I was reading a post on another blog - bloggers are so great! - and the line worth the price of admission was to "keep your bucket list short and your fences mended and never put off 'til tomorrow what is truly important to you." I have a tendency to put things off because I think there'll be time for that later. Only sometimes there is NOT time for that later. Later never gets a chance because some things will end today.
Many times it's not that I decided to put things off until tomorrow, but just didn't have - or make - time to include them today. Time flies. Tired cliche' I know, but often true. And suddenly there's tomorrow looming with both its own tasks and good intentions left from today. Even blogging finds a stack of incomplete posts. 11 out of 30 remain unposted. But my writing sometimes take a different turn from where I started and I'm not ready to put that much of myself out there. So my list of blogs grows, but my published ones continue to lag behind. And that's ok. They're teaching me things I need to know.
Going back to the original line that caught my attention, I want to make a bucket list and actually do the things I put on it! For those who understand the term, #1 on my list is my Artist Date. What a concept. Take myself out! If I can't do that how will I ever do anything more adventurous? Now I need someone to hold me accountable - one Artist Date by the 15th ... or at least by the 30th ... hmm, April might be better ....
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Home Improvement
Ok ... I've been out for awhile doing some minor adjustments to my living room. I painted the walls a delightful shade of blue, replaced the 20 year old furniture and added an HDTV. I've done what I can to stimulate the economy as well as give my place a new look!
When I shop for furniture, I'm looking first for comfort. Like Goldilocks, I want it to be just right - not too soft, not too firm. When I was in the showroom, the sofa felt just right. However, when it arrived and I sat on it at home, I couldn't get comfortable. I had a moment of panic when I thought of what I had paid for something I couldn't sit on! As I continued looking for ways to sit comfortably on my new sofa, I remembered that I had been sitting on my old sofa for over twenty years! I definitely had a well-worn groove that fit me perfectly - or so I thought.
Because the new sofa is now the only sofa, I have to find ways to adjust. I've plumped the pillows, snuggled in the corners, bounced in the middle and generally been working to make the new feel like the old. Ah, but it's not the old! I got rid of the old because it was no longer working for me. The well-worn groove was creating its own discomfort. And we all know where this is going, don't we?
How many of our old ways are no longer working for us? The familiar patterns and comfortable routines no longer bring the desired results. And yet, it's hard to let go of the way we've always done it. As I learn to settle into the new sofa, I'm finding a new experience of being comfortable. It's not like the old. It has its own feel and you know what? I'm liking it!
When I shop for furniture, I'm looking first for comfort. Like Goldilocks, I want it to be just right - not too soft, not too firm. When I was in the showroom, the sofa felt just right. However, when it arrived and I sat on it at home, I couldn't get comfortable. I had a moment of panic when I thought of what I had paid for something I couldn't sit on! As I continued looking for ways to sit comfortably on my new sofa, I remembered that I had been sitting on my old sofa for over twenty years! I definitely had a well-worn groove that fit me perfectly - or so I thought.
Because the new sofa is now the only sofa, I have to find ways to adjust. I've plumped the pillows, snuggled in the corners, bounced in the middle and generally been working to make the new feel like the old. Ah, but it's not the old! I got rid of the old because it was no longer working for me. The well-worn groove was creating its own discomfort. And we all know where this is going, don't we?
How many of our old ways are no longer working for us? The familiar patterns and comfortable routines no longer bring the desired results. And yet, it's hard to let go of the way we've always done it. As I learn to settle into the new sofa, I'm finding a new experience of being comfortable. It's not like the old. It has its own feel and you know what? I'm liking it!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Community of Change
I entered the wilderness of transition without a clue, but with a life coach who had both knowledge and understanding of the process. Transitions are challenging times in our lives when, whether by choice or by chance, we enter a period of bewilderment waiting for a new beginning to take shape in our lives. We know for certain that it can no longer be the way it was. A chapter has closed, or is very near the end, and we have nothing in our sights to instill the confidence necessary that we will ever have anything again. We wander, we circle, we wait. What's happening? Nothing!
What can happen in our wildernesses, if we allow it, is community. Whether we quote the bible that it's not good to be alone or Barbra Striesand that people needing people are the luckiest people in the world, it's true. We need one another to make it through the night, the day and the wilderness.
When I look at those I've met in the process of building a new life, I realize how fortunate I am to be surrounded by people who care, encourage, challenge and support me. I have friends, tried and true, who've been part of my life for many years. I've also made new friends from the liminal groups in which I've participated. With each there is a sense of destiny as we come together and connect, at least for a season.
