Regardless of your spiritual practice, cultural tradition, or religious belief...
Here's to celebrating a day when a story is told about The Divine incarnating here on Earth, to symbolize the Divine in all of Us, uniting Us all as Family and inspiring Us to respect and cherish each other as such.
Merry Christmas! Blessings for a joyous New Year, that We might be refreshed in that Spirit.
This is it - Holidays 2017. We are in the thick of it. My plans have radically changed from what they were one week ago and I am TRYING to go with the flow and stay on the positive side of things. Am I ready for Christmas? No. Am I ready for Chanukah (seven days in already)? No. I just finally managed to get the house clean and that was only because I had help. Struggling, I Googled how to de-stress during the holidays:
Remember to be jolly.
What kind of crap is that? The ridiculousness continued...
Don't be frazzled.
Create a calm work environment.
Who writes this sh... um, stuff? HOW are you supposed to do that in the middle of a holiday meltdown??? Can we get some serious help somewhere?
Plan ahead.
IT'S A LITTLE TOO LATE FOR THAT, ISN'T IT?
LOL.
(OMG The baby's awake - again. I swear that kid doesn't sleep. Hang on.) Oh! That was another one!
Get more rest.
WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE?
OK. See what happened there? I was starting to laugh before I got interrupted. In our house - we laugh. We have to. It's what keeps us from killing each other. #youthinkimjoking
Ha! Seriously though, the stress is piling up on me and so I'm trying to remember a few things. Things like: don't drink in isolation, talk to someone (you'll feel better - you will - talk to someone supportive), understand that plans are going to change, get in the "now" moment (there's usually nothing to freak out about there), remember that this too shall pass (it's all going to be fine and nothing is the end of the world), help someone else in need (this is always a good idea), CHECK IN ON OTHERS (this is a lonely time for some - check in on elderly neighbors and anyone you can think of who might appreciate a friendly smile - it might go a long way), and when things go haywire, laugh it off!
If you need serious help, find it. Seek it out. The fluffy stuff isn't for everybody. Anything you don't agree with can be tossed out easily enough. :)
Hectic doesn't even begin to describe the journey, but the moments along the way are sights to behold.
We finally made it to the studio in Buffalo where I walked in and saw all the familiar sights. There was my regular writing chair, rows of music stands and dusty guitar cases. Amps and keyboards lined the walls. The new control room was really taking shape (under construction) and I was about to start writing sessions with my favorite team. I remember saying, "I love this place!" I piled my bags in my usual spot and got set up to start working.
There is nothing like catching snatches of the Bills game from the TV in the pizza place across the street from the studio in December in Buffalo. The guys behind the counter come out and yell, "NO!" in a moment of wishful thinking when it looks like the opposing team might miss the extra point. There's a sense of family with perfect strangers when you all stand there and marvel at the amount of snow on the field.
Then it was back to work making music with my beloved friends and writing partners.
I'm consumed with gratitude for every single moment - and have a real sense that this is truly the way life is meant to be lived - enjoying every moment.
A Blessed holiday season to you and yours...
Enjoy the moments.
On occasion I've thought of hanging a sign like this instead of blogging.
Here's the thing... it's the holidays! We are all crazy busy. This year, I am going to slow down a bit and enjoy the magic around me. There will be home decorating, traveling, shopping, playing with babies, songwriting, music recording, snow shoveling, family visiting, and ten thousand other things. Let's take lots of pictures AND remember to put down the camera sometimes and just be present in the moment.
Time is so precious. Enjoy all the wonderful moments this holiday season!
I may do this every year. This list is a work in progress. Time is short (isn't everyone's?) and we have a lot of stuff to do. I have my own thoughts and a very limited amount of time to research, so this is it for this year. There's no shortage of information online though. There are holiday survival guides for every aspect of life, so if there's something specific you're looking for (one dish meals, pet safety, beauty, house cleaning, etc.) you can do a search. As for this list, I've just taken some time out to remind myself about the things that might be helpful as I try to improve this holiday game a little bit each time around.
Started this blog in the store parking lot. Let the shopping begin!
