Since I can’t truthfully say I don’t “do” change any more, I’ve decided to consider new shit thrown at me as opportunities. Or, at least I’m SAYING that they are. (I’ve been inspired by some amazing and fabulous women lately.) I will be trying on the word “adaptable” for a bit to test that out too. We’ll see how long it lasts (and whether I CAN stretch far enough to get comfortable with these concepts, and not just break entirely).
Obviously the turning-50-no-more-smoking-menopause-move-around-everyday revamping has been succesful. No negatives have come out of all that nonsense. (Except for the weight gain, but ya know, at some point these physical body things are simply not within our control. And I’m addressing that now, so…. still counts.) When NEW newness shows up I still seem to have that GAH!!! panic-ish reaction deep down.
After I’ve had a bit of time (remember our 90 seconds allowance?) I can examine the “opportunity” and see where it fits and how it will be beneficial. Several of these items have recently appeared. One is all about me, and the other is barely peripherally involving me. (FINE! Neither one is about me in the least, but they are both me-adjacent.)
This is a gorgeously local made candle (with an ocean theme!) that I received, from one of my not-technically-mine children, a few days ago. Whitney has been in our lives since she and Empress met in elementary school. Her parents have helped us above and beyond all imaginably generous ways. Heather is Emmy’s other mother, as I am Whit’s. Dr Dave was our “anesthesiologist to the stars” for all of my mom’s and sister’s surgeries (and few of Dan’s too I think, or if not him, a partner for sure). We are like family, only better: family without the crappy parts.
Whitney gave me this thoughtful and lovely present because she didn’t have room for it right now, she’s moving (today, in fact). To California! To live and work on a farm! Did you hear the part about California?! As in, NOT Oregon?! Yeah, and she’s also NOT actually my child. But we text and we chat and we stay in touch and have blogs and and and …. well, I do wish her incredible joy in this new adventure. And I thank her for the candle. (Check in, Whit!)
The other “opportunity” in my life is that Daniel will be protecting Mayberry differently starting next week. (He goes in two hours early.) Politics and administration are to blame, but as far as the job goes, it’s probably a perfectly reasonable move. I will need to adapt. For two days out of the week. Starting on Wednesday. THIS Wednesday.
Oh, and speaking of flexibility, my day took a turn this afternoon that I wasn’t prepared for. Fine. I just kept going, but I was certainly thrown off-balance right from the start because of it. There were three tasks on my To Do list, events that would happen before I sat down here. Beginning with the Open House. Yeah. There wasn’t one. I don’t know why, but I arrived there. To find no signs.
Carrying on, like a grown-up, I just went past. Pliability engaged. Cross THAT off, head straight in to Number Two then. Which was (supposed to be) just getting a few food items. Hmm, also not really a great, nor desirable, result. OKAY! I can do this! (The mental pep talk was LOUD at this point.)
When I got home all that was left to do was trudge. I invited my Beloved along to join me, he was conveniently available. But because he had work tonight, we needed to be fairly rapid, no stopping for pictures or fartin’ around. Not the full extended route either, (we both kept checking the time) but a good solid 4+ miles. Still okay! I’m supple and stretchy, I can go with the flow, no worries from me! (Shut up, I’m really trying here.)
Our card today came up direct, on all levels. As I was wrapping my hair after showering, I thought, “oh yeah, play to your strengths, and CHANGE has just never been one of mine.” Then, in response, I heard, “yet. So far. Up ’til now anyway. Change changes too.” (I seem to get lots of my infused knowledge when I’m sort of upside down or crooked in some way.)
“Strength ~ 8 ~ Major Arcana”
Let’s begin with the number. Eight is the Infinity sign, only sideways. It is the physical manifestation of Forever, the endless opportunities as gifts from the Universe. We have all the chances we need to be successful, in whatever fields we choose. There is never a shortfall, there is never three strikes you’re out. It is the never-ending blessing of Do Overs.
What is our strong suit? What do we do well without even realizing it? Where is our quiet strength that others wish they could do so perfectly? When we ask these questions it starts our brains searching for the answers. Often they just appear, often they are right there in front of us. But sometimes, we have to go a-hunting.
We might have a talent that we’ve set aside, or one that we thought we’d “grown” out of. Maybe it’s a natural aptitude that we’ve let go but would really like to reinstate into our daily lives. Possibly it’s even something we feel we are missing, and yet have never actually done in this life. (I have this with music, it’s a past life thing.)
To acknowledge our Strength we have to be honest. To realize that we are doing something so brilliant (that comes naturally to us, but is such a trial to others) is absolutely a precious gift. Say Thank You. Not everyone CAN do what we do. Not everyone wants to, true. But that doesn’t mean our talent is not important. Since we all have our own individual value, we are bound to have our own individual Strengths.