And now I'm discovering the blog community. What wonderful, creative, inspiring people inhabit the world of the blogs I've visited. What encourages me is the sense of connection and community I feel when I meet new people, whether online or in person. Left to the "news" accounts, the world is a scary, hostile place to be. But the people I'm seeing are caring and encouraging, reminding me that life really is about the people we allow into our lives to share the moments, whether briefly or for years to come. The scary places lose their power when we are surrounded by friends.
Hello, friends! I'm so glad to meet you.
What can happen in our wildernesses, if we allow it, is community. Whether we quote the bible that it's not good to be alone or Barbra Striesand that people needing people are the luckiest people in the world, it's true. We need one another to make it through the night, the day and the wilderness.
When I look at those I've met in the process of building a new life, I realize how fortunate I am to be surrounded by people who care, encourage, challenge and support me. I have friends, tried and true, who've been part of my life for many years. I've also made new friends from the liminal groups in which I've participated. With each there is a sense of destiny as we come together and connect, at least for a season.
And now I'm discovering the blog community. What wonderful, creative, inspiring people inhabit the world of the blogs I've visited. What encourages me is the sense of connection and community I feel when I meet new people, whether online or in person. Left to the "news" accounts, the world is a scary, hostile place to be. But the people I'm seeing are caring and encouraging, reminding me that life really is about the people we allow into our lives to share the moments, whether briefly or for years to come. The scary places lose their power when we are surrounded by friends.
Hello, friends! I'm so glad to meet you.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Soar
My word for 2009 is Soar. I found this great picture (posted below because I didn't know how to include it here) It was taken in Maine where I spent my childhood, but I know Old Orchard Beach, so it has memory as well as direction. However, I have no idea what I'm doing when I try to add various items to my blog, so I have this large picture and no way to control it ... Ok, that sounds like my life! I often see the big picture - my dreams - but then I don't know what to do to achieve them or even what steps to take to get started. And so like this picture, they speak to my heart and beckon me, but I just talk about it and seldom actually accomplish what I say I want to do. Step one is learning more about the "gadgets" I try to post. There are many lessons to be learned here.
For now, I think I'll just soar without obligation and check out the sights; but keep my eyes open for the next step. I know it's out there. And I do have a bird's eye view!
For now, I think I'll just soar without obligation and check out the sights; but keep my eyes open for the next step. I know it's out there. And I do have a bird's eye view!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Blogging Without Obligation
Did you notice the logo on the left - Blogging Without Obligation? What a concept! I came across a comment in another blog relating to this and it really does set the captives free! The author created the logo (and allows anyone to use it) after noticing how often bloggers apologize for not having blogged recently or consistently. The pressure to perform only makes us slaves to our blogs, not writers looking for avenues of joyful expression. If all I think about is what to say or how long since I've said anything, suddenly I find I have nothing to say!
Ah, the exhilaration of freedom...a highly prized value. As I said earlier, blogging is giving me a chance to grow and learn and develop my writing skills. If I have to worry about how fast, how soon or how well I'm doing it, then I've defeated my primary purpose. I appreciate the release that blogging without obligation brings. And I extend it to you as well, dear reader. Come and go at your leisure. Enjoy the moment and live the mystery -- did she blog today?
Ah, the exhilaration of freedom...a highly prized value. As I said earlier, blogging is giving me a chance to grow and learn and develop my writing skills. If I have to worry about how fast, how soon or how well I'm doing it, then I've defeated my primary purpose. I appreciate the release that blogging without obligation brings. And I extend it to you as well, dear reader. Come and go at your leisure. Enjoy the moment and live the mystery -- did she blog today?
Thursday, January 1, 2009
No Resolutions
It's not my intention to begin the new year with a list of "shoulds!" I found this quote from American journalist, Ellen Goodman - We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential.
This year holds potential and possibility and I desire to take advantage of their opportunities. Potential may not always look neat, tidy and practical. I want to discover the passionate potential that exists in me. Two quotes from Soren Kirkegaard resonate:
If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of potential - for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints; possibility never.
It is very dangerous to go into eternity with possibilities which one has oneself prevented from becoming realities. A possibility is a hint from God. One must follow it.
My intention for the year is to take a hint from God and follow it. Care to join me?
This year holds potential and possibility and I desire to take advantage of their opportunities. Potential may not always look neat, tidy and practical. I want to discover the passionate potential that exists in me. Two quotes from Soren Kirkegaard resonate:
If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of potential - for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints; possibility never.
It is very dangerous to go into eternity with possibilities which one has oneself prevented from becoming realities. A possibility is a hint from God. One must follow it.
My intention for the year is to take a hint from God and follow it. Care to join me?
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