decluttering

Creativity

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I have decided my word for the year is creativity.

I started knitting again. I haven’t knitted since college. Back in the day, I was low on funds. I decided to knit hats for Christmas gifts. This time, I thought I would really like to knit a sweater. I went to Mother’s Knitters in Red Bank with my friend, Anne. I decided a sweater was a bit ambitious and it would be best to start with a scarf. I am making it for myself! Dante at the store suggested a super merino wool and told me to go with a light color. Apparently, you can see your mistakes easier with a light color. Anne got me started and now I am about 2 feet in. I am really enjoying it. I knit in the evening during Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. It is not just straight knitting either. Every row has a knit purl section to it. When I make a mistake, I go to You Tube to learn how to fix it. Thank you You Tube. Next, I will knit a sweater!

I told my therapist that I started knitting again and she sent me this quote from a Native American woman.

“Grandma how do you deal with pain?” “With your hands, dear. When you do it with your mind, the pain hardens even more.” “With your hands, grandma?” “Yes, yes. Our hands are the antennas of our Soul. When you move them by sewing, cooking, painting, touching the earth or sinking them into the earth, they send signals of caring to the deepest part of you and your Soul calms down. This way she doesn’t have to send pain anymore to show it. “Are hands really that important?” “Yes my girl. Think of babies: they get to know the world thanks to their touch. When you look at the hands of older people, they tell more about their lives than any other part of the body. Everything that is made by hand, so it is said, is made with the heart because it really is like this: hands and heart are connected. Think of lovers: When their hands touch, they love each other in the most sublime way.” “My hands grandma… how long since I used them like that!” “Move them my love, start creating with them and everything in you will move. The pain will not pass away. But it will be the best masterpiece. And it won’t hurt as much anymore, because you managed to embroider your Essence.”~Elena Barnabé S

Gardening season is coming. What do you like to do with your hands?

Love,

Mary

Family, Home, Sophie and Creativity.

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I love a good decluttering challenge. I have done a few of them, and I always feel better when my house is clean and tidy. It brings me great joy to open the door of the tool shed, and to have it in order. When I am stressed or agitated, cleaning out a drawer or decluttering the office brings me peace. I might not feel better when I am actually doing the project, but I am always grateful when I am done.

When Sophie the golden retriever came to live with us, I decided it would be best to pick up the area rugs. I feel so much better with them gone. She is not chewing on them, I don’t have to worry about her urinating on them, and I don’t need to vacuum them. I can just sweep the floor at the end of the day. There is something very therapeutic about a good broom in your broom closet.

Having the house in order makes me feel better, and messy surroundings make me feel agitated. However, there is a part of me that knows spending my days cleaning is not enough. I have been feeling flat. I need to be creative, but I have been avoiding writing my blog posts or promoting OutdoorFit.

So, here I am sitting at my desk writing. I need to find the right balance between taking care of my family, the house, Sophie the dog and my creative endeavors. Progress!

How are you doing? I hope you are finding happiness in your day. What projects are you working on? Have you started gardening yet? Are you spring cleaning? Are you writing a best selling novel? I would love to hear from you.

Love,

Mary

How cute are the three of them sitting on the stoop?