Last week a family member shared some upsetting news, and I just lost it. I couldn’t be “strong” or “hold it together.” So, I did what I do when I need healing – I took a walk, even though it was late and dark outside. I started thinking about all the things that were tilted in my life, from the pandemic to the ... continue reading
When Faced with Pain, Create Anyway
She wheeled into the room on her little knee scooter, trying to find her way around the chairs in order to sit down. Cynthia was just the latest in a string of women in my writing circles who had had misfortunes of one sort or another, from broken toes to surgeries. I haven’t been able to write, she said with exasperation ... continue reading
Ready for a New Plan? Or None at All?
We were all sitting on the roof of my cousin’s home in Crete finishing dinner when my family asked what the plan was for the next day. My Greek relatives giggled. They had started making fun of us for our constant querying about The Plan. Where are we going, we'd ask. What are we doing, what time will things begin and ... continue reading
How NOT to do a Creative Sabbatical
I had been looking forward to a week-long creative sabbatical for quite a while. It was time to begin my vision for the upcoming year. I saw myself slipping into the silence, doing some inspirational reading and writing, and listening as insights from my muse poured in. It seemed so simple. I began the first day, lit a ... continue reading
Is it time for an Imaginative Stay-cation?
It all started a few weeks ago on the way to the dealership to drop off my limping car. While driving, I started thinking about how busy I’d been and how summer had always been a signal for me to slow down… yet this summer I hadn’t. It was all because of good things – my business is booming and I’m helping my daughter plan ... continue reading
Slowing the Spinning Mind
We all had the same idea. The sun was out and it was warm, the first time in weeks, if not months. Heading out to the back yard, I grabbed a Mark Nepo book, my daughter Chloe got a beach towel, and our dog followed us outside. Chloe lay her towel on the grass, I sat in the chair, and we both closed our eyes. The feel of ... continue reading
Embracing Summer’s Pleasures
It was one of those weeks. Our air-conditioning had broken, and tempers were rising along with the heat. In addition to hot, fitful sleep, I had awakened to a looming deadline. Finally I headed outdoors to see if I could at least catch a breeze while I worked. As I was writing, I saw something in my peripheral vision. It ... continue reading
The Benefits of Hermit Mode
My daughter and I just returned from a trip to New York City. Usually when I visit a big city, I feel energized, stimulated, almost high on the sights, sounds and textures. But this time was different. Although spending time with my daughter exceeded my expectations, rubbing up to the Big Apple didn’t. There were the ... continue reading
Do We Need a Big Dream?
You see it all over: Find your passion! Live your dreams! Create the BIG life you’ve always wanted! Arg! It seems we are all about “living our dream” nowadays, but there’s something about that wording that puts many of us on edge. We feel there is something wrong with us if we haven’t crystallized some big vision for ... continue reading
What I wish for Us this Holiday
We were sitting on the back patio journaling during my women’s circle when the question came to me “What is the creative gift I want to give myself over the holidays?” I would have expected something to arise like time to take more photos, or to write, or even to create handmade gifts. All are worthy. But before I had a ... continue reading