Journaling

I've been a journalist since I was a teen, back in the day we called it a diary and it came with a lock and key. Most of my entries were about my latest boyfriend and the car he drove. Of course, it was all about the car. Sometimes the hair, too

Today as a mature adult (ahem) I still keep a diary but refer to it as a journal, of course. This is a practice that has become a verifiable addiction. But a good addiction, at that. I write religiously every morning, either before or after I exercise, depending on the day. It's a place for me to get my private feelings and thoughts out without burdening another, or feeling self-conscious by admitting my fears, concerns or insecurities.  My journal also helps me to relieve stress and anxiety. A sort of self-help counselor.

My journal is also a place that inspires creativity - whether in a painting I'm working on, a decorating project or a topic to explore on this blog.

No one, not a living soul, is permitted to read my journal. It is my personal sanctuary.

In addition to my daily journal, I also keep a five year journal. This book has a page for every day of the year and on each page is a paragraph on which I write whatever strikes me as memorable about that day. One of my favorite things about this journal is that I can look back to the previous years, simply by looking at the paragraphs above it and read what occurred on that day. At times it's a jolt to see that an entire year or two or three have passed, when I could have sworn it was just a few months. Our lives are moving at such a rapid pace. (Perhaps not right now during this pandemic - but normally it is). It's quite fun to read and recall whatever adventure took place a year or more ago.

I believe if our life is worth living, it's certainly worth logging.

xo

A Silver Lining

There's no denying the catastrophic damage the coronavirus is leveling on the population worldwide. This pandemic has split our hearts open. With God's help and grace we will emerge stronger, smarter and better.

In the meantime, what good can come of this? I dare say that there is quite a bit of good that has already been realized.

The most obvious is a new appreciation for the medical workers and first responders who put the lives of others before their own. All the grocery store employees and delivery personnel that we may previously have taken for granted.

Not only has this become a time for purging our overstuffed closets and cupboards but the goods donated to charities will help the needy.

This period has also been about reconnecting with loved ones; either by phone, FaceTime, or Skype - a time to reach out to those we miss and may not have contacted if we weren't at home. Many of us are also becoming closer to those we live with. Agreed, too much closeness can simply be way too much!

This is also a perfect time for personal reflection. Often we're just too busy to take a moment and look at our lives. Are we living with intention? Are we doing the things that make our hearts sing? If not, why? And when will we begin?

 It's an opportune time to acknowledge the little things that perhaps in the past we've taken for granted; the birds chirping brightly in the morning, the contrast between the pale green cactus and the cloudless azure sky, the joy in scoring a double package of toilet paper!

What about the satisfaction of stepping back and admiring that newly purged closet? Or the pleasure in reading a new novel? Then there's also the delight in that first bite of fudge cake you treated yourself to as a reward for cleaning out that closet!

Some positive environmental impacts have occurred, as well, due to the worldwide decrease in emissions. The stay at home restrictions have given residents in some of the world's most polluted cities something they have not experienced in years: clean air.

This pandemic is not nearly over but as we can see; there is some good that has come of it. If we can set our hearts and minds on acknowledging all the blessings we have we are on the right track.

xo

Do Your Best

A favorite spiritual book of mine is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.  Over the past 20 years or so, I have read this book approximately four times and attempted to practice the agreements in my day to day life.  As with other practices, some of the agreements tended to fall by the wayside. However, the first and fourth have remained blueprinted on my mind and are never too far from my consciousness. The second and third agreements are a bit more challenging.

The Four Agreements are:

1.  Be Impeccable with Your Word
2.  Don't Take Anything Personally
3.  Don't Make Assumptions
4.  Always Do Your Best

It is the fourth agreement that I've been more conscious of lately.  Since the Covid 19 pandemic began, life as we knew it has changed dramatically.

Regarding the Fourth Agreement, Mr. Ruiz advises: "Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret."

Now that we are living life beyond anything we could have imagined, our best may vary tremendously from day to day. Some days your best may simply be getting out of your p.j.'s and into a pair of sweats. Tomorrow, you may jump out of bed with enthusiasm, happy to greet another day, regardless of what may be in store for you. You get into your clothes and walking shoes and are out the door for a vigorous walk as the sun is rising. Okay, granted this may be a bit extreme, but let's leave it at: taking a neighborhood walk after a cup of coffee and a bite to eat.