1. Breathe.
Seems simple enough, but I slept in today. I had to. I didn't make it to the gym. I didn't get everything done that I wanted to. I'm not going to feel guilty about that. I needed sleep - end of story. I'm going to approach the season with that mindset. Everything will not get done. That's ok.
2. Get a game plan.
This is no time to wander about aimlessly. I need a list of things to do in order to make the most efficient use of time.
3. Be prepared to abandon the plan.
Life happens. Expect the unexpected and go with the flow. Precious moments can pass us by if we're not prepared to stop and take it all in. Zach said "baby" today. If I was too wrapped up in a plan of accomplishment and not paying attention, I might have missed it. It might not have happened at all if we hadn't taken the opportunity to FaceTime with Mimi (who taught him to say it).
Gotta take a break. He wants me to read him a book.
4. Remain guilt free.
I am going to miss some stuff. I can't be everywhere at all times. There's no room for second guessing and feeling bad about anything. Make a decision and stick with it - or don't - but either way DO NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT. Nobody and nothing is perfect. Enjoy the ride.
5. Be kind.
This seems obvious but today in the store parking lot, a man stopped me as I was driving past. He indicated to me that he was about to pull away and I could take his spot. How nice was that!!! Kindness goes a long way. Let's be a part of the holiday joy and spread the love by being kind to each other. We're all in the same boat here. Let's smile.
6. It doesn't have to be expensive.
One of my favorite go-to stories about this is a childhood memory. An Aunt and Uncle had to "talk" to me. It sounded serious. They explained that money was tight that year and they couldn't afford to get me much. "This is all we could get you..." They proceeded to hand me a plastic cup filled with chocolates. I remember thinking, "WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT? THIS IS THE BEST GIFT EVER!" I never forgot that. People on your list appreciate you thinking of them. The gift doesn't have to be extravagant.
7. Wear a cross body bag.
This is no time to fool around. Everything has to be hands free. C'mon, get serious. Being preoccupied with looking cute will not do. (Wearing heels is OUT OF THE QUESTION. I just don't understand that at all.) That being said, put on a little lip gloss. I feel more confident and am more likely to make friendly connections with people when I feel at least a little bit put together. But can we NOT wear pajamas to the mall please? I mean, let's not get carried away. Strike a balance.
8. Drink water.
Hydration is a must - it ranks right up there with eating and getting enough sleep. This is a marathon. Start drinking enough water. As an added benefit, it may make you feel less hungry and less likely to pig out on unhealthy, desperate snack-age. Also, we'll need to drink plenty of water with any headache medication we may need to take - lol. Seriously though, it doesn't matter if we need to take extra time to find a restroom. Just do it. Drink the water.
9. Don't over-complicate anything.
I'm always trying to do something extra and add on other tasks. Do something, then check it off the list. Done. Keep it moving and steady as she goes.
10. Enjoy the ride.
I know I already said it, but it's an important one. Laugh at any and every chance. Spread the smiles. 'Tis the season - enjoy. If I feel the stress coming on and things get frantic... I'll try to let it go. Let's just be happy. Amen.
The grocery store check out clerk seemed tired and on auto-pilot. When Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came on, I exclaimed, "Rudolph! Here we go!" as I loaded my items onto the conveyor belt. He smiled and continued smiling until I was rolling away and the lady behind me stepped up to the pin pad.
OK. That's all I got. The kid just fell asleep. That means I have to also. xo
Dave is gone. I had no idea. I last saw him at the beginning
of September. He was at the front desk of the gym, gently teasing me about my
workout as I was leaving for the day.
“Are you OK?” he laughed.
“No!” was my reply. “My legs feel like gummy worms!”
As director of training, he had set me up with my personal
training sessions the previous week. He had also set me up with trainers years ago
when I first joined that gym, but I had taken a break upon doctor’s orders
during pregnancy. We both laughed and said quick goodbyes as I walked out the
door. No one knew then that he had less than a week left to live. I didn’t know
until this past week.
I had gone out of town shortly after that exchange and missed his passing and all the announcements. I had noticed his absence at the gym lately, but thought he must be working evening hours, or maybe on vacation. I finally asked about him on Saturday.
"Where's Dave? I haven't seen him in a while."
The poor kid at the front desk hesitated awkwardly for a moment before telling me that he had died. It happened a couple of months ago. WHAT??? His obituary said it was an apparent heart attack. Anyone would tell you that Dave appeared to be in excellent physical condition. He was always giving new clients fitness assessments and was passionate about health and well-being as a lifestyle.
I stood there in disbelief for a few moments and stammered out a few questions before apologizing for the fog I was in, trying to process the information. I had just finished my workout and needed to stretch. Eventually, I drifted back to the personal training area and found a mat. With watery eyes I talked to Dave in my mind as I stretched. (How could I not have known? I was so sorry to have missed him...) I felt as if I could hear his voice speaking back to me as plain as day - as he always had. He was a source of lively charm at the gym. He would always smile and greet you enthusiastically, making you feel like family. Sometimes we would chat and philosophize. I had told him all about the baby and how physical therapy was going. He told me about the excellent results he was having with massage therapy for his shoulder and gave me the therapist's name and number. We spoke about the amazing mind/body connection and I noticed the book he was reading (An Interview with God, Woodrow Kroll). He inspired a lot of people there and they would all miss him.
I just couldn't believe he was gone. It felt as if he was standing right there, agreeing with me. He seemed his usual, smiling self in my mind's eye and he impressed upon me the significance of cherishing every moment. Of course he wouldn't want me to think of him and be sad. I envisioned him speaking very matter-of-factly, saying "This is how life is." It's just amazing how you can be here one moment - and be in Spirit the next. I kept talking to him periodically throughout the day. He's like "Angel Dave" to me now. It's going to take some getting used to.
I don't need condolences. I'm sure his family and those closest to him are feeling a sense of loss I can scarcely imagine. His absence has me contemplating how short our time here is though. It's made me want to talk to loved ones. He is inspiring me to have conversations and make visits that I've been putting off because I'm "too busy." Most of all... I want to pay more attention to those whose presence I take for granted. I want to live more fully and fearlessly. I'll prioritize the things that are important. I'll appreciate people around me. (There are so many beautiful people whom I adore... ) I will Love deeper. I will forgive quicker. I'll smile and laugh every chance I get. I will put my energy there - in that place of Joy and Love.
The whole family is sleeping. I don't have long... I am living in a Calgon commercial and just want to know when the relaxing bath part is going to come. I've been racing around trying to do everything and started this blog with the working title "No Idea."
These two...
The little one is teething. The big one is recovering from hernia surgery. Teething: we are getting through it. Surgery: Russ is doing well and on the mend.
Then there's THESE two...
Both want to go outside and act hungry despite the fact that they just ate and went out.
Also this week was a house window replacement. (Baby crying, dogs barking, table saws tripping electrical circuits, guy knocking at front door wanting me to come out and take a look, meatballs in the oven, sauce and chicken on the stove, out of baby ointment but don't realize it yet...)
The old window was in rough shape. It was broken and stuck in an open position. The previous occupants had caulked panes of glass up around it to keep cold air out - making it impossible to even access the window itself. There it sat, hidden by a curtain and effectively boarded up and forgotten about.
That was enough of that. Guys had to come with suction devices to remove the glass panes without breaking them and a bright, shiny new window came into place. You can see out! It opens, closes and functions to keep cold air out all on its own! It's brand new and sturdy and clean. I also had California Closets come and design some organizational space. I am reclaiming parts of the house - and my life - piece by piece. Maybe sometime soon I can actually wear two of the same color socks and remember to grab my wallet BEFORE I get into the checkout line at CVS! #momlife
I struggled to tie everything together and get this blog written until an illuminating conversation with a friend. (WHEN DID I HAVE TIME FOR AN ILLUMINATING CONVERSATION????) We spoke briefly about faith. When you've done all you can do, you have to just trust that all is as it should be.
Things get crazy. This is life - as it is meant to be. Enjoy the ride. It's kind of like the new window. We get all clouded up and stuck. We seal ourselves off from all the endless possibilities trying to do things our own way instead of just trusting that the Universe (or God, or Divine Order) has it all under control. After you've done all you can do, there's nothing left to do but trust.
