Tag Archives: inspiration

Transitional Parenting, Transitional Woman

Sharin’ da Lovin’

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I’ve (obviously) been blogging a lot lately, and maybe you’re wondering what got into Miss Jabberpants over here. And, maybe not. But, I’ll tell you anyway since I passed the half-way-to-goal mark on Tuesday. I’ve always  thought of myself as a self-motivated, goal-setting person. You gotta be when you run your own business. You gotta be when you homeschool children or do any volunteer work. You gotta be to get anywhere in life, but money motivates really well, too. Therein lies my blogging dilemma. Blogging requires time to write posts, but doesn’t pay (at least for now. :)) It takes consistency to improve my writing which requires time, but still doesn’t pay. It needs a solid fan base which comes from consistent good writing which requires time, and still doesn’t pay. You get the point. Perhaps, you’re living the blogging dilemma, too and can understand why I had to come up with something to motivate me to write until the money (maybe someday) comes along.

As many of you already know, November is NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month–30 Days and Nights of Literary Abandon. Since I’m not working on a novel, I decided to create a personal blogging challenge, NaBloWriMo, which doesn’t flow very well and isn’t national since it’s  just me. So, on November 1st, I started BloWriMo–30 Days of Blogging Abandon.  And, in the words of Martha Stewart, it’s a good thing because I’ve been writing, and thinking and checking out lots of other blogs. As I’ve said before, there are a lot of really great bloggers out there!

Blog stalking  reading regularly inspires and motivates me. Yesterday was no different. My first “read” of the day came from a favorite blogger, The Lucky Mom , Lisha. Her post, Lovin’ , listed a number of things she was “lovin'” and it prompted me to make my own list. Originally, I was going to join the “Lovin'” conversation on Lisha’s Facebook page, The Lucky Mom. Instead, I just kept adding to my list as I moved through the day. At the end of the day, my list looked like this:

  • Coffee with a hint of cinnamon
  • Hitting my 20 pound weight loss goal (yesterday! Woot-woot!)
  • Laughter
  • Day 16 of BloWriMo
  • Heartfelt conversations with my daughters
  • An empty laundry basket
  • Uninterrupted phone calls
  • Memories
  • Homeschooling
  • Sisters that are best friends
  • A smile from a stranger on the road
  • The smell of stew simmering on the stove (strange, since I don’t eat meat)
  • A nice Cabernet (meat, no; wine, yes :))
  • My husband’s key in the door
  • The post that prompted this list (Seriously, scroll back up and click on it!)
  • Connecting with fabulous bloggers online and reading their terrific posts (Which  led me to create another list…and is in no way a comprehensive list of the posts I’m lovin’. And, seriously, click on these, too!  You’ll be lovin’ ’em! )

Blog posts I’m lovin’:

  • Silly images: they’re what’s for dinner «: There’s this blogger named Deborah–not Debbie–Deborah. Her raw honesty makes me think and feel and laugh and most of all, makes me want to write. Not to mention her very humorous stick- figure drawings and her stinkin’ adorable son, Lil’D. If you’re short on time, at least click on the video link to view her son discovering his shadow. Priceless! Then bookmark her page and come back later.
  • And I Ran…I Ran So Far Away!: (Can anyone else hear the song in their head?) Aside from the fact Laura feels like a kindred spirit, she makes me feel like a human, and she’s inspiring me to start running again–maybe. She’s a mom to 3 teens, working outside the home, maintaining a long distance marriage,  de-cluttering-project master, on the journey to 50 and her empty nest years. Like I said, kindred. When I want to get away, but feel like I’m sharing a cup of coffee with a friend, I run to Laura’s blog.
  • No Longer Camera Shy…sort of: I discovered Cindy’s blog by chance…but, there are no mistakes, are there? If I had to describe her blog in a word, it would have to be addictive. Her story, her smile, and her art all reach out from the page and invite you to set a spell. Consider her blog an appetizer and her website, Cindy DeLuz, the meal because her art really does “make the heart smile.”
  • I Have A Plan, and I’m Not Afraid To Use It: Perhaps it’s because she’s a planner, like me, and is already planning for mid-life crises and birthdays. Perhaps, it’s because she works in a zoo and I live in one. But likely, it’s her humor, in this post and every other one I have read that keeps me following along. And, because Becoming Cliche has challenged herself with a NaNoWriMo blogging challenge, I have renamed my challenge 2BloWriMo. Nice to know I have company.
  • Strange Animal Encounters in the Florida Keys: Because manatees are too cool for words and I’m trying to figure out how to Photoshop my face into these pictures. (For the VeggieTale fans, http://www.youtube.com/watcv=tpcf_qD3GW4 , it’s Barbara Manatee! Don’t judge. :)) And, because Lesley’s posts are like potato chips, you can’t stop at just one, I share Yearly Bucket List; I Need Your Ideas! , the post that “introduced” me to Lesley and made me decide I want to be her when I grow up. The only problem is, I’m really afraid of heights! So, I wrote my own bucket list instead.

