Month: February 2011

Spring Again!

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Robins waiting for a bath!

It is spring in central Florida. Actually, it has been for two or three weeks, that is how long the Robins have been here. We have hundreds of them in the neighborhood, and frequently tens of them waiting in non- ending rows for a turn at the birdbath.

I like Robins. They are very beneficial birds, as they eat bugs. Robins are regal and very shy.

Along with the migrating birds, we have a return of pollen, ah-choo! I’ve had to break out the antihistamines, oh well!

It is getting to be time for a spring cleaning of our homes, and the clutter in our heads. I seem to have accumulated more than usual! I think I’ll pop open my ear, and let the brain air out!

But, seriously, if one declutters their home, their life can feel much “lighter”. According to an article I recently read from Whole Living Magazine, Susanna Sonnenberg sites excerpts from the book Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui, by Karen Kingston.

Sonnenberg quotes Kingston saying: “clutter drags your energy down, and the longer you keep it, the more it will affect you. Sonnenberg decluttered her home with the criteria that you ask four questions when considering keeping something. Kingston’s questions were: 1) “Do you like it?, 2) Do you love it?, 3) Do you need it?, 4) Does it bring you peace and easy energy or uneasy trouble”?

Does this pique your interest? Certainly, I have an abundance of “stuff”. I love clothes and even though I have spent some time clearing some of them out, I still have more than I need.

What I’m going to start with, though, is paperwork. I have a pile of paperwork that “a show horse couldn’t jump over”–a quote from my husband from some unknown source! I’ll let you know how the process is going over the next few months.

Meanwhile, back to that spring thing! Embrace it! Grab some sunshine and stop and smell the flowers.

Peace to you!

Joan

Robin redbreast
Stately hops with
Eyes intent, focused
Moving with purpose
Snatches the green beetle
“Gulp”she swallows her prize

My Valentine

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Happy Valentines Day!

For all our valentines, our spouses, lovers, friends, parents, or children, let us tell them that we love them today, and at every opportunity. The loves in our lives are what makes everything worthwhile; and although this seems rote, we must not take them for granted. We never know when our last words to a loved one will literally be our last words.

So here is a special “I Love You” to my parents, my siblings, children, grandchildren, and the love of my life, Rob. Here is a poem that I wrote many years ago for Rob.

Work of Art

My lovers hands
Are the hands
Of a working man

They are scarred and roughened
Through being beaten up
By the elements

They are very strong hands
Strong and beautiful
And surprisingly gentle

They are the hands
Of a real man
My man

Here’s wishing you a wonderful day, and a wonderful week. Remember to love yourself, too!

Ciao!

Joan

Striving to be Fearless!

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Me without my makeup!

Hello Friends!

I cannot believe that it is February, already! But what a winter it has been! I can’t complain, as I’ve been cocooned in Florida for most of it.

Today I want to write about being fearless. Why is that, you ask? Well. probably because I am such a big chicken! Seriously, I have anxiety issues, and I’m basically shy, so it can be difficult to get out of the rut and step out of my comfort zone. In fact, I have to dare myself to do things, like publish a book. How did I do this? I told a couple hundred people about the book. I knew that I would be embarrassed, and often, if I did not publish it. It worked! I got my fraidy-cat self out from under the bed and self-published.

Unfortunately, that is not the end of my fearfulness problem. So here I am dealing with the same issues as I was four or five years ago. I am telling all of you out in the blogisphere so that you can help to guilt-trip me!

I like these quotes from Terri Trespicio, from January/February’s Whole Living Magazine: “The path to fearless living goes straight through the roadblocks, not around them”, and “Creativity goes beyond sheer artistry: it takes courage to express your ideas.” This is good stuff. I think I should post them where I can see them every day, and drill them into my lizard brain.

If anyone has any ideas on transitioning from chicken heart to dragon, please offer your suggestions!

Meanwhile, here is a poem from the up and coming Embracing Your Inner Cheerleader!, my future book! I know, I know!

Peace to you all!
Joan

The Libra

Here I am
Straddling my life’s stream
One foot in the “now”
Deeply planted in necessity
One or two toes of the other
Foot have strayed into the unknown–
The unmodeled clay of dreams
Where ideas are scattered about
Like amorphous clouds–almost
Becoming concrete, palpable
Close to conception
Egg of idea and sperm of intention
On the point of action
Nearly communicate, consummate–still
A breath away, a gossamer veil
Of steel separates these parts that
Must be made whole

Determination drives me
I am purpose, hurtling toward
My goal, shape-shifting until
I become the key
Unlocking the possibilities
Arriving at my future