Explore the Darkness

"Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of the light."

Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW, The Gifts of Imperfection

As I've mentioned I am on a quest for positive. I first heard of Brené Brown's from Seth Godin's interview (The Art of Noticing and Then Creating) on the weekly radio show On Being with Krista Tippett. I find Seth's blog powerful, and I was curious to read someone he admires, so I put The Gifts of Imperfection on hold at the library (and hoped that it was not yet another feel good self-help book).

I am almost finished with the book, and I am not disappointed. As an ideas person I tend to think in the abstract. In her book Brené defines concepts such as authenticity, compassion, and wholehearted with concrete descriptions and scenarios.

Perfectionism destroys hope, love, and gratitude. Without them our lives feel meaningless, and we become numb and stuck in a cycle of fear. Brené reaffirms the need for meaningful connections and spirituality.

I am ready for the gifts of imperfection.

Again, The Silence

It seems like it hasn't stopped snowing in days. On Friday night we noticed that the furnace kept running yet the temperature was falling. Luckily, a repairman came on Saturday and used a wet/dry vac to clear a build-up of condensation in one of the lines.

I wanted to snuggle in for the rest of the day, but Matt got sick; I took him to urgent care. The rest of the weekend was spent making sure he was comfortable, reading books, and watching the snow fall. We're almost caught up on Community, and I am convinced that I read Game of Thrones once upon a time.

And that was my weekend. It's hard to believe it is February.

Internal Activity

"Are my words ever actually audible, or do they just echo in my head while people stare at me, waiting? I want to change my punctuation. I long for exclamation marks, but I'm drowning in ellipses."

Isaac Marion, Warm Bodies

Change Your World

Change Your World pinned in La Vie Boheme; via Pretty Stuff

Lead Me To the Rock

Lead Me To the Rock pinned in La Vie Boheme; via Bella's Little Rose

Take Chances

Take Chances pinned in La Vie Boheme; via Pretty Stuff

Open to the Gift

"One should lie bare, open, flat as an empty white beach—waiting—without greed & without anxiety—for a gift from the sea."

Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Against Wind and Tide: Letters and Journals, 1957-1986

So Little Time

I have been preoccupied with my training. It has been a long time since I have been encouraged to learn. The beauty of my job is I will never stop learning. Libraries offer so much free data and information to the public; they're such a valuable resource. As Frank Zappa said, "So many books, so little time".

It is nice to be challenged.

The Best of News

If you follow me on twitter or know me personally you may have heard the news: I got a new job! I will be working with computers at my local library.

I have been working my college job for almost nine years. Matt was such a godsend through it all. I have been grateful to have a job through the recession and down economy. I have gotten a lot of experience in customer service and leadership--skills that helped me get my new job.  I thought about keeping my current job for security, but with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (With Honors) (try saying that three times fast!) my new job is better aligned with my schooling, and I need to focus on new things.

I am so excited! God has truly blessed me!

Now I need buy new clothes so I can dress like a librarian. 

My Day in Brown, White, and Green

A former coworker gave me this lovely fern. I put it in a milk glass vase.

 

 

I used leftover Easter ham to make grilled ham and cheese.

 I am not sure if Misty was guarding the bathroom or warming herself in front of the vent.

It (unexpectedly) snowed.

 I snagged this rosemary plant for $.85!

Be Well

"Life is not merely being alive, but being well." 

Anonymous, Secrets of the Spas pg. 85

Summer Dreams (In March)

Today felt like summer. I opened the windows to let in the fresh, warm air. The melody of chirping frogs complemented birdsong. Every moment seems full of wonder.

Misty is intrigued by the wildlife behind our house.

The afternoon light as I washed a potato.

I bought a shamrock at Meijer last week. You may remember the mug as a thrifty find.

Warm weather means painting my nails on the deck. I sipped on ginger ale to keep cool.

This lake is less than a mile from our house! It seemed warm enough to jump in, but I knew better.

It is hard to believe it is still winter in Michigan.

Changes

The past year has been full of amazing changes. Matt was hired into a good company. We got engaged and married. We bought our first house. And in less than a week I am transferring stores. I will be doing the same job, but it will be parttime. This change is bittersweet.

Currently I drive almost two hours a day. I do not have a set schedule, so I am rarely home at the same time as Matt. Despite the drive and lack of time to myself, the introvert in me would prefer to stay where I am. I am afraid to let go of my finances. Although I did not prosper, my fulltime job in retail helped me through the recession. But I have too many miles on my lease, and I need to work closer to home.

Retail has a certain constant unsettledness. You truly depend on your coworkers, and I will have to relearn who I can rely on. Yet with less driving and fewer hours at work I will be home more. I can cook meals. I can apply to graduate schools. I can garden. I can explore the creative ideas swirling in my mind. I can devote more time to my passions: DIY and writing. I may even "find myself" in the process.

I am grateful for the opportunity.

Take Time for Creativity

"For many of us, the ability to tap into our creativity comes only after we have slowed down to the point where we can take the time to get centered." 

Elaine St. James, Inner Simplicity: 100 Ways to Regain Peace and Nourish Your Soul