Gather

Gather. 

I'm reading an intriguing little book (my favorite kind) about creativity entitled, Your Idea Starts Here, by Carolyn Eckert. As you probably know I'm pretty much obsessed with creativity. I've written about it often, and am always on the look out for inspiration.

She begins her book writing about how to generate ideas. Her first step is to "Gather- Accumulate things you like that might or might not work...don't think, just collect. You're gathering inspiration."

As I thought about this I realized that my conscious effort to bring fewer actual things into my home, might be curtailing my creativity. I often find myself collecting ideas, but I'm not always good about recording them. 

Elizabeth Gilbert in her book, Big Magic, writes about how ideas are sent our way, and if ignored are sent packing to someone else who's more willing to pay attention. By honoring these ideas there is a greater chance of them coming to fruition.

Creativity flourishes when you observe your surroundings. I'm going to be more aware of anything that catches my eye. At the time I may not know exactly why, but I want to trust my inner leanings as to why I find it interesting. 

If I still want to live a less cluttered life I can always snap a picture of it, and collect these objects using a collage format on my phone. I like the idea, "don't think, just collect." Who knows where this might take you?

Limiting Beliefs

Limiting beliefs. 

Author Gretchen Rubin defines a limiting belief as a belief that holds you back or limits you in any way. This may be a belief about yourself personally or one you hold about the world. It may even be something that you are totally unaware of as getting in the way of something you might want to accomplish. 

I think a limiting belief that I hold is that the familiar is better than the unknown. If I've done something the same way over the years I just assume that because it worked in the past it must be be the best way to do something. 

Holding on to this limiting belief allows me to feel comfortable and in control of possible outcome. I hate that feeling of not knowing how to do something. 

The other day I had stopped by the post office to mail a small package. When I arrived there was a predictably long line of others wanting to do the same thing. I dutifully took my place at the end of the line when I remembered that the self-serve kiosk out in the lobby could be used to mail packages. 

I quickly turned around and made my way there where I found no line. Now I can read, and basically that is all that is required as you work your way through the clearly marked steps. Within a matter of minutes my package was mailed, and I think the line inside had not moved an inch. 

I was on my way to my next errand without the frustration of a long line, and only one postal clerk on duty. 

What limiting beliefs are holding you back? Take a minute to reflect on something you have wanted you do, but have allowed a misguided belief to get in the way. 

Caught, Not Taught

Caught not taught. 

I had the pleasure of eating dinner this week with my daughter's family. I had made a mid-week trip down to visit, and help out where I could. 

As we were eating dinner Brittany told me that Casen had told her the other day that he was putting his napkin in his lap just like Mimi. She asked me if I had made a point to remind him to do that. I said I had not, and his comment just reinforced how our children and grandchildren are always watching us. 

My oldest grandson is particularly observant of adults as he tries to figure things out. I was tickled that he had picked up one of my good habits on his own simply by watching me. 

As a grandparent of two grandsons I want to remember that my actions will always be under the scrutiny of two little ones who are learning to maneuver their world. I hope I can be a good example for them. 

Bah Humbug!

Bah Humbug!

Well apparently Ebenezer Scrooge still lives, and was accompanied by the Grinch and his straggly little dog to ruin Christmas for some children attending Breakfast with Santa in Cleburne this year. 

Now I wish I could give you some insight into the whole Breakfast with Santa thing, but unfortunately I never had an opportunity to attend. Not that I didn't want to, it was just that Brittany was terrified of Santa, and it seemed heartless to force her to endure pancakes with the bearded one. 

I digress, so back to the story. Apparently three men were protesting outside of a local church in Cleburne that was hosting a Breakfast with Santa. Now I'm not sure if these men never received a Radio Flyer Wagon as a child and are still hold a grudge against the jolly old elf, or if they have a problem with bacon, eggs and pancakes being served in a church? You know the whole separation of church and steak thing. 

Now the really sad part of the story was that they were actually yelling at the children that Santa was not real. Who in their right mind would do such a thing? Let's just suck all the joy out of the season on the backs of children hoping to get a glimpse of the big guy, and leave with a sticky, syrup high. 

When I hear stories like these, heck who am I kidding I've never heard such a tale, it makes me sad. I don't expect everyone to celebrate Christmas, and that is certainly their prerogative, but don't spoil it for the rest of us. 

