Our grandbaby tells us now she’s not a baby. She’s a “big kid” (as if we need a reminder, from her). She turned 2 at the end of January. (TWO!) Yesterday she walked importantly out into the backyard with a pair of floral snips to harvest a handful of sweet-smelling plants.
Lilacs are truly the only part of this season that I like, and look forward to. She brought me some, as a gift.
As we seem to be in full Spring mode now, I am figuring out how to handle the current amount of heat, while knowing that it will get worse. Much like the ups and downs of our emotions and mental health (as well as SO many other aspects in life), when we have the proper tools, the job goes more smoothly.
What I’m hearing right now is how we’re
coping.
When we receive bad news, when we hear a terrible tale, when we see a disturbing image, our reaction is the key. In my case, I cannot always control what happens, physically as well as where my feelings take me.
It’s where we go from there which is what the Universe wants us to focus on. We are in charge of how we allow negativity from the outside to influence us. Or not.
It is up to us to manage. Or not. When we are depleted (no rest, inadequate food, dehydration, mental exhaustion, general stress), we are more susceptible, we are more at risk.
I harp on and on about SelfCare, but I do it for a reason. We simply do not take good enough care of ourselves on a regular basis. It is something this broken culture has gotten entirely wrong.
When we nap, when we pray, meditate, or simply sit quietly, when we care for ourselves in a loving and nurturing way, we have proven our value, we have told ourselves and the world that we are worth the time/energy/money/effort. And when we are well taken care of , we are strong. We can cope, we can heal, we can thrive.
It’s time to use our tools, it’s time to take care of ourselves. It’s time for us to bloom.
Allow me to open this post with an honest assessment of my current messed-up mental state: faulty but ever hopeful. I came to some decisions today as we marched around the Town Next Door. Why were we over there? Because they have one of these.
No breakfast for me thanks. I’ll just begin my day with ice cream.
6 of 31 options
You want to know what we got don’t you? Okay, obviously there’s Daiquiri Ice to start with! There’s a Lemon Custard, Fudgey something-or-other, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Cherries Jubilee, and Nutty Coconut. Yes. They were FANTASTIC!
Fully loaded, we headed off in this direction. (You know how I love the park.)
And just kept going. We saw exceptionally cool things. Like the above yard, it had just-starting-to-bloom lilacs and these outstandingly gorgeous tulips.
Speaking of tulips, look at those shutters. (No, not the same house, or block even.)
Here’s a volunteer, or perhaps an escapee. We spotted where it had come from, about two feet further along this planter.
I love topiary, especially clever examples. This was not exactly whimsical, but it was unusual. I’ve never seen shrubs sculpted to look like stubby cans before.
Dan took this shot. Cute birdhouse! (I couldn’t see all the way over the fence.) That’s when I decided we should have fun birdhouses in our yard. But sadly there are many near-by obnoxious cats* who would probably climb the poles or fencing and eat the babies. So I rescinded the suggestion.
*I know, not all cats are bad (or so you tell me). The ones that live in our neighborhood ARE. They’re evil and horrible. Merely pointing this out as a public service.
Now that I’ve insulted you and your pets wanna help me identify a flower? Thanks!
Here it is from a distance, the way we first noticed it.
And here it is up close. The leaves are like a blackberry bush, with thorns and everything. But the blossoms are similar to little mums or carnations or something. (I know nothing about plants, those are just the puffy types of flowers that popped into my head.)
We were out for nearly two hours, back and forth, up and down, alley crossing and busy street navigating. At one point we were talking so much we both realized that we’d gone much farther than we’d intended. As we made our way back in the right direction I came up with my conclusion about the diet/weight/health issue. And as I did, we saw this.
Here's yer sign.
Validation is a beautiful thing. And I know it when I see it.
One of the other messages I received today was on our card altar.
“Forgiveness ~ St Mary Magdalene ~
The answer to your question involves letting go of resentment, judgment, and anger. You already know who or what to forgive: it’s the first person or situation that comes to mind. You don’t necessarily have to pardon the action involved, but this card is a message for you to release the toxins or anger toward the person, agency, or situation. Unforgiveness only hurts you, not the person with whom you are angry.
You are preparing for a wonderful new chapter of your life, and forgiveness is part of your preparation. It is a refreshing and deeply healing shower of love that cleanses you inside and out. This gives you energy, stamina, and high self-esteem, and it frees you to be yourself. Call upon St Mary Magdalene to help you forgive or be forgiven so that you can move on with your life and your dreams.
Controversy surrounds this saint’s specific relationship with Christ …. Today, St Mary Magdalene is a patron saint of women. As someone who was both misunderstood and forgiven, she is a powerful ally when you need to clear a misconception or grievance.”
I took part of that description out, as you can see by the “……“because it was more than we needed. I have my own ideas about this Mary, as I’m sure many of you do too. Not pertinent to today’s discussion though.
Like the Reflect card, this one absolutely strikes me as SO freaking beautiful. The way this illustration is done reaches out and grabs me in a hugely profound way. (Another validation, by the by.) And I knew instantly what the situation was when I read the guidebook.
Where it says that we are preparing for a “wonderful new chapter” in our lives also rang true for me. It’s that manifesting we’ve been doing for a while now. Which reminds me, I hope all of you are taking your Three Quiet Minutes to visualize your fabulous and dream-worthy future. When we hold those pictures in our minds we are fastening them into our lives.
Welcome to JulieLand 