Civic Duty

I am very political.  I don't wear it out loud for everyone, everywhere to see.  There are no magnets on my car pledging my allegiance to one candidate or party, nor do I post a sign in my yard. 
But it's there, the side to which I lean; the obsessive-compulsive need to check the news for updates. And I am guilty of choosing a news source that might in fact be a little biased.  I do however check the other guy's talking points on occasion.  And then I remember why I sit in the camp that I do. 

If you know me... you know.  We don't need to discuss it.  You either respect my stance as a right or you ignore it completely.  Why deal, right? 
We should stay friends. 

If, and only if, you let the cat out of your own bag I will either engage or pretend I didn't just hear you say what you said.  It's easier that way.  We both know it. 

But isn't that beautiful?!  I mean I really hoped we could have a little discourse.  Unfortunately, in the current political climate discourse isn't the result of honest politics.  Minds are not changed.  No one wants to see or even try to understand the others side or reasoning.

When he's feeling peckish, Hubs will play devils advocate.  It is quiet entertaining.  And on occasion I can see some of his points....  So hope, right?

There is humanity on both sides of the aisle.  I wish we all would remember that instead of throwing vitriol at one another. 

So.... thankful...
I got a notice for jury duty.  Honestly I was looking forward to it.  I was ready to do my civic duty.  But, alas, all cases have been settled so my appearance isn't necessary.  Bummer. 

Actually, I am pretty stoked.  My best friend is going to be in town for approximately 36 hours and now I get to spend time with her instead of participating in our fine country's judicial system.

#Thankful all cases were settled and I don't have to report on Monday morning.

Thankful

A few years ago I gave myself a 'Thankful' challenge via Instagram. 
I've written about it before.

It was life changing, and affirming and really helped me see the silver lining in everything.  I think that when I finished I had a more optimistic approach to life.  I tend to lean that way already... but the challenge made me accountable and an active participant in life's daily miracles.

Lately I have been hovering in a less than feel-good place.  It's not that I have really changed, but I am less inclined to reach for the joy.  I have been settling for less enthusiasm.  I have been okay with it.

Suddenly I'm not.  I want to savor the sweetness of my days like I did when I was working my way through the challenge. 

It's not as if the process offered exceptional opportunities for experience.  It's just that I paid attention.  To everything.  I was able to call into question where I set my intention. 
I would really examine the moments that made up that 24 hours and I would choose what moved me, or was inspiring.  And mostly the simple occurrences seasoned my picture feed.   But always at the end of the day I felt like I knew myself a little better. 

I want to get back to that place.  So, I am starting it up again.  Randomly, but thoughtfully.  Because it is something that I need.  And I am learning to listen to the things my heart, body and soul are telling me. 

I am going to try to extend upon that idea this time around.   I will still use Instagram and a daily photo as my main platform.   This time around though, I want to go deeper by bringing that photo here... with more. 

"Men argue. Nature acts." - Voltaire

***Disclaimer*** 

This is not my usual type of post. However, it is true to me. 

If you go back to the Earth's Lifeline days you can get the background.

The release of Before the Flood was yesterday.  Today it was streamed  free for anyone, everywhere to watch. It's that important.

I have long been aware of the impacts of climate change.  I haven't been wearing blinders.  My family tries to live consciously.  We made changes to daily activities and purchases a long time ago. 

The revelations in the film are not news to me.  But it was still necessary to witness again.

Due to the current political climate and blatant disregard by some, I sometimes wonder why I even bother.   It would be so much easier to not care; to live in the reality that our daily choices really don't make a difference in the big picture.  Or better yet, join those who wail against the science because they don't believe it to be true, don't care or are bought by others to stand against it.

Unfortunately belief doesn't isolate you from the situation.  Nor does taking money to cover your ears. The only credible effect is does have is to perpetuate the problem and freeze out solutions.

My frustration with those who do choose to disregard facts is not going to solve the problem either.  It breaks my heart to know that unless there is a major shift in conscious action (we are beyond just simply being aware) we are doomed to our fate.  

What do we tell our children?

