Savor the small stuff

I got up this morning as I do every morning at about 5:30 a.m. At this hour in the winter season it's always dark outside...dark and cold. I feel secure because I am in my nice warm cozy house, but it's a bit depressing to always look through my window into the darkness and know it's freezing out there.

However, this morning I noticed something. After finishing my morning coffee, checking my email and reading the headline news I headed for the shower. As I passed by my kitchen window I looked out and noticed it was already light outside! It was about 6:45 a.m. and it was already light outside!! I was so excited! That means that spring is almost here! That means warm weather! I CAN'T WAIT!

A trivial matter to most...Yes! Especially to those who live in the warmer climates. But for those of us who live where the winters get cold this is a big deal! I was ready to celebrate! I'm ready to celebrate spring's arrival! I am so-o-o ready for the warm weather!

Oh, I know this really isn't a big deal. But in my little quiet celebration I was reminded of how important it is to pay attention to the small stuff. We need to celebrate and savor every little moment that we feel joy! Most of our days are spent dealing with some really heavy and depressing matters. If we savor the small stuff it helps when dealing with the big stuff.

My quiet celebration made the beginning of my day brighter which in turn changed my outlook for the rest of the day.

So remember to savor every little happy moment! It really will make a difference!

Just another thought I wanted to share!
Have a great day!
Jane

THE life altering moment for me was...

I believe everyone starts out with a passion for something. When you were a child was there something that you really enjoyed doing?

I know that when I was in about 4th or 5th grade I realized I had a talent for drawing. Once I figured this out I drew as much as I could. I still have a small box in my basement with some of my first drawings.

For a number of years I planned to go to art school...study commercial art, photography, or maybe interior design...something...anything in the art world. I had this little dream in my head--a vision of what my life would be like. I would someday have a big old house that I renovated and the top floor would be my studio. You can even ask my best friend...she'll tell you how we talked about my dream when we were in high school.

Then one day...yes this ONE LIFE ALTERING day--actually it wasn't even a day...it was a MOMENT. In this one moment I heard someone say, "I was thinking about going to art school and studying interior design, but I decided against that. With a job like that when the economy gets bad then you can't find any work." Translation...she feared becoming a 'starving artist.'

Well, guess what. This quick statement...these few short seconds in my life...changed my entire life course. I thought, "Oh my God!! She's right!" It was at that moment that I decided that I couldn't go into any art field because I would just end up as a starving artist.

So I went to college and got my degree in business.

Do I regret that decision? Not really. Every job I had...no matter how menial...taught me something about myself and about other people. I always worked at jobs where I had to deal with the public which I sincerely enjoyed. I learned how to handle the customer and the importance of top notch customer service...something I now deal with on a daily basis.

So I have no regrets about having my business degree.

I feel badly that because of this life altering decision I missed out on a number of years of using my creative spirit and focusing that energy on what I truly love doing. But I don't have regrets. Life takes us on a journey and we have to take each moment as it comes and know that we are experiencing these moments for a reason. We must examine each experience and learn from them and make ourselves better. We can come back full circle if we open our minds and let our true selves come through.

Just my thoughts...more to come!

Jane

Recreation

What is recreation? I'm sure everyone has a basic idea, but if you take a look at the root word it is "recreate".

Here's the definition:
Refreshment of one's mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates; play.

I learned a few years ago how importrant recreation is to one's soul. For me recreation is a chance to relax and let new ideas come into my mind...new ideas for my own life, new ideas for my family and new ideas for my business.

I recently spent about 3 weeks WITHOUT any time off. I was so busy filling orders and overwhelmed with my business life that I burned myself out. I FINALLY took a few days off and boy was it nice!!

About 2 weeks ago I was ready to call it quits and close down my business. I was SO unbelievably tired and overwhelmed from working overtime!! Finally I had a breakdown over...of all things...pasta salad!! After a good bout of crying I realized what was really going on with me...I was T-I-R-E-D!! I was so incredibly tired that I began to break down!! The contant everyday focus on my business and trying like crazy to fulfill my orders was totally wearing me out.

Instead of taking just a day or even just an afternoon to take care of myself and relax, I chose to keep on going. I must have thought I was the Energizer Bunny or something. It was ridiculous. What is worth all of this??? Nothing is...especially when I'm not being the best I can for my family. So I decided that I absolutely needed to take control and take some time off.

Last week I painted everyday for hours but this time I had a goal in mind. After painting up a storm I tied up a bunch of loose ends and on Saturday morning I went to the post office and delivedred my last set of orders for the week. I then proceeded to take 3 days off. It was wonderful!! I sat and watched mindless television with my daughter. I went out to dinner with my husband and close friends. I slept in!! I went to a local antique mall and flea market and poked around for awhile. I sat around and watched more mindless television...it was so great!! I felt so refreshed! And the thing is...and I knew this would happen...by taking time off I got my creative juices flowing again! I got on a roll this week and not only painted my orders, but I also painted lots of different things to take to my upcoming home show.

I decided that I need to work like this every week. I need to work like mad all week long and then focus on my goal of taking the weekends off. I need to schedule time for recreation so I can not only have fun, but also recreate myself and my life in the process.

So all of you work-a-holics out there...take some time off and go 'recreate' yourself and your life!

Until then,
Jane