As I said goodbye to 2013 and welcomed 2014, surrounded by friends, I took an oath to be part of something new and "mix things up". I was feeling the itch. You know that antsy feeling of being stagnant with a few aspects in your Life and it then effects even the things that once felt good? That's where I was.
Ready for change, I began formulating my plan. So many ideas. My first attempt was shot down, because it needed to be accepted and approved by someone else. A Blessing in disguise, the experience empowered me to take hold of the reigns (which quite honestly makes sense....my Life...my reigns) and set out on a search. I have put a few things in "go" mode and eagerly work on them weekly.
One has resulted in my taking on an additional part time job, with the elderly, in the activities department.
The first week, is where it got uncomfortable. It confirmed for me......
The unknown.........makes me uncomfortable
Meeting new people & having them get to know me......makes me uncomfortable
Wandering around the building, not always sure where to go...what to do.... makes me uncomfortable
Being responsible for the residents safety when they are in my care.......makes me uncomfortable
Thinking about the germ exposure.....makes me uncomfortable
Coming home & thinking "am I liking this"...makes me uncomfortable
....and then it happened...one afternoon this week while these wonderful people sat in their wheel chairs, all together in a large room, while songs of the 50's blared out from the speakers, I be-bopped around them dancing and smiling and watching their wrinkly silk hands start to move and respond. It warmed my heart to see the glistening of delight in their eyes. A few even got up to dance! (must say I became a tad concerned, but I had completed CPR certification the day prior and heck we were having fun)
Along with fellow coworkers, we danced to one song after another and marveled at their enjoyment of songs from years gone by. I stopped and honestly thought "I am so glad I am here and having this experience!!" The feeling of being uncomfortable is quickly easing!
As I drove home, I truly gave thanks for not making any quick decisions.
The experience is a Life lesson worth sharing for sure. When Life feels uncomfortable and our response is to quickly make it stop, hang in there, listen to your heart and...... wait for the dance!
"
Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray." Jalaluddin Rumi
It starts as a whisper and we have to listen closely to hear it, however the more we really listen the louder it gets.
In the past few weeks I have had the extreme pleasure off chatting with special people in my Life. In each instance the conversation turned to listening to the whisper. It feels as though our gut response is to ignore it, as if we are not deserving or too paralyzed by the fear of what making changes may mean. We pondered.......
I say hogwash! (she said timidly) Let's take it on as a challenge, modify it where need be and hear the whisper loud and clear......and believe it will NOT lead us astray. Create a moving forward plan, and take confidence in knowing that a step at a time is always the beginning of any journey worth taking!
On a recent snowy day here in New England I needed to clear my head, I also needed to return books to the library. So I combined the two and walked over. Not a far walk at all. As I headed out on my jaunt, I was welcomed by the falling snow, the quietness it brings and the soft whisper of dried oak leaves on a tree I passed. I tossed around the problems that were bothering me, then tried to let them fade and gather all the calmness this serene walk had to offer, glad I had made the choice to venture out.
My stop at the library was ever so brief, and I was back on my way to resume my peaceful walk home.......Well here's where it all changed. The wind was making it difficult to walk now, while snow hit my face in rapid fire speed, my eyes watered and my breath was short. What had happened???
As I focused on walking, I compared this situation to Life. We can be going along and all seems wonderful and effortless. We notice the gifts around us as we are ticking along and just as we become confident, things can quickly change...... suddenly the wind is no longer at our backs. We are faced with stressful and difficult situations and a our gifts and blessing are tougher to see.
Similarly, as I continued my way home, walking into the wind and eyes all watery I had to focus a bit more. I stopped and snapped a picture of the beautiful oak tree that still held the same whispering sounds I heard on my way by the first time, when all was peaceful and calm. I wanted to capture and hold onto the moment and the meaning it served.
I reminded myself that blessings are still there even when the wind is no longer at our backs helping us along....we just have to stop and notice them and hold on tight until the winds shift again. Find your blessings...the more you look....the more you see ~
As we bid farewell to 2013, I play a photo montage in my mind of the year in review. There was laughter and tears, setbacks and milestones.
For me, mental notes were taken and lessons were learned. During the difficult times I learned the power of patience and serenity. Feelings of being scared or sad will ease and things really do feel a tad better in the light of day. Throughout the year, I was both the comforter and the "comfortee". It is when we turn to others and ask for help, we open the possibilities to strengthen tenderness, understanding & connections.
The love of family and friends prevailed, and together we saw each other through.
Happy and joyful times reminded me of the importance of joining in and making things happen. The benefits of being part of something fun provides me with "fall back" moments, so when things aren't feeling so good, I have something joyous to remember.
Whether your thoughts for the new year are "out of the box, let's mix things up" or "smooth sailing please"....my wish for you is that they come true!
2014 here I come!
Cheers ~
The moment to reflect before guests arrive (suggestion from my last posting) is here! I choose to dash off wishes to you my Dear Readers. For when I write, I am at Peace.
May your holiday celebrations be full of Blessings that make you smile ~ May joyful memories be made so you can store them in your heart for a Lifetime.
....And as we embark on 2014 together, I wish health, happiness & things that are new and exciting to feed our souls!
Peace!
Maria ~
Making my list and checking it twice...... With Christmas a week away we are all hearing it....."so are you ready?" And we all know what that means "shopping done?" The holiday is truly defined by many as obligatory gift exchange, preparing large meals, cleaning house, and stressing to the point of being disgruntled.
Well not for this bloggin' mama! As my faithful readers know I believe in "know thyself"! Translated...keeping stress level to a minimum and know the triggers. For me the above does not define how I feel about Christmas at all. I believe in festive celebrations, time with people who hold a special place in my heart and simple kind gestures. I have discovered that not sweating the small stuff and lowering my expectations to a more realistic level of what I want to accomplish, works wonders. As a result memories (fun ones) are made, lives are touched and the season ticks along merry and bright.
As with all things worth having, we need to make an effort. The way I look at it is.....if it's going to be a whole lot of effort to keep going on the Christmas hamster wheel, and it doesn't make ya' happy, why not focus the effort into taking a breath, defining what is important in your heart and feel the love that you give out, coming right back around to you.
So how about you check THIS list twice?
1. Write a letter to someone special
2. When having guests over, give them a little favor when they leave. Try personalizing an ornament to remember the gathering
3. Commit to three simple deeds to brighten someone's day
4. Write a note to each of your children, sharing some of the qualities you love about them
5. Pick up few $5.00 gift cards and have fun passing them out. (to people you don't know...by all means)
6. Turn down someone's bed in the house with a Sweet Dreams note (now that would be some one you DO know for goodness sakes)
7. Leave candy on a co worker's desk and help them guess who may have left it
8. Cut out snowflakes and hang them around the house
9. When preparing for guests to arrive, leave enough time (which you will have if you tossed Martha Stewart ideas out the window) and sit quietly and think about the intent of the get together...family, friends and happiness.
10. Rinse and repeat
What I'm Lovin' About Today!
Not having to go to work
Curling up for an early morning Christmas movie
The smell of peppermint as I garnish candy cane powder over brownies
The tiny points of light that sparkle on the tree, when I squint just a bit
The sound of Christmas music
Thought of spending time with friends & neighbors for conversation & caroling
Decorations through out the house that make me smile
My gloves, minus the fingertips, which is making typing this post a whole lot cozier
The smell of blueberry muffins someone else in the house has made
The Feeling of Holme !
