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my friday ritual...inspired by the lovely soulemama
"{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." ~Amanda Blake Soule
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i took down this painting from my little etsy shop window recently. something about her felt amiss. her poem needed new words as they were not clearly expressing what my heart was feeling. so we spent some time together, she and i, last week. and i listened and reworked.
i was reminded the other day, how each day is a fresh start bringing potential and possibility. a new chance for growth and change and a new opportunity to uncover beauty and goodness in the world. and so my words now reflect this, as does she.
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her talk is powerful and inspiring
i have been buzzed off their creative drives & energies from watching this documentary since saturday
this post and her story, made me marvel at her strength and grieve collectively at the loss
i was completely inspired by this lovely woman (thx deb for sharing)
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finally, it feels like spring has truly made it, and this weekend provided a much needed change of scenery and routine as we wandered along a hilltown. her blooms have appeared on branches, causing some to hang heavy under their weight. her winds, although still cool, are just enough to provide respite from the direct warmth of the sun's rays. you can feel her presence in the people you pass by. they smiled as they browsed the markets or sipped cafe at an outdoor table - all seemed a bit lifted and bright. it was a weekend where i could collect my thoughts, finish some projects, schedule others, and savor the delights of two giggling little boys who thrive on exploring a new place as if they are the very first to discover her. yeah...it was one of those weekends.
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it took until yesterday afternoon to make me feel like i have stepped out of the cave a little bit. i have been sick for 2 weeks (hello sinus infection...bye-bye, now, naw really - you can go), nursing my knee/leg that is still not 100% and more of a puzzle than a picture of health (a year and a half later...deeeeeep breath), and pull myself out of the weeds at work. stress levels have been high and when that happens, i notice self-care goes out the window and i merely just try and make it through to the next day. not a pretty picture. and when this happens, my optimism takes a hard hit.
so this weekend, i told j - "let's get some flowers and herbs and repot all of our containers." so armed with as many Kleenex packets as i could stuff in my purse, off we went.
there is something so peaceful about wandering up and down aisles covered with green, with splashes of color, varieties of leaves, and breathing with life. we chose some favorites. kai picked out his first plant to keep in his room and love and care for. we came home and walked down for lunch, meeting up with a good friend that i haven't seen much this winter and having her join us. we ate and basked in the sunshine. then we spent yesterday afternoon, hands in dirt. and for the first time in weeks, i felt the draft, the dampness, and the chill of the cave behind me. my face straining toward the sunshine.
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i have been a bit quiet here lately. catching up and catching my breath a bit, i suppose. we have enjoyed having family visit while battling some viruses as well. but spring is bringing with her all the healing balms she offers...and this beautiful video i came across recently, captures glimpses of the gifts the seasons bring in italy.
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life is proving extremely busy right now and will be for a bit longer. i am pulling out all my tricks for keeping my focus on the positive and for putting the need for some simple self-care at the top of my list (even especially on the days where the list seems to be long and tedious).
so keeping with this, i wanted to share some loves...
this is such an uplifting interview/woman (thx jamie)
what a wonderful idea, am so trying this (thx regina & misty)
deep gratitude to davy jones for being the soundtrack of my tween years, you will be missed
this one made me laugh
this song is finding the repeat on my playlist (thx susannah)
reading up on mindfulness
working on making this a daily habit
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because by the time i reach this view, the constant busyness of the week is behind me and the only thing my mind resonates with is the sound of breath pulsating life into my body and the strike of my foot as it meets the pavement. everything else fades away. because today i will find make the time to lace up my shoes.
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