"We are all wanderers on this earth...our hearts are full of wonder, and our souls are deep with dreams." ~ Gypsy proverb

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Chasing light

Light:

1) A cat on a harness and leash. We didn't declaw our cat, we adopted him that way. Yet I couldn't help feeling so badly for him as his howls begging to go outside just squeezed my heart so earnestly. And so now he has supervised visits and he beams :).

2) A losing team winning an entire tournament. It's true, up until this weekend, my son's soccer team has lost every single game. This weekend, they played 4 teams in two days and left undefeated, with medals and a trophy. And yes, we all were beaming :).



3) Signs to push forward. Ever since I wrote that post last week on writing, I've been getting signals beginning with this in my inbox the very next day. That knot in my stomach has always been the edge of the precipice, an extreme feeling of discomfort like I'm going to gag any minute, and the compelling desire to fiercly protect my fragile ego. It is the bondage to being human we are all born with. I have failed so many times, I wonder why it never gets easier? The good news is that I am here and I am still writing and for me, that still counts.

4) Art retreat!!!!  For anyone that loves making things, from novice to expert, art retreats are balms for the creative soul. If you have been reading here awhile then you may remember how Squam had a significant impact on me over a year ago.Well how lucky am I that a woman named Ali decided to create an art retreat for those of us here in the west. The Makerie art retreat was founded here in Boulder a few years ago and this Spring, I will be attending. If you are a tiny bit interested, there are 3 opportunities to attend, including one in NYC. And if you do sign up, please let me know!!!

5) In the same vein, a longtime blog friend Claudine of Becoming Claudine is hosting her 2nd annual Gladsome retreat in the Great Lakes region. Claudine is one of kindest, most down to earth bloggers I have met out here, and I can only imagine that her retreat will be full of creative spark, warmth and connection. She had wonderful success last year and I wish her even more this fall. I will be headed to Florida so I won't make it, but it is my great hope to attend one day :). Lots of love to you Claudine!

Wishing you a great week...
xoxo

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
~ Brené Brown

Weekending....

11 comments:

  1. So many wonderful moments, MJ! And I am tremendously happy to know that you walk your cat on a leash (which is good for our little songbird friends). Hooray for wins and retreats! I looked into the Gladsome retreat, only an hour away from me. I am seriously considering it. How nice it would be to just get away and connect with other women... Wishing you much more light xoxo

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    1. Oh Mandy -- I am glad you are considering! The women who are involved in the planning met last week and it is going to be oh so good! There is such a supportive, positive, happy vibe! Would love to have you!
      best,
      Claudine

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  2. just read the article on picking yourself. that's a tough one for me. not comparing... even harder. I strangely enough don't find any solace in other people already having done things better. I don't want to be the best but just being ok doesn't cut it for me either. what to do? what to do? it's all in my head, i know...

    ps: love your cat :)

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  3. lets meet up at a retreat my friend
    and we can discuss our drying wings!!!

    love you

    love and light

    ps THAT ARTICLE!!!!!!!
    good food sister, good food.....

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  4. ps LOVE your header!
    ....coincidence?


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  5. MJ,
    Thank you dear friend for your kind words! The retreat is going to be something special...as plans come together I feel so lucky to be in the company of such amazing women.
    And yes, please make it next year!

    Love and hugs,
    Claudine

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  6. Oh yes, it counts even if it comes in fits and spurts and starts and stops :) And I am just a wee bit excited you'll be in the next session of Write Now!!!

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  7. LOVE this post. So many great links here. And The Makerie! xo

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  8. hooray for your son's soccer team and kitties outside and art retreats!!! and hooray for you showing up to do your writing and brene brown (i've been touching on these things lately as well in my space).
    hooray for you.
    xo

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  9. You are such a great writer, MJ. If that is truly your calling- go with it, go with it! Forward, forward! And don't look back!
    XO

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  10. Oh my. I have so missed being in this space! These were just the words I needed to read. (As it always seems to happen here for me.) And these retreats sound wonderful! I am definitely going to check them out. And keep on, my dear. We need your words! XO

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“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
~ George Bernard Shaw