Here’s two quotes I wanted to share:
“The road to wisdom is often humbling.” – me
“Disappointment is inevitable but discouragement is a choice.” – Anonymous
Y4 – Day 11 – Two Quotes
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Monthly Archives: January 2016
Y4 – Day 10 – No Failure
When I look back at my food, life and daily journaling, I realize all the ups and downs, all the merry-go-rounds and all the “failures” were really what I needed to do and go through in order to get where I am today in both acceptance and a profound understanding.
Today, I choose to connect the dots. I focus on my priorities. I limit my “things to do” lists.
I love variety, to inspire and be inspired, to begin, give and embrace genuinely and generously.
With that context and that attitude and perspective, one is bound to fail here and there, but it’s the turning it around, the silver lining view, the courage to accept and move on that makes it meaningful and worthwhile.
Ask to be shown guidance and given lessons in a gentle way. Beware of your own prejudice and response to all circumstances.
Y4 – Day 9 – Lightbulbs
Don’t you love when you get a lightbulb moment?
We have invested time, money and energy into so many fields believing that all the work, research and investment would sweep us away and carry us towards fortune.
But in the end, all we really want, deep down inside, is more quality time on this planet with our loved ones and getting to enjoy all of our interests. That’s it. We just want to enjoy life and be free of burdens.
It is very liberating to divulge our innermost thoughts, creating vulnerability, exposing the spirit within and connecting with others.
What you are doing right now, is your work. What you have done up to this point, was the process to get here, in this mind space.
Y4 – Day 8 – Variety
I have found that when there is variety, I get better results. Some like to stick to a plan or a formula, but I think difference and contrast matters to keep it all interesting and energized.
Take food for instance, it is healthier to eat an assortment of fruits and vegetables in various colors.
And what would the world be like without a medley of music, art, texture, people and all else?
Groups solve problems and work exquisitely when they are heterogeneous not homogenous. So do parties.
And every home is different because we are all unique. It is the variety within the house well lived in that exhibits personality, not the model homes. Stylists deftly create the sense of welcome and warmth when they stage a home.
Welcome variety, mixtures and diversity for it is in these realms you will flow with transformation, the very movement of life.
Y4 – Day 7 – Happy Homecoming Birthday Cindi!
Two years ago today, we adopted and brought home our sweet and loving doggie, Cindi.
Our relationship has deepened and we learn so much from her. Every moment, is the best moment in time for her and she actually lives in the moment. She plays and she rests ( a lot ) and we appreciate her disposition and personality, reminding us, how precious our wonderful life is and how lucky we all are.
M loves to take long walks with her and driving her to new areas while she sits in her fluffy, soft pet cushion, in the front seat.
I love to give her baths, go for walks and having her always by me like a pal. She has definitely been good for my mental and physical health.
We both love having her sleep on our bed, snuggling atop our comforter, burrowing under a blanket, and the way she greets us with wild abandon, kisses and prancing, tail a wagging, every time, we come home.
M particularly likes bringing her to run errands on weekends, even the grocery store. Here, she is checking out the cereal aisle and needed a little extra sweatshirt, because you know how it gets cold at the supermarket.
Y4 – Day 6 – Credenza
Well, my credenza finally came from Beyond Stores. Never, ever, ever, ever buy anything from them. Way fair was prompt and Houzz was beautiful and timely but Beyond Stores was a nightmare. I put the order in on Dec. seventh of 2015. I received the credenza at 5:30 pm, Jan. 13th, after so many phone calls back and forth that I know employees’ names, voices and they know mine.
After moving it around all over, I finally settled on the initial and intended location, in the dining room, under the huge white mirror, against the accent wall painted in slate violet (which I adore).
I chose the credenza because of its dimensions, warm, dark colors of deep teal grey and brown wood grained top and distressed, stately style.
I have been learning about vignettes and stylist tricks. I first began with a bare bones stage, choosing my objects by quality, color and appropriateness.
Then in the second picture, I added more organic items that brought energy to the room and made the wall and us, sing with glee.
You and I know this will probably look just a tad different and I will play with it to suit my mood, weekly, if not daily. But, oh, what fun!
Y4 – Day 5 – Coffee Corner
I’ve been busy decluttering, cleaning to the bones, re-organizing and just giving everything a fresh face and sometimes even a new home. After clearing off our peninsula counter completely, I moved our huge coffee machines, coffee cups and miscellaneous (and later tea paraphernalia), under the TV screen. The old toaster oven that used to live there now lives where the microwave used to be. Now, the nuke is under its trimmed kit that houses the old ovenette, (my made up word but you know what I’m talking about), on the counter, to the left of our stove. All ovens are residing in the same neighborhood and now, all hot beverages have their own cozy corner, complete with storage, trash can and fancy wool rug for comfort.
Using my array of milk pitchers in the morning feels luxurious and it reminds me to live every moment with elegance, style and grace. Life is too short not to bring out all the best objects to admire and free them out of storage you save just for company or “some day”. I love how I placed the carousel on the cake stand and I am using a lined basket for my special, raised porcelain mugs with garden motif from my BFF, ML. Stevia, in a crystal bowl atop a silver tray from England with a silver Sheffield spoon.
I might even break out my cloth and linen napkins. Who knows? And Why not?
Y4 – Day 4 – Welcome Bouquet
Welcome to 2016. A classic, glamorous and romantic bouquet arrived from the love of my life. The collection of blooms include lavender Coolwater roses, red Freedom roses, crimson alstroemeria, wispy, limonium, fragrant, fuchsia stock, and Red Alert lilies. As I write, I can smell the fragrance of this magnificent January bouquet, I placed at our entry to welcome all that enter our cozy corner.
Y4 – Day 3 – MM 2016
Master Mind 2016 officially begins tonight. Six ladies and myself take the journey for six months. This is my second go around and the first one enabled me to focus on getting my house in order which metaphorically translated to getting my emotions and thoughts clarified and honed.
Tonight we share new goals, fresh perspectives and creative changes we want to see in ourselves and our world. In order to change the world, we must first BE the change and that is our mentor’s, Dana, message and constant guidance to us.
I seek Beauty inside, around and outside myself. That includes feelings, people, circumstances, choices and things. My goals are spiritual, meaningful and healthy.
We then decide on how to achieve these goals, whatever they are for each individual, in honor and in keeping with what we want to create for ourselves (in my case, beauty). It is a process most of the time but sometimes light bulb moments happen when we come together and share once a month.
Tonight, I will find out who my accountability buddy is and from there a relationship blooms via communication two to three times a week or more. We listen and we ask for help. We give encouragement, suggestions and we receive with open minds. We add and we take away. It’s a win-win.
Y4 – Day 2 – So Sad
I saw this on a friend’s FB post and just had to share. It is so true, grieving never ends but it does change you each time you let go.
It focuses you on the priorities of living. It gives you a “live in the moment” perspective.
It reminds you to live and savor life. It doesn’t go away if you have a heart.
So long, Thin White Duke, goodbye to the original Star man transformed into a Black Star.