“I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.”
Anne Lamott
2011 is a blank canvas and I get to place the pigment and oil upon it. If my past is any indicator, not only does it hold the potential of a year but it is the beginning of a new decade that promises to bring many lessons. As any artist, I will sketch the outline of my painting in pencil so that I can erase it and make adjustments and corrections, a list of 31 things that I commit to doing in 2011. Why 31 you ask? I took 20 plus 11 which gave me 31.
A special thank you to my dear friend Janet who helped inspire me to do this. Below I will list all of the items on my list and I will document and blog about each of them. I am so excited to begin, and I am certain that at the close of 2011 I will not be left as I am found now, but new and changed! Let's see shall we?
Thirty One Things I will do in 2011
1. Purchase a guitar and take lessons
2. Write a poem or story and make a photo book to support it.
3. Go to church (at least once)
4. Loose those crazy pounds I let sneak up. Wear my sexy dress for my birthday!
5. See a musical
7. Ask for six people's book recommendations and read them
8. Display family photos in my home
9. Host a girls slumber party
10. See an Opera
11. Make homemade pizza
12. Do an "at home" spa weekend
13. Send a Birthday card to my parents, grandchildren, children and their spouses
14. Have a picnic in the living room in midst of winter
15. Have a body wrap, (seaweed or mud or something)
16. Make fresh squeezed orange juice
17. Travel to Belgium
18. Learn a little french
19. Take a frame worthy photo, frame and display it
20. Prepare an ethnic meal six times... Indian, Italian, Chinese, Greek, French, Cajun.
21. Sing Karoke in public
22. Vist a palm reader or psychic
23. Give $250 annonymously to someone who really needs it.
24. Take Opera voice lessons
25. Camping (twice)
26. Make homemade salsa
27. Don't complain for one week
28. Write a letter to open in 5 years
29 See an opera
30. Do reflexology
31. Send 3 people (not realatives) a surprise
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Happy New Decade!
I do believe, Kim, that if people would just start by saying "it's fun," when it seems hard; "I'm happy," when they seem sad; and "I know," when it seems as if they don't, they'd finally discover that it really is, they really are, and they always have.
Works for me,
The Universe
I get daily quotes sent to me from the Universe, sometimes they are thought provoking other times humorous and sometimes they tell me something that I forgot and needed to be reminded. I chose this quote as a way to end the decade. Yes, the END of a decade.
Ten Years have come and gone and while on vacation I reflected on the meaning of the past decade and I was amazed, simply amazed. I couldn't believe how many experiences, lessons and wonder I had experienced. Below is a recap of some of the highlights.
I made 5 different career moves and promotions and moved 5 times. I lived in Madison and Milwaukee Wisconsin, Rochester Hills, Michigan... and back home to my hometown Sauk Rapids, Minnesota and landed here in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Ten years ago Samantha had just left the nest since then I have become a grandmother 5 times. Beginning with the birth of Julian, then Avrie, then Simon and then came Violette and ended the decade with the birth of Nim.
I bought 4 brand new vehicles, a 2000 Celica, 2002 RAV 4, 2009 Camary, 2010 RAV 4.
I traveled to Europe...Belgium,Luxemborg,France, Neatherlands, Germany, Holland. I also traveled to Bermuda. In the US I visited Las Vegas, Nashville, St Louis, Chicago, Phoenix (more than once), Florida 3 times. I had the breath taking experience of gazing upon the Grand Canyon and floating near Niagra Falls.
I am in awe of how I reinvented my life. There have been endings like that with my divorce but new beginnings as well. I fell in love a couple of times and I grew in ways I would never have imagined. I gained and lost weight,(I even did a glamour photo shoot to show it off). I attended numerous concerts and plays. I swam with wild dolphins and parasailed above the ocean, I climbed out on an overhang above the Grand Canyon. I rode roller coasters, took boat cruises, danced the night away in Nashville.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened", Anatole France. I loved my dog Sophie whom I left in the loving care of my ex-husband when we divorced. She died this year after so many years of unconditional love. I have a new furry friend Hazel who brings me love and joy. We have an interesting relationship and I say relationship because we "break up" and "get back together" often.
While all of this was happening on the outside, so many things transpired internally, I grew in ways I never could have imagined. I learned to dance... the swing, fox trot, tango and walz and yes even belly dancing. I learned yoga and took french.
