Category: Follow your intuition

What’s on Your Bucket List

What’s on your bucket list? Mine was very loosely formed in the back of my mind until recently. Then a series of seemingly unrelated events coupled with curiosity, facing feelings and taking action resulted in hope found in a bucket list.

Radiation for Cancer

Yesterday, my husband, Wayne, and I met his radiation oncologist, Shravan Kandula, M. D. Dr. Kandula explained the reasons, procedure and side effects of radiation therapy for Wayne. This first appointment was upbeat, encouraging, and easy.

We also met the social worker, Maria. After reading all the information for patients and their families while waiting for the doctor, I noticed a lot of references to psychological difficulties surrounding dealing with cancer. It seemed it didn’t refer to our situation. No, emotional distress was for those dealing with the big ones; breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer. Wayne just had a rare Stage 3 cancer in his parotid gland. And the surgeon removed it completely, no cancer in the lymph nodes or anywhere else. But.. radiation will hopefully zap any cancer cells that escaped his scalpel.

But then I started crying today while writing this blog.

Wayne sat next to me, eating cereal, as I’m crying. He’s not into acknowledging feelings.

“Oh, you’re writing your blog. What does blog mean? I assume it’s an acronym.”

Great! Here’s an easy opportunity to turn my feelings off and search for the meaning of blog. It’s short for weblog. Remove the first two letters and you have blog. Phew! That’s better. Now I can get back to writing about these seemingly unrelated events.

Starting a Bucket List

Do you have a bucket list? When did you start it? How do you add to it? Are there completed items? Did your list start accidentally?

Right before writing this article, I was searching online within my local newspaper for articles about native Florida plants in the landscape. The results were so broad, I tried to narrow it down using the category where I expected to find the gardening column, Lifestyle.

The top link returned was an article titled, From Desert to Sky, See it all in the New Mexico Mountains. I saw no correlation with my search phrase, ‘Florida landscape native plants’. Rather the original purpose for my search disappeared when I saw the photo of desert flowers blooming with the Organ Mountains in the background. I immediately thought, “This should be on my bucket list!”

The stark reality of Wayne’s cancer coupled with the picture of the Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks National Monument encouraged me to create a formal bucket list. Seems like life is so much more precious today than a few months ago before cancer became personal. Isn’t that what a bucket list is about – a reminder that time is limited, so get busy living it to the fullest? Does that sound a little negative or laced with worry? I see it differently. For me, a bucket list represents hope.

What About Your Bucket List?

What’s the coolest thing you’ve accomplished on your bucket list? What are you most looking forward to? I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment below or email me. Better yet, signup for my newsletter and we can have a weekly conversation.

Back to my list,
Dawn

How to Make Gorgeous Videos

I had been considering taking a 1:1 class on how to make gorgeous videos. But I seemed so busy. I surrendered to my intuition and took the plunge.

Intuition Leads the Way

I met the video teacher, Alma Gonzalez, first in an online course, Communicate with Your Angels, led by Melissa Kitto, late in June, 2019. In addition to helpful information, there were group calls where we saw each other on Zoom along with a private Facebook Group. I noticed Alma had a professional still photograph of herself instead of the outline all the rest of us had when we had disabled video. I wondered how she did that.

Both of us decided to signup for a retreat with Melissa and Inner Soul Retreats. We convened in Canadensis, Pennsylvania from September 26-29, 2019. There were a lot of serendipitous events with each other. Although we could have been far apart in the assigned bedrooms, we were right next to each other. Almost every time we gathered in a circle to participate in a spiritual session, we sat next to each other. Sometimes that empty chair would open up, seemingly out of nowhere. When Alma joked about it, Melissa told us we were meant to work together.

During a block of free time, Alma, myself and two other ladies hiked from our lodge toward the main hotel. I remember avoiding the trail up to the Zipline like it was cursed. Overcoming my fear of the Zipline experience another life changing event I shared with Alma.

About the Video Class

I’ve followed Alma on her YouTube Vlog, noting her incredible video offerings. When I needed a recommendation about a tripod for my iPhone, I messaged her on Facebook. She suggested the Jobi Gorillapod. It was just what I needed, perfect for videotaping my exercise sessions and all my Zoom sessions. I felt even more confident about her knowledge.

