January always has many ‘new’ things to offer. This year we are seeing the snow that was lacking last January. I’ve taken some time to set not resolutions, but instead new goals for myself. I hope to be gentler with myself and have set expectations to challenge me, and keep me on target. I’m learning to embrace a new decade and realize truth never changes. I only get older one day at a time and my attitude about each day is what makes the difference! For some reason I lost sight of that truth momentarily as my birthday approached. I’m glad to have regained my sight and I’m looking forward to the adventures and surprises that both this year, and this decade hold for me. My greeting is a little late, but Happy New Year to all of you!
The Season, The Reason, My Direction……
The holiday season is winding down. If you’re like me, you’ve enjoyed the season. For me it is the holiday lights, the Christmas story, the music of the season and time spent with family and friends. The past year is coming to a close, and the new-year is almost upon us.
How’s your year ending? I’ve looked back on the past year and was amazed at the number of people I connected with, shared experiences with where we built memories together. I recognize I’m adapting to life in a new environment and a different phase of my life. When moving, I took the advice of a dear friend and was cautious about committing to things this first year of my retirement. (Sometimes I wonder if it is really retirement or transition. More on that another time.) The commitments made were to things core to me – a Church small group, a book club, a writers group and a group of friends. I love where we chose to live. I feel more grounded and at peace with myself. I’ve made progress on some of my goals. I’m learning to be more responsive. I’m learning more that God wants me to set goals, but to be flexible and change direction when He guides. I guess I’m learning to dance with Him and let Him lead. What a lesson for a lady who thought she could follow God and still be in control of so much of her own life!
So where does next year go? I don’t know! But I’m open to the adventure, the challenge of growing more, exploring more and learning more about the part of the world where I currently live. I have some goals, but hope to remain flexible enough to change and tweak them as necessary. I desire for my life to make a difference to those I come in contact with. For me, the dance continues.
What do you think your next year will look like and who’s leading it?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today is a special day in many homes in America, mine included. Be it tradition or faith — this holiday calls me to deeply reflect on what I’m grateful for. As I’ve grown older, learning to live with gratitude and appreciation daily have changed my life. I’ve become a happier, more settled person. I believe that has allowed me to have a positive influence on other’s lives.
Your list of gratitude may be completely different than mine. Yet it is my hope you will have time to reflect on things to be thankful for today and enjoy those around you.
For those interested, here is my partial list: I’m grateful for the life I’ve been given and deeply grateful for the people who are part of my life. I’m grateful for the beauty of the physical world and how varied it is. I’m grateful for the family I grew up in and the things I learned there. Some of those things were not easy, but each has contributed to who I am today. I’m grateful for the children and grandchildren who are part of our family. I’m grateful for the family of faith I can call my own and the love of God so richly bestowed upon us.
Excuse me! This is my seat!
This last weekend I attended a Heroine’s Journey writing program. The program is designed for women, to help them identify where they have come from, what they have overcome and who they have become. All the while you accomplish this, you learn skills to improve your writing. It was an amazing, intense and crazy wonderful weekend.
The following is one of the writing prompts used during the weekend. Some of you may already recognize me in some of these chairs and some of you may learn new things about me.
Thank you to all the beautiful ladies who made the weekend so special! You know who you are….
Excuse me! This is my seat.
Excuse me! This is my seat. This seat is reserved for one who has endured hardship inflicted by others and recognized that to stop the abuse, you have to take the control away from the other person. Sometimes that is accomplished by putting space between you and the other person and sometimes it is accomplished when you recognize you only THOUGHT they had control. This person has learned forgiveness, both for themselves and for others.
Excuse me! This is my seat. This seat is for one who has learned you must determine for yourself the things that are important in your life and live for those things. Not to spend your life just collecting things others say are important. This seat is for someone who sees the beauty of the world around them without thinking they have to own it.
Excuse me! This is my seat. This seat is for one who has struggled against the control of others trying to hold them down and recognizes that only happens if you allow it. This seat is for one who has learned that sometimes you have to shut a door to find freedom, and remembers God never closes a door without opening a window.
Excuse me! I believe this is my seat. This seat is for one who has worked for another. Has spent much time and effort developing and creating things for another’s benefit. This person has learned to work with different people in different situations to accomplish the goal or task at hand. This person has learned to plan, both for the benefit of their employer and for themselves. This person can also determine what is important to self.
Excuse me! This is my seat. This is for one who has been given the gift of love and recognizes it is not something that just comes along any day. This person has learned to cherish the gift, accept the freedom and responsibility that comes with receiving and giving this type of love.