Will we apologize for the lackadaisical attitude of our leaders; the elected officials who are the ones making the abject decisions, who are defiant against truth because it doesn't serve them.
They are parents and grandparents too.  I can't believe they are so heartless. Maybe some really don't get the urgency.  But that is not an excuse for the rest.

Today I am angry.  Angry because there have been viable solutions in the works for years, and greed and selfishness have won out.

But it's a war and while many battles have been lost.  It's not over.  There is hope.  And there is evidence.  The argument is over. 

I am taking that evidence and acting.
I will continue to make the choices that are beneficial to all and not just myself.
I will stand by those whose voices are loud enough that others listen.
I will not make excuses.
I will be an example.
I will no longer rage.  Instead I will work harder to educate, motivate and empower.
I will do all of this with love and compassion.

At the end of my days I will be able to tell my girl that I did everything that I could.   

Lately

Lately I've been trapped in this space 'between'.

Completely settled into stay-at-home mom, homeschool, gearing up for the next thing. 

I've lost the present. 

I want that mindset back. 

I practice. 

I breathe. 

I set intention. 

Now, now I'm getting anxious and fidgety. 

Now I'm ready to do. 

Today I refocus on gratitude. 

Because that... that is where dreams are found. 

Dreaming. 

Grounded in my Truth

 

 

 

Time for some Moxie

There are times when my mantra of 'finding my way, living this dream' seems to really resonate.  Then there are days like today...

I haven't been feeling a 100%.  Lethargy and stuffiness.  Nothing to be concerned about.  But there has been just enough affliction and there is  nothing pressing on this Sunday.... so I have been lazy.

And now, as the day is winding down I am stepping out of the haze and have decided I need some productivity.

Unfortunately, there really isn't anything to be done on Sunday evening this Labor day weekend.  My hubs is working and won't be home until later.  Coco loco has headed off to sleep.  And I am pushing back against the melancholy that always follows days like this.  Days when I wish I had done something.  Anything.  Days that I missed out on.

The occasional lazy day is fine by me.  And truthfully, I really was not feeling like myself today.   Telling myself that right now feels like a cop out though.

I know I should have put my book down and gotten off the couch.
I wish I had spent more time with my yoga practice.

I didn't do either of those things... or anything else for that matter.  

So now, now is the time to set a new intention for myself.  One that I have been resisting for awhile because there have been a thousand other reasons.... and in all honesty I have procrastinated.  I am very big into procrastination. 

It's time to find my creativity again.  It is time to refocus my energy... now that I have it.  It's time to be the best version of my creative self.

 
 Lately it seems as if so many of my friends are having their own sort of creative revolution.  While I am so proud of their accomplishments and determination, I am regretting the lack of my own.  I have abandoned all forms of  creative art~writing, painting, photography.... shit even baking has been off limits.

Now I have a choice.  I can continue to consume myself and my time with 'what ifs' or 'when I can get around to its'.  Or, I can just fucking get over myself and be prepared to fail.  Because, really, that (failure) is the worst thing that could happen.

Figuratively lighting my creative fire isn't actually going to start a literal, earthly maelstrom. 

Will I have failed if I try?

Do I know where or how to tune into my creative self?  Maybe, kind of.... I think.

I know it's going to take moxie.  And I think I might still have a little of that in me. ;)

Transitions

My amazing husband is in beast mode~ working as much and as hard as he can until the season slows down here in paradise. We both know it's coming. And when all of the tourists take their leave for the fall... That's when we will play! 

So, for now, he's a work aholic, and I am on planning and prep for this next season of our life. 

Not having a paying job doesn't mean I'm slacking. In fact, my days are filling up. But instead of the never-ending to do list in the office, now-NOW I am making sure my kiddo's needs are fully met.  At the same time filling my tank with the things that bring me joy. 

I am super excited to be working with my great friend at Serenity Eco Guides where I will be teaching again. 

I have been researching and deciding on curriculum for this next homeschool year. 

There has been major organization in and around our home. Which after a year I finally am able to do. 

Then there is the time... Time to enjoy this remarkable place we get to call home. 

And... Coco and I made a quick trip to St. augustine to spend some time with my best friend and see family. 

Life is beautiful. And I am grateful for every second of it.