The Degree in the Blue Frame.

     Here is my latest rant over something posted on Facebook.  I just don't think you can make a judgment call like this.  There is no way to know what is in the heart or mind of another. 
     Maybe someone would find comfort in rereading their financial statement on their death bed.  They may be comforted by the fact they are leaving their loved ones with enough money to carry on without struggle.  They might have worked hard their whole life to give their children a better life than they had growing up.
     Maybe that car is so important because it once belonged to their grandfather.  Who they loved and respected so much they just had to spend all that money to restore the car he had enjoyed.  It might be wonderful to be carried out to the garage one last time.  To sit in that car and remember the wonderful times spent with their grandfather and the Sunday drives with friends and family through the years.  The radio just might be playing their favorite song.
     As for me; hand me my college degree.  It is a symbol of my hard work and my commitment to helping others.  I earned that degree because what mattered then was people.  I couldn't have spent my life counseling those who needed a helping hand if I had not gone to college.
     If you truly believe that what matters most is people and relationships then take time to talk to those in your life.  Ask them about what is important to them and why.  And don't wait until they are on their death bed.

The Writer's Room

I like many writers carved myself out some space in which to write.  A room void of noise and interruption. A simple place.  A space where I could write that was without distraction.  It was everything I had dreamed of.

Except ..... I never wrote in there.  A few weeks ago I sat in there, determined to figure out why.  I could not.  It seemed the perfect writing room.  What is the problem? 

It is not that I don't write.  It is that I don't write in there.  I write in my office being interrupted by the phone, the doorbell, and email.  I write on the front porch with pen and paper watching the world go by.  That is when it hit me, I need stimulation in order to write! 

I don't know where I got the idea that I needed a room, locked away from the world to write.  Maybe I read it somewhere.  Or may it was just an excuse at one point, "I can't write because I need a place without distraction." However the thought had become stuffed into my brain; it had manifested itself into a writing room I could not write in.

I am someone who believes in change.  So a change was going to be made!  I was no longer going to try to force myself to write in that room.  First, I moved my desk so I could look out the window at the world.  Then I added a bird feeder just outside to watch the birds fly by.  Much better, but not enough.  So ...........
In came a lamp, in came the cat, in came shelves filled with knick-knacks.
In came a new rug, in came the books, in came the houseplants filling every nook.
In came the quilts, in came the throws, in came the carnival ducks sitting in a row.
Lots and lots of little changes that made this space my own.

Most importantly, in came me!  Now I had truly created the writing room for me.  A space locked away, but not too far.  A place filled with things that stimulate my creativity and calm my nerves.
A room I find I can't wait to sit in with my computer, my cat, and my thoughts.  I am in there, writing. A new happy place where just maybe I can find my true writer's voice.

Isn't is amazing how there seems to be a life lesson to be learned in every little aspect life.  Even writing rooms.  This became not only a room redo, but an opportunity to learn more about myself and what I need to be happy.

What NOT to Do on Your Staycation.

Thinking about taking a staycation, but don't know what to do with your self for 7 great days at home.  Well, that is a question that only you can answer.  Only you know what truly relaxes you.  Only you know what activities will send you back to the world of work refreshed.  However, I would be happy to suggest 7 things NOT to do:

1)  Don't go to work.  None of that, "well they were having trouble with such and such and it wasn't like I was going any where."  Yes, you were going some where .... HOME.  Your on vacation from work, it doesn't matter where your vacationing at.

2)  Don't go to work.  Not with the use of electronics either.  No work related emails, phone calls, or texts.  Even a quick, little text that took 3 seconds can put your mind back into work mode for hours.  Let them figure it out on their own, it's good for them.

3)  Don't make plans with people from work.  Or phone, email, and text.  They will talk about work!  Using this time to really let go of work and rest is the very best use of your time off.  In fact, why not unplug completely.  Turn it all off for the week or at lest limit your time and exposure to phones, internet, and television.

4)  Don't make appointments. Going to the doctor, dentist, or accountant is not relaxing.  OK, you can make an appointment or two.  Think massage, pedicure, new haircut.

5)  Don't clean out kitchen storage or the garage or the basement or do the spring cleaning.  Who ever heard of going on sabbatical to be a maid for week?  I do suggest doing the dishes everyday, you don't want that mess at weeks end.  Let the rest go.  Alright, you can put clean sheets on the bed and make it.  Only because it makes you feel like your in a hotel and only if you planning to take a nap in it.  I will admit to cleaning the fish tank on my last staycation, but only because I wanted to sit and watch the fish and couldn't see them through the algae.  The same principal might apply to hot tubs, swimming pools, and decks.

6)  No huge home improvement projects.  That is big time working.  Sometimes it is your only chance, so try to have lots of help and make sure it isn't going to take the week.

7)  Don't jump up and do every little thing you see that needs done just because you have the time.  Say to yourself, "I need to weed the veggie garden when I return from my vacation."  Then go back to lounging, napping, crafting, reading, and resting.

Truly kick back and rest.  Plan for some days when the kids will be in school or away.  Plan for alone time and a little couple time.  Time to rest, relax, and enjoy is time will spent.  In America, we are not too keen on that concept.  It is time we started changing that for ourselves one staycation or Sunday at a time. 

Be careful on the drive home and have a great staycation! 

