September 1, 2010
I don't usually look back over a past month and spend much time reflecting. I'm fairly forward thinking and like to look ahead more than over my shoulder. But as we move through the days of late summer, shifting gears to prepare for fall, I feel the need to make sense of August. To process and understand what has been a very intense month. The intensity of which I hadn't anticipated or planned for.
Part of the challenge of doing this in such a public space (I love writing for a public audience by the way) is that as much as I love to be open and honest I need to also respect certain privacies. I am doing my best to walk that line in writing this post.
Looking back, I learned new lessons this month and others were things re-learned and remembered.
Time & Life Management:
Kitchen:
Loving & Relationships:
Beauty, Gardening & Soul Care:
I don't know what September holds. There are plans being made, dreams followed, dates on the calendar and general directions I want to move in but August has taught me to hold lightly to those things. And prepare myself to be flexible.
This past month there have been some hard lessons for a routine loving, plan knowing gal like myself. But there has been a lot of beauty in my life each day and love freely given. And I am so very thankful.
Great writing and photography. Thanks especially for the reminder that "when life gets crazy, the hardest things to maintain are also the most important things to maintain". And thanks for suggesting Amy's Frozen Burritos. I may not find those where we live, but in our current craziness I'm going to look for some similar quick-fix supper solutions. luv, Mom
Oh mom! I'm ashamed. The queen of amazing cooking looking for frozen burritos on a recommendation from her daughter (hanging my head - tee, hee). Seriously, they are quite tasty and have come in handy! They are quite common but you might not find all the varieties that are listed on their website. If you use the stovetop thaw them completely first (there are no directions for this on the package). Love you much!!
Flexible is hard for me too. I'm just slightly OCD and I like things to go my way, ha! Like you, though; I've learned that being thankful can go a long way in helping me cope and bend.
Enjoyed your post. Mostly because I get how hard it can be for a "routine loving, plan knowing gal" to learn to let go more and be flexible and joyful at the same time. I think it was on Misha's site that I read the quote, "Live imperfectly with great delight"; I wrote it on the whiteboard in my kitchen to keep it front and centre. As much as I've craved order and control in my life I find myself wanting change and even radical change b/c I feel like I must grow or else die! Does that sound super dramatic or what? But seriously, part of us can really wither and die if not shook up a bit, challenged to growth... Keep writing and inspiring, Renee.
So many truths in this post. I'm starting this month and this new period much in the same spirit as you are. Happy September Renee.
I find looking back sometimes helps me to see how much I've accomplished, which can be just the right encouragement to keep plugging along (as if I had a choice, right?) And, James Herriot is the bomb! I read all his books while nursing Nemo... too bad I can't sit still that long to nurse anymore ;0)
Correction, I can sit still long enough to nurse, but just long enough. There are no catnaps at Mom's Restaurant for Atlas!
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Misha@ beauty and joy on Sept. 1, 2010, 5:11 a.m.
I love those last three sentences. Love them. It says it all.