AP Inspired

little noises

this morning, i found myself flooded by the noises of our lives. this little tribe of mine and our daily routines. i don't know why it stood out with blazing clarity, but i found myself so mesmerized by its qualities. as if something spontaneously pulled me to the periphery just so i could peek inside. unnoticed.

as i made our bed, i heard the lovelies' voices floating through the air discussing upcoming birthdays + possible festivities. one effervescent idea swelling into another...

the dog sneezing while his clickety-clackety nails crossed the kitchen floor several times in hopes someone, anyone, would let him out...

the mister announcing breakfast...

the clinking of spoons dipping into oatmeal laden bowls while the conversation never found a lull, reminding me very much of european cafes...

the pantry door opening while mid-day snacks were being scavenged and suggestions hurled my way as inspiration for my next trip to the grocer...

the sound of one lovely talking to herself while brushing her teeth...

and another zipping up her coat, announcing that she was indeed again the first one ready to walk out the door.

as we piled into the car, the chitter-chatter continued until we rounded the drop-off point. kisses were generously bestowed and "i love you"s exchanged just as the door shut. silence swallowed the back seat, and i watched the lovelies fade into their day.

and that's when it came to me. in the midst of the most ordinary moments, our lives are suddenly and becomingly extraordinary. if we simply notice. and that's what deserves celebration in our lives. the very things taken for granted, what we rush past, are really the most decadent and delicious parts of our day.

 

* photo taken by this lovely.

working my balance

When I started this blog, I'm not sure what expectations I had, if any.

Over the years, however, I attached myself to several bold + brilliant ideas of doing and being more. More of what exactly? Errr...that I never could articulate confidently, comfortably, courageously.

And if I am perfectly honest, when I stopped writing in the fall, I wasn't certain I would return to this space. My attention went from What ideas are tickling my brain today? to Will I ever find a doctor who can diagnose the culprit behind these alarming symptoms I am suddenly experiencing?.

Looking back at twenty-eleven, I now see it was a year of scaling high walls. Undeniably, there were some delicious moments tucked within its expanse. But, overall, the word challenging seems most encompassing for my year. Anxiety was a constant mate, and living with it will take its toll. So, when the doctors finally diagnosed me with low thyroid, I was immediately relieved to be free from something more serious.

And, then, I was crestfallen.

Some big and juicy and maybe even once-in-a-lifetime opportunities had literally just arrived at my doorstep. And I had neither strength nor stamina to step out into the world and deliver. The very symptoms that sent me on a wild goose chase demanded I slow down. Big break or my health?

And, so, I did the only thing I trusted.

I got still.

I focused on what really matters to me: my family, my health, and some long overdue silence.

And that is why I walked away from here. I finally began meditating. Every day. Detached from my expectations. Surrendered my attachment to all the What ifs?. And used the uncertainty to plant new seeds in its fertile soil.

And now? Well, I slowed my pace, learned to finally take deeper and wider breaths, and released my intentions. And in the continued expansion of living more mindfully, it somehow feels right to begin circulating words again. Which brings us full circle.

My expectations today for this blog? Only inspiration will tell...but I feel it is an extraordinary year to really live OUT LOUD with generous heaps of gratitude, bundles of bravery, and gracious giving along with suspending judgment on a daily basis and loving what is. If I can look back on twenty-twelve and any of these come to mind, it will have been a sweet + satisfying year well spent. How does that sound to you? 

 

 

on my mind this morning.

It was many months ago, but...the lovelies made quite a mess of their playroom. The kind that took hours + days to create. And required focused fortitude to rectify. Which is what I asked them to please go do. It seems an hour passed before one of the lovelies sheepishly appeared downstairs.

"Can you help us?"

My face contorted NO, but before my reply drew breath, she continued.

"We like the way you make it look...will you just show us where everything goes?"

Expert help produces enormous progress + results.

{Remember this.}

And, so, without contemplation, up I went to organize the playroom with the lovelies by my side.

Which brings me to what has my heart fluttering this week:

{1} A few of you have recently requested a workshop or retreat. Which makes me first think REALLY?!? And, then, my soul starts break dancing + I feel ridiculously happy that Y-O-U would ask M-E. So, thank you. Because...