Do things that help you feel "normal"or maybe even great. I make sure I put on makeup every day even though most days I don't leave the house after my morning walk. I (almost) always get out of my exercise clothes - again, my best varies from day to day, but I make an attempt to do whatever my best is that day.

The point is, do your best, whatever that may be and do not judge yourself, nor chastise yourself for not doing more. Be kind to yourself. It's quite simple - do your best, whatever that may look like today.

xo

No Complaints

We're under a lot of stress. The corona virus pandemic isn't easy for anyone. Some of us are getting bored since we can't play golf, or tennis or pickle ball, or go out to dinner with our friends or family. Yes, many, many have it worse than us. Yet that doesn't stop us from complaining. And I'm not just talking about how we don't like being confined to home. I'm referring to the little things that are getting on our nerves that have nothing to do with the restrictions.

In 2006, a Christ Church Unity minister, Rev. Will Bowen, in St. Louis, MO, began what became a movement of sorts. He challenged his parishioners to refrain from complaining for 21 consecutive days. He appealed to them in a sermon suggesting they shift their focus from lack to abundance. He gave them bracelets to wear on their wrists and whenever they found themselves complaining, the bracelet was moved to the other wrist. Amazingly, most people take four to ten months to make it to three straight weeks without a complaint. The average person complains 20-30 times a day!

I took on the challenge back then and managed to be complaint free for about the first two hours! It was harder than I expected. I'm taking on the challenge again. I have placed a bracelet, my touchstone,  on my right wrist and am curious to see how long I can go without complaining. (True, I have fewer people to complain to during this pandemic, but my hubby will be exceedingly pleased as will Shannon with whom I hike daily and the friends I check in with by phone).

My belief has always been that our thoughts create our reality. I believe not complaining will generate happier thoughts, leading to more contentment and peace.

Rev. Bowen says: "Complaining is like bad breath. You notice it when it comes out of someone else's mouth but not when it comes out of your own". Not a pleasant thought, but true.

I also think it is cleansing to be able to vent about issues that bother us, at least to our besties. I'm not sure how this need to "vent" will be actualized in a positive manner.  I'm willing to give it a go. For now though, I am determined to focus on the all the good I have in my life. And, of course, work on putting an end to complaining. How about you? Do you think you could go 21 days without complaining? Let's give it a try.

xo



xo

Blessed

Shannon and I live three houses apart yet we take separate cars to drive the mile or so to our favorite hiking trails since the Covid-19 pandemic began.  Once there we try to maintain a gap of several feet. It's a beautiful trail - especially now with the wildflowers blooming and patches of green grass everywhere, thanks to the abundant rain that fell on the desert this winter.  We go early to avoid as many hikers as possible, still there are a few, keeping their distance, as well. Our new normal. Yet, I know how blessed we are.

Accounts of overcrowded hospitals, not enough protective equipment for the medical staffs, a short supply of testing kits, grocery stores running out of food. Don't even get me started on the lack of toilet paper or disinfectant sprays and wipes.  Still, we are blessed.

We have plenty of food. A pot roast is cooking in the crock pot as I write this, surrounded by potatoes and carrots. My Golden Retriever, Merlin, still has a cupboard full of treats. Yes, we are blessed.

However, many, many people have died all across the globe from this unfathomable virus. Hospital workers are putting their lives on the line daily. Our supermarket employees are hard at work stocking shelves and ringing up our purchases. The UPS, Amazon, Post Office and Fed Ex drivers are still managing to get our goods to us. So many are risking their personal health and welfare in order to help others. Could this be a reset button for us to wake up and love more? Be more charitable? Appreciate all that we have? Be grateful for all those who are working around the clock to help others?

Will we emerge from this a better human being? No longer take for granted all that we have? Perhaps give more of ourselves?

Sure I miss going out to dinner, playing pickle ball with my friends, getting a manicure - but I have become acutely aware that these things I can live without. A minor inconvenience.

I have my health. My husband, son, sisters and brother are well as are my extended family and my friends, thus far. Yes, I am blessed and grateful to all those who have been doing amazing work to help all of us.

My heart goes out to those who have lost a loved one or who may have been diagnosed with the virus. And most of all - a huge thank you to those people who are putting their lives at risk daily. We are blessed to have you. Stay safe.

xo