Inspiration

Today I visited Nashville, IN which was established as an artist’s colony and still remains to this day a place where art is a way of life.

All along the streets and alleys, shops display their wares. There are flowers and decorations everywhere. It is such a beautiful place!

Galleries, confectioneries, street performers playing, it is all inspiring.

All of the artists; working in paint, glass, sculpture, and even socks, are local. Sometimes the hard-to-find toys, or the perfect unique gift is hiding among the treasures in the shops, a few of which are really houses. Some of the artists live above their stores.

Even the gardens are inspiring, full of colorful flowers and often outdoor decorations for sale. Windowboxes alive with color even line the alleys!

They offer everything from old to new, food to decorations, hobbies to household goods. There is a tiny shop for any craft. How could you not be inspired?

Generosity

I’m not Generous! At least, not generous enough..

So I tried to begin today. I made 10 copies of a Thank You card on Word and signed them and handed them out at school to the 10 teachers and aides I work with.

Firstly, I made them with all good intentions. I have a very hard time saying thank you when it is needed. I just sometimes think my gratitude is implied. Why I think that, I have no idea, and it has gotten me in trouble in the past.

Thus, when I got to school, part of me wanted to pretend I hadn’t made them and just end the year in silence. I didn’t get to write in a personal note to each one. They were not store-bought or fancy or really special. They felt weak, and I began to get embarrassed.

But I decided to push through, covertly handing out two cards on teacher’s desks who were out of the room. Then I wandered to another classroom and did the same. I was feeling better, like a Secret Santa, on some mission of behind-the-scenes gifting. I enjoy doing things to make people feel good that I don’t have to own up to.

In the third classroom, the teacher was present. CONFRONTATION! I began to feel my cheeks grow red and I planned my attack. Swoop in, look at floor, say a phrase to make little of the gesture, exit.

Surprisingly, the teacher said, “Oh you are so kind! Usually people hate me because I yell at them.”

Floored, I began to wonder how many times she was thanked in her life. I had to reply. I made a lighthearted comment. “It comes with the territory!” So true. I meant that the students she has are often difficult, but I guess that could go for staff, too.. I considered this. Then I stopped considering it because that would require me to cast judgment on the other faculty. That only causes trouble. I do wish this teacher would praise the students more, however that’s a style difference.

I then handed out the rest of my cards in person, with the phrase “I made a little thank you card for everyone.” I received small thanks in return, as is custom and polite. It was all over. I finished my lunch.

I should sum this up by stating something that I learned, but I won’t. I did it. I stepped out of my comfort zone a tiny bit and have a tiny story about it. Nothing huge happened, no vast emotional bridges were crossed and burned, and I don’t feel a strong sense of accomplishment.

This is just a stepping stone. Let’s hope I keep taking small steps like this because one day I will be able to turn back and say ‘See how far I’ve come?’

New Year’s Cleansing

A time of re-evaluation is upon us. It’s the start of a new year. Nothing makes me feel better than cleaning out a closet or cupboard full of crap collecting dust and feeling more organized and free.

I have been cleaning up the crevaces in my house, but what about myself? I have to confess that I’ve been feeling like a friend is mad at me. The best thing to do is to send off a note of apology or confession.

The feelings of organization, being on top of things, or the lightness after a burden is lifted are very similar.

What about you? What makes you feel renewed?

Moderation

Moderation

It’s moderately chilly outside, if you’re a polar bear or a penguin.

It’s moderately wet outside, if you live on a houseboat.

Today’s only moderately different from yesterday,

Yet the tiny difference could mean the world.

Snow!

We’ve had our first snow of the season and then it got really cold! Yes, this is a real picture I took of our snowfall.

Snow puts me in the Christmas spirit though. I associate it with the holiday and want to go shopping, even if I have to bundle up!

Seeing the trees all sparkly and white, fall’s ugly brown all washed way, lifts my spirit.

Freshly fallen snow demands my footprints, but also receives my awe. It is so pretty the way it reshapes the landscape into hills and plains, dunes and valleys. It decorates the trees in coats of white, making each branch stand out and giving a sparkle back to the sun.

