This Too, Is God

Note: If you are joining us for the first time, we are reading (in many cases rereading) Simple Abundance...A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

Dry spell...yes, I understand that. Tomorrow I am due to publish my monthly newsletter. It has taken me at least 30 days to come up with the right subject. I haven't even started crafting the feature article yet. I kept reworking an article that just would not come into it's own. Finally, I scraped it and tomorrow I start from scratch.

Yes, there are days when my fingers just fly over the keyboard and days where I stare at a blank screen and cannot put one word behind the other. As Sarah tells us, it happens to all of us. When it does occur, we need not panic. Creativity will return, we can count on that. I love the title of the reading, "This too, Is God". I believe it is a signal to take a time out to rest, reflect, be still and listen.

Okay I am going to rest well tonight and know that tomorrow the words will come.

Take care my friends. Meet you here tomorrow.

Sunny

If Not Now, Then When

Note: If you are joining us for the first time, we are reading (in many cases rereading) Simple Abundance...A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

This might be cheating a bit, but I'm going for it. Today's entry is about procrastination. Below is a Ezine article I wrote on the subject. Enjoy!

The other evening at a dinner meeting I listened intently as the speaker entertained us with her inspiring story "Taking the Next Step." During her talk, the presenter suggested that one should "eat your frog first." This brought me back to my Dale Carnegie training. We were taught to tackle that big hairy revolting frog as the first daily call of business. You know, kind of like Nike..."Just Do it!"

Admittedly there are mornings when I arrive in my home office, dressed and ready to pounce on that frog. There are other days, however when I kind of dance around it. Does this ever happen to you? It's sitting there in the middle of your work space and you stare at it not wanting to disturb the slimy creature. Instead, you kind of work nearby it, accomplishing a number of mundane items that didn't even make the days "to do" list. The fact is, you cannot even get to the darn "to do" list because his ugliness is parked on it. So, you think to yourself maybe it would be a good time for a coffee break or to email a friend? Come now, what you are really thinking is that he will just go away if ignored. Not a chance! That creature will remain planted in that spot until you muster up the courage to take action.

So why do we procrastinate and not immediately attack the more difficult tasks? Simple, it's called fear. The question is, how do we concur that fear? We should take a deep breath, jump in with both feet and be done with it. The problem is we are not always prepared to do so. Something is holding us back. Let me share with you some steps I use to prod myself into doing battle with my unwanted office mate.

I begin by recalling another thing I learned from the Carnegie course. That is to ask myself what is the worse thing that could happen if I take action? This starts to diminish my apprehension because I am certain the absolute worst will not happen. That thought process alone helps to subside my jitters. It helps me to focus on coming up with an action plan.

Perhaps I am dealing with a phone call I know I should make but even though I've mapped out a strategy, I am not feeling confident enough to punch in the numbers on the dial pad. What then? I try a dry run. I stand in front of a mirror and deliver the pitch to my reflection. Often times my singular role play will get me where I need to be.

If I feel I am dealing with a really big frog, I admit to myself that the action requires going out of my comfort zone. In that case sometimes a little support is required to boost my confidence level. What to do? I phone a friend to serve as a sounding board or to ask for help in brainstorming.

There are times when I sense I am dealing with not only one frog, but an entire pond of them. That simply means I am procrastinating over a large task that needs to be broken down into sub parts. Experts say one should start by arranging the work so that it does not have to be dealt with all at once. At this point, it's divide and conquer, requiring me to organize and prioritize.
Next, and this is the fun part, I visualize the reward. I imagine how happy I will be once I deal with the issue. Just think, I can get on with my day and accomplish some action items that lead up to realizing my dreams.

If I still find myself in the procrastination mode, I remind myself of something preached by one of my mentors. "Even a turtle doesn't get ahead unless she sticks her neck out." Okay, I am starting to feel more confident by now. Surely I have more fortitude than a turtle!
Lastly what really spurs me into action is conjuring up another illustrious pearl of wisdom I gleaned from a very wise man, Dr. Robert Schuller. "Beginning is half done!" There now, that's the ticket. I'm back to the Nike philosophy but this time with courage and conviction! I'm going for it!

Once the deed is done, it sometimes turns out like the fairy tale. You know the one where you kiss the frog and he turns into a handsome prince. Yes, often times dealing with Sir Frog brings unimagined benefits.

Until tomorrow,

Sunny

Artists of Everyday: Loving, Knowing, Doing

Note: If you are joining us for the first time, we are reading (in many cases rereading) Simple Abundance...A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

What a lovely entry. I could not agree with Sarah more. We are all brilliant gifted artists of everyday life. With each day we love, bless , help and support our families and those around us. The art is in the special ingredient...love. Have you ever put love in a meatloaf? I have, and no doubt you have too.

My husband, bless his heart, puts love into making a bed. Sometimes I just watch him in awe. He fluffs the pillows in a special way. He makes certain every fold is done correctly and that the skirt is always set just right. Yep, that's love. Lately he has been turning the bed down for me. I delight in that. The simple act of preparing the bed has love written all over it.