The Perfect Planner

The perfect planner. 

I've been on the hunt for the perfect planner. Of course, I have to keep reminding myself to not let the "perfect be the enemy of the good." So I guess I should be saying I'm on the hunt for a good enough planner. 

In the past I've had some pretty sophisticated planners that looked really awesome, but I found myself actually avoiding them because the expectations were too high. Between stickers, lists, and the time involved to fill them out, I found that a simple month at a glance calendar written in easily erased pencil seemed to suit my needs better. 

However, for some reason this year I finding myself wanting something a little more elaborate. I've looked at a few that start with the month at a glance, but then actually have a space for each day of the week. I've noticed that some are lined, and some are just blank spaces. My preference would be lined to help keep my handwriting straight. 

I've seen some that include a space for goals, and I'm thinking something like that might keep me more on track. That way I could record the days I walk, and things like my weekly weigh-in. I'd also like to use it for meal planning so I don't have to reinvent the wheel each month. 

And one last thing-I really don't want to spend a small fortune on one so as not to waste my money if I abandon ship. How about you, have you discovered the "perfect planner?"

FabEuless

FabEuless.

It's been almost nine months since Chuck and I moved to Euless, and to be honest, if you had told me several years ago that we would live here I wouldn't have believed you.  Kind of like if you had told me that I would be the proud owner of a Bassett Hound I probably would have just laughed. Neither were on my radar, but life has a way of surprising you when you least expect it. 

Our primary reason for moving here was to be closer to Chuck's work. They had moved to Las Colinas a little over a year ago, and he was not looking forward to having to commute by car. Since 1993 he had been driving to Downtown Dallas on the Dart bus, and although it was a long commute he wasn't having to do the driving. 

Now that we've lived here for a while I can honestly say I'm glad we made the move. Although, Euless itself is a community of a little over fifty thousand, it literally is in the center of the metroplex. So anything I need is usually just a few minutes away in a surrounding town, if Euless doesn't have it. Of course, I've found that the shopping center on Glade and 121 pretty much has everything, and is only ten minutes away. 

I think the thing I love most about living here, though, is the lack of traffic. Of course, rush hour is typically crowded on the surrounding highways, but when I'm running my errands during the day I'm not having to take my life into my own hands making my way through traffic, unlike Frisco. 

The pace is much more relaxed, and I am really enjoying being a part of it. Recently, I joined our local Family Life Center which includes a Fitness Center. Taking advantage of the senior rate I was able to join for a whopping $7.00 for the year. Now each morning I'm up early walking on the indoor walking track. Best of all it's literally less than five minutes from the house. 

We are taking advantage of being equidistant to both Dallas and Ft. Worth at around twenty-five minutes to each. We are traveling the short distance to places like Grapevine, Colleyville, South Lake and Las Colinas for shopping and eating out. 

Even Frisco is only a thirty minute drive so returning for monthly retired teacher meetings is not even out of the way. Best of all we are about twenty minutes closer to Brittany and Will and the boys at just a little over two hours. 

We are loving our new home, and are beginning to meet some new neighbors, as our neighborhood has been under construction since we moved in. I'm happy to say that we think our new community is just FabEuless!

Gator

Gator. 

No, I'm not talking about the reptile, but rather a brand new, shiny John Deere Gator. This weekend my just turned three year old grandson received the gift of his dreams. Both sets of grandparents, and his parents splurged on an electric child-size Gator with room for his brother. 

It probably took less than a minute for him to figure out the basics of forward and reverse, and he'd mastered the steering wheel almost immediately. It didn't take him long to load up the bed with a cedar stake, and carry it over to a pile of wood. 

Play is a whole lot more fun for him when you are really working. As he made his way around the pasture his mother picked up the family dog, Ellie, and placed her in the bed. Like a true country dog Ellie remained in place as my grandson drove her a few turns around the yard. 

A few minutes later his dad showed him that the Gator actually had a slow and fast gear. Our grandson could be heard saying, "I'll go fast!" as he sped off. It quickly became evident that hours of fun were going to be had with this vehicle, and that it was just going to be a matter of time before little brother would be riding shotgun. 

So glad Chuck and I had an opportunity to share in on the fun!