So you’ve done it. You’ve taken the plunge into those commitment waters. Seemed like a good idea at the time. For many, the waters stay relatively comfortable – temps change a little, might get a little choppy at times, currents change, and so on – but you take Dory’s famous advice and “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming…What do we do? We swim!” (My apologies to those of you that will now have that voice stuck in your head.) But for some, there’s sharks. Or hurricanes. Icebergs. Shipwreck. Riptide. Serious problems that make it seem impossible to keep swimming and keep your head above water in the relationship. When you notice fins or storm clouds, might be time to take another plunge.
I’ve been trying to write a blog most of the week. I’ve had lots of ideas. I’ve had lots of clients who have given me lots of great material. I love to write. But for some reason, I just can’t. So … I’m writing this bit because I know this happens to all of us. Sometimes, no matter how good our intentions, no matter how many ideas we have or how motivated we are, life happens and we just don’t get done what we want or need to. It happens to ALL of us. This week was my turn. Next time you find yourself inexplicably unable to do something, give yourself some grace. It isn’t ok to use this as an excuse, or to make it a lifestyle. Not taking responsibility is NOT okay. Sometimes you just have to
Photo Credit: Kyle Glenn/ unsplash.com A few days ago, my daughter had a late-night field hockey game. I could see tired written all over her face as she stumbled to the kitchen for breakfast the next morning. Normally, she packs her lunch the night before, however, since she didn’t return home until after 10:00 p.m., she kindly asked if I would help her. I gladly packed her lunch and saw her off to school. Later that day, I thought about her and wondered if she was still tired and how her day was going. I remembered times in grade school or early middle school when I would often pack her lunch that randomly included a “ Love, Mom” note in her lunchbox to let her know that I was thinking of
As I write this, I’m staring down the chamber of my next birthday. Yikes! Who is that “old lady” in the mirror? Somehow, I never thought it would come to this. And yet, you could say (and you would be right) … it’s the best option. Between aging and death, I suppose I’ll take aging. But goodness! Couldn’t there be a third option? Here are some ideas about how to age gracefully, into middle age and beyond: 1) Birthdays will happen. Age will come, if you’re fortunate enough to live long enough. It’s inevitable. Don’t fight it, because that wastes time and energy. Find a way to make it wonderful – it really is a blessing to get older. Revel in the wisdom it gives, in the joy of things only o
This summer I’ve set myself the task of clearing out my junk. Especially my books. I have FAR too many. I know it boggles the mind, but I gave away (to the Franklin County Legal Services book sale, of course) 37 CARTONS of books. And I’m not done. I’ve never been the kind to easily let go of stuff I’ve acquired. In the case of books, some of these had been with me since I was a child. Really! Over the years, I’ve gathered books old and new around me from every conceivable source – yard sales, used book stores, thrift stores, and, of course, the Friends of Franklin County Legal Services Book Sale. It’s a lot of books. And – promise me you won’t tell my husband, whose refrain has always been “
