Thursday, December 28, 2017

Word

Transformation: a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.
                           change
                            overhaul
                             redoing
                             reshaping

I can't say I've had a dramatic change in my appearance in 2017. Although, I did try to keep in shape for my daughter's wedding!

I have learned much about redoing and reshaping. Focusing on one word does that. Transformation. 

Mostly, I've finally accepted the fact that I can't change others. Only me. I could spend another year concentrating on transformation. It's a loaded word. As I look back on my journal, there has been change.

C.S. Lewis once said..."isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back everything is different."

Keeping a journal helps me see there has been progress. Great progress.

April 1 ...It's a beautiful spring day. Beautiful. A new month. A transformation time. I'm still learning things are not at all perfect, and I can't control any of it. But, alas there is good. My short story releases April 4. I can't quite wrap my brain around that. It's a crazy thing. I love to write, and yet I'm still pretty scared to do it..

I'm still scared. Weird, but I am.
I've been spending some time looking back so I know how best to move forward. I'm turning 50 soon. Knowing another birthday is just around the bend makes me look at where I've been and where I want to be.   I've got some pretty crazy goals for the next 3, 10, 20 and 30 years. Its been a great lesson in dreaming.

"I don't know where I'm going, but I sure know where I've been...and I've made up my mind. I ain't wasting no more time."
                                         -Whitesnake. (The 80s were the best!)

I'll never get it right. Life doesn't work that way. I'm grateful for being able to look in the rear view mirror and say I'm better off this year because I took the time to focus on my one word. Transformation.

What's my word for 2018?
WONDER: A feeling of surprise mingled with admiration caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar or inexplicable.

2018. Here we go.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Awe


May we all stay in a constant state of wonder as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Happy Christmas. 








Monday, December 18, 2017

Time

                   


                       "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

                                                                              J.R.R.Tolkien
                                     
This morning in my devotions I found his quote. Such wise words from the English author.

It's such a busy time of year. The hustle and bustle to buy gifts, attend parties, finish writing greetings to friends and family,  bake those cookies, rush to recitals...it's all good things. I'm telling myself to be fully engaged in all that I do today, and every day.  Don't just rush through my day. Savor it.

It's about time. 'Time is money' or so they say. As I kept reading, TIME IS LIFE leaped from the page. 

I get to choose how I spend my 24 hours each day. And so do you. I want to spend it well.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Book

What are you reading these days?

I have book club this evening. I can't wait to enter into discussion about Alongside.

Here's what I'm learning...

It's a great read about helping others in their trials. A sort-of 'how to' guide in saying and doing the right things when others are hurting and need our help.

It's not about you is emphasized over and over throughout the pages. Yep. You need to be like a little elf and help when you can without getting in their way, or worse yet, making it about you.

Newsflash...It's definitely not the time to be talking about your ills and those foot in mouth statements about "my aunt got cancer and she died." UGH. SIGH.  Don't say that.

We like to say things like, "Let me know what I can do."  Nothing like giving the person one more thing to do when they don't have the energy or the time to do that one more thing.  Be courageous. Think about their need and do it for them. Know what they need. 

And I love this line...
"It's not your journey. It's theirs."

I'm so much looking forward to others' perspectives tonight.








 

Monday, December 11, 2017

Unexpected Wonder

Last night I was privileged once again to spend time with my writer friends.
We enjoyed a Christmas gathering. 

We ate and laughed and played a game.
Each of us brought a wrapped book. One by one we rolled the dice anticipating a double so we could steal a wanted book from each other.  Much laughter ensued. I knew it would be a fun night.

One thing I didn't expect...
A tea towel stitched with Elizabeth and Mr Darcy! My friend Julie made it for me.
She MADE it. I love receiving a gift that is handmade. I realize the time involved in making such a gift and moreover, I am astounded Julie took the time out of her busy life to make it for me.

I love it. Thank you so much, Julie. What a treasure your friendship means to me.



Thursday, December 7, 2017

Sigh

I have a lot of emotion regarding the influx of sexual harassment making the news.

Harassment in general. 

I will just keep it at this. NO means NO.

Enough said.





Monday, December 4, 2017

The theater

Admittedly, I am not a great photographer!
I need to take a class on how to operate my new camera. Night shots in particular! 
Friday night we went to the theater! Now Playing...A Christmas Carol. That's what it says on the marquee! 
The set. The show is about to begin!
It's a tradition. I take my family every year to see this classic tale of transformation. 
What can Scrooge do at the end that he can't do at the beginning?

Realize he has the gift of a second chance. Scrooge embraces the joy of giving. 

Greed robs you. Especially at Christmastime. 

The Guthrie Theater does a phenomenal job each year with this production. We once again were reminded of our choice to live in joy OR be a "bah-humbug." I choose joy.

While on holiday in England next year, the Dickens museum is on my itinerary.  If you get a chance, peruse the website. Click  the video on the home page.  It will make you put it on your bucket list too! 

Also, this movie...The Man Who Invented Christmas. The story of Charles Dickens.

Have you seen it?
I haven't, but will be soon.
I CAN'T WAIT!