Are you feeling reenergized?

It's safe to say that spring is finally here. No more snowfalls. No more cold nights. The grass is getting greener by the day, the flowering trees are budding out, and the daffodils are standing tall. According to the outside, it has switched seasons. But what is your mind saying?

The warmer temperatures may mean lighter jackets and maybe even no socks. That's a great recipe for lifting your spirits. Spring is a good time to think about getting outside, talking to your neighbors, taking walks, and often planning ahead for what to do next. Many people start prepping their gardens and yards. Others will start making plans for vacation getaways.

Where do you feel you left off after a several months of winter? When you're stuck inside and it gets dark out by 5:00 p.m., you fix dinner, maybe read a book or watch some TV, and then go to bed. Motivation to do more tends to shift backwards (of course, not for everyone). You may have headed into March feeling a bit stuck; not wanting to do much. Then April comes and the time changes and suddenly you're coming home after work and you've managed to stop off at the grocery store, fix dinner, clean the kitchen, and discover it's still daylight out.

I'll be honest, the last blog post I wrote was in January and we started the new year. Suddenly I found that three months had flown by and I hadn't written a single word. I didn't sit around doing nothing. I read books, I painted a few pictures, met with friends, went to work, etc. I wanted to blog, but found myself wondering what life-changing words could I possibly share? I felt a little stuck. I wondered this week what exciting things I could write about that others would find encouraging or uplifting. Then I realized I didn't need to put that pressure on myself. Maybe just being honest about where I was at could be enough. Maybe there would be someone else that could relate and we could bond over NOT having a current plan. 

Sometimes it's enough to just be okay. Sometimes it doesn't matter that you don't currently have a magnificent goal or obstacle to conquer. You can still be motivated and happy and driven with the season you are currently in. People aren't always like a calendar telling us what day or season it is and how we should be feeling. Maybe we just need a little more time and aren't quite ready for a big change. Changes (good or bad) are inevitable and will come when they're ready. When that happens we'll just deal and learn to roll with it better. 

Maybe this April I am just a self-proclaimed 'late bloomer'. If that's it, I can be okay with that. After all, not every tree or bush has bloomed yet. Some are taking their time and will be just as beautiful when they're ready.

What to do now? Are you still feeling a bit stuck; maybe not physically, but emotionally? Is this a season of transition for you?

Maybe get back to me when you're ready. I'd love to know where you are at and how you're doing.

What is your current season?

It's nearing the end of September; the kids are back in school, summer feels like it is winding down, and you can start unpacking your sweaters. Weather-wise, we're finishing up summer and gearing up for autumn. The leaves will soon be changing colors, some people have already been putting up their Halloween outside décor, and your favorite hobby stores are beginning to  display their Christmas stock.

Calendar seasons are one thing - just follow the dates posted on your fridge. I'll admit I'm not ready for colder weather, but I am ready to pull the summer flowers (all the red and pink and purple) and replace them with colorful mums! I am ready for oranges and yellows. I'm ready to walk in the crisp air and stop by the cider mill. But I also don't want time to go too fast because we all know that after autumn comes cold and snow and sometimes ice!

There are also the different seasons in our lives, depending on our ages. There's our teenage years, there's the college days, and the years of independence. For many there are the years of parenthood, the years we spend building our careers, and the years we work toward empty nests and retirement. There were the years we were caregivers to our mothers or fathers and all that it entailed. 

If someone were to ask me what season I am currently in I would have to say the season of floundering and discovery. I've always been the type of person to work toward the future, to make lists, and plan ahead ... often forgetting to savor the moments of today. My heart knows I need to find a better balance, but my mind tends to get in the way and make things more difficult than they need to be.

My husband and I are parents to two adults and grandparents to four awesome grandkids, we're empty nesters, we're no longer caregivers, and we both still work full time. Somehow we're just as busy now as we always have been, but we do try take some time for ourselves. We each have hobbies that we find intriguing, creative, and relaxing to us. But truth be told some times we can go weeks before we are able to carve some time out of our responsibilities to make time for ourselves. That is my goal for this week. We both had a really busy month of August and so far September hasn't seemed to slow down any. You get to the point that you're not just physically tired, but you're also mentally drained.

I am finally taking a couple of overdue days off. Of course I plan to finish cleaning out my summer flower gardens and get into the autumn spirit with fall décor including mums and pumpkins. I always try to do the MUST DO'S first so I won't feel guilty about doing the WANNA DO'S. Pathetic I know. My fun plans? Some reading, some shopping, and some painting. Hopefully a little ME time will get me back on track and feeling re-energized once again.

Hopefully my season of floundering and feeling a little lost and off kilter will lead the way to a better season filled with hope and joy and rest and contentment.

