Saturday, October 30, 2010

Running on Empty...

Yesterday I ran out of gas. Not with my car but with my ability to juggle everything, do everything, be SuperWoman. And let's just say, it wasn't pretty. After a good night's sleep and a relatively calm day, I am assessing the damage and figuring out how to put the pieces back together. One of my favorite lines from "Anne of Green Gables" is "Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it". I got that today and am incredibly grateful for it.

The last two weeks have been filled almost non-stop with activities: Work deadlines, errands, field hockey games, quick recall matches, an amazing trip to visit friends and the everyday mechanics of being a working wife, mother, friend, daughter and sister. I knew it was too much -- I kept saying it to myself but I didn't do anything to stop it, manage it, control it. Instead, it controlled me. To make things worse, I actually ADDED things to the list. And what do I have to show for it? Exhaustion, embarassment, frustration, tears....

Today I got back on track. I took care of myself. I took care of my family. I took care of my work. And I feel better. I spent time doing the things I wanted to do -- even if it was mopping the kitchen floor and going to the grocery. I spent time in the office and did some good work. I nurtured my creativity --- doing my morning pages (even if it was in the afternoon) and baked some amazing banana muffins. I spent time with my family and really paid attention. I feel better.

I don't think the tank is totally refilled but it has more in it than fumes. And compared to yesterday, that's amazing progress. It was a day with no mistakes in it.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Nurturing My Creativity....




Here is another assignment from The Artist's Way class. In this one, we tore up pieces of construction paper while thinking about negative thoughts or blurts that hindered our creativity. Then we used the pieces to create something positive and reflective of an affirmation we chose.

My affirmation? I can grow and nurture my creativity.






Sunday, October 10, 2010


I started this blog with the very best of intentions --- to channel my journey into the afternoon of my life. Well, apparently my afternoon has been pretty busy. I haven't posted anything since July.


I recently started a class based on "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. It's a process to recover your creativity through different exercises and spirituality. The first assignment from our class leaders was to draw and circle. Within the circle, we were supposed to show where we are in our life that has brought us to the class. I chose the theme --- "afternoon of my life".
My assignment is at the top. Other than the 3 year old coloring of the sun, I like what it says and how it looks. I'm so proud of that adirondack chair I could bust! What I've found from this journey, so far, is an awakening of my desire and interest in creative activities. Is it some kind of placebo effort or a true reawakening? I guess time will tell. Regardless, I'm enjoying it and the effect it is having on me.
So far this weekend...I looked for flowers and gourds to decorate the house for fall.... brought the fall decorations downstairs to decorate inside..... made homemade cookies.... made 2 pots of soup.... finished knitting a hat.... started knitting a dishcloth.... made a list of other knitting projects to work on and gotten reacquainted with this blog.
I was making the cookies when I realized that I didn't remember the last time I had made homemade cookies AND that it really wasn't as hard as I remembered. Is it because I'm older now and didn't have little helpers with me? I was cooking to nurture my own soul as I mourn the sudden death of a co-worker on Friday. I'm sure that channeling my energies into making lunch for my friends had something to do with my feelings of "Wow... this isn't as hard as I remember". All I know is that I have several dozen cookies packed up and ready for the office AND two crock-pots of soup simmering in the kitchen. And, a huge sense of satisfaction for a weekend well done.