Sometimes Poets Say It Best

Hope

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

-- Emily Dickinson

A Huge Step from Nothing

Whatever step you take today - no matter how small or incremental - toward your physical, emotional, and spiritual health is "a huge step from nothing." (h/t Marge)

Waiting to get it perfect immobilizes me. Not getting it perfect demoralizes me. Just for this day, I am willing to do what I can to be healthier. I am willing to acknowledge any progress I make toward living a more balanced life. I am willing to be okay with messing up, falling down, and getting back up.

What about you? What "huge step from nothing" are you taking today toward living a healthier, more balanced life?

Being Gentle with Yourself

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

...in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.*

I promised myself I wouldn't do it. I tried not to do it. But then I went ahead and did it. So, what should I do now? I could verbally slap myself around and make me feel even worse. Or...I could talk to myself as a loving friend: "Okay, I messed up. It's over. It's done. Sometimes I go for the quick fix when I need to take the long view. I'm not the sum of my mistakes. I love and like me. Unconditionally."

What about you? Does your soul need gentle handling today?

Today I commit to:

1. Go to the 4:00 water aerobics class.
2. Buy groceries.
3. Journal.
4. Forgive my self.


*From Desiderata.

Happy 1st Day of Spring!

Good morning & happy first day of spring!

We've made it through another winter and now it's spring, glorious spring. Dogwoods, azaleas, irises, fresh new leaves...the beauty and joy of spring. Guess you can tell what my favorite season is, huh?

Why do I love spring so much? Perhaps I was a druid in another life. More likely, it is because spring represents a renewal, a time to take a new approach, to make amends and to start again. I've never understood why a new year starts in the dead of winter. A new year should start with spring. This is the time for resolutions and promises to do better, to be better.

So, what spring resolutions do you want to make this year? We've got a mere three months and then it will be summer. What can you do during the next 90 days to make yourself emotionally, spiritually, and physically healthier?

Here's what I resolve to do:

1. Emotional health - tell the truth to myself and to others. When I don't trust someone enough to tell the truth, that's my cue to question my participation in that particular relationship.

2. Spiritual health - tell the truth about what I'm feeling and why, journal each night, meditate for at least 10 minutes a day, pray, spend time enjoying nature, blog five times a week, clean and organize my office and bedroom.

3. Physical health - tell the truth to myself about the frequency and intensity of my exercising, go to water aerobics class 3 times a week, go to pilates or another class 2 times a week.

All righty, then. These are ambitious goals and I believe I can do them. After all, everything that I've listed is an investment in the person I love most - me.

Now, it's your turn. What are your personal investment goals for the next 90 days?

Blogger's Block

Not really sure why I haven't been updating this blog much in the past few weeks. Guess I've been living instead of observing and reflecting. There's much to recommend both approaches. However, I live a more full and fulfilled life when I take the time to reflect on my daily choices. Otherwise, I become a wind-up woman who stays busy doing stuff but makes sure her life and personal relationships stay at surface-levels.

I haven't worked out in two weeks. I caught a cold that I had a hard time shaking. However, the cold did not preclude me from eating sweets. See, this is why I haven't blogged in a while. This thing is a confessional!!!

Today I commit to:

1. Go to an exercise class.
2. Journal.
3. Be a better friend.

What about you? What are doing today to be healthier?

Spring Fever

Okay, it's official. I have an acute case of spring fever. Symptoms: overwhelming desire to plant, play, and procreate. Cure? Nah, this condition is too much fun to seek out a cure.

What about you? Is spring working its irresistible magic on you?

Mirror, Mirror...

Okay, what does a mid-life crisis look like? I think I'm in one right now. I find myself questioning the parts that make up my life, wondering what fits, and what needs to be tossed. I'm asking myself some hard questions and I don't like the answers I'm getting to more than a few of them.

Telling the truth to myself about my self is hard work. Sometimes it's unpleasant too.

What about you? Where are you in your life's journey? What are you taking along with you? What are you tossing aside? Any words of wisdom for your fellow journeyers?