Discovering Yourself!
It’s October 11th and the Columbus Day Holiday (and Thanksgiving in Canada). As we think back about the journey Columbus took to discover a new world, I can’t help but think about your journey to discovering yourself. Journaling provides so many benefits and the journey to self discovery is one of them. As we celebrate Columbus Day, what are you celebrating along your journey? Make today (and everyday) a celebration of life, light and love. As part of the celebration we acknowledge 0thers along our path, since they add to the journey. Recognize and value the journey and give thanks no matter where you are on your journey. Journal on these words: acknowledgement; recognition; gratitude; value, and see where your journey takes you. If you would like more on how to discover yourself, my eCourse: Discover Your Creative Self takes you on a journey exploring your everyday life with enhanced use of your senses. To learn more visit: Discover Your Creative Self.
I’m enjoying the beautiful fall weather in the northeast – trees turning color, warm days and cool nights (no frost yet!). and…. That beautiful light on a sunny afternoon – you know the kind… the beautiful sunlight around 4pm on days like this. It’s part of the reason why I paint, because the time of day makes the colors of all you see so very very vibrant. Soon that will change as we head closer to winter solstice. Meanwhile, enjoy the pumpkins, autumn leaves and great walks along a country road.
In the Spirit of Love and Light…
Rosemary Augustine
As I Reflect in Autumn Breezes…
Oh, my favorite time of year – autumn! With the trees turning bright reds and burnt oranges, it paves the way for an artists’ pallet of color, eager to paint all that you see. Growing up in the northeast, the fall colors were and still are, spectacular. The more north you go the more vibrant the colors appear… or maybe it is the way the sun reflects onto the leaves at a certain time of day. My years living in Colorado had some pretty spectacular autumns too, although not much red or orange but more yellow or golden. The golden aspen trees would glitter in the breeze… I can even hear the sound of the aspens in the breeze even now – today – even though I am thousands of miles away.
My favorite time of year with the chill in the air, the sunlight, the afternoon breeze of leaves sweeping across the road, their edges curled, some brown and others still vibrant with color. As we face our last 90 days of 2010, what reflections come to mind? What projects – started months ago – do you want to finish before the holiday rush is upon us? What changes do you want to consider implementing for 2011? Between now and the middle of November is an excellent time to consider these questions and address whatever you want to address and complete. Since we all know, when the middle of November hits… no matter how “little” you do for the holidays, you will still feel overwhelmed.
Journal on your reflections for 2010 – things accomplished, missed, not completed or just plain forgotten. Vow to pick 1 or 3 things to add to the “completed in 2010” list if you care. Spend time with your journal on these autumn afternoons while the breezes can still warm you. And plan your remaining 90 days of 2010 – if you dare!
In the Spirit of Love and Light…
Rosemary Augustine
Ah… Making A Decision …Today?
As we close out the last few days of September, I’m frustrated by the rain and my journal projects. Sometimes, you just have to sit and hold the journal even if you don’t write in it… Or…. If creating the actual journal book, hold it before it is fully constructed. Last night I was holding several journals that I’m constructing and are almost finished. I held them close to my heart. I was also looking at fabric for the cover of a new journal. Measuring the size of the cardboard cover and how the fabric would match at the seams. I couldn’t bring myself to make the decision to cut the fabric—well, not just yet.
Which brings me to the real reason for this post. Decisions! When faced with decisions – whether big or small, sometimes it is important to make a decision “to NOT make a decision at that moment,” and that is sufficient at the time. Making decisions is not something that is hard for me. I know I lean more on the side of “a quick decision maker” than languish forever exploring options. During my career coaching days, I enjoyed the Myers Briggs Type Indicator Assessment Tool and the “J”s and “P”s of the world. I’m definitely a “J” and I’m also one who listens closely to my gut. However, listening to my gut is for another post.
Something that I have found very valuable in the past when faced with decisions are using lists – listing all the “pros” and “con’s “ of whatever problem you are trying to solve with a decision. It works every time – seeing it in black and white. I enjoy going back in my journal over the years and seeing such lists and how well things worked out when I made those decisions either quickly or via the pros/cons list.
Meanwhile, what decisions are you faced with? A question that gives you something to journal about these next few days as we close out the 3rd Quarter of 2010.
Oh, and tonight, I will cut the material for the new journal!
In the Spirit of Love and Light…
Rosemary Augustine
P.S…. If you’re not into lists… maybe consider exploring all the fun aspects of your potential decisions in question and make sure you explore ALL your options!
Don’t Fight The Noodle
Recently, I travelled nearly 2000 miles to celebrate a milestone birthday with my friends in Denver, CO. My goal was to cook dinner for all my friends, and I selected my famous Lasagna recipe for the menu. Now there are lots of noodles out there… but traveling nearly 2000 miles to cook a huge pot of tomato sauce and then compile lasagna in someone else’s kitchen was a feat in itself.
My first trek to the market yielded no noodles. But it was an awesome visit to the largest Whole Foods I ever experienced. The next market had an entire aisle devoted to various sized pasta and probably six different kinds of lasagna noodles. Where was the “No Boil” kind? Alas, an entire section of Barilla products including the no boil lasagna noodles.
Have you ever made lasagna? And boiled the noodles? I never had success in draining them in a colander and then trying to lay the noodles flat (all over the kitchen) to dry while I piled on the layers of cheese and sauce in the baking dish. This was certainly a noodle fight. They became slippery little devils. If the noodles lay in the colander too long, they dried – folded over. And when you picked up a noodle to then flatten it in the baking pan… well … !#$& ….. Then one day I found the No Boil kind and tried them. Whoa! What a difference. Thank the heavenly stars for the no boil noodle.
You’re probably wondering what does this have to do with journaling 365 days a year? The word for the day is Gratitude. Journal, sketch, paint, sing, dance, whatever tickles your fancy about all that you are grateful for in your life. I am extremely grateful for my group of friends and especially for all who have come into my life to enjoy the lasagna. Since it’s really not about the lasagna, it’s about the banquet of life and all who have come to the table with me over the years. However, just remember, don’t ever fight with a wet lasagna noodle. Enjoy my new Blog… there is more to come.
In the Spirit of Love and Light…
Rosemary Augustine
PS… and if you are wondering? Cooking in someone else’s kitchen was easy!
