Women

Short on time but... To all the women: the mamas, the caretakers, the peacemakers, the breadwinners, the daughters, the sisters, the girlfriends, the wives --- we are in this together.  Let us be gentle on ourselves and each other.

"Right now in this moment there are women just like you loving their children as you are. frustrated as you are. praying for peace as you are." - Seane Corn

Peace in our inner experience and peace in our outer experience.  To you.... 

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A long walk....

I've got troubles.  Chances are, you do too.   We are human - flawed, difficult, imperfect.   I don't think anyone is without worry or trouble, some people are just better trained, biologically programmed, or a combination of both, to handle crisis.   The other day friends and I were talking about the adjustments needed in the first year of a baby's life.  It's no shocker that the change, together with lack of sleep, is major.  People were chiming in the usual tidbits --- try to streamline household tasks, utilize diapers.com, outsource wherever possible.   All helpful and true.   But one new mama said something profound --- she reminded us to stay away from the treadmill analogy.  That we are, in fact, getting somewhere.  We are moving through space and time and raising these little people.   Instead of a treadmill, let's think of it as a very long walk.   

Isn't that lovely.

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ps - Speaking of trouble, hearts out to the people of Oklahoma.  If you want to help, check out one of my very favorite blogs Sweet Fine Day's Team Rubicon page.  Although my contribution was small, I reminded myself that the slightest good deed is better than the grandest intention.  Thoughts and prayers to those people. 

Red Cottage Inc

Do you guys know about this site - Red Cottage Inc.   It is a perfectly curated collection of reasonably priced, but beautiful, vacation rentals.   The locations are a bit random --- mostly the Catskills and greater NYC but then a few miscellaneous places - Ireland, the Bahamas, Nantucket.

Anyways, I'll be keeping it in my back pocket.   Also, a fun resource for design inspiration! 

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Desiderata

I've probably posted this before, but I'm going to post it again.  Some of the most beautiful words I've read and a bit of a prayer for me....

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

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. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, 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.
Max Ehrmann, 1927.

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Followup: Wanted Lake House

A few days ago I was writing that I needed to find a lakehouse.  My soul was telling me to go to the woods.  To go to the water.  So, in an effort to practice what I preach and go confidently in the direction I desire, I found a simple little house on a simple little lake not too far away from home.  It wasn't available for July 4th week, the week we traditionally like to go away, but it was available any week of June.  ...any week?   What about the month?   What about the entire month --- all for me.  Yes, please!

I got a great rate on the June price because it is off-peak.  But I'm not a sun worshiper nor do I have kids in school, so June is actually perfectly "peak" for me.   So I followed my heart, didn't overthink and just committed.   I think it's going to be perfection!

Some years I like to use my vacation budget for Europe or a far away place.  Othertimes use it for what we know and like but this year, an overwhelmingly different year for us, a quiet retreat in the woods was exactly what I need.   Peace.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Self-actualization is defined as the development of one's best self.  Maslow talks about it in his Hierarchy of Needs.   Shouldn't all jobs, all relationships, all of life be helping you towards this goal of reaching your most true potential.   If they are no longer serving that need what becomes of them....  

I'm not sure yet.

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Honesty

Sometimes you read a blog post and you just weep.  The author is able to so carefully, beautifully articulate feelings you experience.   To the outside world, one might wonder why we read them.   Is it some strange voyeur phenomenon we are experiencing as a culture.   Do we, as readers, need to know what's going on with others - strangers - to measure our own life?  

I knew that was not why I read.  I read to have those "aha" moments where someone else's words help me make sense of my own emotions.  

Yesterday, my yoga teacher included the following words in her class.  It finally answered the question of Why I read....why I listen....why I write.....why I talk.

Tell the truth about your feelings and your experiences

and see the golden road appear that immediately

connects you to others on the path.