The cold air fills my lungs with clean white air, pure and new. Then I shiver and am thankful for the fire and the warm shelter my home provides. I am blessed. Only from inside the warmth of my heart do I feel the need to share the warmth with others.

Ignorance Is Bliss

I’ve been involved in an argument this week.

The kind of argument that will never be resolved.

Because you are FOR one thing, you are automatically AGAINST another, never half and half. If you choose to listen to both sides, even respect them for what they are, but do nothing, you are taking an apathetic path and are more ignorant than the one who takes a side. If you refuse to get involved you are most ignorant of all.

And the most blissfully happy.

So is it worth the fight?

Not if it means you lose your self-respect. In this case, I gained some. With the acquisition of a backbone came some pride. Yeah, I might trip and fall over my big head, but I shall laugh at myself and enjoy the ride.

BE Happy

Stealing from Alexis Fairfield here:

Have you ever been so excited that you couldn’t contain yourself?  That energy lifts you and compels you to share, to interact, to make contact.

Happiness is the interior decorator of the soul. You design how you feel, how you think, how you are.

People say, “I want to be happy,” but they don’t know how to do it. They try various methods that do everything except make them happy. They fail because they try.

Don’t try to find happiness, just be happy. Trying implies you don’t have it. Being is all encompassing. You are the originator of happiness; the founder, CEO, president and it’s only employee.

If you try to contain happiness to a time period, it will shortchange your experience. Just be happy. Don’t try, just be.

That is most of her post, but it solves my problem. I have not been looking for those happy moments to share here. I have tried too hard.

It is time to BE.

Let go and do something not on your To Do list, not part of your schedule, spontaneous, because you FEEL like it.

Refreshing?

Happiness filling you inside?

Thought so.

Dog Days

Usually those hot, humid summer days where you want to do nothing but lay on a block of ice until it melts are called the Dog Days of summer.

Sleepy dog: 'Ceasar'

 

And though fall is my favorite time of year, and these temperate afternoons are beautiful weather for outdoor chores, while the chilly mornings are perfect for indoor fires, I’m feeling some Dog Day doldrums.

It turns out, I just haven’t been taking care of myself, emotionally. It sounds whiny, but without the motivation to escape from the role of mother, I’ve dropped below the level where stopping to smell the roses, taking pictures of my dog, or even an hour of watching tv shows only I enjoy can pick me up. Because I regularly insert moments like these into my life, and I still feel depressed, I can safely say that I need a real vacation from everything. No more distractions, no more mothering, no more whiling away hours at the computer; what I need is a job. Ha! A job would bring purpose to my life and get me away from the slovenly and boring lifestyle that I’ve adapted. Even when I’m researching and interacting online, or cleaning house and being Mom, I am still not happy.

What do you do when you need a big change to break up the monotony?

Oct. 7, 2010

Shoes

Shoes make me happy.

Sore feet are no fun at all.

Shoe shopping may not be snappy,

Especially when going to the mall!

But new shoes make you feel like a million bucks.

Like you’ve been kissed by a million Lady Lucks!

New shoes make me happy.

Make me want to dance.

Whether leather, laces, or something strappy.

Comfortable soles have me entranced.

Maybe it’s a small thing to you,

But to me it’s a dream come true.

Sept. 21, 2010

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy”

Everyday should be a happy day. I know they all aren’t, but at least appreciate what we have, the days. days to spend with family, friends, and all of the Earth. Do something every day that makes you happy.

Listen to this song, again.

Pet a puppy.

Kiss your baby.

Go lie in the sunshine.

Read a favorite book.

Write that idea down.

Actually, journaling all your thoughts is a great way to get them out of your head. Those things that bother you because you keep them all inside need to come out. Those ideas in there, those errands you need to do, all of it needs to come out. I enjoy crossing items off of my list. Maybe it will help you plan a course of action that satisfies you, or maybe it will just make you feel better to put it on paper and throw it away.

Either way, you’ll feel better.