Next, I sprang for a 1:1 video class. Before hand, Alma sent me a fact sheet and instructions to download or verify two Apps. During the class she shared her phone to show me exactly what she was doing. I chose to use my iPad for the sharing, leaving my iPhone free to follow along. This hands-on / demonstration technique worked extremely well for me.

Demonstration of the Results

Immediately afterward, I went out in my front yard with my iPhone, looking for wildlife. For days I’d seen an orange and black butterfly on my Pentas plants. He was there again and I shot this video, uncut and original.

Using the techniques Alma showed me, I created this edited version.

 

LessonS Learned

Perhaps you have no interest in how to make gorgeous videos yourself. But I see so many applications. In the butterfly video, I was able to positively identify the Monarch butterfly by freezing the frames. Then by slowing down the video speed, we can all enjoy it much more. In contrast, the photo at the top of this article is a very similar butterfly, the Viceroy, that allowed me lots of time to photograph her in my backyard. Do you see how it would be difficult to distinguish between these very different butterflies live during their erratic flight?

Do you like taking videos at a family event? With Alma’s class, you will learn about simple equipment that will diminish ‘hand shake. Additionally, she will show you how to do voice overs while still preserving the voices of the people in the event. Certainly, I will never hesitate to create a video, knowing I can clean it up later.

Over all, the biggest lesson learned is to follow your intuition. When you feel that tingle on your arms, fullness in your chest, or queasiness in your gut, consider it might be your intuition speaking to you through your body. It’s very different than that voice in your head filling you with negative thoughts.

I’d love to hear from you if you have any questions about this article. Write a comment, or better yet, signup for my newsletter so you won’t miss a blog and you’ll receive extras I reserve just for my subscribers.

Happy Creative Videotaping,
Dawn

How I Started Writing Again

It’s been difficult to write during the stress of COVID-19. Yet I started writing again. Some would say it was coincidence that I saw an interview with Windy Lynn Harris, one of my writing mentors. I don’t believe in coincidence. Rather I believe in serendipity via Divine intervention, help from above, the hand of fate, or whatever words best describe a greater power for you.

A Little Background

My professional writing career began five years ago in May 2015. I had received an invitation to attend Julie Colvin’s Wellness Writer Retreat in Sedona, Arizona. Living in Colorado at the time, I drove, which is a favorite pastime for me.

Lisa Fugard and Windy Lynn Harris were featured authors, giving us writing prompts, feedback and incredible support. After the retreat, I continued studying with these two writers in Bootcamps. Both women continue to support and inspire me.

The Interview

Julie Duffy of StoryADay.org interviewed Windy about Flash Fiction, a type of literary writing that is usually a very short read, often under 500 words. The Tweet showed up in my feed and I clicked on the link. I delighted hearing Windy’s familiar voice with her excitement for writing. It inspired me to check into the StoryADay concept.

StoryADay Concept

It’s pretty obvious to me that I would be writing a story every day. You might think that would be intimidating to someone who hasn’t worked on their writing project in months. In contrast, I was excited about it.

This challenge began in 2010. Funny how so many great things start on the mark of a decade. I signed up and received a packet of information about this year’s StoryADay May Challenge. The rules are very loose, but the concept is still writing a story a day.

Since most participants know this is coming, Julie began building the excitement in April. I missed that, seeing Windy’s interview exactly one week ago on May 1st. My blog post from last week served as my first story. Then I began writing new stories everyday.

My Result Taking The Challenge

My deep desire to write was given a kickstart. The words flow without effort on the very first attempt. And with each new prompt, I find renewed excitement. It fills my day with joy and accomplishment.

“But I’m not a writer,” you say.

It doesn’t matter your call to action, your life purpose, your reason for being. What matters is listening, observing, knowing when serendipity enters your life. And then acting on it.

I’d love to hear what coincidence occurred in your life recently. Write a comment, or better yet, signup for my newsletter so you won’t miss a blog and you’ll receive extras I reserve just for my subscribers.

Loving Life,
Dawn