Christmas. Hanukkah. Impeachment. Gratitude. Confusion. Frigid weather. So much to write about - where to begin? I was actually considering taking a break - skipping a week since yesterday was Christmas and I'm in California in my little apartment with my sweet husband and out of my usual writing location in Arizona. Though I have written from here before. Then I re-thought it. I have not missed a post since I began this blog on December 30 of last year. I'd be disappointed in myself if I broke my streak.
Returning to the first sentence - there has been lots of good and some not so good. Christmas was wonderful, of course. I had 10 of my nearest and dearest for Christmas Eve dinner of Coq au Vin and yummy side dishes. We started with appetizers and finished with homemade cheesecake with tart cherry topping and salted chocolate chunk cookies.
It was wonderful sharing food, laughter and stories. The not so good part is the impeachment of the President of the United States. Regardless of your political leaning, impeachment is a serious and solemn event and not a happy day for anyone. However, how fortunate are we to live in a country where this is even possible? I say we are extraordinarily fortunate.
It's too early to see where this process will take us and it's a bit disconcerting not knowing - still, better to be thorough than rush through something this serious.
As I said in my Thanksgiving post - I am grateful for all I have and thank God daily for all He has bestowed on me and my loved ones.
I hope your holiday was joyful and for those who may have sadness in your life, my heart goes out to you.
xo
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Focus on the Positive
At this busy time of year - the few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah - can make us just a little nutty. So much to do: shopping for the perfect gifts for our loved ones, planning menus, attending parties, baking goodies, making sure the house is clean enough to entertain a guest or 10. And dare I mention the usual chores of grocery shopping and meal preparation for self and/or family. There's always laundry, tending to the various needs of family members and for those still working outside the home - there's that. OMG. We need to take a break and take a breath.
Often we are so busy with all these activities that looking at what we still must do can be overwhelming. What if we were to take a moment and acknowledge all we've accomplished. For many of us, what stands out in our minds is what we haven't done that still needs doing. Focusing on what you haven't done creates stress and anxiety. Sometimes just by putting a positive spin on the situation, we can turn our frantic, busy day into one we can be proud of. I'm sure you have achieved much of what you intended for the day and even the week. Take the time to notice your progress and the ground gained. This optimistic outlook can turn an evening into a relaxing respite instead of a night worrying and fussing over what has yet to be achieved.
Give yourself a break and recognize that you have done a great job and maybe enjoy one of those yummy cookies you baked!
xo
Often we are so busy with all these activities that looking at what we still must do can be overwhelming. What if we were to take a moment and acknowledge all we've accomplished. For many of us, what stands out in our minds is what we haven't done that still needs doing. Focusing on what you haven't done creates stress and anxiety. Sometimes just by putting a positive spin on the situation, we can turn our frantic, busy day into one we can be proud of. I'm sure you have achieved much of what you intended for the day and even the week. Take the time to notice your progress and the ground gained. This optimistic outlook can turn an evening into a relaxing respite instead of a night worrying and fussing over what has yet to be achieved.
Give yourself a break and recognize that you have done a great job and maybe enjoy one of those yummy cookies you baked!
xo
Thursday, December 12, 2019
With the Support of Others
One of my all time favorite self-help art books is Art and Soul Reloaded by Pam Grout.
One of the many things she writes about is the need of artists for support. However, support is necessary in other areas as well and this little bit from her book speaks volumes":
"Mary Shelley, who was barely 20 when she wrote the classic tale Frankenstein, claimed she'd have never done it without the encouragement of friends who were staying together at a villa in Lake Geneva, Switzerland. It was a dreary, rainy summer and Shelley and friends, including her future husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and the poet Lord Byron, wiled away long days in front of a log fire. Mary, egged on by her poet comrades who challenged one another to write a ghost story, decided to join the fun. She put her mind to work until, one night, the muses woke her up with a horrifying tale of the now-familiar young doctor and his unorthodox science experiment.
Mary Shelley may not have been alert enough to catch the story if she hadn't been around others with an artistic vision."
I know - unlikely to happen to us, (or is it?) even if we are writers. It speaks to the subject of support; whether it is in the form of friends, teachers, a painting atelier or a sports team. Knowing there is someone or several people cheering us on and encouraging us when our morale sags can keep us going.
Several years ago, I attended an informal weekly art group. We had an instructor, but she didn't teach - she was merely there to jump in and lend a hand when one of us was stuck or needed a verbal or hands-on boost. In addition, the support and reassurance of the members of the group was invaluable. Artists can be a sensitive, touchy bunch but having others' understanding made a huge difference.