{2} When I was in Hawaii, I had a thought. One that persisted. And it was: Hire her as a coach + collaborator. To create a life editor outline. For an e-course. Maybe a workshop. Eventually, a series...perhaps even a book. September is when I take the plunge. With intentions of a 2012 launch...

{3} Which reminds me of a good life lesson: If something scares you, go there. Because I met Susan when I attended a Martha Beck retreat. And you have no idea how terrified I was to think of myself out loud as a writer. Much less sit in a room with Ms. Beck and have her read my words. But the exertion it took {convincing myself to register, spending the coin on myself, scheduling a weekend away, and simply showing up} has fueled everything since...

{4} Giving me palpable appreciation for every single {seemingly} ordinary decision I've made over the past few years. Because it is usually not the big, walloping decisions in our lives that change our course. But, rather, everything unimposing in between.

{5} So, for all the teachers I featured this week, I am brimming with gratitude for your books + messages + insights because what you share has been integrated into me. And I can't help but feel a little sparkle when I speak + act + live from these pursuits. My gratitude exceeds words here.

xo

 

 

tried + true

I can't recall how I discovered this e-course, but there was no hesitation in its purchase because three of the 7 women I consider tribe members.  Five of the 7 are best-selling authors whose words encouraged + challenged + changed me. And all of them are brilliant. Articulate. Contagious. Spiritual. Elegant. Beautiful. Compelling.

Just like a good book anchors within you, so do shared conversations where there is wide open space to simply be. I encourage you to seek these smart girls out...through this e-course or within their own workshops, books, and blogs.

Patti Digh | I've mentioned this spellbinding storyteller a time or two before. Her gift for galvanizing a message is why her books are captivating + inspiring. What she impressed upon me is a heightened awareness of now, and that no matter what happens, I should be able to say:

This is exactly the life I wanted.

 ***

Karen Maezen Miller | Profound reading is what I stumbled across in Momma Zen. Her wisdom? Flawless. Especially as she sheds her human touch on this very intimate, yet universal, experience of motherhood. From her, I learn:

Having the good life is simple when you savor the one you have.

 ***

Jen Louden | We rock many mutual friends in the social networking spheres; however, this e-course introduced me to her luminous contributions. The nugget of wisdom most resonate with me:

Stop tying self-esteem and creativity to results.

 ***

Dani Shapiro | What can I say that I haven't already? Her writing is perfectly poignant + her observations are whip smart. Her personal exploration into being a mother, a wife, a spiritual being is tremendously beautiful. Filled with immense gratitude for her endeavor, I now carry this:

Experience doubt not as a failure but experience it as an element of faith.

 ***

Susan Piver | When you follow warm hearts that blaze paths, you are bound to meet a new soul. Which is how came upon her work. And from listening to her, this much is clear: She is confident + inviting + completely herself. This nugget of truth cracked open a whole new world for me:

Authenticity and impulsiveness are quite different.

 ***

Katrina Kenison | When I read her book, I was consumed with every word + sentiment + intention. All so simply spoken. To find her in the company of these women was exhilarating. I am inspired by all her words, keeping them nearby in posts + thoughts as I sojourn through motherhood. And I when I question blogging, I recall:

It is the very work of writing that helps us process our emotions, our feelings, and wrestle them into some kind of form that makes sense to us and that then is really worth sharing with someone else.

 ***

Danielle LaPorte | I'm not known to have girl crushes. However. Ms. D is magnetic and you can't help but want your life changed + your world rocked by her. She is the queen bee. I could rave all day. Her wisdom is transformative, and it's truth- telling like this that makes changing things up so seductive:

If you muster up more love than you thought you had to give, then your vitality increases, satisfaction sets in, sweetness surfaces. I believe in the creative power of good feelings...and am convinced that the desire to be real is everyone's divine imperative.

 ***

Absoutely and amen. No question why these women have been + continue to be my teachers, my sherpas, my guiding lights. I embody their eyes-wide-open awareness, and my soul's mojo is always stoked when standing near their flames. Which is why I encourage + implore + demand you to confer with a few world makers + soul shakers yourself.

xo

 

 

let's talk luck

So the story goes something like this:

Her book was the second one I ever read on feng shui. The promise of making my own luck was irresistible, especially given my urgent nature.