What season do you find yourself currently in? 

Is it what you thought it would be or is it different somehow?

Is it spring or not?

I feel like we've had several seasons of weather over the past week. We had two days on the weekend that were near 80 degrees. We had blue skies and sunshine. I'm back to wearing socks today as it is currently 45 degrees. We are at the end of April and we're ready for a little consistency here. The flower bulbs are up and standing tall; the daffodils and the crocuses. The buds are popping out on the flowering trees. People are out taking walks and just this afternoon our resident Canadian Goose in the parking lot at my office hatched four eggs. Many of the signs of spring are here, but just not all on the same day.

I don't know about you, but not only am ready for some warmer temperatures in the 60s and 70s but I am also mentally ready for some positive signs that the seasons are moving forward and not just teasing us with their brief presence.

Spring brings a sense of rebirth, rejuvenation, motivation, inspiration, and sometimes freedom. The freedom to venture outside and take a walk and talk to your neighbors again. The cold and drab weather of the winter tends to keep us harbored up inside our warm and cozy homes. It's time to get back out there and reconnect; with nature and with people.

How does spring inspire or motivate you? 

Do you like to ride your bike on the trails at the park? 

Do you like to work in your garden? 

Do you enjoy drawing chalk masterpieces on the driveway with your grandkids?

Spring will finally show us all its glory and then suddenly it will be summer. I'm not in a hurry, but I certainly wouldn't mind more than two consecutive days of warmth and sunshine. Not wearing socks or a jacket can do wonders for our mental health.

Spring Forward?

Spring Forward! I've been reminded all week that tomorrow night we need to adjust our clocks for Daylight Savings Time. I don't know about you, but I am wishing I would have had an extra hour of sleep rather than losing another one. Sadly, sleep hasn't been in my repertoire lately. Having a lot to do and a busy schedule is pretty much the norm in my life, but lately it's been something else.

I've been trying to focus more on my personal life goals, my family, my job, my writing, and of course trying to carve out a few minutes here and there just for me (like my Tuesday night Zumba class). I've discovered that a person's soul can get pretty drained when it's being ignored and not properly nurtured. Stress and responsibilities have a way of becoming all too consuming.

I've also discovered that for me, at least, life's obstacles are what actually get in the way of me living my life the way that I want. It's those responsibilities that seem to double and triple some weeks. It's the snowy and icy weather, it's the working late some days, it's the heavy traffic that makes your commute longer; it's a lot of little things. We've all learned by now that some things are completely out of our control and not taken on by choice; providing elder care, getting sick, worrying about the welfare and health of friends and family, blowing a tire on an infamous Michigan roadway, or having someone deliver the wrong mattress when you're in desperate need of sleep (that could be a whole other blog post).

These obstacles are nothing more than distractions though. They come and they'll go. Unfortunately, while they're in your presence they can lead to unhealthy nervous snacking, any attempt you have for a peaceful night of sleep, your attitude changes, and definitely your motivation (or lack of it).

So how do we get back on track when we feel like we're slipping into a slump? Slumps can be tricky; they can affect us physically, as well as mentally. How do we try to reclaim what is ours? Our time ... our happiness ... our ability to be productive and creative? I wish I had the exact formula, trust me. But sadly, you and I aren't any different. We all get thrown the occasional curve ball. We all have to tackle unwanted situations. We all have days when we feel like to need to play referee. We all have to deal with unwanted illnesses and sometimes sudden loss.

I think the biggest thing we can do is allow ourselves to be humble. Life isn't meant to be handled alone. Whether you have your faith, a supportive family, or friends who you know you can count on ... you have what you need to tackle the tough patches. It's much easier to work through and over an obstacle when you have someone to talk to. Bounce ideas off of them and be open to a fresh perspective. Maybe they can help us see what we can't. Maybe they can help motivate us. Maybe they can remind us that we are not alone, exactly when we need to hear it most.

The next time you find life's obstacles getting in the way of you actually living the life you want, take a step back. Take a fresh look at the big picture. Ask yourself what's stopping you from getting to where you want to be. Know in your heart that this current obstacle shall pass and be nothing more than a distant memory and a reminder of just how strong and resilient you really are.

What's been stopping you lately from living your life?

What inspires you?

There are days we think we have it all together; that we can accomplish anything we set our mind to. Oh, if that were just the case every day. Some days we need a nudge, a vigorous shove, or some help from outside sources. Often that help can come in the form of inspiration.

If you are an artist you may need to take a walk in wooded nature or on the beach to visually take in all the colors and textures before you put your brush to the canvas.

If you are a songwriter you might want to observe the people and circumstances around you before you feel you can adequately retell the situation with song lyrics.

