On the path...

"Anything you cannot relinquish, when it has outlived its usefulness, possesses you; and in this materialistic age, a great many of us are possessed by our possessions." Mildred LaSette Norman

After enjoying a pretty great week-end, I feel flooded by the thoughts that possess my mind. I am filled with a desire bordering on craving for organization, a longing to lose myself in 2 days of sleep, a rage to get moving and wake up my lazy mind and metabolism with invigorating, aching exercise, and a deep-seated need to find how to let go of these desires, cravings, hungers, rages, and release them to a place of peace, acceptance, and awareness that IT is enough.

What is IT? You have to decide for yourself...it changes about every couple of days for me. I do know that I have to rediscover the basic truth that whatever I do, it is enough...even if I don't think so. Will I ever think what I do is enough, that what I am striving for will be reached? Are the dreams too grand, the hopes too high, the acceptance too little, too late?

I always feel better when I am able to allow my things to go to their next home. I really don't think i have a big problem with being possessed by my things -- but I am too often possessed by my thoughts, my aspirations, my hopelessness, and my dreams... and knowing how little I've done, how little I can claim, and how much I just want to load my husband and kids in a kick-a** RV and travel the continents, learning, exploring, and growing together without so much outside interference!! It is why we picked our home -- I wanted a place that I didn't have to live to take care of, to have a safe place to fall but not collapse under the burden of cleaning, bills, and stuff of life. So how to let go of the clutter in my mind, the storage files and mementos that fill my thoughts, determine my energy, and trap my heart?

This will be an interesting month...

Good Luck to you!

The Conundrum of Action and Motion

"Our greatest danger in life is in permitting the urgent things to crowd out the important." Charles E. Hummel

"Never confuse motion with action." Benjamin Franklin

I'm not sure if this is a problem for others, like it is for me, but often I feel as though the "actions" I take are an exercise in futility; as well as wondering if all I am doing is going through the "motions". When I read and ponder on these quotes, it reminds me to first take a moment (not a day) to plan, then decide that getting one thing done is better that getting nothing done! So as you enter this crazy time of spring cleaning, summer planning, and general busy-ness, know that we are in the trenches together and I always love to hear how you are handling all of your urgent and important things!

Good Luck to you!
Heather

As I Pass Another Birthday

The greatest gifts my parents gave to me…were their unconditional love and set of values. Values they lived and didn’t just lecture about. Values that included an understanding of the simple difference between right and wrong, a belief in God, the importance of hard work and education, self-respect and a belief in America.
Colin Powell

I liked this quote for a few reasons --
1) I also had parents who brought me into the world, loved me, cared for me, and did all they could to guide me to understand that my life mattered, that the choices I made were mine, but that they influence and affect more than just me.
2) I admire the life that Colin Powell has lived and I admire and value the fact that he had such a deep sense of gratitude and love for his parents, their contributions to his life, and his love of our country.
3) As a parent of four, I read this when I am feeling doubt and discouragement in my role as a mother. As I read these words, I am strengthened by the knowledge that I try to live every day speaking my values, endorsing behavior that reflects these values, and encouraging my children in their pursuits and experiences so that they will recognize the importance of these values in their life.

As I reflect on the last 39 years -- most of which have memories I may never tap into again -- I know that there are a few values that help me to chart the course of my life...
1) I know that God lives. I know that His Son, in both spirit and flesh, came to this earth to teach us, die for us, and break the bands of death by being ressurected. His gospel is still on the earth today and He speaks to us through living prophets, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
2) I know that I will see Christ again someday, and I know that He knows me and loves me, now and always.
3) I know that what I know is only a beginning.
4) I know that love is a choice, that service creates and strengthens love, and that it is a word of action, rather than a feeling.
5) I know that we can choose to be DEFINED by our experiences, our choices, our lives -- or we can choose to be REFINED by them. I choose REFINEMENT!
6) I know that all the heartache of marriage and children are WORTH ALL THE JOY -- if I had to do it all over again, I would!
7) I know that anger does not bring strength, only fear and scars.
8) I know that good books can take us to vistas unimaginable, and that crap is too often esteemed as quality...
9) I know that I will never be naturally blonde again... :(
10) I know that I would rather have happy children than a clean house -- yes they can happen for some people, but for me, I often have to choose -- and in no time my house will be quiet, uncluttered, show-worthy, and empty of the cherished voices, clutter, and hugs of my children. A clean house can wait...

The countdown has begun -- 364 days until "40" -- aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh