things to go when operating out of this mindset is  self-care. I can think of story after story, times when fuzzy-headed  from emotional turmoil, decisions were made that cost me something.  Sometimes the cost was trivial and other times it was and still is  life-altering.

Warning: The next paragraph contains some graphic descriptions of events.

Once,  while on my way to work in Philadelphia, I was stuck in slow moving  traffic behind a semi-truck. Suddenly, I noticed a passenger door open  on a car in front of me, next to the big rig. A young woman appeared  from the back seat of a taxi-cab stepping into the roadway.

What happened next is one thing to read a story about, It’s a whole other thing to witness in person.

The  woman hurled herself under the semi truck in front of me. She  disappeared from my sight as I saw the semi lurch forward and then raise  up and back down like it had hit a speed bump.

A  poor woman had timed it perfectly, ending her own life right there, one  car length away from me. I think of her often even though the event  happened over 30 years ago.

Her  action set hundreds of other little events and emotional reactions into  motion for many people. I was a stringer for a local newspaper at the  time. Clearly, this was a news story. I struggled with the personal  nature of it and as a result, never took a picture even though my gear  was in the trunk.

What  had she been dealing with? Had she made a split second decision in that  very moment and acted? Or, had her misery been ongoing and it was all  premeditated? Could the HALT method have save her life?

Read the entire article on Medium

Support us on Patreon for more like this.


Apr 14, 202011:01
Composition, The Rule of Thirds and The Golden Ratio
Apr 08, 202007:31
How to Create When You Don’t Feel Great Enthusiasm

How to Create When You Don’t Feel Great Enthusiasm

I wonder if a farmer feels motivated each morning on the 120 days of work before harvest?

"The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer. " ~ Will Rogers

My grandfather was a farmer, my Mother’s Father, I always admired him.  They, he and my Grandmother, stopped farming when he turned fifty and  moved into the city. The work just began to take it’s toll on his body,  all the physical labor.

Motivation had finally run out, but he did not stop working, instead went down to the Farm City Supply store and shared his decades of knowledge with those still toiling.

Farming  is really unique as a way of earning a living, think about it. In  Agriculture one must do much work before there is any payoff.

Plowing,  fertilizing, seeding, watering, insect fighting, harvesting and finally  transporting to market. This adds up to a bunch of days where one may  not feel like getting out there.

Read by  Brandon Rouzan

Ream more at Medium.com





Mar 31, 202006:12
You Inc. Your Dot Com Start Up

You Inc. Your Dot Com Start Up

Could you stop building everyone else’s empire and start your own?


The  American Dream is still alive out there, and hard work will get you  there. You don’t necessarily need to have an Ivy League education or to  have millions of dollars startup money. It can be done with an idea,  hard work and determination. — — Bill Rancic

My first real full time job was my forth one. I was no stranger to working  having already had three part time gigs. Just out of High School, a  friend and I went to apply for positions in this little strip mall deli.  To our surprise, we both got hired on as cooks.

My  life was about to get impacted, I learned much there. I’ll never forget  that experience, the menu had 8 items and one of the specialty  sandwiches was a Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly. It was a humble and  simple beginning and all I could see from there. No mentors around to guide me, I had had it with school, cook was it, for now.

The  owners were a young couple really not much older than I was at the  time. It would not be long before I was offered the role of Assistant  Manager. On I went, cooking PB&J’s, ham sandwiches, prepping and  making steak soup. We also kept knocking down walls, expanding the  restaurant.

I  gave that couple 5 of my best years only to have a slight dispute with a  waitress over a short till somehow end in my firing. Then, my boss  decided it would be appropriate to fight the unemployment claim saying  that I quit. He won and my education in the sometimes harsh realities of  employment began.


Read more...

Mar 21, 202009:51
10 Actions to Nail the Job Interview
Mar 04, 202010:42
Sell Your Stories In Kindle Format on Amazon
Feb 25, 202005:16
5 Key Behaviors for You the Canine Pack Leader

5 Key Behaviors for You the Canine Pack Leader

Owning a Dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences, unless it’s not.