Now I am in a posse of pickleball playing women and they are not only majorly fun to play with but not a game goes by that I don't hear one or another congratulating a player for a great shot, or a terrific game. We play better because of the support and encouragement of one another.
xo
One of the many things she writes about is the need of artists for support. However, support is necessary in other areas as well and this little bit from her book speaks volumes":
"Mary Shelley, who was barely 20 when she wrote the classic tale Frankenstein, claimed she'd have never done it without the encouragement of friends who were staying together at a villa in Lake Geneva, Switzerland. It was a dreary, rainy summer and Shelley and friends, including her future husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and the poet Lord Byron, wiled away long days in front of a log fire. Mary, egged on by her poet comrades who challenged one another to write a ghost story, decided to join the fun. She put her mind to work until, one night, the muses woke her up with a horrifying tale of the now-familiar young doctor and his unorthodox science experiment.
Mary Shelley may not have been alert enough to catch the story if she hadn't been around others with an artistic vision."
I know - unlikely to happen to us, (or is it?) even if we are writers. It speaks to the subject of support; whether it is in the form of friends, teachers, a painting atelier or a sports team. Knowing there is someone or several people cheering us on and encouraging us when our morale sags can keep us going.
Several years ago, I attended an informal weekly art group. We had an instructor, but she didn't teach - she was merely there to jump in and lend a hand when one of us was stuck or needed a verbal or hands-on boost. In addition, the support and reassurance of the members of the group was invaluable. Artists can be a sensitive, touchy bunch but having others' understanding made a huge difference.
Now I am in a posse of pickleball playing women and they are not only majorly fun to play with but not a game goes by that I don't hear one or another congratulating a player for a great shot, or a terrific game. We play better because of the support and encouragement of one another.
xo
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Lessons Through Challenges
I decided to quit drinking in September 2018 and it was one of the best decisions of my life. However, it's not always a walk in the park. Thus, for support, I joined an online sober community headed by Holly Whitaker and signed on for 40 days worth of daily mantras to help shift any negative thoughts into loving, hopeful or optimistic thoughts.
Generally, I'm a very positive, happy person, however, there are times, when even the most benign occurrence can annoy me, and today's mantra has come in handy: "My challenges are my greatest learning devices".
The petty incident that bothered me happened at pickleball league yesterday. My partner for one of the games was a man who was frustrating to play with as he didn't even try to hit the ball if it was out of his reach. I consider myself a fairly competitive person - not extremely competitive, but, if you're playing in a league the point is to do your best to win! Gee, shouldn't that be the very basic intention?
Today, I played pickleball with friends and after 3 games or so, my back began to hurt and I wasn't able to chase the ball as I normally would. Insert today's mantra: "my challenges are my greatest learning devices!". I have no idea why the gentleman I played with yesterday did not attempt to chase the balls, but I am humbled to realize he, too, could have been in pain.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are devastating events that bring us to our knees and this I have experienced, as well. The death of my oldest son, Anthony, at the age of 36, four years ago was the most painful heartache I have endured. This, too, was a learning experience: treasure every day as though it is your last and see every person as a gift that has been given to you. Do not wait to tell your loved ones how you feel. Tell them now and tell them often.
Every day is a chance to do better and be a better person and to accept life's challenges, big and small, with an open heart, if not open arms.
xo
Generally, I'm a very positive, happy person, however, there are times, when even the most benign occurrence can annoy me, and today's mantra has come in handy: "My challenges are my greatest learning devices".
The petty incident that bothered me happened at pickleball league yesterday. My partner for one of the games was a man who was frustrating to play with as he didn't even try to hit the ball if it was out of his reach. I consider myself a fairly competitive person - not extremely competitive, but, if you're playing in a league the point is to do your best to win! Gee, shouldn't that be the very basic intention?
Today, I played pickleball with friends and after 3 games or so, my back began to hurt and I wasn't able to chase the ball as I normally would. Insert today's mantra: "my challenges are my greatest learning devices!". I have no idea why the gentleman I played with yesterday did not attempt to chase the balls, but I am humbled to realize he, too, could have been in pain.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are devastating events that bring us to our knees and this I have experienced, as well. The death of my oldest son, Anthony, at the age of 36, four years ago was the most painful heartache I have endured. This, too, was a learning experience: treasure every day as though it is your last and see every person as a gift that has been given to you. Do not wait to tell your loved ones how you feel. Tell them now and tell them often.
Every day is a chance to do better and be a better person and to accept life's challenges, big and small, with an open heart, if not open arms.
xo
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