Pondering a few things

Every once in awhile I get a comment from someone I do not know. My usual procedure is to go look at the persons profile and then their blog. Sometimes I can figure out how they found me and sometimes I can't. That part doesn't really matter but I always gain something from this exchange. Sometimes it results in a new insight or a new blogging friend.

I was over at Beverly Baird's blog and in one of her posts she gave a series of links and one if them was to Joseph Campbell's The Heroes Journey It is really good excerpt and although I know all that it says I do tend to forget.

One of the phrases that resonated with me today was the following:

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."

To me this is a statement that makes so much sense yet at the same time is hard to realize. Since being diagnosed with Bell's Palsey I have been trying to figure what it means for me. I've been told that it is pretty much a stress disease and the way to heal it it to reduce stress. Of course that is easy to say but not particularly helpful.

I find it hard to determine just what is stressful for me. I have cut way back on things so I think that is good. For me it then becomes what can bring back into my life that has me in a quandary. I have this dialogue with myself; can I take a class again, or will this swap I have been invited to participate in cause too much stress. I imagine that I just have to try things and pay attention to how my body reacts.

Then I also think about Joseph Campbell's quote and wonder is this how I have chosen to live out that quote, that my body decided its time to stop to make way for whatever is coming next. I have come across this before, I think it was three years ago when I sprained my ankle and was forced to literally stop. That period of time led me to mixed media and all that I spend my time on now. I can't help but think of that now and wonder if I am entering a similar period or not.

Another interesting thing is that this is in winter which seems to be a time of hibernation of sorts. When I sprained my ankle it was winter too. So perhaps when spring comes around I will find a new purpose or direction for my life.

A little Bliss

As you know my word for the year is Bliss and I experienced it yesterday and it felt pretty good. Everyone should have that feeling in their lives. Months ago I started doing this free form dancing with a few friends. We had one in our group who had taken NIA classes and she was showing us a few routines but then she moved. So now we just do our own thing to the music she made for us and some collections we have made for ourselves.

We had been meeting at my friend Patti's house, she has a log home with a nice hard wood floor. When she had to be out of town we would meet at my house. I have a hard wood floor in one room, its not as big as the other place but it does work for our small group. During December I had my Christmas tree in there and Patti' had work conflicts so we didn't meet for over a month.

Last night we met at my house and of course we were all a little bit rusty but got into the groove after a short time. I was dancing to one of the songs and felt that feeling of bliss come over me. It was just wonderful. Here is the song for you. Another wonderful song that we end with that I really love is The Healing Room by Sinead O'Connor. There is no video on YouTube but you can find it on iTunes, it is from the album Faith and Courage. I usually don't care for her music but this song is definitely an exception.

Here's hoping you have some bliss today.

One ornament on the tree

We got our tree on Friday but due to a lot of things its not decorated yet. On Sunday I found this cute Eiffel Tower ornament that reminds me of my trip to Paris. Its the only ornament on the tree.












I also have a small aritficial tree that I like to do a theme on and this year its birds. Here is the cardinal that I bought in honor of my mom. She really like to see the cardinals in our yard back In Michigan where I grew up. We don't have cardinals here and I miss seeing them. Lately though I am seeing the image everywhere.












Then I saw these cute felt birds at a craft store, this one has a glittery hat and wings.












This one had a cute knit stocking cap on that I couldn't resist. I usually go for birds I can recongnise but these two were so fun looking I had to bring them home.












Of course I have to have a crow too, so its on the top. I will be taking them off adding lights and more birds but just thought I could share a little of what is going on here.

Yesterday we bought a new TV so now my house in totally disarray. We have the new 46" TV on a table. The old entertainment center next to that. Then all the DVD's and VHS Tapes out of the cabinet are in laundry baskets or on the kitchen table. Stuff that was also on top of the entertainments center piled onto my fireplace mantel. So I can't really do any decorating till will figure out how everything is going to work and where I am going to put it. TV guys come tomorrow to set up the HD and DVR. Its a slow process so I may not get to decorating till the weekend. It will be great when everything is set but for now we deal with chaos.

I have been trying to take it easy which is not real easy for me. I have been working on Christmas Card addressing and a little cleaning. I've got some sewing projects to work on so I just do them a little but at a time. This removing stress from your life is a real challenge.

I hope you are all finding some quiet amongst all the hustle and bustle of the season