Personal Development | Liza Mae | life, love, & photography

Tag Archive | "personal development"

Tags: hopes, inspiration, inspirational, personal development, struggles

picking up the pieces

Posted on 05 August 2011 by Liza Mae V.

“Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me. After the explosion, I spent the rest of the day putting the pieces together.”
- Ray Bradbury

The reality is that I am back in Toronto and I am no longer in New York City! So as I read through my last entry of ‘NYC breakup or just separated?’, I must confess that is only a piece of why it was so hard to leave New York City.

So it is not the question of why it was so difficult to leave NYC but the real question that should be answered is why did I want to leave Toronto?

I was unhappy with my life in Toronto and just needed to get away from it all. So I picked up my bags and just left it all behind. I delayed this decision for awhile for I had many responsibilities that I had to attend to, mainly the properties.

As reckless as it was, I just did what I felt I needed to do and a few of my closest friends were pushing me in this direction for they seen how unhappy I was. But what really pushed me to the brinks of this decision was the fact that J extended his stay in China. This really broke me 10x more than my previous entry, ‘missing you’.

His arrival was supposed to be right before my birthday but that didn’t happen and I just lost it. All logic went out the window and I just did what I felt I needed to do. When faced with adversity you instinctively fight or flight? I choose the latter, literally and mentally. I didn’t want to fight any more battles or struggle through the stresses of my daily life.

Some can say that my situation wasn’t that bad or it could of been worse but as immature as it may sound, I just didn’t want to deal with it. I wanted to find an escape and forget it all. Though it would of been temporary, at least I knew that some how, I can find a peace/piece of mind … again.

Taken with an iPhone and Instagram App

It is like I had a clocking system of my life in Toronto, and I had to mentally check out. I stopped thinking about my repercussions or my responsibilities, I just checked out.

Now that I have finally checked back in, things started off rocky but I’m slowly picking up the pieces. It is like I have lost myself and trying to find myself again. Some days are great and other days are not so great. I’m trying to find the fine medium but at least I can see the pieces, just trying to figure out what pieces I want to keep versus leave behind.

One thing I am assured of is that everything I want in life is right in front of me. I just got to start believing in myself, as everyone has believed in me.

Comments (0)

Tags: calendar, design concept, inspiration, inspirational, orchids, personal development, Photography, photos, success, teenage mutant ninja turtles

Behind the May 2011 Desktop Calendar Wallpaper on LuxaVision

Posted on 01 May 2011 by Liza Mae V.

I designed May 2011 desktop calendar wallpaper on LuxaVision and it is getting quite the traffic and it really excites me to see such progress in such a short time frame. I created this on PhotoShop CS4 – I know I should upgrade to CS5 but haven’t gotten around to it. It is one of those things on my to-do list but isn’t on high priority, so it happens on a random day like today. I was just gonna go to Timothy’s to relax and have a coffee with my MacBook Pro after a property showing and I walked by the Riverdale Mac store (which had such friendly and helpful staff – much better than the Apple store where it smells like foot funk) and it triggered a thought that I should get quote on how much it would be to get my DVD reader/burner replaced, which was a little bit more than I wanted to spend and made me inquire about upgrading my RAM. This was something on my to-do list as well and thought the best time is now! So I upgraded from 2GB to 8GB RAM awesomeness which will be 4x as fast! I thought it was more important than a burner for I am on my MacBook Pro majority of my day and I burn a CD/DVD a few times a year. So back to my point, I will eventually get to upgrading to PhotoShop CS5 but probably wait until CS6, knowing me, I mean I read that there aren’t significant changes between CS4 and CS5, so I’m not in rush, unless someone tells me something really cool about CS5 compared to CS4.

This is the May 2011 desktop calendar wallpaper but can be downloaded as large as 1440×900, just visit LuxaVision, or click on the image below to be redirected.

Continue Reading

Comments (1)

Tags: "Live your LIfe", goals, life lessons, personal development, success, to do list

7 Tips to Achieving Your Things TO DO List

Posted on 26 February 2011 by Liza Mae V.

This past week has been quite busy or maybe it is due to the fact that I am in a transitional phase of life. So many aspects of life seem to be changing all at the same time.

work. love. real estate. photography.

Two weeks ago I started working for talented photographers and directors in Toronto and putting it in my schedule has been quite difficult. I have some renovations to complete, and leases are coming up on March 1st resulting to tenants moving in and out. This also involves listing and showing the properties and this can become time consuming, especially when these people don’t show. It wasn’t so bad last week but since my love left on Sunday, I am one to handle the burdens of three real estate properties. It is like I am on call 24/7 and can not clock out. Maybe it is all in my head for my emotions have been on such a roller coaster ride since he left. I just need to get my priorities straight and list out all the things I need to do, so that the TO DO list won’t haunt me. Continue Reading

Comments (1)

Tags: fitness, health, personal development

Bring Some Sunshine to your Workouts

Posted on 21 May 2009 by Liza Mae V.

I kick on my running shoes, my iPod in my jacket pocket, and water bottle in hand. I look at my left hand with my stop watch at 00:00:00 and press start. I am on my way to my planned destination of Withrow park. I smell the air, feel the breeze on my face, and listen to my currently added album of Ciara – Fantasy Ride. Something about this time of year brings excitement in the air. People are generally happier due to the increase of mercury and sunshine, including myself.

