Blog

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has turned the world as we once knew it upside down. Personal, societal, and medical upheavals have tested the resilience of the human spirit. Masks, plexiglass, social distancing, virtual meetings and virtual events have replaced smiles and hugs and in-person gatherings. As the year comes to a close, we are witnessing a second wave of the virus. We are heartbroken as we see the rise in Covid cases and deaths, but we are hopeful as Operation Warp Speed is producing a number of vaccines which will be available very soon. Now that's perseverance.

Perseverance: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.

That's the big picture. But we all face personal difficulties and seemingly insignificant decisions daily. Why get up early if you don't have anywhere to go? You can just lie in bed for an extra hour before crawling out of bed. Why put on makeup or jewelry or nice clothes? No one will see you. Why bother decorating for Christmas? Why, why, why?
Because you matter.

"Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely."  ~Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

The choices we make, make us.

When I set my alarm to rise earlier in the morning and start my day with some sort of physical exercise, I feel better. When I put on a little makeup and a nice top (the stretchy pants are here to stay) and maybe even a pair of earrings, I feel better. And my husband probably appreciates it, too.

I confess, I haven't put up a Christmas tree in several years for a variety of reasons: it's time-consuming; my hubby isn't really on board; I don't have grandkids and my grown kids probably don't care...

It was about a week before Thanksgiving when I went for a walk in the subdivision after dinner. A friend had commented on how many Christmas lights were already displayed in her O'Fallon neighborhood, and I decided to see if that was true in mine. It was. As I walked my usual route, I saw a number of houses with holiday lights glowing, and I began to feel excited about the season. I hadn't yet decided if I would decorate my home; in fact, I had felt a bit depressed about the whole Christmas 2020 scene. As my enthusiasm continued to grow, I came upon this shimmering vision (of course the photo below doesn't do it justice). Countless laser lights like tiny red and green jewels hovered over the facade of this house; all I could do was stop and stare. And soak up the joy. 

I decided then and there that I was going to go all out and decorate my home, complete with lights and a tree. I couldn't wait to get started. The day after Thanksgiving, I began to bring up boxes from the basement and my husband hauled up the pre-lit 7 ½ foot Christmas tree. After a long and dusty day, everything was finished, with the exception of ornaments on the tree. First, I had to see how my two cats would respond! (So far, they enjoy lying under the tree, wrestling and messing up the tree skirt; there has also been a bit of chewing going on...I'm slowing adding ornaments and gauging their reactions.)

The day after decorating, I returned from an afternoon walk to the sound of relaxing Christmas music floating throughout the house. I think my husband has caught the Christmas spirit, too! 

Whatever it is, do it for yourself. Your mood will improve. And you may cheer up someone else in the process.

"Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create." ~Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Eastern Wood-Pewee: Attitude, original watercolor painting

Very Merry, original watercolor painting

Both of the above paintings, Eastern Wood-Pewee: Attitude and Very Merry, sat in my studio untouched after I had painted only one or two layers; I just wasn't happy with the direction they were taking. (How often do I preach about the dangers of trying to visualize the outcome of a painting? Why do I always forget that watercolors have a mind of their own?!) Well, a couple of weeks passed and I decided I had to do something (besides give up) so I simply did the next thing. Some negative painting in turquoise to accent the bird's silhouette. Another layer on the cat's fur. Suddenly I was optimistic. I had thought both of these paintings needed a lot more work, but it turns out they just needed the next thing.  
What is your "next thing"? Set your alarm clock. Go for a walk or drive through the neighborhood to see the Christmas lights. Get back in the studio. Try something new. Pick up the phone and call a loved one. Persevere. You won't regret it.
 

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and Wisdom to know the difference."