Rosemary Augustine

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 3^rd 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!

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!