Surprises life can bring: the emergence of a different me!

It is absolutely amazing the surprises that life can bring, both good and bad. The one thing that I have learned over time is how to roll with the punches.

In an effort to regain control of my house and home, I attacked the many boxes and bags of ‘stuff’ that have been lurking in the various corners and back shelves of my house. I grew up in a home that was always immaculate and then in my teen years I embarked on a rebellion of such to not follow that example. Well, a person can accumulate only so much ‘stuff’!  My domestic genes decided that it was time for them to emerge and I started to attack the ‘stuff’.

The problem that emerged was that my body was not happy when it came to the explosion of dust that arose from this attack and responded with a ‘delightful’ and strong reaction of my sinuses!  Mega antibiotics and Prednisone have been required to settle my sinuses down. I had to investigate the various masks to wear during my future actions in removing the rest of the ‘stuff’. as the whole transformation is not complete. The salesman and I both become claustrophobic when wearing these masks and he showed me the one he uses that has the small vent!  Of course it was the one with the highest price tag!  So be it!

During this whole process of organization, elimination and sorting, I have found among the many items discovered some treasures that were long forgotten. I am going to share two photos. The left is of my bedroom with all my boxes that have been pulled out along with my abundant sleep apnea apparatus. The image on the right, is an almost finished living room. The stuffed tiger on the couch was not quite up to the job when burglars paid us a visit several years ago, but he is a good conversation starter! There is also a very large green frog around, who was my companion when I underwent Chemo.

Many changes were made.

When I look at all that has taken place, I find there is hope for that long forgotten organized person who has waited so long to emerge from within. This can be something that we all have… a part of us that has been lost, forgotten, and just wondering when it may have the chance to explore life as a reality. I doubt that I will ever equal my dear Mom in my neatness, but I have definitely taken a big step forward. “Thanks Mom”

Slow Down… Slow Down

This is that time of year, when the pace of life seems to go into high gear. I love the holidays, but not what comes with it. Wish I was one who could remember to start the gift business in January. I do not get many gifts, but the thinking about them, who needs or should get what can be too much when the time is close. I love to make gifts, but that takes real planning… like start in June planning.

For years I always made my own Christmas cards. In the beginning I did wood or linoleum blocks and printed them with my printing press. One year I did up to 3 colors on one card, and got the colors lined up pretty good!

Nativity done in 3 block print

Then I ‘graduated’ to doing them on the computer, using my photographs or digital art and printed them from there. Last year was just a letter. It had lots of photographs along one side… this year, no photographs available. Oh well… working on an idea, but it is way after my usual starting time for doing my cards. The one below was done so long ago. The original size has made it hard to enlarge without a lot of Photoshop work. It was done in Painter, long before it was bought by Corel.

Nativity done in Painter 4

One last look at a linoleum block print… one color. The paper has seen better days. I had to remove age spots! I have the blocks, but stupidly did not keep a printed sample from each card. There were a few designs that I am sure the recipients thought were a bit odd…

We all need Faith

What we all need to do during this period of rushing around… is to remember to stop and smell the roses, smell the fresh air, visit a quiet place to unwind and regenerate.

Here is a rose for you. Sorry I cannot include the scent!

This is that time that Mindfulness is key to survival. Be aware of your surroundings, listen to those you love. Remember to take deep breaths at those times the rush starts to catch up to you. Find a good book or e-book… take to that quiet place and enjoy. Not only will you enjoy the season more, but those around you will appreciate you more as you will not be stressed out.

It also seems as it during the holidays, obstacles are put in front of us, whether it be health problems of your own or a special person in your life. Believe me, you will be more help to them, if you can step back, regenerate and step in again to help where you are needed. Perhaps, as a family, you can all help each other find a quiet moment to regain the needed strength that is needed to keep going under the added pressure.

Searching… finding a new direction. Thanks to you all!

I know something is there! What is it?

I have been searching for a while for a new direction, mainly to help me discover a new source of income. I have seen many who have used their blogs to bring in income. I am not ready for that. What I have found are resources, other bloggers who share their expertise in developing change. The change may be from within yourself, the immediate physical and mental world around you, or in your approach to how you deal with the challenges of today. How to accomplish more, be more organized, discover and create a product and how to sell your product.

I want to share some of the sources where I have found new knowledge and direction:

Ayo Olaniyan of Discovering Purpose: As he says about his site… “Creating a purpose driven life through personal development” I feel privileged to have been asked to be a contributor to his online magazine, Life Skills Management.

Christopher Foster of The Happy Seeker: “Helping Boomers and all ages live a full life.” I am using his workbook to help me pin point areas where I need to concentrate.

Galen Pearl of 10 Steps to Finding your Happy Place: She shows how to develop habits for finding a joyful spirit in life and keeping it. Her 10 Steps are a real gem.

Stuart Mills of Unlock the Door: Stuart is in the middle of finding change in his life and I can relate to this beautifully. Stuart, we are on our way!

Leo Babauta of Zen Habits: I look at my physical surroundings and see it crying for help. “Simplify me!”   Leo, I am trying.  I need to hire a bulldozer first.

Irving, the Vizier of Han of Harmony: Irving has a way of looking at things from a different perspective. We often get in a rut when it comes to how we respond to things. His perspective has helped me see past ‘my rut.’

Jim Miotke of Productive and Happy: Jim is another who has started a whole new journey in his life and is sharing the how and why of his journey. I am using his ’7-Keys’

Jk Allen of The Hustler’s Notebook:  Here is where I have a real problem…. hustling. For me, just getting through the day is good, but I can still learn from his site and newsletters. I can still hustle… in small ways.

Mary Jaksch of Goodlife Zen: Mary often joins with Leo in helping others slow down and find more meaning in their lives. Peace is there, within each of us. We just have to find it.

Dominique Small of 4Walls and AView: Dominique is an example of true survival against the great and overwhelming challenges. She keeps on moving in spite of it all. I am thankful I do not have to walk in her shoes… she helps me walk in my own

Cindy Mead of WoodSong Photography and so much more: She is another survivor against great odds as well as a most extraordinary photographer. I see her determination and it keeps me going. Observing the beauty of her photography brings a special moment to my day.

Kent Ninomiya of Demand Studio Secrets: While I did not make it with Demand Studios, I learned a great deal from Kent, who is also starting a new journey.  I wish you well, Kent.

There are more, but time is passing and I have other places to be!  I Just wanted to say “Thank You” to some of the great people who have entered my life via the Internet. You have all helped me to find new direction, new ways of looking at life and a new sense of purpose.

There is Something about Boaters

An act of deliberate placement...

Have you ever walked down a dock where large sailing and motorized ocean-going vessels are docked?  I love to look at how the ropes are carefully coiled on the dock.  They look so orderly, not like my backyard hose that was tossed out-of-the-way when I needed to mow. Not like many things I find my self doing.

I think, as I look at this last statement, it means I better start bringing a bit of order to my life. I need to stop and think before tossing something on the table, or the spare bed.  When I really analyze the act of tossing and the act of placing something deliberately, the difference in labor… over time, is in the favor of the deliberate act of placement.  There is nothing more time-consuming than having to look under or around things, looking behind things, when you just ‘know’ it is there… somewhere!