extra care...

My mind has gone to all the wrong places today. Thinking all the wrong thoughts. So that means I need to take extra good care of myself and not take anything personal that others think, say or do. I need to be gentle with myself and know "this too shall pass" and know I am loved and all is well. To put my focus on all that is good even if I have to make a list to help me see what is right in front of me. Nothing has changed from last night to today only my attitude, and that I have control over. So I can pick comforting foods to eat and something warm to drink. Decide what makes me happy today and do that. Say kind words to myself as I would if someone I knew and loved was feeling out of sorts.

Love you Nancy... you are loved by many, don't forget, it's okay to "be" whatever place that is, and ALL IS WELL!

Love me : )

Gingerbread...

It's that time of year again!

Ten plus years ago I took a "decorate a Gingerbread house" class from a store called The Farmers Wife. I was there for over three hours decorating (along with everyone else) and just fell in LOVE. It brought me joy and made me happy and there, an idea was born - why not make other people happy too. So I started making gingerbread houses, cookies and an assortment of other items that could be made with gingerbread (the ideas were endless) and selling them. I did birthday parties, holiday parties, gift baskets etc. I advertised at Christmas in Davidson by providing free gingerbread cookies for anyone to decorate and displayed my house's. Over the years the business grew by word of mouth and became too big to do out of my home. I needed to make a decision, open a store, rent space in a commercial kitchen to be able to expand or to stop altogether. I decided to stop, only I have never really stopped. I thought I was done with it but it was not done with me. People pop up every Christmas season and want gingerbread. So this year I have decided to take the challenge and perceive it in a new and different way. To see it as a art that leaves lasting memories. As a way to give back and put a smile on a lot of faces. To enjoy the process until it decides "it's" done with me.

Long - GOOD - day...

AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT...

Being Human...

Most of this year I have been trying to honor the things that I feel are beneficial to my well being. Like exercise, eating healthy, being creative, getting enough sleep, meditating, loving and accepting myself in the "present moment". I feel if I put these things as a priority in my life then all other will fall into place. And when I "show - don't tell" my children what's important to me, I hope they too will learn that it's okay to follow what feels right for them.

I have not accomplished and kept up with my list as I would have liked but I have to remind myself it is not about the destination but the journey. It's about progress not perfection. I have been "stuck" many times because of perfection. But I've grown to be more gentle with myself and with that comes permission to be human. To fail, to try, to win. And when I allow myself to be human I find I allow others to be as well. It lightens the load and frees me to be more open and compassionate with myself and those around me.

I also strive to be a human "being", rather then a human "doing". That lesson is a little more challenging because in the past I was a "doer" and I did for everyone but me. So it has been a nice adventure this past year to whittle away at life and enjoy each step of the way with no idea what the end result will look like.

Inspired...

When my niece went off to college she decided to write on her blog everyday for a month and I thought if she can show up for herself, well I can too. I have been trying to find ways to "put myself out there" in the world, a little at a time, to learn to "show up" for myself and I thought this would be a good way to start. It is so neat to look around at the people in your life and watch and learn from them. Everyone has something to give, to be inspired by. Sometimes it maybe that what they are doing inspires me to decide that is not what I want in my life and I can be thankful that they were there to help me see what it is I don't want as well as the people who show me the kind of things I do want. We are all unique and the same. We look at life through different filters and lenses and pass in and out of each others lives when needed. I am grateful I can choose what I want for my life and what I don't. And when I forget there is always someone who comes along and reminds me... THANK YOU ALL... for just being you!

In a moment...

It's the first day of the rest of my life....

November...

I started the month of October as my "no worries" time. I have decided to have November as my "be grateful and no analyzing my feelings month". I want the days to just swim in gratitude and offer them no resistance to anything that I am feeling. To just let "it all be". To live each and every moment carefree, living in expectancy and joy as the universe figures out the end result. It feels good to LET GO and rest with childlike anticipation, as I become more and more use to the everyday miracles. I am overflowing with GRATITUDE.