My hairstylist told me the other day that her husband always makes the coffee and brings it to her in bed at the start of the day. I am sure he puts love into the brew.

So my friends, the next time you think you have no creative abilities, that you are not an artist, think again. Think about the cupcakes you made for your son's class, the button you sewed on your husband's shirt, the card you sent to encourage a friend. That's the art of love.

I'm not making a meatloaf tonight. My husband went out and picked up a pizza. That's love too!

Sunny

Home Art

Note: If you are joining us for the first time, we are reading (in many cases rereading) Simple Abundance...A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

I must admit, Sarah and I totally part ways when it comes to the pleasures of creating home art. I have never refurbished a piece of furniture, sewn a pillow or macramed. But I can glue. What has glue got to do with home art? The only home craft I can take credit for are my plates. I shop for interesting plates and glue them to interesting glasses. You would really have to see them to appreciate it. Sorry, I do not have a picture of one.

My favorite room in our home is my office. I love the furniture and what I call my "window on the world" When I gaze out the window I can see the swans playing in the lake. I thank Pottery Barn for the furniture and God for the beautiful white swans. The only way I have influenced this room is by hanging pictures that I did not paint.

I can arrange flowers. Do you think that counts?

Short entry today...must be due to lack of artistic ability.

I'll meet you here tomorrow,

Sunny

Meditative Handwork

Note: If you are joining us for the first time, we are reading (in many cases rereading) Simple Abundance...A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

Yes, I know what Sarah is talking about regarding how busying your hands can quiet your mind. Whenever I need a therapeutic activity, I turn to knitting. The funny part is, I am not really any good at it. Basically, it doesn't matter. I move my fingers along...knit, purl, knit, purl establishing a rhythm that calms my mind.

Additionally I like keeping a basket of pretty colored yarns around the house. Just looking at the mix of blends and hues is relaxing. Sometimes while knitting I entertain the possibility of making gifts for the family. Then I giggle and remind myself of my attempts at creating something wonderful. Believe me, a scarf or a simple hat, well that's my limit. I do not think I'll be producing any beautiful angora sweaters like my mother-in-law used to. She was a PRO! As for me, whenever I've attempted such a project my therapeutic hobby turns into a nightmare of frustration. Yep, I've learned to keep it simple...knit, purl, knit, purl.

At one point I did take a jewelry class and turned out a few bracelets. It was fun, but lacked the ability to put me in the meditative trance Sarah speaks of.

What does it for you my friends? Any basket weavers out there? I cannot imagine doing that, but truly admire people who do.

Whatever it is, Sarah's on to something here. If your hands are busy perhaps others won't interrupt you while you let your mind wander off on vacation!

Happy crafting,

Sunny

Reel Life Lessons

If you are joining us for the first time, we are reading (in many cases rereading) Simple Abundance...A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

Reading for August 26th - Okay, now Sarah is speaking a language I am totally familiar with...the art of films. It is rather interesting that it was a film, Julie and Julia (pictured here...saw it twice) that helped to inspire this blog. Saw the movie, found the book, gave birth to the idea of the blog.

I love movies. I love popcorn. I love loosing myself for two hours while I meet new characters, enjoy beautiful scenery, visit places I've never been before. Bring on the comedies, the mysteries, the dramas, the epic and foreign films. I love them all, but I'll skip the westerns if you don't mind.

Yes Sarah, I agree, "matching your mood to a movie is very restorative and rewarding." Recently I hosted a girls weekend. My forever friends and I went to see Julie and Julia. It was a perfect flick to view with good friends. I turned to my left and watched one friend laugh, grabbed some popcorn and exchanged smiles with my friend on the right. It was pure bliss! Great friends and the film I have been waiting for all summer. A few weeks later I took my husband to see the movie. I enjoyed it just as much the second time and loved watching it with my honey.

Thank your Nora Ephron, thank you Hollywood. Meryl and Amy..you rock.

That's it for today my friends. See you at the movies. Chime in now. What is your favorite movie of all time?

Sunny

The Smell of the Greasepaint, The Roar of The Crowd

Hello...If you are joining us for the first time, we are reading (in many cases rereading) Simple Abundance...A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach. There will be two entries today in order to be in sync with the dates in the book.

An actress, I'm not. (Although my family may tell you otherwise.) I do love my motivational speaking gigs and sometimes I can take my speeches to dramatic levels. Regarding acting, however, Sarah is right. You do not have to act, dance or sing on stage to explore and enjoy theatre.

One of my favorite things is to gather the girls for a night at the ballet. There is something magical about dance that transports you to a special place. The music, the movement, the costumes all tell a story without uttering a single word. It's like living in a fairy tale. What could be sweeter?

Whether you truly act on stage or just sing in the shower, do it with zest. Give it your all. You know, the "dance like no one is watching" philosophy.

Okay...time to boogie on down the road. Meet you at the next entry.

Sunny

Eye of The Beholder

Reading from Simple Abundance: August 24th

Art is the subject of Sarah's entry today. Right out of the gate she mentioned one of my favorite female artists, Georgia O'Keeffe. Two years ago my husband and I visited Santa Fe (a place on my bucket list). Yes, New Mexico is indeed O'Keeffe country. We celebrated my birthday that year by visiting the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. It was a truly memorable experience.

