I’m continuing to faithfully (most days) work through my “grains of sand.” There is light at the end of the tunnel and I can see the umbrella drink waiting for me. In the last week I’ve:
1) narrowed C’s 18 years of life into 10 pictures for the graduation ceremony next month. Scrapbookers, are you feeling my pain? Though I’ve said for years I want to scrapbook, and I’ve bought enough supplies to open a store, I’ve yet to glue down a single picture. This exercise has helped me appreciate my true resistance; it’s freakin’ hard work picking the “perfect photo”!
2) recorded her dad’s video message to be played at graduation. Ssshhhh–that’s a surprise. (Good thing she doesn’t read this blog!) He’s super shy and I know she’s thinking it’ll be my voice “talking at her ” once again. Tee-hee! Tissue anyone?
3) gathered all the additional information my tax guy needed. Every year, I miss something, or several somethings. One of these years, he won’t ask me for anything extra and I’ll fear the world is coming to an end.
And now,
4) I’m on my last big grain for the week…scripting the final draft for the talk I’m giving Monday night at our local library about preparing for the empty nest. This is a first step at something I’ve wanted to do and planned to do with this blog since the beginning. It’s the “logical next step” because I really want to inspire parents (myself included) to prepare for and embrace the next chapter in life, not resist it. And though I feel good about the outline I have, the voices of “self-doubt” have reared their ugly heads in the last couple of days. Have any of you battled those voices? Persistent, aren’t they?
Well, in response to those voices, I did what I’ve always done to quiet the storm within; I sought out some inspirational quotes and stumbled upon the wisdom of the good doctor I’ve visited many times over the years. Perhaps you know him too? He is a well-known, prolific writer, often quoted, and one of my favorite sources of inspiration. This one comes from one of my all time favorites books and was the exact reminder I needed to quiet the voices:
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Dr. Seuss is perhaps the only doctor that has infallibly prescribed the right “medicine” each and every time I’ve sought his help. If only insurance covered the cost of his books…
Where do you go to quiet the storm within?
by Mary Lanzavecchia 
how are graduation plans and your transition coming along? been thinking about you 🙂
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Mary…. just love Dr. Suess; one of the wisest individuals, don’t you think?
Just wanted to pass on the Sunshine Award for blogging, as I truly enjoy your blog… we’re very similar in our path.
I hope you will appreciate this award and not feel rushed to pass it on, but when you do, to those that brighten your day~
http://pauseandsmile.com/2012/04/26/here-comes-the-sun-little-blogger-here-comes-the-sun/
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I definitely have to quiet the storm within today! Thank you for this post, which is lovely and inspiring as always. Looking forward to your next post. You amaze me, Mary.
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I feel your angst. I am in the midst of getting my son ready to move to another city (about 70 miles away) for his first real job. Where should he stay, what should he bring with him, what should we get his car ready, what advice should we give him, how can we prepare him, how will his autism affect him, will there be protectors there, etc. It’s awful. And wonderful. And we pray, pray, pray.
We’ve gone through three high school graduations and three college graduations so far. (My oldest graduated from community college and then university). My youngest daughter is finishing up her second year of university – at least one more graduation coming, although she says three more.
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Yours is heading out and I’m thinking, ” Good Lord, You’re coming home for the summer and staying how long?” Ha!
I exercise to quiet those voices inside. I tend to do my best thinking on my bike or on a walk. I usually have to consciously say “stop” to the self critic to change the direction of my thoughts.
Congratulations on narrowing down your photos. That’s a tough job. And congratulations on the speaking engagement. Fantastic.
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Man, great job, TM! Those grains of sand are disappearing one at a time, and it’s awesome to hear a good report. I love the quote from Dr. Seuss…it’s perfect. 🙂 For me, to quiet the storm, I’ve used journals in the past, and I’ve also learned to pray and get into my Bible for some of God’s written advice, but this past year…blogging has had a HUGE impact on helping me get through self-doubt and self-criticism as well as cleanse my soul by writing about whatever is going on. Thanks for sharing…oh, and you last post…what a tribute to Shannon as well as your daughter. You’re such a giving woman-I’m so happy to be a subscriber! XOXO-SWM
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Oh, that clip from Dad is going to be a tear-jerker, I can tell! Congrats to your daughter, and to you on the speaking engagement – that is fantastic! Just the thought makes me break into a little big of a cold sweat, though. 😉
I think my husband really helps me battle my inner critic. He usually makes me laugh and see the ridiculousness of a lot of my fears (he’s the one who introduced me to blogging!).
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Great post! Can definitely feel your pain having to choose only 10 photos out of 18 of your daughter’s years!!! I think I would have a hard time choosing 10 from my daughters mere 6 years!! Lol! Love the Suess quote too, very timely for the season I’m in as well! Thanks Mary! 🙂
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I love that book! I read that book over and over as a teenager when I felt down, because it was the perfect mix of silliness and sound advice! 🙂 Now days, I take my camera and try to catch something so beautiful it settles my heart…
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Great post Mary! Sounds like you are being very productive. The best way I quiet the storm within is to pray and remember the enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy. The enemy has a goal to deceive and cause God’s people to believe and live a lie. If we allow deception to take hold, strongholds can then be formed in our minds. Strongholds are incorrect thinking patterns based on falsehood. I remember the battle is in my mind and I need to come against it with Truth.
Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
You have a wonderful message to share and the last thing the enemy wants – is for you to strengthen the family – in any way. And know there are friends (like me) who are praying for you. Hey, I already called in my RSVP a week or so ago and will be there to gather all the wisdom you have to share and support you my friend. And as you’re speaking, I will be praying, so when “self doubt” starts to rear its ugly head I can take out my sword of truth and cut it off!
May God bless your commitment, perseverance, and diligence as He showers you with Grace.
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