A Zentangle drawing is an abstract, patterned drawing created according to the tenets of the Zentangle Method. Using the standard format of a 3.5-inch square tile (means piece of square paper), the artist creates a structured pattern according to his or her whim following a basic set of guidelines. No technology, special materials, or educational background are necessary to become a Zentangle artist. Here are a few characteristics of a Zentangle:   The tile should not have an "up" or a "down" - it is without orientation. It should not be representative of any certain recognizable object; rather, it should be abstract. The drawing should be completed in black ink on white paper with gray pencil shading. A Zentangle is meant to be portable, so that it can be created at any time the mood strikes. The Zentangle Method is very different from regular drawing, painting and other art forms. It is meant to be a form of artistic meditation that anyone can do. The act of creating the Zentangle is just as important as the final outcome, which is appreciated for its unique beauty. Zentangle creations adhere to the following philosophical tenets:  Its creation is unplanned. When you begin creating a Zentangle, you're encouraged not to have an end goal in mind. Rather, allow the pattern to reveal itself as you draw. Its creation of a Zentangle drawing is deliberate, yet unexpected. Each stroke should be made deliberately, rather than hesitantly. Instead of erasing stray marks, the artist should use them as the foundation for an unexpected pattern. Its creation is celebratory. Like meditation, the Zentangle Method is meant to feel freeing and healing. It's a way to celebrate the beauty of life.  A Zentangle is timeless. No technology or special tools are used. Zentangles should connect those who make them to the timeless human endeavor of putting pen to paper. Many people create doodles - sometimes beautiful ones - in the margins of notebooks and on scrap paper. Doodles are usually created during times when the person making them is having trouble paying attention to something else that's going on, like a lecture or a phone call. Though the best doodles can look similar to Zentangles, they're actually very different. Here's how:  The Zentangle Method helps you create a feeling of relaxed focus.  Unlike doodling, the person creating a Zentangle is giving it his or her full, undivided attention. A Zentangle cannot be created while on the phone or to let yourself be distracted during a lecture, because attention is an inherent part of this art form.  The Zentangle Method is a ceremony. Since a Zentangle deserves the artist's utmost attention. It should be created in a quiet place where focus and reverence can be achieved. The paper and pens used should be of highest quality, since a Zentangle is a work of art that can be enjoyed for a long time to come. The Zentangle Method was invented by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, when they discovered that the act of drawing abstract patterns with the constraint of a few basic rules was extremely meditative.   In order to teach the Zentangle Method, one must be certified as a Zentangle Teacher.  There are over one hundred tangles (these are patterns) (re-)created by Zentangle. If you want to recreate one of the originals, there are tutorials online and books and kits available for purchase. Works that are reminiscent of the drawing method Zentangle but don't adhere to the official guidelines are referred to as Zentangle-inspired art.
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One-sentence summary -- Learn the basic definition of a Zentangle. See how Zentangle is different from other art. Understand the difference between a Zentangle and a doodle. Learn about the founding artists.


Heat the sugar in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over a medium heat, stirring with a fork. When the sugar starts to melt, stop stirring and cook, swirling the pan occasionally so the sugar will melt evenly. The sugar is ready when it turns dark amber in color. Remove the saucepan containing the caramelized sugar from the heat. Add in the cup of heavy cream, along with a pinch of salt. The mixture will bubble and steam, but don't worry, this is normal. Return the saucepan to the heat and stir until the caramel has dissolved. Roughly chop the chocolate using a sharp knife. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add in the chopped chocolate. Whisk continuously, until the chocolate has melted. Whisk in the vanilla extract, along with the Cognac or brandy, if using. Keep the chocolate sauce warm until you are ready to serve the profiteroles. Cover the saucepan and place over a low heat, stirring occasionally.
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One-sentence summary -- Heat the sugar. Add the cream. Add the chocolate. Add the flavoring. Keep warm.


When you’re ready to consider new projects or new approaches to current goals, set aside some time 90 minutes, two hours, whatever you can spare and use the entire time for thinking.  Using the whole time to think helps you come up with approaches and strategies you might not have thought of before, because we tend to come up with one or two good ideas and think “that’s it! I’m ready!” Forcing yourself to think longer helps you go places your brain wouldn’t ordinarily go. Try to do your thinking in different settings. For example, you could go for a walk or visit a new coffee shop. Being in a different setting may help your brain to identify different possibilities than you would in your usual environment. It's easy to think “small” in your life, because it's easy to feel obligated to be practical or realistic about your dreams or goals. Thinking big requires you to move beyond thinking realistically and toward what might seem improbable or even impossible.   For example, say you like to write. A realistic way of thinking about that might be to say that you want to write something every day. That’s a realistic goal and a realistic way of thinking about your love of writing. Entertaining the impossible means taking what you normally think you can do with your writing even further. Imagine what it would be like to see your book on a shelf at your favorite bookstore maybe even in a fancy display. Imagine seeing your name and your book’s title at the top of the New York Times Bestseller list. This is the easiest way to think big. You can also do this by creating a vision board. Get a piece of poster board and use pictures and words from a magazine to represent your goals. Then, place the board somewhere you will see it often to help remind you of your goals. Thinking big means thinking in ways that are beyond what you normally do, so naturally you’ll have to step outside of your comfort zone. While you’re thinking about new projects or approaches, let yourself feel a little uncomfortable. If you’re not a little scared of what you’re coming up with, you’re not thinking big enough. For example, if you have a speech project for school, but want to think big about it, consider giving a style of speech you’re not usually comfortable with. Instead of reading directly from your paper, work from just a few bullet points and make it sound less formal. You could consider adding music or visuals to increase interest in your speech.
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One-sentence summary --
Schedule thinking time. Entertain the impossible. Step outside your comfort zone.