Excuse me! I believe this is my seat. This seat is for one who has learned to treat herself with gentleness and forgiveness. One who accepts her weaknesses and knows her strengths. One who knows what things will bring healing to her soul and who wants to help others find that healing also.
Excuse me! This is my seat. I am a woman. That does not mean I know everything, it means I’m okay with me.
Sometimes 24 Hours Makes a Difference…….
Yesterday……
Today……
Same view yet totally different.
It is amazing how little it takes to change how things look.
I find these views so much like our perspectives on life. We don’t always realize when they change. The important things are still there. They always are. Sometimes they are hidden from us.
Find something to enjoy today!
Happiness! Where is it?
While reading “The True Secret of Writing” by Natalie Goldberg, I came across the following statement:
You don’t do happiness. You receive it!
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this thought. It resonates with who I am and how I live.
Does it speak to you, or do you have other thoughts about happiness? I would enjoy hearing from you.
The Games Continue…..
She’s Back! The brazen hussy chipmunk decided to visit our deck again; the deck where we grow tomatoes and herbs for our enjoyment. This time my hunter man was home. He got his weapon and was ready for action. The chipmunk avoided positioning herself in a good shot area. The goal is to hit the vermin not a piece of glass or a shop door. She dodged behind and between the potted plants. She was at the end of the deck, ten feet above ground. We were sure we had her trapped and simply had to wait for a good shot. Not so! Standing on the edge of the deck, she looked around and then she jumped over the edge. We could not believe it! We headed toward the edge and then heard “Kerplunk”! We expected to see chipmunk splat, but instead she was running for the rocks. The fact she survived the fall was more surprising to us than the fact she jumped from such a height.
Fast forward 24 hours and we looked out the window to see said chipmunk stretched out on our cement umbrella base. Who knows if this was a cooling position on the cement, a sunning position, or an announcement of ownership of the deck? The hunter and I headed outside again. The critter appeared a little confused, running to hide behind patio storage boxes. We moved the boxes and the chipmunk ran. I chased it thinking it would run to the planting area and dodge in-between the pots. Surprised again! She raced right up to the end of the deck and jumped. There was no hesitation she just jumped. Gone again.
Who would have thought a chipmunk we could be involved in training chipmunks for the miniature circus?
Breaking Up With Writers Block…..
Note: I have recently turned to some writing prompts to get back to the practice of writing regularly. You may or may not find this humorous. Please feel free to share your comments. A recent prompt was
It’s time for you and Writer’s Block to part ways. Write a letter breaking up with Writer’s Block, starting out with,
Dear Writer’s Block, it’s not you, it’s me …
It is time for me to be honest with you. I don’t like myself when we are hanging around together. Liking ones self is essential to personal satisfaction and happiness. When I’m around you, I don’t accomplish anything. There are so many things in my head I want to get down on paper, or things I’ve started knowing I need to revisit and refine. I find myself thinking, “I can’t!” instead of thinking “I can!” You make it too easy for me to settle for thinking “someday I’ll get back to my writing”. I’m a happier and more fulfilled person when I think, “I can!” We just aren’t compatible. I have taken the liberty of packing your stuff and have even booked a hotel for you in town. With your personality and way with people, I’m sure you won’t have a problem finding someone else to hang around with. If you find yourself bored in town or with no companionship, hop on the train. Enjoy the scenery and the ride. I’m sure things will work out for you. Best of luck to you. I’ve got things to do.
Bye…..
What’s the most important factor in any relationship?
None of us are an island to ourself. Our relationships to others impact us. How are your relationships impacting you?
Survival War Games
I need my hunter home. I spent the best part of the day protecting our patio tomato plant from a brazen chipmunk hussy who thinks she can sneak from one end of the long deck to another to eat the fruit of our labors. I see her scamper past the patio door. She hears the door open and freezes, looking first to the right and then to left. Her dilemma – where to go? To the left is a drop-off, to the right is a solid wall, and to the rear is another drop-off. Oh, my! The only way out is to zigzag back the way she came, with me chasing her. Racing off the deck, she jumps to the walkway then leaps off the wall and scampers under the island deck. Safe again! We have played this game for hours today, and she wins once again. Or do I? Our tomato plant is still unharmed. Or so I think….
I do not see her again for some time so I return to my work. Later I look out the front door to find an entire branch from our patio tomato lying at the threshold. She did not even bother to eat the fruit, just left it by the door to wither in the sun.
When the hunter arrives she will have more than I to face. His aim is good. He has nurtured and protected this tomato plant from the wind and extreme heat. I do not believe he will be willing to surrender the plant to the chipmunk. I believe the rules will change! Let the games begin…..
Journey to the Heights 