The Circle Game

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imageAnd the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return. We can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game.
Lyrics by Joni Mitchell

A friend said today that “she felt like she was running in circles and getting nowhere on her goals.” Yes, she’s had some trying circumstances this past year, but when I look at her what I see is movement, shift, expansion and a beautiful unfolding.

When we are reinventing ourselves, trying to accomplish something new-for-us, we tend to think that things should move in a straight line. Nothing organic ever does.  Julia Cameron – she of the magnificent “The Artist’s Way” – said that “Growth is an erratic forward movement: Two steps forward and one step back. Remember that and be very gentle with yourself.”

Sounds like the recipe for a cha-cha-cha to me. Mojitos, anyone?

Here’s my suggestion when you feel like you are going in circles:

  1. Is the circle getting smaller and smaller, as if you are heading down the toilet? If the answer is yes, get help. A professional, trusted family member, or friend.
  2. Is it the same old circle? Then get off the carousel, even if you have to jump. Tuck and roll, baby!
  3. Is the circle expanding?  Is anything different, even slightly? Look back and see how far you’ve come. Take time to give yourself a pat on the back. Open a bottle of bubbly! Then, set more goals and keep going.

When we are focused on a goal, or a dream, it’s easy to lose track of everything else we are accomplishing – the other vital pieces of our puzzle that will nurture us and help us get where we want to go. And always remember to take time to stop and smell the flowers. Many of which, by the way, open in a spiral.

XO Donna

Lady Liberty

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imageWhat a treat – a long weekend. Time for leisurely pursuits, friends and family gatherings, American food and barbeques, and best of all…fireworks! I love the 4th of July.

I’ve always been a sucker for The Statue of Liberty, ever since the first time I saw her as a kid on a field trip to NYC. I loved her promise of fresh starts and new beginnings…if you show up and work for it.

That’s the way it is in our personal growth, too. If you want to change, or grow, or  fulfill a dream, you must first believe it’s possible. You must become an immigrant to a richer world. Picture yourself being there. Then do all of the necessary work. And last, get out of  your own way. Allow your faith – in your God,  The Universe, or your Self to carry you along to where you want to be. To experience what you want to experience.

Break away from what others say is, or isn’t possible. Break away from fear and self-doubt. Break away from old thoughts, useless beliefs, and expectations.

Risk it all for what you truly desire in your life.  That’s what made this country…and what has made this country great!

XO Donnaimage

One step forward…

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Framed bathroom…and two steps back.  My closet still looks like a bomb went off in it.  However, our bathroom is finished, and beautiful!  So sexy-assed beautiful that I keep walking in and admiring it. Feeling the cool surface of the marble. I’ve cleared everything except the essentials off of my counters, and even created an arrangement with a Raku vase, dried roses, and a heart-shaped pottery jar in one corner. I love the counters and faucets polished, and I (almost) hate to brush my teeth in the sink because it makes a mess which I then feel compelled to clean and polish immediately.  (Oh, come on….like you don’t do this with a new toy, too??)

Am I obsessing a little? You betcha!  It’s my way of not dealing with the messy closet that was created in order to create the new bathroom. I made a half-assed attempt to wrangle it back into shape with a trip to Target for new hangers, a jewelry organizer, and some attractive storage boxes. I came home with two out of three;  but not finding  storage boxes kind of left me hanging (no pun intended!). Truth be told….I finally realized that the mess in the closet is a reflection of how I am feeling right now…but, I’m sure any of you could have told me that.   I’m confused, a little bit chaotic.  Simultaneously chomping at the bit, and yet holding back.  Those boxes of stuff, and piles of clothes,  represent parts of me that have hung on a hanger or been in a box for too long, and need to be brought out, and either “added to the rotation,” or released, let go of.  Things that are still useful, but  just aren’t useful for the ‘me’ that I am now.  I know they’ve served their purpose, yet I haven’t found the courage to let go.  Oh, yes, I’m still talking about the clothes. Maybe.

Let me tell you one thing I know about myself  –  at 61 I am still growing and evolving!  This isn’t the first time I’ve felt this upheaval, and I doubt it will be the last.  And that’s okay…it’s just uncomfortable.  (I had an image of a cocoon this morning, and the stress that occurs before the butterfly emerges!)  I’ve always gotten through it, and things have always been better than before!

I have been very lucky to have had many inspirational people in my life.  Two online presences that I rely on right now are:  #1) the always powerful, Danielle LaPorte (www.daniellelaporte.com). This woman is the definition of living large. I mean large in bold print, all caps. LARGE!  And  #2) Marie Forleo (www.marieforleo.com).  A sassyFramed tableau young woman who has a Q & A on Tuesdays that always addresses a relevant issue in a wise, and wise-cracking way!  Today’s topic:  The feeling of something missing in your life.  And having the courage to go for your dreams, take risks, and be willing to look stupid.  (Oh, that…I hate that.)

But her pearls of wisdom were exactly what I needed to hear in order to let go of the past, (make sense out of my closet...) and to be willing to “feel the fear, yet do it anyway! ”

XO Donna