Monthly Archives: December 2011

Joy Jam

The food, friends, and festivities of this season.

Oh baby, it’s cold outside, but inside it’s is warm, warm, warm. My belly and heart are full, and my face hurts from smiling so much (or is it from all the eating?). Butter cookies with lemon glaze, important and heartfelt conversations over a Red Table, a yoga class of 12 where I recognize every face, twinkly lights, pictures of the cutest of kids coming in the mail, Pine Ridge kids getting their presents, and another year to celebrate the birth of the most important person in my life, (not to be confused with the “reason for the season,” it’s Eric‘s birthday today).

The Library.

As I work my way through Jennifer Louden’s “The Comfort Queen’s Guide to Life,” Geenen Roth’s “Women Food and God,” and Season Four of “Mad Men,” I am so thankful for libraries. We may be completely greedy, capitalist over-consumers in other ways, but that’s one place where we remember and practice wisdom and kindness, sharing and service.

Prompts and Questions, From the Universe to me.

Things like “What was your first job?” and “How did you meet your husband?” and “What is your deepest wish?” remind me that I have stories to tell. This shifts my entire perspective, this reminder. I go from despair, self-loathing, and confusion to a sense of joy, possibility, and faith. I know who I am and what I am supposed to do, and I know that it will happen.

Wishcasting Wednesday: What is your deepest wish?

from Jamie's post

My deepest wish is to live a wholeheARTed, full-time writing life.

To me, this means getting regularly published, and being paid enough for my writing that I could quit my “day job.” Maybe I’d still teach a class now and again, and design a few websites, but I’d do it by choice and on my schedule, based on my own interest.

More specifically, living this life (which, in truth, I am already living as much as I can) means: Waking in the morning and writing. Taking a break for a walk with my dogs, for yoga and meditation, shower and a meal, then back to research and writing. Another break midday for another walk and meal, then back to more writing until dinner.  Ending the day by reading or watching TV, and relaxing with the boys.

Some days, I’d go to the library to research and study and write, or take my notebook or laptop to a coffee shop to work, or meet a friend at a cafe to talk about living wholeheARTed lives.

Other days, I’d take the dogs hiking, or do laundry or other chores during breaks from writing. And some days I’d read or watch movies all day and nap, or sit in a chair in the sun in the backyard and stare at my toes. I’d spend entire days in my pajamas. Other times, I’d take a whole day off from work altogether to rest or do something entirely different. I’d honor and care for myself, my amazing and lovable self, whose heart is so wide open and whose voice is so honest and true, and who has so much to give.

I’m willing to do the work. I write every day first thing, post to my blog, read and research and study. I carry a notebook and pen with my everywhere I go. On the weekends, I spend 8-12 hours a day working–reading, researching, studying, and writing. I’m willing to work hard, and the love for this work has never wavered, the desire has never left me. It is who I am and what I want and what I have to offer, and I have faith it will happen.

It is my deepest wish.