Starting Now: Start #1: Gifts 452...

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Start #1: Gifts 452...

452. Starting the day with yoga, and Emmy at my side trying to do the poses with me.

453. Something I forgot to write the other day but don't want to forget. Lily and I were listening to an audio CD in the car and Lily said, "Turn it down mom, I have something good too." I turned the CD off and Lily said, "Mom, always know your ABC's." I thought to myself, I interrupted what we were both enjoying for this? Of course I know my ABC's. I can see Emmy saying this, but Lily who is years beyond the basics?

"Stop, and Always Be Calm, Mom. This is what I learned from Fire Pal Matt. Always Be Calm, you try it now Mom." I see. I see these moments when my child grows wise and I have the joy of learning from her.

She talked about the context of how to do this in dangerous situations, but it is truly a universal, and easy to remember all-the-time message. ABC!

454. An early spring cleaning frenzy and rearranging. Rearranging furniture makes me feel to refreshed and clutter-free. As Emmy approaches three years old, we are making a gradual departure from having a baby in the house, which definitely brings moments of sadness and celebration all at the same time. Packed away the monitor and all the baby board books that she no longer needs. She already has a library of new books in her room thanks to Lily going through her books a couple weeks ago. And we have a box full of books that some new babies and toddlers will be able to enjoy. The playroom has been cleaned out and rearranged too, what a great feeling and I feel like I accomplished something.

455. Sharing Glendale Glitter and Glow together last night with Harlee, Nonna, Andy and the girls. The flames of the hot air balloons were exciting and the soft glow beautiful. And I got my people-watching fix:)

1 comment:

JoyfulEatsJanuary 16, 2012 at 5:04 AM
Tell Lily I'm sharing ABC with my family - I'm glad she's teaching it to others!
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Welcome to Starting Now

Starting Now, I am starting to finish. Always prolific in my starts, I give birth to many ideas that flutter like a baby bird leaving the nest for the first time. In what feels to be the thick of my life (see "About Me"), there is no better time than now to take flight, to make my finishes as abundant as my starts. I no longer have limitless time or desire to clean up the mental and physical chaos created by starting many things and not fnishing one.

It is my hope that in starting now (for there is only now) and starting here on the page, that I will reach through the initial excitement of a thought, a project, a relationship just beginning, etc.... I will abandon my fear of yet another fallen start, sorrow heavy on my mind and in my heart to instead, give strong wings to my start, life to my lungs, and clarity to my psyche as I soar from one project to the next.

A bit lofty, I realize, but in starting this blog, I am creating accountabilty for myself to show up at the page every day. To show up is to write every day. Create. Improve every day. Learn. Hone the idea, thought, project, progress every day. Grow. And perhaps, learn from others who care to share their ideas on starts and finishes, as together, we spur a community of finishers able to relish in the life and gift - to ourselves and those we share our lives and gifts with - of what we finished, and what we start anew, again, now.

The idea is that as I embark on a start, I will track it here to its finish. Add thoughts if you like, or share your own starts, what you learn along the way, ideas for improvement and efficiency, how you enjoy the journey. For I realize that life is not simply about finishing, but the journey along the way. Yet, I am learning that to finish (something, anything, if even just for today it is folding the laundy and putting it away), boosts my confidence and becomes the catalyst for the birth and life of another start. Another contribution to our beautiful world.

My Life

Mother to Lily and Emmy, two young girls alike only in their adoring, interesting, active, sensitive, loving, creative ways; wife to Andy who has an uncanny resemblance of characteristics to the ways of our girls and who is a recovering (at least that is my wish!) non-finisher like me; caretaker of our human-like Irish red and white setter named Molly, and;

Breathe, ahhhh

Active participant in our lives filled with work, school, deadlines I struggle to meet, homework, cooking, appointments, relationships, laughter, sometimes screaming (we’re all working on that), play, bills, travel, gymnastics, walks with the dog, reading, managing technology and schedules, exercising our independence and learning to work together (and the balance of the two), trying to make healthy choices, and, did I forget anything?

Yes! In honor of my first start, breathing fully (I often forget to do this) and practicing gratitude. Thank you breath, for you give me life!