TToT – Finding My Groove…and Peace

Wow. Just wow.

Well, I muddled through OctPoWriMo – sorta. I somehow anticipated having more time, producing more words, posting more posts…then life happened. I even missed a TToT or two which I truly never do. And now, here we are a week into November and NaNoWriMo I’m feeling a bit like I’m trying to climb a very slippery slope. All good intentions fall to the wayside, unexpected things fall in my path…you know…things fall apart.

But it’s not bad … in fact, things are rather good, I think. I did get some poetry posts in for October. I am writing for NaNoWriMo, albeit slowly. I’m just having a very hard time finding my groove right now, in all respects. It will come. I will get there.

In the meantime, I am just enjoying autumn (well except for this last week of ridiculously hot and muggy temps…ugh), continuing to find my way, and keeping my eyes focused on the path ahead. And even though the sun does not always shine through the trees, there is much for which I am thankful…

Inspiration. While my fingers may not always find the keyboard and my words not always the page, I do find myself inspired by so many things lately. I have a lot of ideas and words in my head right now…just need to get them out.

Autumn. Autumn is my favorite time of year. It is the season of my soul. While many people see autumn as a time of passing, of fading, and even of death, I have always seen it as a time for fresh starts and renewal. I am never happier than when the leaves change color and the wind blows cooler. I feel OK with the changes that are happening in my  life right now, even if they are difficult and even if the answers to my questions are not always clear.

Work. I’ve been finding bits of work in unexpected places lately. I am hoping this continues and hope that other avenues will prove fruitful. It’s a work (forgive the pun) in progress. But I think there is potential.

Sleep. I have been getting more sleep lately – on purpose – and it definitely has positive effects. I fought it for a while, claiming the need to do all the things into the very late hours of the night. But you know what? Playing the part of the over-tired wife/mother/person or the bleary-eyed writer is counterproductive. You don’t get more done and even if you do, you pay for it the next day. At least that’s true for me. So a conscious effort to get more sleep is perhaps helping my mood, my productivity, my outlook, my health…you get the picture.

Harvest time and good food. We said goodbye to our weekly CSA farm pickups for the season, but still have an abundance of fresh greens (packed properly, they can last for several weeks), potatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage and more. I’ve been busy putting those to use and being thankful again for the boost it gives our grocery budget. Sure, there’s a fee for the CSA season, but it more than pays for what we receive and we don’t need to purchase that produce at the supermarket.

The Fab Hub. He is the voice of logic and reason around here. He is the problem solver, the guy who figures out how to make things work. He makes great coffee and he cleans up endless piles of cat excrement. He also reminds me not to get too upset at the Rotten Cat responsible for said excrement – poor guy can’t help when he’s sick. And the Hub always reminds me that there is no time for a meltdown and the time/energy is better spent otherwise.

Kidzilla. Over the last few weeks this little girl has turned into a big girl – helping around the house, working hard at school and karate, managing her busy after-school schedule and really always doing what she has to without complaining (too much). No, really, she complains very little and is just such a happy little thing. As in many things, she teaches me.

The Rottens. Just because they know when you need a snuggle or some company.

Guidance. I don’t really know what to call this one, but it’s about receiving messages or information from all around me that help assure me that I am on the right path, however challenging that path might be. Just as the Romantics did when they spent time closely observing Nature and using what they saw there to help explain and define human existence, I feel the world speak to me lately. And at Mass this weekend, the group of readings spoke to me very personally and very clearly.

All the many other blessings that aren’t on this list, but have been part of our wonderfully full life these last few weeks.

Peace. Because of all of these things, I feel at peace.

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