A lesson in patience...

My new, OTHER blog is gone! Yikes! My friend and I were working on a collaborative project called Ditching the Cart, and our blog was new and fresh, and hopeful for a great start! We were pretty confused and sad to see it gone but as it turns out, it was created on the very day blogger had some issues.  So it vanished.

In light of that, Blogger has been so attentive, and gracious to work so hard to restore things, but until it's up and running again, we must wait...

Patience is never a lesson that I think anyone finds fun. I really cannot think of a lesson in patience that was pleasant or easy. This, obviously is very low on the grandscale of lessons in patience. My three year old son, on any given day can test my patience far more effectively than any dissappearing blog will ever do. But moreso than a lesson in patience is the lesson in letting go.

Much of what we might become impatient about is really a lesson in flexibility and non-attachment in disguise. When I am impatient with my son, it's usually because I am trying to get him to do something that I feel fits in my scenario of a perfect day, or perfect behavior, or an acceptable response. When I am impatient about something I am doing not turning out right, it's usually because I am projecting onto the task an image of how I want things to be.

So in addition to remaining patient, what helps patience along is the act of letting go, of taking it easy, of not being so attached to things turning out exactly how you want them to be.

For today, I'm going to take this time to be patient, attempt to release any preconceived notions I have about timing and how I want this project up and running, and go with the mindset of everything turning out as it should. Of everything happening for a reason, and realizing that all things have their own time to grow in their own way. Blogs, gardens, and children too..

For what it's worth, this disappearing blog is happening for a reason, and whatever lesson I can glean from that is only a good thing, even if I didn't imagine it that way.

Find Me A Deserted Island. And Fast.

Self-indulgent or smart? Or both?

Whenever I think about self-care, part of me feels the tiniest bit guilty for all the people in the world that suffered before the emergence of self-care. Then I take part in it, and that guilt just melts away, and I'm reminded that it's a notion that is decadent, necessary, and evolved.

Especially today, moreso than other days.

I have been knee-deep in projects lately. I have my artwork business. Lisa Grady Designs. 2 shops on ETSY born from that. I am a stay at home mom. I have 2 new sites, Ditching the Cart, about simplifying, still in the making, the blog that goes with that, and the other heartfelt project, www.theopenheartproject.com, about giving back, its blog, and finally, my work on teaandbrahmi - along with the blog, which you are reading...

All of it I love, but it takes its toll every now and then. Here is the now and then. And today I paid...

What a totally rotten day. Well, it wasn't ALL bad. Most of it was, then it got easier, then harder, then it got great. Because I figured it out. But not without going through a little hell, and not without help.For some reason, be it the moon, the black weather we've been getting, my poor diet these past couple days, or just another lesson, I was in a terrible, unwaveringly bad mood. And I stay home with my boy, so what that means is I have to be the emotional & physical cruise director for a three-year-old with a serious play agenda. I have to be the funtime friend, superduper toddler chef, homemaker, and mommy happy-face for 12 straight hours, which on most days is my favorite thing to do.


But not today. 


My wonderful friend who lives 8 hours away saved me a bit. I called her up. Ranting. Complaining. Lighting hell on fire with my mood. She assured me we have these moments, these days. I know we do. I know it! "But how am I supposed to get some time if I need it? AND I NEED IT!!!! WHEN DO I GET NAGGING STUFF DONE? 8 PM AT NIGHT AFTER I PUT THE BOY TO BED WHEN I AM AT HALF-THROTTLE, and 90% SPENT?!"


I prayed. I prayed more. I journaled. I cried. I talked. I ate. I prayed more...


The day dragged on. Six o clock came. My husband's train was late. More irritation. But then the comfort came. The only thing I needed. I talked more, and it came out. Sure I talked earlier, but I was not as far along in my misery at noon as I was at six o'clock.And I said, "You know, I just need to have some time to work on my projects that aren't work! When was the last time I read a book that wasn't an herbal reference, natural health, or energy healing book? When did I last do something that was just for fun!?" 


That's how it hit me. I was working working working working working.....It wasn't just about "me" time, but about time when I wasn't doing work. Doing my artwork business, taking care of my boy, the house. Of everything else.  I was thinking, Personal Downtime. Not dinner with family, or an outing with the kids. Just, plain, non-work, non-social time.  Did I say it enough ways yet?


So here I am, writing away, drinking my wine, hearing the boys downstairs going on about something on Caillou, and doing some serious damage to my clean living room with some blocks. And I am making progress. On myself. On the world, and I am relieved. It's just what I needed. And I am thanking God for answering my prayers. And thanking my husband for understanding. And grateful I live in a time when taking an hour or two for yourself is not unheard of. I am blessed. I am happy. Truly happy.


What do you need? Do you know? If you do, go find it, and if not, rant and pray until you figure it out. Then post it here. I would love to hear about it. 

My living simple Blog

www.ditchingthecart.blogspot.com

check it out! Its a compilation of this blog, and a collaborative blog, with a focus on reducing consumerism, living more simply, a movement toward DIY and homesteading, and making conscious lifestyle choices to live more meaningfully! I welcome your following!

Kombucha!

Maybe I am wayyy behind the times...but finally, today, I tried Kombucha!
And wow! How delicious! But my real reason was not because I thought it might be yummy, but because my intuition was steering me that way, and some little nagging voice, over that past week or so, has been buzzing in my head to give it a shot!

Because I am throwing this out there and just want to get it posted for all those people who have thought of trying it but just haven't yet, I will list more later but here is an incredible website that illustrates some of the greater benefits of Kombucha, articulately and with clarity.

As the page illustrates, benefits have been seen with arthritis, immune support, cardiovascular concerns, cancer, and many more...Do your body a favor and check out the page...

http://www.anahatabalance.com/teakombucha2.html

Enjoy!!!