Dog Illustration

Owning  a Dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences, unless it’s not.  One rule for the former to be true is a well-behaved and obedient  Canine. In 5 plus decades of life I have had the joy to have provided  care for a dozen dogs as an owner, and hundreds as a boarder. The  perception that we have creates how we respond and in turn a change in  our response carries on into the canine and the outcome. Please allow me  to pass on FIVE of the key principals this experience has taught me.

Key #1: Understand the Difference between Posturing, Aggression, and Fear.

A  common trait among dogs is the instinct to self preserve. As a result  of this it’s common that he or she will appear to be aggressive and  ready to fight another animal. Most often this reaction is fear in the  animal, some reasons they may engage in this activity follow.

A  mother with babies who perceives a threat will almost always behave  aggressively, remember the need to preserve life. Dogs in their own  territory will ALWAYS respond with a call to arms” when an intruder or  unknown canine enters their territory, like inside the house or yard.  Even on a walk, some dogs may show aggression to a passing pack, feeling  compelled by centuries of evolution to do their job as protectors.

Once  we as pack leaders understand this is normal, our reaction naturally  changes. In the mother with babies scenario we move out of fear, feeling  the need to stop or correct her, into a partnership with her,  protecting the family from harm together, preserving the pack. We may  keep the fence closed and tight not allowing foreign animals to invade  her space while caring for her young.

On  a walk instead of being embarrassed and going to the other side of the  street, we can make a point to stop and meet the other pedestrians.  Allowing time for new connections to be formed for all involved.

If  introducing a new animals into our homes we can expect some posturing  as normal and support calm and safety until anxiety lessens. As we show  consistency in the way we lead and protect our pack, they in turn become  more confident and calm following our lead or example. As we reinforce  their actions replacing “bad dog vibes” with a “yes” or a “good dog’ and  a touch more often, more stability and joy will become normal feelings  for all.

Read More on Medium!

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Feb 25, 202007:54
The Powerful Redeeming Quality of Craigslist
Feb 24, 202008:23
Smash 5 Self Limiting Beliefs and Set Sail

Smash 5 Self Limiting Beliefs and Set Sail


Could you be more effective than you think? It’s just one decision



Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact. — William James
They Won’t Pick Me.

That’s  right, just one decision. A friend of mine called me recently to talk.  He was unemployed at the time feeling frustrated at what he thought was  the situation in the market.

At  the same time I was seeking to hire a salesperson and was also  frustrated, but for a different reason. He had his eye on a particular  position but had not approached or applied, imagining there was a vast  sea of applicants. He would never been seen, why bother, he was making  himself angry while shooting his own foot.

I  had also been frustrated with the results of a tired old ad, that had  been copied and pasted 50 times into Craig’s List. It was about as  boring as you could get and I was getting only 5 to 10 resumes. Hardly a  large enough pool to choose from.

Informing  my friend that his perception may be skewed, I encouraged him to apply.  I said “they may only get 10 qualified candidates, you will stand out  in the group, but you have to make the effort.”

He took my advice, got an interview, then an offer and took the job. He was elated.

With  this new information I also made a change in behavior, completely  rewriting the help wanted advertisement. Really thinking of it from the  job seekers view, I crafted an exciting few paragraphs that changed  everything. The week it ran I received 100 resumes. There were so many  coming in I could hardly find time to look over them all.

Breaking  this self limiting belief for my friend, taught me a lesson too. This  new outlook resulted in a much higher quality new hire.

I’m not Enough.


John us on Patreon for so much more!


Read more on Medium

Feb 21, 202007:47
The 50/50 Rule and Your Likability Factor

The 50/50 Rule and Your Likability Factor

Feb 18, 202006:37
5 Ways to Become Right Sized

5 Ways to Become Right Sized

When will we learn to bite off only what we can chew?


Whatever story you want to tell, tell it at the right size. — Richard Linklater
A Universal Challenge

Right-Sized,  the picture above seemed so perfect for this story idea. Maybe you have  seen a Dog like this, excited to have found a tree branch to chew on.  Not really understanding that it is too big for him to carry.

