Hold On To The Gifts...............

Recently I went into Green River Silver Co. on Hope Street in Providence, to pick out a gift for myself! Translation: I was a kid in a candy store on a recent outing .... I was instructed by a special someone (whose name rhymes with Arc) that he wanted it to be a "just right gift", something to commemorate my turning 50. In the hopes that each time I would wear it, I would be reminded of this special time in my Life. A time of new chances and discoveries that I have been creating....those that have already taken place and those still to come.

It was fun! I gave the selection process the time and reverence such an importance task deserved...tee hee hee. My two sons were with me, and at 21 and 17 I would have thought they would have taken me up on my offer, to just pull up and I'll jump out. They insisted on coming in and being part of the experience. Second translation: they meandered around the store & offered positive feedback when I asked for it, they read my mind.

I knew the piece would be something simple and timeless, something that "looked like me" and something that would in fact remind me of this new time... living in the sometimes uncomfortable to accomplish something new, healthier choices, taking my own kind of chances and adding a dash or two of daring.

When I decided upon the sterling silver bracelet and earrings with a stone of my birth month, I knew I had found the right pieces. 

When checking out and presenting my gift certificate, I knew the next question  "do you need this gift wrapped?" "oh yes" I replied. I had bought enough gifts for others at this fine silver store to know about the whimsical tissue paper and star confetti Green River Silver places in each gift box.

I joyfully watched as the store clerk wrapped my gift with special touches. I was enjoying the whole experience..... I grinned to the boys with delight and said...."I feel a blog post coming on".

Life is about the experiences, special touches and most importantly being aware of them with a grateful heart.

As I looked at the bracelet and earrings this weekend, they held many meanings for me including the amazing year so far of firsts, defining the new 50 along with all the liberation and discoveries it brings, to thinking of my awesome sons who are at exciting times in their lives, to my very special husband who wanted everything to be just right with my milestone birthday celebrations and being certain I would be able to fall back onto those memories for years to come.

Find your special moments Dear Readers...it feels great....make them happen, make sure you notice them and make sure you hold on tight. There are so many out there....enough to last a Lifetime.

Pour A Glass.....................

Sometimes oj in stemmed glasses can calm the craze 

Well, in my last post I shared that the pile of dirty dishes, two appliances breaking down, along with schedules and Life feeling crazed and my quick reaction to not deal with it exactly well, confirmed to me (and others) that I needed to take time to recharge. (Now I’m not talking, I’m out of here for a vacation, or a day or two at a spa...though lovely that would be, is not realistic on a day to day routine) I committed to the following list, so I could rebound and have a bit more tolerance and less stress in my days.

Today I will:

~ Sit and listen to nothing, knowing that's the best time to hear the most

~ Not over analyze feelings of bewilderment, so they can slip on by

~ Make time & stretch out the knots, releasing the stress weighing me down

~ Be creative ~ Daydream~ Blow bubbles

~ Start the wheels in motion for a project

~ Be kind to myself

So I am pleased to report that taking the time and adding the practice to my days,  did in fact center me, and wouldn’t you know I was put to the test Thursday when the 2 ½ year old microwave stopped heating and smelled like smoke. No joke. Now granted I probably said “are you f’n kidding me", but it didn’t wreck me. Its all how we look at it.

Sharing that, in the hopes that you Dear Readers know the power and necessity of taking time for you to ease the everyday stressors that are all around us. Breaking down appliances are among the minor for sure, but they can still nag at us, similar to an annoying co-worker or a driver in front of us not going when the light changes green because they are texting. All irritants for sure.

How fortunate we are to possess the ability to ease the stressful times just a bit, when we add to each day recharging practices that serve as part of our own maintenance program, that can bring calmer moments to both ourselves and those we love…..let’s get ready…….just sayin’.

Do You Need A Band Aid???

When Life gets in the way and feelings of good are not at the surface, it's time to take out the first aid kit and get a handle on the situation and begin the triage process.

That's where I've been the past few weeks, caught up in "stuff"...hence the not posting to my blog. Not that things have been feeling negative, but more that I lost sight of my own thoughts, my "me" time that recharges and so importantly fell short in recognizing my many Blessings. The Blessings remain, but go unnoticed when we get caught up in our regular routine and forget to keep ourselves in good mental health.

So after the inner conversations of what the hell is wrong? and why am I feeling glass half empty, I started to realize its not about the sink full of dishes AGAIN or that the washing machine is on it's way out (after the dishwasher conked out 2 weeks ago) it was more about not being ready to handle those things because I let myself lose consciousness of how I choose to live my Life.

So the healing begins, the first aid kit is out and I put into motion the process of getting back on track. 

Today I will:

~ Sit and listen to nothing, knowing that's the best time to hear the most

~ Not over analyze feelings of bewilderment, so they can slip on by

~ Make time & stretch out the knots, releasing the stress weighing me down

~ Be creative ~ Daydream~ Blow bubbles

~ Start the wheels in motion for a project

~ Be kind to myself