Thanks, Lisha, for inspiring the lovin’! (And, for inspiring me to set up a Transitioning Mom Facebook page–Coming soon!)

Please, join the conversation and share what you’re lovin’?

Inspired Transitioning, Transitional Parenting, Transitional Woman

What I know for sure is…I’m gonna need a Post-It note.

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In fact, I'll probably need several.

Every month, Oprah closes her “O” magazine by sharing her “What I Know for Sure” column. In it, she adds her voice to the overall subject covered in that edition by sharing the lessons she has learned along the way. Last night, I tucked myself into my big, comfy chair, under my favorite blanket, and flipped through the pages of the latest edition of “O.” As I closed the magazine, I felt the warmth of an amazing day settle into my heart and fill the corners of my memory, and I thought about “What I Know for Sure.” Here are a few things that came to mind:

1. I am so very blessed to be where I am at this point in my life. Are there things that I wish I could have/would have/should have done differently? I used to think so, but not anymore. Well, rarely. Each step has been a part of the journey that led me here. Quiet reflection and a call with a dear friend of 25 years reminded me of that yesterday.

2. Everyone, not just the people I connect with easily, carries within a light and a story waiting to being seen and shared. As I wrote yesterday’s post, I thought about my journey, my children, my mom, and then, I thought of all of you; you who read my words and those who haven’t–yet. (And, I sure hope someday they do! :)) I thought of the diverse personalities I come into contact with through this blogging forum, my business, my volunteer work, my family and my community. Every contact has made me a richer person by giving me the opportunity to view the world through different lenses. Too often, I forget the gift found here–like when my teens are sassy, another driver cuts me off,  or a clerk is rude. Yesterday, writing in the wee dark hours of the morning, I was reminded to see the light in everyone.

3. Each of us, regardless of our journey, our station in life, our “faults” or our doubts, is beloved. Yesterday, my day began with a trip to the dentist. Though they were unable to complete the scheduled work, I knew my time was well spent; no mistakes, as I like to say. During the short drive home, a familiar song came on the radio. Though I had heard Jason Gray’s “Remind Me Who I Am” before, I had never really listened to it. While still pondering the post I had “published” only moments before walking out the door, the message of the song moved from my mouth to my heart, and to my mouth again. (Yes, I am one of those car-singers–loud and off-key.)  I pulled to the side of the road, turned up the volume, and let the words sink into my very being. “…Tell me, once again, who I am to you…who I am to you.” As I pulled back into traffic, I felt it…that which I often forget…I am beloved.

Like an itch that needed to be scratched, I had to hear Gray’s song once more and found the “official video” online. (Thanks, YouTube!) Unexpectedly, the video added even greater depth to an already powerful song that reminds we are each beloved–by God (or whomever our spirit connects to), our families and our friends. (My interpretation of Gray’s song.)

Last night, snuggled in my chair, I felt wrapped in a blanket of love and kindness. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of birthday greetings posted on my Facebook page and through the emails, comments on this page, and phone calls I received. Additionally, I was lovingly  pampered by my daughters and my husband. Heading up to bed, I played the day’s “theme song” in my mind. As I drifted off to sleep, I truly felt beloved because yesterday, I was reminded of who I am and who I want to be.

There ya have it–3 things I know for sure–or try really hard to remember. Truthfully, I’m pretty confident I know more than 3 — at least that’s what I tell my kids– but I think I’ll just focus on mastering these first. Odds are pretty good that not everyday will be as fabulous as yesterday. Therefore, it’s probably a good idea to post all 3 in plain sight (read: above the coffee maker.) Because, what I know for sure is… I don’t want to forget ’em on the “rough days.”

Please, join the conversation and share what you know for sure  in the comments below.

And, if you have a moment, be inspired to remember who you are…