Rarely  do we see him let go of the first one, testing out others until he  finds the right fit. He’s just too excited, he keeps trying to drag it  along. I for one have to admire his perseverance.

Maybe it’s because we have so much in common, Its a constant battle for me to be right sized.

If you want to be right-sized in body, you’ve got to get rid of the supersize way of life. — Bob Harper
The 5 Ways

Bob Harper set’s us off looking from another angle, not as a canine, but as human beings. I have noticed this behavior in all obese people. So we will make this number one.


Read more at https://medium.com/realwindowcreative/5-ways-to-become-right-sized-8b0cc5136d75

Feb 14, 202010:03
A One Year Curation Jail Sentence on Medium Don’t Let it Happen to You
Feb 14, 202005:37
A Practical Entry Point to Stock Market Investing
Feb 13, 202007:34
Chris Boswell and Lyle Malcom Real Window Creative Interview

Chris Boswell and Lyle Malcom Real Window Creative Interview

Talented voice over artist and piano tuner Lyle Malcom interviews the owner of Real Window Creative Christopher Boswell about his creative start and drive.

Feb 11, 202045:11
Getting Over Trauma Faster
Jan 27, 202011:05
The Thing About Your Resistance Is
Jan 22, 202015:32
Breaking Down The Serenity Prayer

Breaking Down The Serenity Prayer

Can we really tell what we have power over all the time?

Read the text version of this story with illustrations here.

“It is one of the fruits of wisdom not to sweat even the big stuff.”
Mokokoma Mokhonoana

The Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can,
And Wisdom to know the difference.

While  thinking about this subject, I wondered where I had first encountered  this prayer. Suspecting it was somewhere in my childhood home, I began  an investigation and called my Mother.

To  my disappointment, She did not remember having any representation of it  in our house. I knew where I had come to know it later in life, but now  I wondered where it came from early on.

Listen for more...

Learn more at Real Window Creative, support us and see even more content on Patreon.

Jan 22, 202012:32
The Big Drawer in the Principals Desk in Elementary School

The Big Drawer in the Principals Desk in Elementary School

A drawer he seemed too excited to open holding wooden paddles used for corporal punishment.

Read text from this podcast here...

Image Credit Mrdoomits on 123RF Crimes against children are the most heinous crime. That, for me, would be a reason for capital punishment because children  are innocent and need the guidance of an adult society. — Clint Eastwood

Seeing  a news story about a county I have history with, stirred up some old  scars. Just a few days ago Texas decided they would still use corporal  punishment in schools. Texas School District Approves Paddling as a Punishment.

Just a Regular Day at School

Back  in my youthful days at Western Plateau in Amarillo Texas, I was not  always viewed as a model student. Let me give you an example.

On  most spring days the school administration opened all entry doors  leading outside. I don’t remember why maybe we had no air conditioning.

Listen for more.

Learn more about us at Real Window Creative

Please support us and hear more at Patreon

Thank you!

Jan 22, 202013:50
The Power of a Thank You Note

The Power of a Thank You Note

A Handwritten Thank You, verbal gratitude or online review may hold magical powers.

Text version here...

“Thankfulness  is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of  thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is  shown in acts.” — Henri Frederic Amiel

Exceptional People

Sometimes  I board dogs taking care of pet canines while their pack leaders work  or travel. It’s a fun way to unwind after a long tip out in the field.

Not  all of the clients leave feedback, in fact, it’s only about 15%, 49  people have left thank you reviews for one service I offer, here’s one.

Listen now...

Learn more about Real Window Creative

Please support more content creation here on Patreon 

Thanks for the opportunity to be of service.

Christopher

Jan 22, 202010:05
The Inevitable Digital Black Hole Gobbling Valuable Data and Writing

The Inevitable Digital Black Hole Gobbling Valuable Data and Writing

Have ever spent hours  on a story that suddenly disintegrates mysteriously into the Abyss?  I’ll share a few ways to reduce that possibility right now.

Text version of this story at this link.

