I’m still using that Stand Up app to remind me to get up and walk around every hour when I’m at work. I do a loop through the library most times, sometimes on the first floor and sometimes upstairs. In doing this I have seen some really lovely things that I don’t get to see when I’m just plunked in my office, including this Clivia in it’s winter glory. That totally makes it worth the effort of getting up!
Get up and move this weekend and find something glorious, okay?
You know what term gets thrown around a lot? Self care. It seems like I hear it all the time lately and I’m glad because it’s important to take care of yourself. Certainly no one else will do that one for you. I’ve been thinking about how I can demonstrate self care. I don’t want it to be about manicures or massages, I don’t want it to involve shopping or lunch with a friend, and I don’t want to count reading or knitting since those are things I do all the time anyway.
I want self care to be about . . . self improvement. I want it to be about thoughts and feelings and growth. I’ve grouped my ideas into actions and I’ve come up with . . . wait for it . . . three verbs to remind me of my goals and help me with my progress.
I vow to do more . . .
Listening. I will listen to myself and trust myself to do something that feels right and, by the same token, to not do something that feels off. I will listen to the people I love, Dale and the kids and Jackie (his little voice is so cute right now and he actually says Nana and Grandpa now). I will listen to my colleagues at work and on the Board of Selectmen. I will listen to people I agree with and people I don’t agree with, I will listen to people who have vastly different life experiences from me and I will use listening to improve my understanding.
Writing. I will write my story in a way that is authentic. I will write about things that have been difficult and things that have brought me joy. I will write to understand and reflect because writing helps me to process my feelings. I will write for you here on the blog and I will write privately in my journal. I will write long paragraphs and lists and quotes and nonsense. I will write to increase my creativity and I will write because all kinds of ideas are born and feelings are resolved when I put words on paper.
Pausing. I will pause to consider my options. I will pause to give myself time to think before I respond. I will pause to be still and be present. I will pause for gratitude and contemplation. I will pause and concentrate on breathing. I will pause to allow myself to rest, to think about possibilities and options, to make room for ideas and new concepts. I will pause to give myself time to consciously respond and by doing so I will access my intuition and increase my wisdom.
I’ve got to admit this post is pretty out there with the woo woo stuff. But guess what? That makes me love it all the more!
If you wrote a post for today (and I hope you did!) please include your link below.
Before we get any further into February, let’s take a look back at January.
As much as January felt long and dark and cold the photos tell a story of light and fun and love.
And then there’s the video, condensing that month that felt endless into . . . 54 seconds.
We’re on to February!
There was more to the weekend than the Super Bowl, epic as that was.
There were Friday Night Snacks. Now with lights! I saw that little strand of Friyay lights at Home Goods and for $5 I just couldn’t resist – mostly because I wanted to share it with you!
There was a fun night out at a fundraiser on Saturday. Dale’s band was performing and we gathered up our friends and had a grand old time, dancing and laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
Doreen and Mark spent the night so that they could watch the Super Bowl with us – a three year tradition now. We had a delicious breakfast to start our day.
We played Racko and feasted on jumbo shrimp while we waited for the game to start.
I made chicken wings and chili, as I said I would, but I also made this great veggie platter to counteract all the unhealthy components of the day.
Jo-Ann and Doreen made contributions, too. Aren’t these football brownies adorable? They were fudgy and chocolate-y and delicious!
And that’s the weekend that was.
Are for celebrating!