If you are a writer you may get your best inspirations from quotes that you come across. Sometimes you find the quotes and sometimes they find you; for me those unexpected ones are the best. Here is one that was part of an email sent to me recently by a friend.

'When you discover something that nourishes your soul and brings you joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.'   ~ Jean Shinoda Bolen

This quote, for me, is literally the vigorous shove or the proverbial 2x4 between the eyes. Some people simply have the ability to point out clearly exactly what I need to be reminded of. Like many other people, I wear a lot of hats. I'm a wife, a mother, a mother-in-law, a grandmother, a daughter, a sister, an employee, a friend, someone who likes to putz in her flower beds, a Christian, a cancer survivor, and when I can make time for myself ... a blogger. Writing, for me, is that thing that nourishes my soul and brings me joy. Sometimes, though, the hours and the days get away from me, because 'life' shows up at my doorstep. When I remember to care about myself, I make time to write. It helps me sort through all the 'life' stuff and hopefully regain a little order in my day.

Sometimes I remember and then I blog twice in a week. Other times, like the last 2 weeks, I forget and then days slip by in between blog posts. 

Sometimes you just get tired; the kind of tired that a good night's sleep can't cure. That is another quote I heard somewhere recently, but can't remember where or who said it, sorry. I am feeling inspired by the quotes that have found me. I wrote them out and put them where I can read them whenever I need reminding; which sadly is too often.

Are you feeling frustrated? Overwhelmed? In a rut? 

Ready for a life transition? Encouraged? 
Ready to make things happen in your life?

Where you do find your inspiration?

Every Little Thing You Do

Do you ever have one of those days when you wonder if you're doing enough OR if what you are doing even matters? If you do, then I can guarantee you are not alone. Some people will do things in order to be recognized or receive a pat on the back; maybe they have low self-esteem and need reassurance. Others will do things because it's just a natural occurrence for them. I suppose it all comes down to asking, 'What is your motivation?' What are you doing (or hoping to accomplish) and WHY are you doing it? What are you hoping your end result will be?

 

Perhaps you are working toward a fitness or financial goal. Perhaps there's something you are hoping to accomplish at work to reduce your stress level or work load. Maybe you are working at strengthening a relationship or furthering your faith journey. We all deal with hurdles and obstacles. We all think we know what we want to accomplish and how we want to get there, but often life throws us unexpected curve balls that we don't anticipate. If we focus on the intended results and work hard we can usually get there (or at least close). Ironically though, as much as WE think we know where we are headed and what we need to do; there's a bigger picture. Our plan may not be God's plan and maybe God is putting certain obstacles in our way because he wants us to change course or learn something important about ourselves along the way. That is where we need to stay strong and have faith. It is hard to deal with the unknown, but it is easy to give up when we don't understand things.

 

I was listening to a song on the way to work yesterday. As I sat at a red light waiting for my turn to move on through the intersection I just listened to the radio; listened to the words discovering that they were the 'proverbial two by four' hitting me square between the eyes. The song is called 'Do Everything' by Steven Curtis Chapman. Here is just the chorus.

 

 

Do everything you do to the glory of the one who made you

cuz he made you

to do every little thing that you do

to bring a smile to his face

and tell the story of grace

with every move you make and every little thing you do.

 

 

Wow! There is your clarity and motivation in a nutshell! Every thing you do and say matters. YOU matter. It's okay to not understand everything. It's okay to feel discouraged. It's okay to get off track as long you try again and again and again. Just don't give up. Talk to a family member or a friend or a co-worker or a mentor. Talk out your frustrations and questions. They may not have the answers you want; they may not have any answers. But sometimes just working through obstacles and situations out loud can be helpful. Remember, you don't have to get through this thing called 'life' by yourself.



Got any good recipes?

I got a crock pot for Christmas. Nothing fancy, but it's what I wanted. I've never had one before but was intrigued. Now I'm not sure what to do with it. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to leave it on during the day if I'm not home AND I'm having a hard time finding 4-8 consecutive hours that I am home (except at night when I'm sleeping). I've done the hard part - I rearranged my cupboards to find a nice home for it, washed it out, and now it's there just waiting for me to use it.

My family aren't fancy eaters. We like chicken, we like beef, we like pork, we like potatoes, we like veggies, we like gravy. My hubby isn't big on soups - he says 'Soup is something you eat with a meal, it's not supposed to be the meal.' My daughter and I, though, would quickly disagree.

Does anyone have any good recipes to send my way? Something simple, limited ingredients, something I could try preparing on a Saturday or a Sunday afternoon after church? I seriously don't want my new crock pot to end up like my exercise videos in the cabinets ... bought with the best of intentions, but never to be heard from or seen again.

HELP!!!!