Excerpt:

“The  biggest mistake any hardware user can make is to ignore backing up  their data. Software can be reinstalled; data lost is irreplaceable. We  are in a digital age and a lot of our data is stored digitally — bank  records, photos, letters, music. A recent NCSA/Symantec study showed  that over 68% of Americans store more than 25% of their photos  digitally, for example. There are any number of ways data can be lost.  Accidental deletion is common. Device failure happens. Natural events,  such as electrical or wind storms, fires, or floods can eradicate data.  Cyber events such as viruses, spyware or other cyber attacks can remove  data, as well.” — SafetyWeb My Thumb or Pinky Finger and the Mouse: A Conspiracy

In  the business world, the term shrinkage refers to all the ways  productivity and assets can be lost, stolen, or spoiled causing losses  in time, money, and bottom line profits.

Twice  this week I have labored, typed and toiled for hours only to have my  pinky finger hit some key or series of keys, on my laptop causing the  work to vanish. It literally just happened again, this time I had taken a  new action and only lost half the story.

This  has to be stopped. It hasn’t happened to me at home, only remotely on  my laptop. I’ve tried to recreate the event for discovery into what is  occurring, but to no avail. My suspicion is, there is a culprit, the function key marked FN. This key does not appear in the same spot on my desktop.

Listen now.

Learn more at Real Window Creative

Support us and hear more at Patreon

Jan 22, 202008:36
How Sound Frequency Effects The Human Body

How Sound Frequency Effects The Human Body

Profound information leading to stimulation, pain relief or relaxation without side effects or drugs.

See the text version of this story here...

“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.”
― Nikola Tesla Real Time Stimulation

On  the day of this writing, breakthroughs have come as well as breakdowns.  Sometimes I find it difficult to land on which one I should give more  energy to.

It’s  a very exciting creative time for me. The last few years have been full  of new insights, developments and product offerings. My creative life  has definitely expanded in a big way.

Many  of the last few weeks activities have focused on adding audio  narrations to my existing library of articles. For help with that  endeavor I called on three friends that seem to vibrate on a similar  frequency as I do.

Listen to more..

Learn more about Real Window Creative.

Support us through Patreon to insure we can create more.

Cheers!

Jan 22, 202010:29
5 Ways to Get the Second Date
Jan 22, 202002:37
Why Don't You Just Get a Real JOB?

Why Don't You Just Get a Real JOB?

Many of our teachers raised in a different time can’t see new possibilities holding on to and teaching outdated limiting beliefs.

Read the test version of this piece here...

Happy to Have a Job

Finding a job and working for spending money came fairly early to this Midwestern raised boy. There was always something I wanted and my parents just kept repeating “get a job.”

So, I did.

Not knowing anything better, the first 15 years or so went along fine. I held many limiting beliefs yet, had not learned the term yet. It was enough that someone could tolerate having me around, let alone paying me for it. I was grateful most of the time earning just  enough to pay the rent, but not much else.

Listen to more...

Learn more at Real Window Creative

Happy listening!

Jan 22, 202013:26
The Trump Train Phenomenon

The Trump Train Phenomenon

Voters hungry for change chose a man who could send Democrats over a cliff.


“Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.”
Mark Twain
The Beginning

Politics  have never really attracted me. I’m not sure why, it just didn’t feel  right to be involved. However, I always paid attention in a detached  sort of way. Even before I knew it consciously.

Remember  the black light phase? The blue light that made everything glow and  mesmerized us back in the 60’s and 70’s. I had a poster with Nixon  holding leashes behind a pack of dogs all hooked up. The canine faces  were replaced by humans, politicians mixed up in the Watergate scandal. Listen for more....

Jan 22, 202013:13
How I Turned My last $150 Dollars into $30K

How I Turned My last $150 Dollars into $30K

The acquisition creating a catalyst to inspire a thriving business flipping storage units.

Read the text of this podcast here...

Running Out of Options

Back in early 2005, I had a hole to crawl out of.

Without  getting too far into the details, struggle, a major injury and a  geographical transition led me to a place with little resources. Still  having rent to pay along with food to buy and other expenses.

My  bank account had a meager $150 left, I was unemployed, no benefits or  help was available. It became clear I had to do something and do it  fast.

Hear more...

Jan 22, 202019:18