I’m gonna do it my way, I’ll be alright

Yeah, I know, I know. Let’s not discuss it, okay?

Today I am trusting in new beginnings, new energy, new ideas. And trusting in that Joan of Arc statement that accompanies my /green/ Fellow Flowers Courage flower: “I was born to do this.”

Today I am grateful for new beginnings. For new homes that are beautiful and peaceful.  For courage.

Today I am inspired by Deray McKesson’s interview with Senator Tammy Duckworth on this week’s “Pod Save the People”.  It’s worth a listen, particularly for the lesson she shares with all of us of, “Don’t leave anyone behind.”  You never know when it will be you who needs to not be left.

Have a beautiful week, friends.  Happy Spring.

Now listening: Kacey Musgraves “Slow Burn”- Worth every minute of your musical listening time, and not just because she’s a fellow Texan

It’s your brother’s world for a while longer

Today I am trusting that I have everything that I need, as I was generously and gently reminded at yoga on Wednesday night.

Today I am grateful for having time (and making time!) to run the “Victory Laps” I’ve been on the last few weeks.  Bittersweet?  Hell yes. A reminder that I’ve shown up, done the work that needed to be done, and that I’ve done it with great love? No question.

Today I am inspired by this nugget from Seth Godin.  Although he was putting this specifically in the context of creativity, I suspect we could remove “creative work” from the third paragraph, substitute many other types of work that people consider hard and luck-infused, and it would have similar implications.

Now Listening: Brandi Carlile “The Joke”

 

Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same

I know…a little behind again on TGI.  I think you’ll get one next week.  The week after?  Who knows since that’s move weekend!

Today I am trusting that my ongoing efforts to make life seem as normal as it can be when you’re about to pack up and move approximately 1700 miles will keep us all convinced that life is normal.  Normal, with lots of boxes, and fewer clothes and shoes to choose from (for now, and yes, that’s totally a #firstworldproblem).

Today I am grateful for the opportunity to run a victory lap or two with friends and to get some projects mostly or entirely tied up before the move. Honestly, I don’t have any idea the last time I was this well-rested.  It’s weird, and it’s delightful.

Today I am inspired by people who are engaging in dialogue after this week’s latest in our country’s series of mass shootings. Dialogue. Listening. Respecting.  And my mind is BLOWN by the eloquence of the high school students in Florida who are doing their best to effect change based upon their experience.

More soon as we get closer to cross-country adventures, but not before one more trip to the homeland.  See, it’s all normal!

Now listening: The Fray “All at Once”- this came on the radio as I was driving home the other day, and the line I used for the title sat perfectly right now

It’s so good to be back home…how you been doin’, Lord, I know it’s been so long…

It’s been a week and then some.
Last weekend was the annual Louisiana adventure- 3 girls, 4 days/ 3 nights, 16.2 miles of running. Lots of good food eaten. Stories told, dreams shared. They both came back home to SLC, I headed on to Dallas.
Got my fill of chicken enchiladas (Mia’s is every bit as good as it was in the 1980s and 1990s), breakfast with a favorite ADPi sister, and catch-up with friends at UT Southwestern as a visiting professor.
Home to…well, it’s kinda crazy here right now. If you could send your best house-selling juju my direction, I wouldn’t object.

Today I am trusting in that house-selling juju you’re sending me. So much of my life is simply unsettled until it sells; fortunately, housing on the other end is handled!
Today I am grateful for more things than I can count. If I had to narrow it to one thing, it’s been that time with friends this week. It’s been inspiring and I feel the most whole that I have in…well, a long time.
Today I am inspired by the grace of so many people around me. I have so appreciated the love behind the statement, “I’m happy for you and I’m sad for me/ us” when people discuss my upcoming move. Parts of leaving here are not at all hard and in some ways liberating. Parts of leaving here are phenomenally hard. It’s complicated, and I appreciate that people in my life are navigating that complexity with me and, again, supporting and loving through it all.

/now listening/ Wade Bowen “God Bless this Town”- Because it seems the right song to have on repeat when you’ve spent time in your “hometown” for the first time in more than 10 years.

Make it up that mountain, You’re gonna stand up big and tall

See, I’m trying to get back into the groove.  Between trying to get the house ready to go on the market (eep!) and trying to spend time catching up on reading (because I love books and words), I’ve kept myself entertained this weekend.

Today I am trusting that my slightly crazy and completely logical plan for getting the house on the market and sold by a month from now will work. Oh, and that a 45+ day closing will be fine with whomever falls in love with this place.

Today I am grateful for a Mama who is undoubtedly doing the heavy lifting with getting the house ready to go to market.  We’ve taken on a divide in conquer with me doing aggressive decluttering (very little is safe around here at the moment unless it has a name and is a sentient being) and her doing beautification. I say it routinely that I couldn’t do life without her ongoing support, and I mean that.

