Feeling Good

I'm almost a little embarrassed to admit this, but some days I'm feeling really good. Then I remember what I forgot - that we're in the middle of a national crisis. And I begin to feel guilty for feeling good. Geez, it's kind of crazy and puzzling  - isn't it? Yet, we have the right to feel good, to be happy. Actually, it's more than a right, it's a responsibility. How can we be of service or a help to anyone if we're feeling crummy? How do we even help ourselves?

"Feeling good is the gateway to gratitude. The better we feel about ourselves, the more grateful we are. The more grateful we are, the better we feel about ourselves." (from the book Gratitude and Trust).

My routine during this pandemic has been consistent. The only change has been the hour my day begins. Now that it is god-awful sweltering hot in Arizona, my day begins at 5:15 or so. I meet my dear friend Shannon with our pups for a walk that varies in length from 30 minutes to over an hour depending on our energy level. When the dreaded alarm vibrates on my Fitbit my first reaction is - oh no, can't be morning - it's still dark outside! However, as soon as my sweetheart Golden Retriever, Merlin, looks me in the eye with his big smile, I know I cannot disappoint him. Unconditional, never-ending love is what he exudes. Now my spirits, if not my energy, are lifted. Now I'm experiencing gratitude, not just for him, but for life itself, no matter what is going on in our world. How blessed are we that we get another day?

Are you able to feel appreciation for another day despite all the unrest and unknowns? Are you able to take a minute and take a breath and say yes to another day? Do you have a routine that helps your life stay somewhat on track?

What keeps my outlook positive and fuels me is that I feel I have a purpose (other than taking Merlin for a walk!). I have a reason to get my derriere out of my cozy bed. It's not a huge 'save the world from evil-type' purpose, but it's my little mission that motivates and inspires me. Actually, there are a couple of things - and this little blog is one of my pursuits and the other is creating art.

By having a purpose, we get to beat boredom and discontent at its own game, by being even more resolute than it is.

It would be abnormal not to be affected by all the happenings in the world. Human beings are born to feel and react to the challenges and opportunities life hands us. I believe that having a purpose centers us and gives us a place to express feelings, and acknowledge the gift of another day.

xo

What to Write About?

Sometimes I'm not sure what to write about. It's not that I don't have ideas. Quite the contrary. I have so many - which one should I choose; the ongoing pandemic, health, aging, the absence of travel or seeing and hugging our loved ones? So many choices.

I don't want to write too often about the current state of our country even though it is of utmost importance. It can be difficult to stay honestly and matter of factly upbeat about it. Yes, of course, we are fortunate in so many ways. In the first place, we are privileged to be Americans. What other country offers what the U.S. does regardless of where you live? No Pollyanna rhetoric here as I'm well aware of the poverty, racial unrest, and free-floating anxiety many of us are experiencing.

The truth of it is we are blessed to be here despite the discord, fear of the unknown as well as concerns of the present and unease and apprehension of the future. Many of us have lost loved ones - irreplaceable beings, lost jobs and sometimes we lose hope. I'm saddened by this.

The antidote for this state of affairs may be plain old gratitude. I've written about gratitude previously and more can always be said:

"Gratitude is, in its purest sense, living in the moment. It is being attuned to all that is around you and being at peace with it. It's touching the unknown power inside of you and knowing you are not alone and that you are being guided to a better place each and every day." (From Gratitude and Trust by Paul Williams and Tracey Jackson.)

If we stop now and then during our day, and relish the moment, all is well in that moment. I agree, it may be difficult to be at peace when our world has been turned upside down. Let's take the time to actually recognize how truly blessed we are - in spite of the hardships that are being felt by so many.

Meister Eckhart, philosopher, theologian and mystic said: "If the only prayer you ever said was "Thank You", that would be enough.

xo

So Much to Think About

There is so much going on in our country right now. The Covid is not only still with us, it is escalating in many states. It is spreading among the younger adults mainly due to foolish, irresponsible behavior on their part. Not only could they become infected by attending up-close and personal parties, but, obviously, they can bring it home to their parents, siblings, and many others.

It's time for schools to reopen and the battle is waging among government, teachers, parents and health officials. Yes, children need to be in school but at what cost to their wellbeing? Something else to think about.

A student in a high school in Georgia made a video with his phone showing the overcrowded hallways and the primarily non-mask wearing students, put it on social media and was promptly suspended. What? Since that day, many students contracted the virus and are now under quarantine.

Now, I'm learning that the lives of the health officials who are doing their best to get the information disseminated and delivered to the public are being threatened. I ask; Why? Who are these bullies and why are they doing this? The mind boggles.

Protests that began in the Spring in Portland have turned into riots and looting and major destruction of property. Yes, the original motivation was to support Black Lives Matter in this unlikely 70% white populated city but now it has gotten completely out of control.

The Russians are already meddling in our presidential election. Again. But wait, there's more - they've already developed the first Covid -19 vaccine. Yeah, right.

The economy as we knew it no longer exists and exactly how will it be uprighted?

So many questions, so few agreed upon answers. And so many moving parts.

Despite it all, and I've shared this before, America is a country with faith and hope and the knowledge that we will pull together. We need strong and brave and honest leadership. We must believe we will prevail. This is not cockeyed optimism. It is faith in the American people. We have power. We can Vote.

xo

Creativity

Many of us believe we are not creative. When we think of creative people we think of Picasso, van Gogh, Hemingway, or Beethoven. You know,  really creative, artistic types. Not the ordinary Joe,  like you or me.

The truth is - everyday people are artistic and creative, as well. As Pam Grout relates; Howard Finster, a retired minister with a sixth grade education didn't pick up a paintbrush until he was in his 60's. One day, God said to him, "Howard, I want you to start painting."  He reminded God that he hadn't a clue how to paint and God retorted just as quickly, "How do you know?" Over the course of the next 28 or so years, Howard produced 46,000 paintings. True, a good deal of his artwork was not traditional art, however, Barbra Streisand, Woody Allen and others have paid upward of $20,000 for his artwork.

My son Nick takes beautiful and unusual photographs as he strolls through his San Francisco neighborhood. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes and is always baking something yummy. He is purchasing furniture for his apartment and takes pride in decorating it and hanging artwork on newly painted walls. Yet, still insists he isn't creative. Where do we get the idea that creative folks are not us?

Everyone has creativity. Some are mathematicians, or scientists or dancers or writers. It's all creativity. We simply must acknowledge it, coax it out, nurture it and it will grow.

Betty Edwards, author of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, compared creating art to reading. "We don't give kids a stack of books and expect them to know how to read. We wouldn't accuse them of not having the aptitude for reading if they didn't pick it up on their own." (from Pam Grout's Art and Soul).

Why do we think we should create a masterpiece the first time we take a stab at oil painting? Or write a best seller after our first draft? Practice, patience and the constant doing will produce a work that will be not half bad. It has the potential to be good, but it hasn't quite made it there. The secret is not to give up. Perseverance, my sweet.

What little nudge or inkling of a creative idea do you receive from the ethers now and again? Follow that notion and see where it may lead. What better time than now to follow those little whispers and hints? Just imagine what you might create.

xo