Category: Living My Inspired Life

Moving On Can Feel Unsettling

Moving on can feel unsettling. I was feeling I’m going to miss this view of the lake… Ahhhh. Emotion, holding onto the past.

A lot of my life was spent on lakes and lakeshores. Time with family, time when I felt connected, also a lot of unhealthy connections. In contrast, the mountains of North Carolina will give me the stability I need and desire to grow and prosper. I can let go of the emotional tie to water, to home, to my father. Especially to father because he grew up near here from birth to the age of ten, exploring the swamp and palmetto stands, barefoot with his protector, a dog named Dolly.

After the family grove froze, they found higher ground on the shore of Lake Crystal where he lived 50 years. It is also where I grew up, exploring the yard, grove and swamp on the edge of that lake. There are memories of him in North Carolina too. Mountains of Saguache County And certainly with mountains. The mountains of Saquache County, Colorado. Those memories are about broadening horizons, fire in creating tools, moving forward, hiking, and accomplishment.

Although moving on can feel unsettling, we can choose to find new, inspiring ways to bring the memories of the past into our present. Kayaking on the New RiverExploring the New River on a sit-on-top kayak is one way I’ll enjoy the water in a healthy, moving forward fashion. Exploring this oldest river brings me a tangible connection between my own past and the new life I now enjoy.

Finally, balance in my life, with the three elements of Fire, Water, and now Earth.

Mountains have always filled my heart with wonder – the view of Mt. Evans in Colorado and now the view of Mt. Jefferson in North Carolina.

Although moving on can feel unsettling, it is necessary for true growth.

May your life’s unsettling moments show you the life path you are meant to follow with infinite love, trust, and gratitude.

Truly, a new world dawning begins in your heart today.

When the Soul Speaks – Listen

When the Soul Speaks – listen. Our souls speak to us everyday, but most of us don’t hear it. We dismiss all the information we receive, even if it’s screaming at us.

The photo above is three of us ‘girls’ at the 50th high school reunion check-in table. Certainly, it is common to wear black to any function. It is instantly elegant, most people look good in it, and it makes us appear thinner, right?

Usually, I opt for bright colors, but this time I chose black and white. Although the pattern is certainly flame-like. This is a hint of my Sagittarius self, one of the fire signs. Did my soul know this perfect picture was coming later when I plucked this blouse from the hanger? I think, “Yes!”

Likewise, my soul was adamant that I stay out with the name tags until there were no more arrivals.  This time, when the soul speaks – listen was heeded. Eventually, I had to go into the crowded, noisy room full of people I thought I needed to see.

All the energy of the room felt like I was walking through a curtain of kelp on the ocean floor, intent on finding a safe spot where I could observe rather than feel boxed in.

You can see in this picture, I found that safe spot at the back of the room. Furthermore, two people I didn’t know were at the table. Perfect!

Now, step back, squint your eyes a little. What do you notice?

Yes, it’s the perfect yin yang symbol setup behind me with my blouse a sort of portable yin  yang statement, anchoring the photo.  Here’s a funny ‘behind-the-scenes’ fact. I had just finished eating a fabulous healthy green salad, southern green beans, and the best tenderloin steak ever from The Catering Company of Central Florida . As my friend, Larry, snapped the photo, I could just imagine all the green stuff in my teeth and gums. Therefore, my smile is very much subdued… for me.

A Week in the Life

A week in the life of..someone who graduated high school 50 years ago. I remember my mother’s 50th high school reunion and thought at the time, “Wow! Fifty years? Mom sure is old.” Oops! Now it’s my 50th reunion year, but I’m not as old is she was… right?

A Week in the Life of

Listening and Trusting

This week I listened to my inner voice, my intuition often. When a feeling was strong, I trusted the likelihood it might be important. One synchronicity stands out. Some background first…

50 Years or a Half Century

This year marks the 50th year since I graduated from high school. My older sister, Lila, graduated the year before me. Over the years, I was kind of envious that she graduated on a decade year. She would celebrate her class reunion at the turn of the century and her 50th in 2020. Furthermore, they’ve planned multi-year reunions since their 10th. Although I could have attended her class reunions, I never did until I signed up in January of 2020, expecting to attend my sister’s 50th reunion in June. Then plans went awry.

In the wake of COVID, the Class of 1970 rescheduled their 50th reunion numerous times. When it became apparent it would fall on the anniversary year of the juniors in their high school yearbook, they magnanimously formally invited my class to join in. That was convenient!

Now the Synchronicity

My letter with the ticket to the Class of 1970 50th reunion arrived late in June. The first thing I noticed was my last name was wrong on the envelope. Since Facebook has been the primary information hub, I used Messenger to let Janet, the organizer, know about the faux pas, mentioning that I wanted to insure my name was correct on the name tag.

She replied that my classmate, Vondie, was working on the reunion name tags for my class. Yet, the host class was planning to use handwritten ‘Hello’ name tags. Since I loved this type of work and I knew Vondie since elementary school I volunteered to make sure all the attendees had the same cool name tags.

The research frenzy began. I located two yearbooks of my own, picked up two more from Janet, and contacted another friend who had scanned yet another year book. As a perfectionist, I was in my element!

By July 4th, I finally took a close look at the calendar.. there were exactly twenty days before the big event. Yikes!

It Takes a Village…

Two days ago, I posted the current list of reunion attendees on the private Facebook account for the reunion and asked for corrections in spelling, class year or missing names. The village chipped in and the list both improved and grew. Of course, seeing who else is attending upped the excitement of all. And now the list is so much better!

This weekend, I have my part of the name tag project clear in my mind. I’ve left the best for last… scanning the class of 1970’s year book. Oh, and of course clipping over 100 photos. Today marks one week I’ve been working on the name tag project. It’s been fun and rewarding. By the time I see my classmates, I’ll know their names and faces by heart… of course they may have changed in fifty years!

A week in the life of a retired and somewhat homebound caregiver has grown even busier, and I love it! What an opportunity to contribute to the success of the Class of 1970’s 50th Reunion.

Go Hornets!

Love,
Dawn