Spiritually, I followed my spirit, my soul and my love of God. I said goodbye and I said hello. I loved and I let go.
It has been a wonderful decade but most importantly it gives me such hope and optimism. I mean, if my life could have been so full the past ten years, I can't even begin to think of what this new decade can bring. I am so excited! I love my life. I love my friends and my family and my work. I love all of the things I dislike, and as much as I love the comfort of happiness and peace, I love the other stuff too because without the contrast I don't know that I would realize what wonder there is in every single moment. That is what life is, it is made of moments, so much dependent upon how I choose to view them. Thus the above quote. As I begin the journey to 2011, I pray I can keep my spirit alive and that spark of realization that I am choosing how I respond to the everyday gifts and challanges around me. It is not easy moving closer to the end of life but I certainly have more of an awareness of the movement. In my youth I thought it would go on forever, now I know understand it won't and I live to make everyday count.
Goodbye wonderful, wonderful decade! Hello to the new! HAPPY NEW YEAR~!
Works for me,
The Universe
I get daily quotes sent to me from the Universe, sometimes they are thought provoking other times humorous and sometimes they tell me something that I forgot and needed to be reminded. I chose this quote as a way to end the decade. Yes, the END of a decade.
Ten Years have come and gone and while on vacation I reflected on the meaning of the past decade and I was amazed, simply amazed. I couldn't believe how many experiences, lessons and wonder I had experienced. Below is a recap of some of the highlights.
I made 5 different career moves and promotions and moved 5 times. I lived in Madison and Milwaukee Wisconsin, Rochester Hills, Michigan... and back home to my hometown Sauk Rapids, Minnesota and landed here in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Ten years ago Samantha had just left the nest since then I have become a grandmother 5 times. Beginning with the birth of Julian, then Avrie, then Simon and then came Violette and ended the decade with the birth of Nim.
I bought 4 brand new vehicles, a 2000 Celica, 2002 RAV 4, 2009 Camary, 2010 RAV 4.
I traveled to Europe...Belgium,Luxemborg,France, Neatherlands, Germany, Holland. I also traveled to Bermuda. In the US I visited Las Vegas, Nashville, St Louis, Chicago, Phoenix (more than once), Florida 3 times. I had the breath taking experience of gazing upon the Grand Canyon and floating near Niagra Falls.
I am in awe of how I reinvented my life. There have been endings like that with my divorce but new beginnings as well. I fell in love a couple of times and I grew in ways I would never have imagined. I gained and lost weight,(I even did a glamour photo shoot to show it off). I attended numerous concerts and plays. I swam with wild dolphins and parasailed above the ocean, I climbed out on an overhang above the Grand Canyon. I rode roller coasters, took boat cruises, danced the night away in Nashville.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened", Anatole France. I loved my dog Sophie whom I left in the loving care of my ex-husband when we divorced. She died this year after so many years of unconditional love. I have a new furry friend Hazel who brings me love and joy. We have an interesting relationship and I say relationship because we "break up" and "get back together" often.
While all of this was happening on the outside, so many things transpired internally, I grew in ways I never could have imagined. I learned to dance... the swing, fox trot, tango and walz and yes even belly dancing. I learned yoga and took french.
Spiritually, I followed my spirit, my soul and my love of God. I said goodbye and I said hello. I loved and I let go.
It has been a wonderful decade but most importantly it gives me such hope and optimism. I mean, if my life could have been so full the past ten years, I can't even begin to think of what this new decade can bring. I am so excited! I love my life. I love my friends and my family and my work. I love all of the things I dislike, and as much as I love the comfort of happiness and peace, I love the other stuff too because without the contrast I don't know that I would realize what wonder there is in every single moment. That is what life is, it is made of moments, so much dependent upon how I choose to view them. Thus the above quote. As I begin the journey to 2011, I pray I can keep my spirit alive and that spark of realization that I am choosing how I respond to the everyday gifts and challanges around me. It is not easy moving closer to the end of life but I certainly have more of an awareness of the movement. In my youth I thought it would go on forever, now I know understand it won't and I live to make everyday count.
Goodbye wonderful, wonderful decade! Hello to the new! HAPPY NEW YEAR~!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Immmmmm Baaaack!