Today I am inspired by this TED talk on soundscapes and the inspiration they provide. Many of you know that I don’t run outdoors with headphones- I mean, I started running when music wasn’t portable anyway- and while there are the safety considerations, it’s primarily about connecting with the world around me. When I head out for my run this afternoon, I’ll be listening a bit more intentionally than usual. (HT: Karen Walrond of Chookooloonks; this link was part of the “Advent of Light” practice I’m reveling in right now).

 

Now listening: LeeAnn Womack “All the trouble”- The Lonely, The Lonesome, and the Gone” may be my favorite album of 2017.  If you’re interested, that is.

Even when life falls apart, strong enough to break your heart

So, it seems there’s been almost a year break from this place. Gone but not forgotten.

I would say I’m not sure what happened but that’s a lie.  Short version?  It’s been a Hell of a year.  In retrospect, the good far outweighs the bad.  That said, the struggle has been very, very real in many ways.  Perhaps there will be a book one day.  Perhaps.

And, of course, life is going to get “good crazy” over the next few months.  New house, new job, new city.  Again, good things, and I’m seeking sources of stability, of normalcy, when things are a bit topsy-turvy. So I’m coming back to anchoring in my TGI process.

Today I am trusting that I will be able to use the next 10 weeks to get lots of projects tied up with a big bow on them. It’s part of my “graceful exit” strategy.

Today I am grateful for time I’ve found to reconnect with friends this week.  Billings…home…Austin…it’s all been good for my soul.

Today I am inspired by this partnership between my soon-to-be-employer and the public schools in Columbus. When I showed it to my Mom this week, she said, “I bet I know where someone will be spending some volunteer time once she gets moved.”  Putting together two of great loves- early childhood education and medicine-is simply a no-brainer opportunity.  I can’t wait!

Now listening: Radney Foster “For you to see the stars”

I’m finally proud of who I am now

Sunday evening TGI this week. I did at least think about it the last two evenings…I just didn’t wander over here to post.

Today I am trusting that this sense that I currently have of all of the spinning plates being appropriately in the air isn’t going to turn into a rude awakening.  For the first time in a while I feel like I’m making some progress on some lingering projects.  I’m also using strategic “no” on a routine basis right now.

Today I am grateful for outdoor time today.  Two Olivia walks (she seems more into snuggles than walks this evening, thankfully) and a 4+ mile run. It wasn’t that cold if one was bundled up properly. Or layered properly, in the case of the run.

Today I am inspired by this fantastic and fun BBC bear video.  Maybe “inspired” isn’t the precise word, but if this doesn’t make your day better, I can’t help you.

Now listening: Bonnie Bishop “Ain’t who I was”  You’re welcome.

It’s all I’ve got, it’s my claim to fame

Two Fridays in a row.  That likely means two things: 1. minimal call this past week (true) and 2. I’m out gallavanting around (also true).

Today I am trusting that Sunday morning won’t be 2+ hours of running in 48 degree rain like it was last year.  Please?!?

Today I am grateful for plane flights that give me time to put my backside in a chair without interruptions. I’m pleased with what I got done today.

Today I am inspired by this little reminder that popped up in the email yesterday.  Truthbombs are always just that.

Now listening: Patty Griffin “I don’t ever give up”

If you use “Bless your heart” as a negative

Friday night, Texas bound. I see December rain, breakfast tacos, good friends, and time in God’s country (College Station, for those not in the know) in my next 48 hours. I’m good with all of those things.  Well, I could do without the rain, but better this weekend than next.

Today I am trusting that my ability to connect using words is coming back to me.  It evidently packed up and left in November, and I really need for it to come home.

Today I am grateful for the insanely wonderful support system I have in all aspects of my life. It can be too easy to take those things for granted, and I simply don’t.

Today I am inspired by this very cool thing that the ever-fabulous Bridget is doing. The Bureau of Kind Objects brings together her intuitive nature and her generosity in a very special way.  My Kind Object was just perfect (technically, it was a pair since it’s earrings). Orange for 2nd chakra support?  Yep, I need that.

 

Now listening: Miranda Lambert “We should be friends”- Got any guesses on what my #1 album of 2016 will be?

It ain’t love that I’m chasing, but I’m running just in case

Yep, it’s a Friday night TGI.  While I wait for a case, of course.

Today I am trusting in healing, in love, in kindness, in little miracles.

Today I am grateful for finally- finally- feeling like I’ve got my mojo back.  I don’t know if it was the time change, the election, the supermoon, or what, but I’ve just been off for the last 2 weeks.  Yesterday I woke up feeling mischievous and I had a great run.  Yep, I’m back

Today I am inspired by these pieces on hope and healing from some wise Buddhists.  I am beginning to value this perspective more and more.

Happy Friday and almost-Thanksgiving!

Now listening: Miranda Lambert “Runnin’ just in case”