Stasia's Place Of Grace

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

 

The Sun'll Come Out, Tomorrow...

Today was a day of rain.

The day was icky, I was unmotivated and had no energy, and I basically just felt like a slug.

But during a brief period of sunniness when the clouds parted temporarily, I was able to get this shot for you:

Late-blooming, very short sunflower planted by chipmunks.

That sunflower is about ten inches wide, but only two-feet tall! It was planted in a really awkward spot by our chipmunks. Yet even at this late date, it has decided to bloom.

The seasons are at a stage of awkwardness, too. The Hawthorn tree's leaves are almost gone, yet here is a flower just starting to open. My climbing roses, which have never yet flowered, even have their first bud! There are cooler evenings and days with little sunlight, and yet the plants aren't quite willing to say good-bye to summer yet... some are pushing forth in one final, last-ditch effort at making a fine show of themselves. In fact, you can almost feel the buzz of energy when looking at a stand of trees, knowing that they're preparing themselves for their finest, blazing hour...

I got very little done today. But I know that is all right... because tomorrow's another day. Though it rained all day, the sun'll come out again soon enough. Though I am sluggish and unmotivated, perhaps I won't feel this way tomorrow, or next week.

If I were to fight the way I feel, it would make things worse. And so I accept the rain, the sluggishness, the lack of productivity, because I know that my body and mind are just resting up for a blaze of creativity.

You can't force inspiration, motivation, and productivity - though you certainly can make efforts to help them along, through time management and a positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle! But when it comes right down to it, into each life a little rain must fall... and it's best to hold up your umbrella and wait for it to pass than to force yourself to push ahead and just get soaking wet in the process.

Here's to accepting rainy days as opportunities to re-focus.

---

Today I received a wonderful birthday gift from my dear friend, Kary. It is a Story Beads Kit from Isabella. Here is the idea behind it:

"Each of our lives is made up of countless stories. It always amazes me when I hear of a courageous person whose life has somehow been enriched by a challenge so big that it would make the rest of us want to crawl into a hole. It seems to be a matter of being able to see beyond appearances and then open our hearts to the gifts each thing - "good" or "bad" - brings to our lives.

"I believe that finding a way to be thankful for however our "stories" contribute to making us compassionate and strong humans is a huge part of living well. Some of us keep Gratitude Journals; some of us make the time each morning or evening to mentally acknowledge that for which we're grateful; and some of us have more non-traditional methods of staying aware of our blessings. Using our STORY BEADS is a beautiful and creative way to make gratitude a dynamic part of your life.

"With the 15 beautiful beads included (Czech glass and Bali silver), as well as the glass and silver filler beads, you can create and re-create your Story Bead string to reflect what it is you are currently holding in your heart and intention. Because what we hold our blessings and challenges to be inevitably changes, we wanted you to have the opportunity to periodically craft a different look and feel with your STORY BEADS.

"Put it on your windowsill to remind you as you wash the dishes; keep it on your altar; hide it in your pocket or under your pillow. Your imagination is the limit. And so are all of the opportunities you have to make your stories your blessings."

Isn't that cool? Kary, I am grateful for YOU!

---

Today...

I organized my spindle-making area for a special order spindle (I canNOT work in a disorganized environment!), took care of the pets as always, and finished up my Kool-Aid dyeing experiments for this week: Kool-Aid Experiments.

Did some very gentle stretching exercises and sit-ups, as I depleted my energy resources on my bike ride yesterday.

Planned my schedule for tomorrow (or when I have more energy) and thus felt a little less discombobulated. When I can't actually do, I like to organize so when I can do, I'm ready!

Went to get an I.C. Mocha (frozen coffee) to a) get some energy (not the best way, but I was really exhausted!) and b) make the most of the brief sunny period we had, and one of the last warm days we'll have. It was good... the coffee and getting out for a little bit.

In the mail I also received, from a Spindlers trade, "The Art And Craft Of Natural Dyeing" by J.N. Liles, from Judi A. Thanks, Judi! Looks great!

Succumbed to some "retail therapy" to cheer me, and ordered two rovings from the famous Sandy Sitzman of "The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook" and Woolgatherings fame (hey, buy one, get one for 50% off, can't beat that, and I sure can't dye like she can!). Also... am ashamed to admit I ordered a lap spindle bowl - a bowl on a little stand you hold between your knees - and the wood and ceramic support spindle, both from Woodland Woolworks... well, not too ashamed, or I wouldn't be telling you!

Am rethinking my Beehive Hat and wondering how it would look made in the round, and with little bee buttons sewn into the cells...? (The photo is weird because back then I didn't have a digicam and I had to scan the hat and it got smooshed.)

See, there was still some sun in my day today! Here's to taking the slow days with the productive ones, one at a time, as they come. Have a good one, and thanks for stopping by!

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