I so love it when you can get more insight into the life of the artist. To my delight there was a narrated film about Georgia's life and art. She was one determined woman. When she graduated from high school in 1905, she set her sights on making her way in the art world. She knew she had talent and showed it to the world. I adore her paintings of flowers and her abtract images.

Beyond the art, I love what Georgia represents. She made her way in the world at a time when most women were forced into very narrow traditional roles. Just think my friends, women were not even given the right to vote in this country until 1919. And yet, in spite of the times, Georgia brought a certain art style to America and went on to influence the European art world. Imagine the power of her talent and fortitude!

Okay I am putting her on the list of my heroines and role models. What about you my reader friends? Who is your favorite artist? Your favorite medium? What about your own creative endeavors? Chime in.

Sunny

P.S. By the way, for your visual pleasure I have uploaded one of Georgia's beautiful paintings.

P.P.S. My friend Jeanie tells me I am a day off in following the reading of the day. Thanks Jeanie for pointing that out. Tomorrow...two entries and we'll be on track. What would I do without my dear friends to help and guide me?

Music as Therapy

As I read the entry for August 24th it occured to me once again I am so thankful I tripped across Simple Abundance and, happy to be doing a reread along with my virtual book club friends. Regarding today's subject, Music as Therapy, much like with poetry, Sarah pushes me incorporating new actions into my routine.

Currently I use country music to wake up and drive to. I put on good old rock and roll when I want to clean the house, dance and get energized. When I am writing, however, the sound of silence has always been my partner. I love cooking and you will often find me in the kitchen, however, the only rhythms you will hear are chopping and sauteing. Okay...time for a change! I am going to hunt through our music collection (mostly assembled by my husband who is very musical) and set both my writing and culinary creations to music. Thanks Sarah!

Indeed, I've read about the benefits of classical music in regard to children but never really thought about the effect it may have on adults. In our entry today, Sarah says that listening to Mozart can increase your clarity. She suggests that Sondheim's A Little Night Music can calm us when we are stressed. Okay, so beyond practicing deep breathing on a stressful day like today when I have encountered numerous technical problems (wish I owned a teenager to help me navigate those issues) I'll tune into some soothing sounds.

Hey dear reader friends...what do you listen to when the printer breaks down, you're facing a deadline, and you feel a migraine coming on?

Looking forward to hearing about your favorite tunes that serve as therapy, sources of joy and stimulate creativity,

Sunny

The Poetry Prescription

Sarahs 's entry today has, in a sense, opened up a new door. I like poetry, but usually from afar. It reminds me of the way I feel about fruit. Okay, I know that makes no sense, but let me explain. I am never inclined to reach for an apple or a banana. If, however, someone else cuts up the fruit and makes a lovely fruit salad, well that is a different story.

It's the same way with poetry. I do not normally reach for a book of verse. But again, if someone reads me a beautiful poem, I do appreciate the blend and rhythm of the words. Recently my friend Robin recently let me read her lovely poetry. It was very moving. She has a gift and I hope she takes it to the world.

I am going to take Sarah's prescription. On Tuesday when I visit the library, I will bring home a book of verse. I will read a poem a day. I will commit a verse to memory. Why? Not only to begin appreciating the beauty of poetry, but also because Sarah says "it can induce a sense of serenity". I'm all for that!

Until tomorrow,

Sunny

The Comfort Found in Good Old Books

Sarah's journal today touches on book browsing as a "medatative art." I agree with Sarah, when I am book browsing I am happy and at peace. I love to meander up and down the isles, letting my mind explore the possibilities.

You know, as much as I love reading, I am amazed that I have never joined a book club. When I realized after my first post that two of my friends dusted off their copies and are reading along with me, I was delighted. It appears we have a virtual book club started. Ah, the amazing possibilities of blogging!

I find it interesting that Sarah talks about finding comfort in old books while we now journey together down the path of finding comfort in her book for the next year.

Thanks Carol and Carol for joining up as we read, reflect and discuss the entries. I wonder who else we'll meet along the way?

Looking forward to meeting you on blogger and hearing your thoughts tomorrow,

Sunny

Simple Abundance

A Daybook of Comfort and Joy

Don’t you love it when things just come together? The other day I stopped in a local coffee shop and was drawn to a grouping of old books being sold to benefit MD. I did not need to browse long to know I had a find. It was like bumping into an old friend. My found treasure is Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. I remember reading each daily entry a little over ten years ago. I’d make time each morning before I rushed off to my job in corporate American. It was a calming and delightful way to start the day.


If you haven’t read it, get a copy. Sarah has organized this book as “a walk through the year”. One needn’t start at January 1st, it is a book to be loved and enjoyed at any starting point.
So tomorrow, dear readers, I’ll start on the page in her book labeled August 21st. I am a newbie when it comes to blogging, but delighted to reread a book first printed in 1995 and ponder each day what Sarah has written and how I relate to it.


Whether it’s your first reading or your twelfth, I do hope you read along and chime in with your thoughts.

Until tomorrow,
Sunny