The Creative's Day Off

      Wishing to spend some time outdoors on this summer's day she grabs her camera and heads out back.  Spending the first hour of the day staking birds and shooting lilies. 
      Still feeling tired and stressed from the week, she renters the house and puts on a little music to delight her soul.  While dancing to a tune, one line from the song sends her to the couch with journal in hand.
      Journaling about something that had been weighing on her mind brings a breakthrough. And sparks some ideas, causing her to reach for her "idea notebook."  Struggling with the "how to" of an idea, she begins to draw tulips on the page.
      Changing to her drawing journal, she draws the tulips again coloring them with a bright red marker.  The color of geraniums?
      Scooping up the cat she heads over to her studio to paint.  A large watercolor of red geraniums.
After a couple of hours of work she is satisfied with the result.  So much so that she decides to frame it later. 
      Into storage to find a frame.  Then to the shop to search for some flat black spray paint.  Discovering a can of bright pink.  Huh?   She brings it along as well.  Stopping at storage again on her way to the backyard she gets out an antique piano stool that had been forgotten and left in a corner.
      In the backyard she paints her items.  Uses the drying time to eat a snack and read on the patio.
      Now dry the hot pink piano stool is taken into the house.  While looking for the perfect spot for this stool she hears a cardinal call.  Not a real cardinal, a fake one.  It is two o'clock!!!!!
      She had forgotten to phone a friend this morning as promised. She flipped on the computer to send him an apologetic note.
      That some how became this blog post!

      Sorry Wade!  I know you totally get it.  Hope you had a great day.

 

 



      

It's Summer Time!

    It's summer time you know.  Are you having fun?  Are you there yet?

      All work and no play makes summer like the rest of the year.  How sad is that?    Summer is the best time for getting in touch with your inner child.  I highly recommend that for your good mental health.  What did you love about summer when you were just a kid?  Besides not going to school.  For me it was biking riding all morning and then going to the pool to swim all afternoon. 
      I am as guilty as anyone about just letting summer slide by.  I haven't been in a pool since my granddaughters were in their preteens.  And bike riding?  Where is my bike?  What ever happened to it?  Let's see, last time I saw it I think the seat was missing.  Hey, when was the last time I drove my convertible?  Didn't we buy a new tent?  What happen to that?  I know we never used it.  Where are the frisbees we bought to try frisbee golf?  I hoping this doesn't sound familiar to you.
      I didn't realize it was this bad!  How does this happen?  I sometimes forget there is a swing right in my backyard.  I used to drink lemonade for breakfast on warm days.  And do yoga on the patio. 
     Well it isn't that hot this summer and I think there is no excuse for laying around in the house instead of in the sun.  I think we should make 2014 the summer of the inner child.  We should all find a place to swim, ride a bike, take a walk, swing in the park, play horseshoes, go on a picnic, do a silly craft project, read a book from our childhood, blow bubbles, drink kool aid, and act like a child. 
     So what do you think?  Will you join the movement?  Hey, why not?  A licensed mental health practitioner just gave you permission to act like a kid.  Take advantage of that and the weather.  Don't forget to wear you shorts and flip-flops!

For some more ideas in child like fun see the "Something to Do" page!

Creating Space

    " I don't have time!"  Do you hear yourself saying this whenever someone makes a suggestion about you doing something that might make you happier or help you reach a goal?
     You can read all the right books, buy all the right tools, you can clear a place to do your art, and still not be working toward your goals.  Because you don't have the time.  Time doesn't fall into your day.  You have to create the space in your life for the things you find important.
      "How can I do that?!  There is only 24 hours in each day!  And I have so much to do!"
      Step one:  Be 100% honest with yourself about how you spend the 24 hours you have each day.  How many hours do you spend watching television?  A creative friend of mine discovered through keeping a TV log that he watched an average of five (5) hours of TV each evening.  Turned out it was mostly reruns, shows he didn't even enjoy that much, or movies he had already seen.  Five hours is a lot time to be painting, writing, or exercising.  Just three of the things he felt he didn't have time or.    
    How about your computer time?  Yes, I know much of your computer time is worthwhile; keeping up on the latest trends, having conversations with friends and family, and reading great things like this blog.  Being honest much of it is just surfing, playing games, pinning, and checking in to social media way too much. 
     Phone calls?  I just took a call in the middle of writing this.  I didn't really want to talk to this person.  So why did I talk to them for 48 minutes?!  Seriously, an hour gone!  Texting is another thing that maybe keeping you from concentrating on your goals. 
     Now that you have kept a log and discovered the time you are wasting on computers, television, and phones.  All you have to do is change your behaviors.  You just found about 40 hours a week.  Wasn't that simple?  You didn't even have to say "no" to anyone, give up social engagements, or let important things like parenting and housework fall by the wayside.
     You have created space in your life for more of the good stuff.  Space for hobbies, working on goals, exercise, relaxation, and fun.  Happiness found.

Run For The Roses!

There once was a colt born to no account parents.  Which no doubt made this colt of no account.

But there were these people who didn't see it that way.  They bought the little horse and took him away, under their wings and trained him to be a racehorse.  People told them they were wasting their time.  People told them they were throwing their money away.  People told them they were stupid.  They were so criticized by others that they named themselves "The Dumb Ass Partners" DAP for short.  But they didn't change their minds about this horse. They believed in him.  They believed in themselves. They all worked hard the owners, the trainer, and the horse.

This is the story of a horse named California Chrome.  The winner of the 140th Kentucky Derby.

 

The jockey told reporters he just rode California Chrome and let the horse run his own race.

 

No matter what other people might say about you, your family, or those who believe in you: let it all roll off your back.  Work hard, learn what you need to learn, get the training you need.

 Believe in yourself.  Go out there and run your own race. 

 

We'll soon be seeing you in the winners circle!!