Learn, Think, Write

Organizing myself online

Here it Comes Again

 

 

 

Do you have a “default” story you always tell yourself? Of course you do. We all do.

It took me a long time to understand and face all the stories I had buried: that women defer to men, that I shouldn’t express my opinion, that I am disorganized and lack attention to details. There are more.

These stories shape us, and as we narrate the stories in our head, send us on our journeys. I was finally able to realize where the stories had come from (culture, parents, experiences) and, more importantly, figure out how to break the cycle.

For example, I am a little disorganized. But that doesn’t make me a bad person. I have also learned to compensate. I have been a success in many aspects of my life. When I lose something these days, I try to laugh and not let myself get dragged down into “I always do this. Why can’t I be more organized?”

All this to say, I’m sure the reason I letterpress print sayings and quotes I love is the reminder to myself that I am fine. A change of thoughts translates to a change in actions. Sometimes I need to pause for a moment, shake those negative thoughts out of my head, and then I’m on my way.

 

 

 

Taste

“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could.”

― Louise Erdrich, The Painted Drum

Early Morning Writing

I am a low energy person. If I don’t get important things done by noon, they don’t get done.

Well, that’s a slight exaggeration, but I am definitely a morning person. This photo happened on my way to the gym. I took a slight detour because I could see the sun making beautiful patterns in the sky.

My writing happens in the morning. My planning happens in the morning. And my printing happens in the morning.

Later in the day, I read, take walks (when it’s warm), or catch up on running my cards and prints around town. Anything that takes focus and concentration is over.

I think- no, I know– this is because I’m still not sleeping well. I thought it was stress, but that seems to be dissipating. Perhaps it’s subconscious. Whatever it is, I often watch the clock tick past the middle of the night hours.

Even so, I am grateful for the sights and sounds of dawn. Totally worth it.

To Live Better, Not Necessarily Longer

I enjoy the Blue Zones newsletter, and this recent newsletter gave advice for living longer. That’s not necessarily my goal. But I do want to live better– and these tips certainly resonate:

Power 9®

Move naturally throughout the day

Have and cultivate a strong sense of purpose

Downshift every day to relieve stress

80% Rule: stop eating when you are 80 percent full

Plant Slant: Make beans, whole grains, veggies, and fruit the center of your diet

Wine @ 5: Enjoy wine and alcohol moderately with friends and/or food

Belong: Be part of a faith-based community or organization

Love Ones First: Have close friends and strong family connections

Right Tribe: Cultivate close friends and strong social networks

Photo on Best Running