1. Having my secretary's emergency rush to the hospital turn out to be a medication problem rather than the stroke/heart attack scenario we all originally thought.
2. Cortisone shots
3. Creme brûlée by candle light
4. Soft and soulful sexy time
5. A surprise visit from Beanie, just because she missed us.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
And the Winner Was . . .
After meticulously cutting up identical strips of paper, writing each commenter's name on each one, and tossing them in a teacup, the winner of my Generosity Day gift was my good friend Laurie. However, in the spirit of the occasion, she generously offered to pass it to the next person (apparently after 30+ years of friendship we have exchanged enough gifts.) So I repeated the process, and the new winner is Kim, which pleases me more than I can say. And since I am not going to cut up any more scraps of paper, I will insist that she graciously accept whatever gift I come up with for her. This will be fun.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Full of Grace - Generosity Day
Last year, Sasha Dichter, Chief Innovation Officer for Acumen Fund, converted his month-long "Generosity Experiment" into a global Generosity Day. The idea was simple: to celebrate Valentine's Day as a day of "sharing love with everyone, of being generous to everyone, to see how it feels and to practice saying “Yes.” Let’s make the day about love, action and human connection – because we can do better than smarmy greeting cards, overpriced roses, and stressed-out couples trying to create romantic meals on the fly."
Sasha suggests, "Give to people on the street. Tip outrageously. Help a stranger. Write a note telling someone how much you appreciate them. Smile. Donate (more) to a cause that means a lot to you. Take clothes to GoodWill. Share your toys (grownups and kids). Be patient with yourself and with others. Replace the toilet paper in the bathroom. All generous acts count!"
Do something generous today - anything - and leave a comment telling me about it. Or if you don't want to share details, just say that you'll participate. I will chose one name at random and send you something to thank you.
Happy Generosity Day!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Missing Peace
It’s been a long time since I have been in a church. So long I can’t actually remember. And then I attended two funerals in two weeks. Both celebrated with masses at a Catholic church.
I have never been comfortable at a Catholic mass. All the stand up, sit down, kneel, confuse me. The incense gives me a headache. Christ, in agony, staring down from a cross. Ugh. The genuflecting, bowing and crossing yourself is too complicated for me. And ever since I was little and watched a priest do the ceremony to prepare communion, I always thought it was a magic show and he would pull a rabbit out of the chalice. I still hope for it.
And yet as soon as I sat in this church, I had the same feeling I always do - a feeling of deep peace. Sanctuary. Surrounded by the Spirit, whatever that might be. It is a feeling I can easily achieve in almost any empty church/synagogue, at an empty beach or out in the deep solitude of a forest. Unfortunately, I don’t get as many opportunities to frequent these places as I used to.
When I belonged to a church, I would often go and just sit in the sanctuary alone. That was before the interim pastor strangely accused me of being in love/obsessed with her and the elders, without ever even speaking to me, let me know I was no longer welcome there. Even just to sit alone in the church on a weekday.
And then last year’s knee surgery took away my usual hikes into the wilderness. Grrr.
Purposely arriving early, I sat in this church waiting for the mourners to file in and the mass to start, and was reminded how much I have been missing this feeling. Not the attending church. No, I think my spirituality and beliefs have evolved way past that. What I am missing are those special places of solitude where I find that feeling, that peaceful sigh of the soul.
It has been a grueling couple of years both physically and emotionally for me. The healing has been hard work, but very productive. I have reached a level of emotional calm that I didn’t think possible. Now I want to spend time listening to my inner heart. To let my soul breathe in and out. To find out what’s next. To experience that missing peace.
So I am writing this as a reminder to myself. To seek out more quiet, spiritual places. There must be other spaces that have that sacred sense of wonder and otherworldlyness. Any places that do it for you?
As a follow up, I just found out that the interim pastor who went on to have her own church, has been recently let go from that church. Seems she creates problems wherever she goes.
I have never been comfortable at a Catholic mass. All the stand up, sit down, kneel, confuse me. The incense gives me a headache. Christ, in agony, staring down from a cross. Ugh. The genuflecting, bowing and crossing yourself is too complicated for me. And ever since I was little and watched a priest do the ceremony to prepare communion, I always thought it was a magic show and he would pull a rabbit out of the chalice. I still hope for it.
And yet as soon as I sat in this church, I had the same feeling I always do - a feeling of deep peace. Sanctuary. Surrounded by the Spirit, whatever that might be. It is a feeling I can easily achieve in almost any empty church/synagogue, at an empty beach or out in the deep solitude of a forest. Unfortunately, I don’t get as many opportunities to frequent these places as I used to.
When I belonged to a church, I would often go and just sit in the sanctuary alone. That was before the interim pastor strangely accused me of being in love/obsessed with her and the elders, without ever even speaking to me, let me know I was no longer welcome there. Even just to sit alone in the church on a weekday.
And then last year’s knee surgery took away my usual hikes into the wilderness. Grrr.
Purposely arriving early, I sat in this church waiting for the mourners to file in and the mass to start, and was reminded how much I have been missing this feeling. Not the attending church. No, I think my spirituality and beliefs have evolved way past that. What I am missing are those special places of solitude where I find that feeling, that peaceful sigh of the soul.
It has been a grueling couple of years both physically and emotionally for me. The healing has been hard work, but very productive. I have reached a level of emotional calm that I didn’t think possible. Now I want to spend time listening to my inner heart. To let my soul breathe in and out. To find out what’s next. To experience that missing peace.