Bounce forward several years and I was feeling compelled to contact her office. To request a 1:1 consult. She was booked. Solid. Oh, I was heavy with disappointment.

Months passed.

In the busyness of a blustery morning, an email appeared from her. Seemed there was a last minute cancellation and would I be interested in the opening. Ummm...YES! And, so, it was in the middle of a November day that she and I finally "met" and chatted for hours. When I hung up, I felt fresh + freed from frenzy. Her insight came from an internally deep well of enthusiasm, and I was its beneficiary. I was giddy with inspiration.

The holidays came + went. And a new year was ushered in. Along with it came a surprising invitation to guest post on her wildly popular blog. I enthusiastically accepted the opportunity...and the rest is history.

Here's what I think you should know about my mentor, my friend, the incredibly dynamic Ellen Whitehurst...SHE KNOWS HER STUFF. And I speak from a bit of experience here. Having studied many books + practices and initiated conversations with other feng shui experts + authors, she is my secret weapon. When I need a boost or tweak, it's her book I pull out. And when I have a question, well, I ask her.

Ellen's understanding + knowledge is mightily impressive, but it is her relentless enthusiasm and unwavering belief in self-empowerment that makes her one of my favorite tribe members. When I purchased her book off amazon.com forever ago, I had no inkling that she and I would become friends. But that's the beauty of seeking out a teacher...you just never know where it will lead you.

on my mind this morning.

When I attended Martha Beck's writer's retreat last fall, I met some keenly cool cats. In a room full of writers, it can't be helped. One of these brilliant forces happened to be launching a new program. So when she graciously invited me to partake in its testing phase, I leaped. One of the course exercies introduced was to list 5 successes each day. For me, it was a whip-smart twist on the gratitude journal.

So.

Before today is over, ask yourself:What are all the ways I was a wild success today?

In this spirit of winning, here is my take on our twenty-eleven summer successes:

{1} Beginning the season in Hawaii as a family. Sharing indelible + defining experiences with our lovelies. And nurturing ourselves with sea, sun, and sand. Pretty sure nothing beats that combination.

{2} Introducing the lovelies to Eliza Doolittle back in June. They were smitten with her music within a few hooks. Fast forward to yesterday. We were knee deep in back-to-school shopping and her song began percolating throughout the store. Without hesitation, both lovelies exclaimed, "It's Eliza! They are playing Eliza Doolittle!" Perhaps it seems trivial, but I know how a song from my wonder years transports me instantaneosuly to childhood. If I created that connection for them from me, I declare it a huge ol' win!

{3} Teaching the lovelies the power of a few new words. As June ended, I issued a decree. Both lovelies were to receive a list from me of 10 new words weekly with the following instructions:  {1} Write the word down. {2} Look it up in a dictionary. {3} Write down its definition. {4} Use the word in a sentence.  Trust me when I say this activity was not warmly received. Ever. And the lovelies developed an impressive penchant for procrastination.

But.

I now hear words like delight, mindful, hectic, territory, compel, prefer, foe, and dote roll off their tongues like this is commonspeak at the playground. I suspect one day they will relish remembering the torture of it all...

{4} Feeling we achieved a hearty balance between learning something new almost weekly + doing a few intended projects + eating really well. Something about this combo creates crazy + good flow.

{5} Writing here is a wondrous thing. For me. And with every post I write, I succeed. xo

on my mind this morning.

{1} How swell today is. Two of my absolutely favorite peeps are celebrating birthdays. I have a rather magnificent surprise for my lovelies this afternoon. And, I received a splendiferous email from a most luminous mentor of mine. Yes, today has SUPERB written all over it!

{2} Rediscovering {in the comment section here} books I've purchased but never read. It was rather exhilarating to shop my own bookshelves! And even more thrilling to know so many good reads await!

{3} Finding this quote and wanting to hug it: A place belongs forever to whoever claims it hardest...wrenches it from itself, shapes it, loves it so radically that he remakes it in his image.  Joan Didion

{4} After reading that quote, my hot-off-the-press HOUSE REPAIR list {posted on the side of our fridge} now feels inspiring + motivational instead of overwhelming + lengthy.