So instead of working out in the gym, I take my workout outside. I know I can get easily distracted and demotivated, so this brings a little more excitement to the mundane workout. Last year my bf has trained me on how to do ‘practical workouts’ with using things that are available to us. Here are some exercises you can do outdoors, main focus is lower body:

Squats – Great for thighs and butt
Step-Ups (both legs) – use a park bench, they are available everywhere
Walking Lunges – place a marker for your finish line, feels great to finish instead of counting
Calf Raises – reminds me of ballet and love the results of ballerinas lean legs

2 sets of 25 with a 30 to 40 seconds rest in between. If you are new at working out, your rest period can be longer but try to shorten it every time to make the workout more intense.

I am a little crazy so after all this, I do sprints up and down a hill and time myself to see how much I have improved. I run up and down …

3x – 2 sets
2x – 2 sets
1x – 2 sets

Some days I just don’t have the time to do all this so I setup an obstacle course with a variation of the exercises above. Quick 30 minute workout. It consists of running to one park bench to another, then running around trees, and sprinting up stairs. As long as you plan on what your obstacle course is, I find it very effective. I time this as well, so that I have a goal in getting better each time.

So pick up your kicks and soak up the sun while working out. You will get a fit body and a tan!!

- Liza Mae

For more fitness tips, visit Marci Lall

Comments (1)

Tags: dreams, goals, personal development, pillow talk, plans

Pillow Talk: Visions & Goals

Posted on 31 March 2009 by Liza Mae V.

After a long tiring day mi amore and I usually lay in bed and conversation about random things on our minds. Last nights topic was around our visions and goals. He called me out on a couple of things: slacking on my photography, spend too much time on facebook/twitter when I can be doing something productive, not working on my beach bod and that I am simply not motivated. So I heard those words loud and clear and it stuck. For how long? Who knows but the fact that I am writing about it shows that I will do those things I negated to do. I will simply put some time lines in place so I will have some urgency to complete my tasks.

Edit lizamae[dot]com’s Posts from LJ – estimated 250 posts (May 1st)
Edit photos for web portfolio/photo book/flickr (April 13)
Design website for www.luxavision.com (April 27)
Get more photography clients (on going)
Weight train minimum of 3x a week (start this week)
Eat healthier

So I will update every Monday on my progress of these things. Wish me luck!

-Liza Mae

Comments (2)

Tags: personal development

Tomorrow Starts Today

Posted on 08 May 2008 by Liza Mae V.

I do not feel guilty for doing what it is that i need to do at this moment. As long as I am faithful to myself – I will no longer feel this guilt that others puts upon me. I have been living someone else’s expectations and not fulfilling my own. I have put myself aside for quite sometime that I have lost the person that I am. I was running with this Rat Race … now I am at the finish line.

tomorrow starts today.

i digress.

-Liza Mae

Comments (0)

Tags: personal development, relationships

Dysfuntional Mind

Posted on 06 May 2008 by Liza Mae V.

i have been going through an emotional roller coaster …

ups . . ..                                                   highs ….                                                     .   &   .
&                                &                              &                                 ….                           . . .
. . . . downs                                                   . . . . lows

i am happy when i am with HIM … but sad when i see the pain i have ’caused in him.
HE pushes me away slightly … he tries to pull me close but i resist.
i know this is new and fear the unknown with HIM … but i know he will fight or die for me.
i should stop thinking too far ahead.
i am here sitting at my desk.
i need to awaken the happiness that resides in me
instead of thinking of the unhappiness that surrounds me.

dysfunctional mind.

- Liza Mae

Comments (2)

Tags: letting go, personal development, self

i am … free

Posted on 02 May 2008 by Liza Mae V.

So I have come to a point in my life where …

I am.

Free.

I am in transcendence
breaking this mold that I shaped myself to be
but it is more difficult than I expected.

I am trying to live in the present
and not concoct reality,
ultimately destroying all delusions.

As I am working on self – I am feeling at ease.
Finally letting go.

- Liza Mae

Comments (1)

Tags: Dating, life lessons, love, personal development, relationships

Love Lessons Learned

Posted on 05 March 2004 by Liza Mae V.

I just came home from seeing Stefan #2. and I have finalized my decisions about this somewhat ‘relationship’ … if that’s what you call it. It’s funny how things work out. No words were needed to be exchanged … because all I did was listen and the answers to my ‘what if’s were answered. The animosity and fury that I wanted to scream out loud weren’t necessary because it wasn’t worth my breath and stress. It simple wasn’t worth it.

I’ve been screaming for so long but its like trying to get through to a deaf man, YOU JUST CAN’T. So I am left standing, listening to the echoes of my cries … replaying it in my mind … like a broken record … but I’ve muted them because I just didn’t want to hear it. But now that I do I have learned my lesson which consists of more than one thing.

Hrmmm … where do I begin. I don’t want to sound negative … so let me start with positives

1. Communication – I’ve learned how important it is to communicate … because not everyone can read your mind … and things that you think the other person should understands … think again. It’s surprising how often things were misconstrued in the message.

2. Reliability – Being able to rely on each other is important … because when you start to fall … the other should be right there to keep you standing. This also ties into trust. If you tell me something … I am going to believe you … so if I find that your actions don’t speak behind your words … then FUCK YOU.

3. Goals – What is it that you want from interacting with me? Knowing what you want is such a turn-on. Its ok not to know where it is going … but as long as you know where you want it to go … then its all good.

4. Ego & Pride – If you truly love someone … this does not exist in the relationship … its something that is put aside for this person. If you acquire this … it can cause problems, and what is all this ego worth? I think it just makes people jerks … and hold back from what they truly feel. Just let go …

5. Gift of Giving – I don’t believe in Give’n'take. I think if you give something to someone … you shouldn’t expect anything back for … if you do … then you are doing a selfish act … in that you are only giving to get back. If you are willing to give … give it your all … or its not worth it.

-Liza Mae

Comments (3)