We spent my birthday, also the Fourth of July, at the beach. I grew up near the beach but now live about 2.5 hours away, so there are times I only visit the ocean once a year or so. Each time, I am transported to my happy place; a full sensory experience. The waves are Read More
Author: gr8ful_collette
Take Your Time
In my last post, I wrote about questioning societal norms and pastimes. About how the message that popular culture, the media and advertising feeds us is that we are incomplete without buying, consuming and accepting what is being peddled to us as members of society. The widely accepted view is that drinking is fun, solves Read More
Not Buying What They’re Selling
I celebrate another trip around the sun on the 4th of July; I’ll be 46. The process of me moving through my 40s, what I consider middle age, combined with the experience of me getting sober is causing a lot of reflecting and assessing. It invites me to think about the world I see around Read More
Don’t Lose Your Balance
For most of my life, I’ve struggled to achieve balance. I’m always somewhere outside of centered, sometimes far off and sometimes just missing the mark. I can visualize the perfect day, the perfect month, the perfect rhythm, but putting the picture into practice is always elusive. If one area of my life is running smoothly, Read More
Your Thoughts Are Not Orders
I’ve spent the most part of this week taking care of a puppy and tapping into the patience reserve that exists to care for the very young and very old. Yes, we added a new member to the household, a 10-week-old Westie, to complement our 4-year-old dog of the same breed. It may have something Read More
I Know in My Heart
There’s a difference between telling yourself something, and knowing it. My brain, and I venture to guess yours too, offers a steady stream of commentary to either pay attention to, or reject. Thoughts about things I observe, how I feel, what I think I want. Most of it nonsense, really. This is also the commentary Read More
Passing storms and silver linings
My firstborn graduated high school yesterday. In an actual ceremony, at their football stadium. The day held all the feels, though more subdued and distanced than usual. Instead of, we came, we saw, we conquered, it felt a bit more like, we persevered, we rode it out, we don’t want to look back. Nonetheless, it Read More
What’s Your Motivation?
The world is opening up again, and with that comes activities, events and obligations. Enter the busy life. I love this quote by James Clear on crafting your schedule. “Saying no saves you time in the future. Saying yes costs you time in the future. No is like a time credit. You can spend that Read More
I Don’t Need a Day
Mother’s Day is a few days away, and here’s the status: I have yet to hear from my father or sister regarding plans for my mom (the next day is also her birthday), my two sons will be at an out of town volleyball tournament, and my husband’s siblings have invited him (singular) to lunch Read More
Here is Everything
This week, I lived. Living consisted of teaching, being a parent, and a wife. Running a house, helping a friend, caring for my dog. Exercise, dentist appointments, rapid-Covid-19 tests, high school volleyball games, coffee, and books. Riding the wave from sleepy Monday morning, to exhausted Friday afternoon. Nothing life-changing, or earth-shaking, but I’m so glad Read More