{5} And for every. single. lovely + gracious comment I receive from every. single. perfect-one-of-you. Thank you. Seriously. I feel like the bee's knees because of your warm + generous words.

***

Learn to keep yourself company with the pleasing parts of life. Because everything, EVERYTHING! is about perspective...making gratitude a jazzy + swanky starting point! xo

focal points

Once you've identified patterns of what you love within your home, it's time to shift your perspective. Notice the things that no longer stimulate or inspire you. This could be clutter, spontaneous purchases, something inherited, a space that doesn't work well, or even what your tastes + style have outgrown. It's a good idea to make a list of it all, both subtle nuances and obvious offenses. And ask:

{1}Is there clutter you can clear? If so, DO.

{2} Could any items or current room arrangements blossom somewhere else in your home? Think creatively. Sketch out any thoughts you have, especially those initial glimpses.

{3} Is updating an item (a fresh coat of paint, a vibrant new fabric, a full restoration) an option? Magazines + blogs are excellent resources for discovering countless possibilities.

{4} Have you moved anything around to replenish the space? Try it. Live with something different for a day or two. Better ideas are often in the margins of seemingly bad ones.

{5} Could a room be used differently? If a room is neglected or ignored, figure out what would make it inviting. You deserve to enjoy your home's abundance rather than  just a couple rooms. 

{6} If change is an option, what do you envision? And how much will it cost? It is surprising what we will attempt + can afford when we know precisely what we want. It's the ambiguity that makes change feel impossible + out of reach.

I have learned there is no real satisfaction rushing results. Ideas need time to simmer. And the thing with creativity? It perpetuates itself. So, freestyle a while with your ideas. Forget wrong or right. And because this is a fertile process, keep a notebook handy to capture all the options you fancy along the way.

We lived in our home an entire year before I came up with the collective ideas for the lovelies' playroom...

{BEFORE}

Asking myself the very same questions, I identified what made me swoon:  books within reach + bold color + as much natural light possible + a let-the-good-times-roll feel. Only when I had conceived every idea I thought possible did I heed the ones I couldn't forget. Which is where I started and the rest marvelously came together. The most brilliant part of the experience?

 

{AFTER}

It's a space the lovelies have grown into...spending hours playing + pretending + staging their days...and where everything you see absolutely reflects their spirit. While the room didn't start there, I sensed its potential early on. I made LOVE the only standard.  And the room defined itself by that boundless intention.

 

 

 

on my mind this morning.

{1} Madrid + November twenty-eleven + me.

{2} Surprising + joyful words this week from her about a post of mine.

Nothing delights me more than to find a dubious reader who thinks back on the book in the face of new evidence. I LOVE Tina Fey's endorsement of the improv maxims. She certainly is a brilliant example of putting it into practice. I've never thought that saying YES was easy or natural . . . but it can be taught. And after a while it's just more fun to say yes than to try and control the world with my own preferences. I appreciate your post and the review a year + ago. Thanks for helping to pass on the world of Improv Wisdom.

Patricia Ryan Madson

{3} Spending the first night ever ALONE in my house this week. I felt miles from ordinary. But the silence fed my well-being. And gave me greater capacity to appreciate my little Universe of four.

{4} Relaxing into a mighty stack of good books this week.

{5} Delighting with the lovelies in some ridiculously delicious homemade gingersnaps. {A word to the wise: A little crystallized ginger goes a looooong way.}

***

Scoop out some time today to reflect on + appreciate your week. Small shifts toward gratitude allow us the beautiful realization that the good life is right here + right now.

Photo found here.

good + plenty

Yesterday, I happily + whole-heartedly enjoyed pursuing not one, not two, but 5! of my twenty-eleven resolutions. Making the day almost as delicious as the experience itself:

{Do something positive + unexpected.}

 

{Cook more > loosely interpreted here.}

 

{Make a memory every day.}

 

{Take a picture every day.}

 

 

 

{Seek out joy...}

 

{...and live in it!}

 

 

Cookbook used:: The Silver Spoon for Children: Favorite Italian Recipes | Amanda Grant