"You may believe that you are responsible for what you do, but not for what you think. The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. What you do comes from what you think. "
— Marianne Williamson
It has been months since my last blog and I feel as though it was another life. I have since relocated which was a whole process. The process of letting go of so many things and of new beginnings. I would say that I am now in the process of another beginning. I am trying to find me AGAIN. Is it that I hide from myself, or is it that I never really have it as figured out as I think I do? I have left the comfortable to the unknown and although I have done that many many times in my life, this time is different because it is "Kimberly" who is calling all the shots. At first the thought of that seemed overwhelming. Oh, I didn't realize it at first. I was busy determining what I was going to pack, what kind of housing I would look for and tending to all of the business that needed doing. I don't know at what point I realized that I was writing my life. I guess I am still in a state of shock about it all. I haven't settled into a routine, and without a daily commute my days seem to hold much more potential. It still feels like I am on retreat and I am going to go home but then I have those moments where I realize that I am home.
My relationships with others have also taken on a new dimension. I am either closer or more distant. Some because of location, others because perhaps our paths of split in the road for a part of the journey. Regardless, I mention the quote above because I realize perhaps the most interesting and powerful relationship is with ourselves. I think I am just a little weary, and I need a moment to just quiet myself again. Being back here is a good place to begin.
— Marianne Williamson
It has been months since my last blog and I feel as though it was another life. I have since relocated which was a whole process. The process of letting go of so many things and of new beginnings. I would say that I am now in the process of another beginning. I am trying to find me AGAIN. Is it that I hide from myself, or is it that I never really have it as figured out as I think I do? I have left the comfortable to the unknown and although I have done that many many times in my life, this time is different because it is "Kimberly" who is calling all the shots. At first the thought of that seemed overwhelming. Oh, I didn't realize it at first. I was busy determining what I was going to pack, what kind of housing I would look for and tending to all of the business that needed doing. I don't know at what point I realized that I was writing my life. I guess I am still in a state of shock about it all. I haven't settled into a routine, and without a daily commute my days seem to hold much more potential. It still feels like I am on retreat and I am going to go home but then I have those moments where I realize that I am home.
My relationships with others have also taken on a new dimension. I am either closer or more distant. Some because of location, others because perhaps our paths of split in the road for a part of the journey. Regardless, I mention the quote above because I realize perhaps the most interesting and powerful relationship is with ourselves. I think I am just a little weary, and I need a moment to just quiet myself again. Being back here is a good place to begin.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Eleanor Roosevelt
Some time has passed since I have added to my blog and it is not without reason. I love writing and as I mentioned before it is really a very therapeutic creative process to sift through the thoughts and feelings that this precious life of mine evokes each and every day. Like any other creative process it does not go without vulnerability. I realize that I take a risk by exposing the inner crevasses of my heart, mind and soul. In the weeks passing since my last blog many of you asked when I would be writing again. Thank you! I am glad that I can make you smile, laugh or reflect. In my life, there have been many who have taken a risk, exposed their vulnerabilities and shared their souls and I am so grateful because they made me smile and reflect. I chose the quote today because someone tried to take this from me and I almost allowed it. I nearly allowed it until I realized that they couldn't, not without my consent. I am not sure why we do this to each other and I am even less sure why we allow others to do it to us. I only know that we each get to decide for ourselves how we live, whom we love and how we serve. Above all, hold self love superior and consent only to that which you fully agree.
Some time has passed since I have added to my blog and it is not without reason. I love writing and as I mentioned before it is really a very therapeutic creative process to sift through the thoughts and feelings that this precious life of mine evokes each and every day. Like any other creative process it does not go without vulnerability. I realize that I take a risk by exposing the inner crevasses of my heart, mind and soul. In the weeks passing since my last blog many of you asked when I would be writing again. Thank you! I am glad that I can make you smile, laugh or reflect. In my life, there have been many who have taken a risk, exposed their vulnerabilities and shared their souls and I am so grateful because they made me smile and reflect. I chose the quote today because someone tried to take this from me and I almost allowed it. I nearly allowed it until I realized that they couldn't, not without my consent. I am not sure why we do this to each other and I am even less sure why we allow others to do it to us. I only know that we each get to decide for ourselves how we live, whom we love and how we serve. Above all, hold self love superior and consent only to that which you fully agree.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Dining with Ducks
This weekend I went to dinner and took advantage of what is left of warm autumn weather and chose to enjoy my meal outdoors. It was lovely, a beautiful table positioned next to a fountain and a pond a quiet ambiance and a duck...a duck? It was so cute, little orange webbed feet, bright blue feathers on its wings. It just waited for me to throw a morsel, a crumb his direction. I gave it a small peice of my garlic toast which it seemed to like. My friend on the otherhand had a more sinister plan, he fed our feathered friend a peice of chicken. OMG, that is just fowl. Ducky seemed to enjoy it though, was that like some form of canabalism? It made us laugh, does that make us just sad? Dining with Ducks...
