Falls and Lessons

Whether it's a physical fall with resulting pain or

an emotional mishap, there is learning that can take place.

Each experience here on earth is for our benefit

IF we don't reject it, but look for the INSIGHTS that can come.

I had to chuckle as my 92 year old aunt told me of her

tumble with a shopping cart in Walmart last week.

Being more than 20 years younger I could still relate

to the shock of normal activities like walking being dangerous.

The need to slow down, move more carefully and

consider my behavior BEFORE I speak or act is being

reinforced in my life. Perhaps too forcefully but I'm

listening and open to improving along with a few bruises.

I'm feeling much BETTER and even went shopping yesterday.

My ankle isn't sore just my right thumb, so I'm teaching

my left thumb to hit the space bar-a unique experience.

I'm committing to SLOWING DOWN and enjoying each day more.

Splat again...

Walking home from my line dancing class

I was tired; nearing my front door suddenly

I found myself making a three point landing on

the unforgiving uneven cement of my driveway.

What a surprise, of course my body automatically

tried to protect itself and break the fall.

Sometimes that can break some appendages,

luckily I escaped with only a sprained ankle.

Although my left knee and right thumb

broke my fall and still hurt, with ice applied

and a little time they are feeling better.

Just another experience to add to my "interesting" life.

Lying face down on the ground, my first response

was: did anyone see or hear me letting out

such unladylike language? Thankfully no, and

no one came to pick me up but little old me!

This happened last Saturday, amazing how healing time is...

A reminder to slow down and watch my steps more carefully.

Article #186 Talents and Opportunities

What is a talent? The dictionary says the ability to do something well. It's not just artistic talents, you could be a great cook, hostess, friend, carpenter, seamstress or in any other area. We each have a talent or two. Sometimes it seems easier to recognize talent/s in our children or grandchildren while we have a block discovering our own special abilities.

Who has time to develop their talents or interests? There is a time for everything and a season… (Ecclesiastes 3:1 )…great advice from the good book. As youth you are ready to go forth and conquer the world, do it all, have it all, experience everything. Then life comes with its demands. After high school, the future looms with too many choices. Some are overwhelming decisions-to go to college, get a job, marry or other options beckon. Eventually, you settle for one or two of the above. In the blink of an eye, your family is raised, careers are over and retirement faces you. Perhaps you have been retired for decades and are facing the challenges of failing health, grieving for a lost spouse or loved one and/or dwindling finances.

Each person has some interest or talent that can be develop or ignored. Musical or artistic talents demand responsibility in learning the techniques involved and practicing them. Every interest needs attention and time to be developed. Woodworking, model building, golf, hunting, fishing, the list of interests and talents that can be pursued is endless. The problem is identifying your passion and making time in your life to pursue it whether you are busy with a career, homemaking or retired now. Talents can help your self worth rise, as you display and share your skills in quilting, scrap booking, genealogy, or taxidermy. Whatever it is that you love to do can enrich your life and others.

Do you have a responsibility to discover and develop your talents? Let’s use the word opportunity instead of responsibility to make it sound less like work. You do have to give yourself permission to explore what interests you have. Then see which of these is most enjoyable. There are many opportunities to try new skills pickleball, biking, hiking, photography, computers or travel. The list is endless. So sit down today and explore what talents or interests you could develop. Then take responsibility to pursue your choice/s. Your kids and grandkids are watching your example. I’ve just discovered art journaling.

Architecture around town

We have been having rain, rain, rain...so Caryn and I spent yesterday driving around town looking for interesting architecture, mostly southwestern style.

Here's the local Catholic church

Classic mission style

I love the simplicity of this protestant chapel

Next is the eclectic home decor in the hills nearby

The color certainly shows up bright

I like all the textures: tiles, rock, blocks etc.

Just a humble little mansion with a drive through

Impressive entrance

Roof details of Caryn's condo

Zen UnTangling fun

I'm rediscovering ART. As a child I liked to draw and make designs. Throughout my life I've taken classes in figure drawing, watercolor, sculpture and pottery but never did much with any of these art forms. Enjoyed scrapbooking a lot as a creative outlet but when I discovered blogging a few years back I stopped scrapbooking or making cards. Blogging was so much easier and I could post my photos, then my friend Caryn opened up the possibilities of Art Journaling and ZenTangle in a class I'm still taking from her. It was fun, creative and artistic. Click to enlarge.

Here's some more zentangles or doodles I've made recently. There are many patterns online and you can try it without any special equipment. Just start with a piece of paper, pencil and fine ink pen to darken in your design. You'll find it relaxing...play around with color or shading.

There are unlimited designs to copy and master or make your own.

A little valentine fun here and then some experimenting.

Still trying to figure out how to draw braids-it's not easy but fun.

It doesn't have to be perfect, use any mistakes to vary your design.

More Art Journaling

I'm discovering that I enjoy this process of creating and layering media with words. Caryn will be teaching another class... on Zentangle and Art Journaling at a local scrapbook store. Here's some more of her creations, so creative.

Multiple layers of colorful fancy napkins and other materials

Collage of colored patterned papers over a painted background

Lace and other patterns add to this page and a fun 1920s woman

Here's my attempts at art journaling below, before:

Mine-after adding several layers and some sparkle paint

then a clipart image and a poem I wrote-it's done, I think...

Click on photo to make it larger.

Article #185 Finding YOU

I remember my oldest son asking me while I was raising my four sons and working full time as a single parent, How come you never dance anymore? I didn’t have time for ME! Now I’m too old to dance professionally any more, but I’ve found a new expression or voice in writing and poetry.

In our modern lives, there are many voices vying for our attention. Not the least of these is the media, whether it’s the television, Internet, movies or magazines, we are told what we should be…unbelievably young, slim, and active, driving a certain classy car and buying fulfillment for ourselves. No wonder many are lost and depressed with these not so subtle pressures. Trying to sort out YOUR own feelings and aspirations in the clamoring world of today, is demanding. Who do you listen to; what really is the truth? If you are a retired person, it’s doubly hard to try to compete with the youthful society we live in or to keep up with your family.

Finding your AUTHENTIC self or voice isn’t easy as you age until you can learn to distinguish between the world’s voice and your own. What is it you really want to accomplish with your life? What talents and abilities do you have that are undeveloped? What weaknesses could you make into strengths? These are all important questions to consider rather than how to how to compete with what your neighbor has. How do you quiet the pressures of the world and make time to discover YOU?

Journaling is a marvelous tool, if you’ll take time to simply write down some of your thoughts-it will clear your head. Writing your life story can do the same thing as you reflect back on what you’ve accomplished during your lifetime. Insights will come that can motivate you to go forward with the time you have left to live more creatively and find the fulfillment you deserve.

Comparing yourself with others is unfair and not helpful with this process of finding your voice. You are different than any other human being. Not only do you look different, but you are unique in your outlook and experiences. Even identical twins vary inside personality wise. A great resource for finding you or your voice is Stephen R. Covey’s book The Eighth Habit where he describes discovering your voice, then helping others to find theirs. Check it out. (Clipart.com for images)