Tag: journal

what i’m into – keeping me sane {november 2018}

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The first time I linked up with Leigh Kramer’s What I’m Into posts was October 29, 2015. And I was sadden when she decided to no longer host the link-up.  She encouraged us to continue writing the What I’m Into posts, however.  

I had the pleasure of meeting Leigh during Anne Bogel’s author event at Parnassus last month.  I told her that I missed the link-up and asked if I could be responsible for continuing the practice.  She encouraged me to continue my version of it so now I invite everyone to share your link to your What I’m Into blog posts in the comments.  We’ll do this every month and we’ll share our next list on Tuesday, January 2. And please spread the word to others. I would love for the community to live on in this space.    

I have been pondering rhythms recently.  Ebb and flow.  In and out. Especially as it pertains to the seasons of the year. the fall, the earth slowly sheds its weight – trees shed their leaves, crops are harvested, the earth becomes fallow.  The earth rests.

I have seasonal affective disorder.  During the fall and winter, I am easily moody and depressed and generally unenthusiastic.  Gray cloudy days are the expressway to gray and cloudy thoughts. Until I started thinking about the seasons of the year, I thought I SUFFERED from SAD. I am beginning to think that isn’t the case.  Perhaps, it’s my body signaling the time for rest.  I have a friend who goes into “hibernation” this time of year. That may not be such a bad idea.

So what’s keeping me sane right now? The fact that I am not into anything really.

I completed the wedding; it went well. And after that, it was a trip to my parent’s condo in Florida where there was absolutely no agenda besides watching my Daddy’s alma mater, Bethune Cookman University, play their final home game of the season.  That was really cool because I got to see the band. They call them “the Pride” of BCU because the 300+ member band is one of the best bands in the country.  They have been in commercials and in movies.

I had heard this band practice every time my family visited my grandparents, who lived across the street from the University.  It was such a pleasure and so fulfilling to see them performing live. And the Florida sun does wonders for SAD.

We came home to temps in the low 40s, high 30s. Cloudy and rainy.  Just the thing to set SAD off.  But I have turned on my solar lamp, streamlined my agenda by making a list of what absolutely has to happen and ways I can enjoy this season this year, and I am focusing on that. I can become alive again in the spring: new life, new energy, producing new things, accomplishing stuff.

What are you into?

enjoy life…

what i’m into – keeping me sane {october 2018}

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Whew! What a busy month!

  • The Buddy Man turned 4-years-old. I can’t even believe it. As Gretchen Rubin says, “The days are long but the years are short.” We had a Blippi-themed birthday party and it turned out very well.  My extended family was in town and the Buddy was thrilled beyond belief.  The cake was amazing!
  • I was so happy to assist a friend with the planning of her wedding this year (stepping back in an old life as an Event Planner). The wedding is this upcoming weekend. Yay! But it’s been a world-wind of preparation.
  • I rose to the challenge and participated in the #write31days for the month of October. The series, This Bookman: Meditations & Miscellany was a lot of fun. Thank you for reading!
  • I ran the 15th annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run. I didn’t participate last year and I hated that.  I am so happy that I chose to participate this year. Even though it was cloudy.  It was cold.  It was raining.  It did reignite my love of running in races. I’m already thinking about my next one.

I stayed sane by focusing on the priorities and letting go of things that would have taken my focus away. It was hard and I had a few lapses. But I am proud to say that, for the most part, I was able to do it. I think the 5:30 AM runs and pretty good eating habits helped.

AND I met the Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy and the author of the book I’d Rather Be Reading. It was awesome.

What have you been up to? What’s keeping you sane?

enjoy life

friday’s “secret”: planned, designed, or allowed

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“Everything is planned, designed, or allowed”

– Huberto M. Rasi

I must say that I kind of took offense to this statement when I first read it.  I doubted its validity. But the truth is that in more cases than not, everything that happens to us, is planned, designed, or allowed, by us or by someone else.  We tend to play the blame game. It’s easier.  Nothing is our fault and I was a master at this game for a long time and sometimes, I still manage to hold my own on occasion.

But my Hubby, God love him, pointed out that the common denominator in all my scenarios and affronts was me!  My issues involved many different types of people, many different actions, but I was the common thread.  Yes, it was sobering to realize that I had more control over my life then I once realized.  It was scary to understand that I had the power to change things in my life and the things that happened to me (IE no time to read because I spent way too much time brainlessly watching television or playing Candy Crush) is because I made the decision by allowing it to happen and not actively planning or designing something different.

The more I go through this life, the more I feel strongly that the “secret” to a happy life is the intentional choice.  Because, believe it or not, “everything is planned, designed, or allowed.”

til tomorrow, enjoy life

I can’t believe that I have been posting for 26 days straight for the October Challenge #write31days.  I’ve been discussing my love of books and reading. Catch up on the rest of the series.