Change can be a good thing.

Change can be fearful,sad,exciting or any number of things, but for me, change has always been for the best and it has always been fearful and usually sad. Sound like an oxymoron? Let me try to explain. (it would be helpful to read my previous post) I loved the place I called home for 15 yrs. but I had recently retired from teaching and suddenly had nothing to hold me down. My Son and wife live in NYC and were expecting their 2nd baby, they needed help. What an opportunity! So yes,that 'change' was both sad (leaving my home) and good (Being close to my Son's family and experiencing life in New York) Now I am embarking on another chapter in this journey of life. I had planned to stay in New York for one year to help care for my two little Grandchildren, but that year turned into three. As the 1st year was drawing to an end I realized that was definitely not enough time. My montra became: "I will leave when I am ready." The primary reason I am 'ready' is that right now the children's energy levels are really high and mine is getting really low. Two things are working together to let me know this decision is right: My body and my desire to 'create' art full time. Will it be sad? It will break my heart! I love my New York family and I adore my little grandchildren, and life in New York is exciting! But I will also love living in beautiful Mpls. completely retired and ready to focus on myself and my three families there.(of course there will be many flights to NY and lots of Skyping.) Change can be a good thing. Every time I made a major decision to change something, it opened an entire new world to me: places,friends,and experiences. These changes never replaced my past, it is a part of my journey. My life is a book and there are many chapters in it. Each chapter has tears and joy. Don't be afraid to start a new Chapter if you are feeling a need to change something in your life.

Are you afraid of change

I want my posts to be about something I have some knowledge of, something credible to share and hopefully, can help someone along the way. Believe me when I say I really know something about 'Change'. This subject is high on my mind these days because I am about to make another big change in my life. Here is a 'quick list' of major changes in my life. NO CHANGE (nice and comfortable) 31 yrs of marriage,4 kids, owned a business, same town, same friends. 1. Ended marriage (talk about Change! Scary and sad) 2. Started college(at 48 yrs of age!Talk about scary) 3. Sold house (sad, but necessary) 4. Sold business (relief) 5. Graduated from college.( WOW!) 6. Moved to new unfamiliar city to start a new career: teaching.(scary) 7. 15 yrs later: Moved to NYC(Exciting) This is the important part, the part I want to share with you, the part that can help you if you are afraid of change. Decide on the 1st step! It would be overwhelming, if not impossible, to plan all of the steps at the beginning. (personal note:I wanted a happier life, I knew I needed to take the first step toward that goal) The first step is ALWAYS the scariest, and the hardest. KNOW that the other steps toward your goal will happen in due time. TRUST yourself and LIVE your life. (personal note: I couldn't have done it without Prayer and Faith) My next post is going to be about this next big change in my life. P.S. If you want to talk about this and prefer not to comment, feel free to email me (details in my profile)

Just like Mom

Having talked to my sisters and friends about this, I know I am not the only one that discovers myself doing, saying and acting just like my Mother. Why this is not a good thing is the fact that this 'thing' we are doing is the same 'thing' that irritated the hell out of us when our mothers did it.

Here is an example: While in a restaurant Mom could never open a packet of anything, be it sugar, salt ,whatever. After a few seconds of her doing everything except tearing into it with her teeth , she would hand it to me and say, "I can't open this." Guess who is having the same problem some 30 yrs later? Yours truly. Why can't I open anything, especially the packages that shredded and sliced cheese comes in? Yes I do cut it with a scissor first and then try to pull it apart. Nope, doesn't work. Now after one or two failed tries I just cut the entire top off.


Another example: On Sundays after church Mom and I would sometimes go out for Breakfast. The majority of time she would say, "I am going to have pancakes. That is something I don't really fix at home.” I never vocalized my thoughts (Thank you God for that) but I would think that it was a shame she didn't try other things on the menu. Just last week, TRUE story, my son asked me if I wanted to walk down to the diner for brunch. Guess what I said: "I am going to order pancakes because I love them and don't make them at home that often."

“I am sorry Mom. I just didn’t understand!”

There are so many more examples, but I am hoping someone is reading this that has a similar story to share.


Labels: acting like mother, eating out, i am sorry, Mothers, pancakes

STOP acting like you are old!

This is the first in my series of posts on aging. This isn't just about 'old' people because all of us start aging the minute we are born. I think most of us agree that we never feel as old as we are, I remember my Mother saying, "I don't feel any different or older than I ever did." I completely agree with her. Excluding people with health issues, it is my opinion that we have control on how we age. We hear it all the time; Eat healthy , exercise, everything in moderation. Of course I am not denying that, but what I think should be on the top of the list is Attitude. Have you decided to stay interested in others lives? Have you decided to keep on learning? Have you decided to remain physically active? Have you decided to continue looking good? (hair makeup, clothing, weight) Have you decided to have a sense of humor? Have you decided to find joy in life? Have you decided to keep things simple? Have you decided to remove stress in your life? Have you decided to see the good, not the bad in people? Have you decided to keep children in your life? I am sure there are many more, but you get the idea, if you don't want to feel old, then stop acting like you are. For me, one way to stay young is to allow change in your life,either natural or self induced. I will write more on that later, but for this post to be helpful and fun, I need comments and sharing. So please tell me what you think and what else I should put on that list.

7 good reasons to Blog

Writing these posts is a lot of fun, but I have discovered it is more than that. Last week as I was writing "A gardeners farewell" I found myself feeling a little 'unsettled'. Writing it reminded me that I had moved away from a really great place, a good life and friends. In another 6 months I will be leaving another great place (NY and my family here) Writing about this was therapeutic. From an old post in 2010, Billy Mac said this:"Blogs are meant for expression,its a piece of one's own self, and often times a window to one's soul. Its a journal, its a story. Its a way to show off your stuff." (Sorry Billy, I couldn't find a current link) I can add to that. Reading articles to share with others keeps me updated and informed. Joining in a conversation on someones blog gives me a chance to connect with others in a way I wouldn't do otherwise. In the 'real' world conversations with family and friends rarely involves in-depth discussions. Here are the 7 reasons I blog: 1.Fun 2.Therapeutic 3.Outlet to express myself 4.A journal 5.Show off my 'stuff' 5.Keeps me informed. 6.Make friends