The past year has been far from ordinary, to say the least. You may recall that 2022 began with my husband Rich suffering a heart attack. After two heart catheterizations, he improved quickly, but other medical issues ensued throughout the year including COVID. Rich never complains, and his optimistic outlook is one reason he is back in good health now. In the midst of emergency room visits, doctors’ appointments, and fear, I discovered the sacredness of the ordinary. So many times, I prayed for just an ordinary day, and when we had one, I sent up prayers of gratitude. I Read More
Tag: resolutions
My One Little Word for 2022: Pause
Pause seems like such an innocuous word. But I contend it has great power when we: Pause to be grateful Pause to reflect Pause to forgive Pause to listen Pause to enjoy Pause before answering Pause before reacting Pause to appreciate Pause to breathe In 2022 I hope my One Little Word will be powerful. Not in physical strength, not in intellectual prowess, not in a domineering or superior kind of way. Quite the opposite. I hope it will help me become more humble, grow in compassion, appreciate what is before me. I guess it’s another way of being in Read More
My “One Little Word” for 2021 – Listen
“We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.” ~ Zeno of Citium as quoted by Diogenes Laertius My “One Little Word” for 2021—LISTEN—grabbed me and held on since last summer when I created my vision board. Usually, my vision boards are filled with words and writing goals, but not this one. There are few words, and somehow, “listen” showed up on it twice. In addition, last night I opened two books of poetry to read, and “listen” grabbed me again. In the first poem by the late Jon Tribble, “The Divine,” the Read More
My “One Little Word” for 2018: BALANCE
In a Super Soul Session, Elizabeth Gilbert talks about hummingbirds and jackhammers. My friend Lisa is a hummingbird. I so admire her curiosity and willingness to try new things. Conversations with Lisa are like a feast as she tells me about the books she’s reading and the myriad activities she’s involved in. She, like a hummingbird, samples many of life’s rich experiences. Elizabeth Gilbert says hummingbirds are “cross-pollenating the world with their creativity and openness to new ideas.” A lovely image. I am a jackhammer. I drill down, laser-focused on my passion—writing. Elizabeth Gilbert says the gift of the jackhammer Read More
One Little Word: Passion
My One Little Word for 2015 was Embrace. I needed really long arms to embrace all that came at me this past year. It’s been a year of huge life changes, much joy and some sadness. My husband retired, we sold our home in one city and moved to a new home in a new city where two of our three children and their spouses live. Embracing this move was easy. We love being near our kids, it’s a lively, artsy, diverse city, and our new home is perfect for us. The flip side, of course, was leaving behind wonderful Read More