REMEMBERING

I was sitting listening to my favorite celtic CD when I suddenly thought of my Grandpa. He died almost two years ago and I realized that I was missing him. I love this CD but I fell in love with it even more when I was on the phone with him one of the last times and he said, "That's real nice music you have on Norma."

I wonder how many times I have been missing him and not even stopped to realize that was going on.

After spending New Year's Eve and Day in silence I have considered spending one day a week in silence. I think I am going to do that. I hear things in silence that I don't otherwise hear. I also get to be okay with my own company.

I am going to the forest on Sunday - I will do it in silence - I saw, heard, and smelled a tree fall in the forest where I am going three years ago. I wonder what I will see, hear and smell this time..................

New Year's Day 2008

When I found out I had 12 days off at Christmas I thought to myself "What do I want to do and where do I want to go?" Then I remembered that life is all about the experience and asked myself a new question, "What is there left for me to experience in 2007?"

I chose to stay home.

I have learned that I can stay inside for 3 days straight and be content.

I have learned that I can go for 5 days without stepping inside a store, restaurant or spending a dime.

I have learned that I can go for more than 24 hours without speaking to anyone, or seeing anyone, or wishing them Happy New Year.

I have learned that it is okay to turn off my cell phone and return messages the next day.

I have learned that when I do all these things, I have a lot of time left for other things that I said I would do but hadn't.

I now know that I do not have to be caught up in going here and going there, doing this and doing that -- that I can just be..........be silent......be still......be okay with my own company........just be.

Six days until Christmas.........

And for me it seems as if Christmas is over. Almost all my gifts have been given, almost all my food shopping is done and here I sit. Ready simply for a holiday. Very different from other years. Not so driven anymore.

Somehow, it just doesn't seem to be a big deal anymore.

My life is so rich every day. Maybe, the way I have been around Christmas in the past is becoming the way I am all the time now. Hmmmmm..........

Why am I doing this?

This is a question I have begun asking of myself when I am doing anything in life. It is followed by the question:

"Is this action forwarding what I am up to?"

This has interrupted some of my habbits - like shopping - going here, going there, etc.

Why did I create this Blog? My friend challenged me to share my tips etc. on managing food, cooking, reusing, etc.

Another friend wanted to see the Christmas ornaments that I promised I would make every day leading up to Christmas day as an advent activity - I did not have a means by which to share this.

I often receive words of wisdom, or things to inquire into, and discover things that I know make a difference for people when I share them - I know because my friends tell me so!

So here I am.

Thanks for reading. It is my wish that this makes a difference in your life.