"Checque please... oh...just put it on his bill"!
"Checque please... oh...just put it on his bill"!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Human Life is a Story Told By God
A human life is a story told by God. ~Hans Christian Andersen
Much has been written about our human existance by people much wiser and with much more knowledge than me. Tonight I am reflecting on how many try to avoid life with as little pain as possible. They will do most anything to keep themselves safe, protected and cushioned from the emotional obstacles that life can offer. I see them put on their Sunday best every day, clean and pristine and sit on the sidelines to keep unmarked, fresh. I am not judging but only to say I want to live my life dirty, messy, I love rolling in the mud of everything this world has to offer and tomorrow I will wake up and put on another clean appearance only to end the day with stains and grit. Isn't that why we are here? I have to believe that my creator had some plan for my being a part of this all and I have to believe that whatever s/he hopes me to learn or accomplish is going to be more difficult when I am not participating. I love participating, I love feeling, and growing and learning, falling and pulling myself up again. I love shedding the old and recreating the new, I love this life I was given. It is a gift, my human life is a story... it may only be interesting to me but along this journey I have stopped at the intersections with many and they are a story too. We are all a story, some long, some short but I want my story to be a drama, a suspense, a mystery a comedy a tear jerker, I want my story to be something I decided to co-create rather than pages of words that just blindly move along. What will be the story of your life?
Much has been written about our human existance by people much wiser and with much more knowledge than me. Tonight I am reflecting on how many try to avoid life with as little pain as possible. They will do most anything to keep themselves safe, protected and cushioned from the emotional obstacles that life can offer. I see them put on their Sunday best every day, clean and pristine and sit on the sidelines to keep unmarked, fresh. I am not judging but only to say I want to live my life dirty, messy, I love rolling in the mud of everything this world has to offer and tomorrow I will wake up and put on another clean appearance only to end the day with stains and grit. Isn't that why we are here? I have to believe that my creator had some plan for my being a part of this all and I have to believe that whatever s/he hopes me to learn or accomplish is going to be more difficult when I am not participating. I love participating, I love feeling, and growing and learning, falling and pulling myself up again. I love shedding the old and recreating the new, I love this life I was given. It is a gift, my human life is a story... it may only be interesting to me but along this journey I have stopped at the intersections with many and they are a story too. We are all a story, some long, some short but I want my story to be a drama, a suspense, a mystery a comedy a tear jerker, I want my story to be something I decided to co-create rather than pages of words that just blindly move along. What will be the story of your life?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
A family still lives here
Childhood memories of hot summer days and nights that seemed to go on and on forever. Sitting next to Grandpa, on Dads back, in the rocking chair next to Grandma. Fishing, camping, canning, strawberries, and chocolate covered peanuts. Girl Scout camp, marching band, choir and vacation bible school. Adult memories of soft pastel blankets, smells of baby powder and applesause, tiny sticky fingers. Carving pumpkins, cookies and milk, yellow buses, valentine boxes, tiny white envelopes, candyhearts, construction paper and paste. First jobs, cars, boy/girl friends, test passed and failed smiles and tears, decisions, vocations. Vows and flowers, kisses, dances celebrations and beginnings.
Today, I want to say to the world... hey! A family still lives here. they live in my memories, in my children, my parents, my grandchildren... in potroasts and chili, in concerts and decorated packages, telephone calls, birthday cards, hospital visits weddings and funerals... a family still lives here in my heart! my family still lives here.
Today, I want to say to the world... hey! A family still lives here. they live in my memories, in my children, my parents, my grandchildren... in potroasts and chili, in concerts and decorated packages, telephone calls, birthday cards, hospital visits weddings and funerals... a family still lives here in my heart! my family still lives here.
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