Picture her Family Tree And baby makes three.  Two anxious girls are awaiting the arrival of this baby boy, as we all are.  He will change the family tree, as all children and partners and adopted friends into family do.  Everything changes but new life is a particular time to pause and wonder.  You wonder about the child.  You wonder about yourself.  A state of wonder can feel like a state of gratitude as long as you keep fear behind you.  Mary Morressey talks about fear and says that it travels with you through life.  You get to be the one who tells fear where its place is.  You can recognize it for what it is and deal with it, or you can let it lead.  Something else she says that resonates with me is this: You can design your life or you can live it by default.  Being conscious of your choices helps you to design life. Writing down your dreams, ideas, and fears so you can observe your thinking and release or change the perspective of your thinking is also a powerful way to design your life.  So here you are living your life and then here comes this moment when you are adding in another life and wonder fills you up. What design will this new life play in our lives?  Soon we will get the beginning of understanding, of sorts.  This baby is already commanding attention while awaiting birth.  Mom, pictured here is doing a great job of balancing all the demands on her time and attention also awaiting birth.  With each heart there is a chance for more love in this world.  We are hoping and thinking the best for this "new picture" on the family tree.

Take a break from whatever you choose.  Make this break into anything you choose.  Put the power into your own hands by making choices that will grow you, empower you and by doing this you have given not only to yourself but this renewed self is a gift to the world. When I was given a break in my wrist, I was definitely forced to take a break from everything that required two hands.  Some things in life can be done with one hand but not photography or playing guitar.  And when your body needs to heal something like this it is not a good idea to do anything very physical like walking far or yoga. So I took the break in my wrist to allow me time to assess my core values and build a new life making sure that values are first and distractions are mindfully dismissed.

The new life put healing this wrist as first priority.  And now after 3 months, it is still at the forefront of each day.  This image was taken of the computer at the doctor's office. It shows the hardware souvenir that I obtained within hours of falling and consequently knocking the wrist off of the bones in my arm.  I was in Nashville, TN (a five hour drive from home) having fun with friends and only leaning on the Rolling Stones tongue exhibit when I slid down the tongue and my wrist made contact with the cement.  Although it was not apparent on Google maps, there was a trauma center only a few miles away and an ER doctor that specialized in wrists was on duty this Wednesday afternoon.  The coincidence of all that has not escaped me.

I have waited all these months before posting anything about this mishap.  I am back playing music, although recording my CDs is still indefinitely postponed. I am able to make pictures with my new Nikon.  And although not entirely healed I do notice each week the small victories of regained strength and mobility.  But I am still on break from what was my life.  Now my daily focus is to do activities that exercise the wrist specifically followed by a nutritious diet and usually a nap.  And as you might have guessed that takes up the majority of my day.  I know a lot of people would love that as a routine.  I am truly grateful that my teacher retirement is in place and I can actually maintain this lifestyle as needed.  I enjoy working out.  I like getting stronger and eventually I will also be able to enjoy more time adding in my other interests.  Until then...steady on.

Your voice is uniquely yours.  It's a vibration. Your vibration. Sometimes being not like anyone else is okay.  You stand out from the crowd.  Maybe you need to stand out.  You definitely are meant to be uniquely you.  No one else can affirm or confirm any questions you have about yourself.  They can only give their opinion of you given from their perspective in life. 

Day 349

Take time to center yourself by breathing in your nose and out your mouth.  Do this until you feel your body relax.  Then ask yourself any question you need an answer.  Be still.  Be quiet.  Be observant to learn and feel the knowing in your own body or in what you see and feel to get your answer.  Sometimes you know the answer even if you can't explain how you know.  Really you don't have to explain to anyone.  This is your life.  You make the way.  Take it one step at a time.  Be the best you know how to be.  When you know better, you'll do better.  When you speak, remember to choose your words. All words have power. You have the power.  You are the only you in this world. The more you love yourself and allow your unique essence to shine, the better the world will be.