So I am writing this as a reminder to myself. To seek out more quiet, spiritual places. There must be other spaces that have that sacred sense of wonder and otherworldlyness. Any places that do it for you?
As a follow up, I just found out that the interim pastor who went on to have her own church, has been recently let go from that church. Seems she creates problems wherever she goes.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Full of Grace
1. Taxes done and e-filed. Nice return expected.
2. Being able to share grief.
3. Reconnecting with a great childhood friend. (And we did it without facebook!)
4. Cappuccino brownies.
5. Sharing the Superbowl with the same friends for 21 years.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Contribution
Contribution. This is my word/goal/resolution for 2012.
I know, it's kind of late to be posting resolutions. I had started writing this much earlier but hadn't solidified where I was going with it so it languished in a 'later' folder. This week has been a week of grieving for our family, which has me again thinking about what I want my life to mean. I still don't know how I will accomplish the goal, but thought I'd better at least set my intentions before the whole year gets away from me.
For the past two years I have spent a lot of time looking inward. A lot of time trying to heal trauma. A lot of time healing myself. But I did not do this alone. I have been blessed with an incredible partner, great employer and many patient, supportive friends who have stuck with me through this journey. And now that I have myself together (sort of) it is time to think about giving back and making a contribution -
To my Profession
I have been blessed to work in a profession I love, one that feels more like play than work. Not only has it given me financial security but also has allowed me to learn from some pretty awesome people along the way. Last year I helped teach a graduate course at the local university. I discovered that I didn't like lecturing in a classroom. But I loved being out in the field with eager students tackling real life situations. This year I hope to find creative ways to share my love of integrating the natural environment in all development with folks just starting out in the profession.
To Martha
In many ways our relationship is on auto pilot. Without much thought we kiss each other good morning, go through our individual days, at some point share the good and the bad of it, and then kiss each other good night. We are that old comfortable pair of slippers you read about. For the past two years Martha has given me a lot of leeway to do the therapy work I needed to do. Now I want to find ways to give back to her and to crank our relationship up a notch.
To my Community
I grew up in a culture of volunteerism. But what I hope to accomplish in this new year goes beyond simply volunteering my time, driving people places when they need go, helping the elderly grocery shop or serving on boards. I am looking to drill down deeper and find ways to make more meaningful, personal contributions to the people and place I call home.
To survivors
Many years ago I thought it would be a good idea to volunteer at a rape crisis center. After all, I thought I understood the crisis and could help other women through the life altering changes. I attended the first training session, lasted about 15 minutes and left, a sputtering ball of fear and anxiety. I think I am ready to try again. Through this blog I have "met" fellow survivors and have learned how important it is to share our stories and support each other. Having finally staggered through all that muck and miraculously reached the other side, I would like to be a resource to other women just starting to take those steps.
So that's my goal for 2012. To make a meaningful contribution in different areas of my life. Obviously I haven't come up with all the ideas yet on how to achieve this goal. But at least I know what my target is.
I know, it's kind of late to be posting resolutions. I had started writing this much earlier but hadn't solidified where I was going with it so it languished in a 'later' folder. This week has been a week of grieving for our family, which has me again thinking about what I want my life to mean. I still don't know how I will accomplish the goal, but thought I'd better at least set my intentions before the whole year gets away from me.
For the past two years I have spent a lot of time looking inward. A lot of time trying to heal trauma. A lot of time healing myself. But I did not do this alone. I have been blessed with an incredible partner, great employer and many patient, supportive friends who have stuck with me through this journey. And now that I have myself together (sort of) it is time to think about giving back and making a contribution -
To my Profession
I have been blessed to work in a profession I love, one that feels more like play than work. Not only has it given me financial security but also has allowed me to learn from some pretty awesome people along the way. Last year I helped teach a graduate course at the local university. I discovered that I didn't like lecturing in a classroom. But I loved being out in the field with eager students tackling real life situations. This year I hope to find creative ways to share my love of integrating the natural environment in all development with folks just starting out in the profession.
To Martha
In many ways our relationship is on auto pilot. Without much thought we kiss each other good morning, go through our individual days, at some point share the good and the bad of it, and then kiss each other good night. We are that old comfortable pair of slippers you read about. For the past two years Martha has given me a lot of leeway to do the therapy work I needed to do. Now I want to find ways to give back to her and to crank our relationship up a notch.
To my Community
I grew up in a culture of volunteerism. But what I hope to accomplish in this new year goes beyond simply volunteering my time, driving people places when they need go, helping the elderly grocery shop or serving on boards. I am looking to drill down deeper and find ways to make more meaningful, personal contributions to the people and place I call home.
To survivors
Many years ago I thought it would be a good idea to volunteer at a rape crisis center. After all, I thought I understood the crisis and could help other women through the life altering changes. I attended the first training session, lasted about 15 minutes and left, a sputtering ball of fear and anxiety. I think I am ready to try again. Through this blog I have "met" fellow survivors and have learned how important it is to share our stories and support each other. Having finally staggered through all that muck and miraculously reached the other side, I would like to be a resource to other women just starting to take those steps.
So that's my goal for 2012. To make a meaningful contribution in different areas of my life. Obviously I haven't come up with all the ideas yet on how to achieve this goal. But at least I know what my target is.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Full of Grace
1. Getting back (slowly) to the gym.
2. Being able to exercise with no bounce.
3. No sweaty, clingy sports bra to wrestle out of.
4. Finally being able to shave my armpits. Sort of. My right side is still numb and a little swollen. But I did manage a fairly good hack job.
5. Being able to sauna. (Yay!!! Fireworks !!! Happy dances !!!) I do love a sauna.
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