Being grateful for our gifts and talents and blessings is also a Strength, so let’s be aware of our gratitude today. If an “opportunity” arrives on our doorstep, let’s accept it gracefully, as the Strength we are now adaptable enough to receive.
Today’s Deck:
Robin Wood Tarot
Foreign License Plate Report:
Minnesota, Missouri (which looks WAY too much like BC), Iowa, and Florida.
EasyWeigh Report End Of Week Four:
I fell off the plateau, gracelessly. Total weight loss at this point is twelve and a half. Last week was a full pound gone, which at first I was very bothered by. But today, as I was getting dressed, I noticed that I’m back to wearing my “fat” pants without strain. So obviously, making progress. I know, slow is fast. I’m just glad the numbers are going in the correct direction. And no, I won’t be giving up my scale, it’s how I measure, so don’t even suggest it. Besides, it’s one of Allen’s recommendations, and I’m all over this “programme” still. It works for me. That’s all I need to know.
You, me and AC. I’m not fully on board yet. But I’m getting there.
I commend you on being changeable and adaptable today. I’m that way too much. Start out with plan a and somehow end the day with plan z.
What this card is telling me is that I’m actively resisting hearing what my highest self is screaming. On two levels. Dammit.
I just want to sit in my corner and read or write, coming out only to be with my gkids. Is that too much to ask? Apparently so.
Sorry. I’ll stop whining. But I ain’t going so far as gratitude. Yet.
I DON’T think that’s too much to ask, but then, the Universe rarely consults with me on these things.
(It TOTALLY SHOULD though.)
Had Baby Girl Gray for the day. It was wonderful, then went for dinner with friends. That was my day. And Nebraska, CA, WA license plates.
I like the strength card. I like change as opportunities. Well said, Julie.
Guess I had better update the old blog now that Mom is out of danger.
Mom is doing better? Pneumonia has passed? You’ll be here this month to walk and play and visit?!
Hope so Julie! We were just talking about it today. The Big Guy needs a train trip cause you know how much he likes trains.
I always view change with both deepest suspicion and unreasonable optimism, and I do that simultaneously. I must be so much fun to live with. But the little changes, like an alteration of routine or a change of plan, those freak me out something fierce. Yesterday they were out of wildflower honey at my local co-op and I had to get clover instead and it has made my tea taste “weird”. I regret to say I am not being stoic over this.
Fokker: I relate to not being stoic. My local stores stopped carrying the peanut butter I like: Laura Scudder’s No Stir Creamy. Cannot find No Stir at all anymore. It’s been over a year and I am still cranky about it, still look for it, and am peeved about the fact that the only similar PBs have honey or sugar in them. If I wanted sweet PB, I’d pour honey on it, but I don’t. And i hate having to stir my PB (it’s a huge chore that first time), and … anyway, long list of rants about it. Over. A. Year. You being non-stoic over a honey change just doesn’t sound bad at all.
Oh BF, of course your tea tastes “weird” -it’s all damn different! Buck up Pope, we’ll help you get through this, we’ve all been there.
I’ve not been a fan of change for some time now, even though I have changed my life completely a couple of times now and have made other large changes by choice. But I freak out over change, especially change that I do not initiate. A control thing, probably.
But that must change. So I will also look at change as “opportunity” and be grateful for being adaptable (I said my thank you’s right when you said to). Even when the change is to my medication and I get all sleepy and loopy for a couple of weeks.
Cranky-butt, that’s me right now.
Good job on the Thank You! We can totally do this.
I’m mentally wiped at the moment after writing back to you on the previous post. But the candle is stunning and I’m definitely going to grab the Strength card today.
Wow, symbolically your stability (spine) had really taken a beating. Strength is SO your message in this life, not just this day.
Have you done much with acupuncture? I know it has the ability to reroute healing signals so that the pain is diminished and surrounding muscles, tissues, etc, can do their own rebuilding.
I am so sorry that my poking at this made you cry.
(I did reply here, just so we could stay more current, but I’ll also go leave you a smiley on the original questioning comment.)
I had no clue they were changing Dan’s schedule. They did have a 1/2 day long sgts meeting that they didn’t really talk much about….I know they’ve done that with the resident deputies positions, but they’ve pretty much left the contracts alone.
It was rather sudden, and they (the two of them, you know which two) came to this compromise of their own accord.
Love the candle. Like the strength card. I try for flexibility and it works in some areas, in others not so much. I need to work on loosening up. My mantra should be “Be the willow. Be the willow in the breeze. Be the willow in the storm.” Instead, I’m always afraid that I’ll snap off a branch. : )
EVERYone should have that as their mantra!
(We need this on a Post It, STAT!)
Keep saying it, you’ll be feeling bendy in no time.
Just driving by on my way from crazy to insane to say, Yay for the decline! Slow and steady wins the race, right? And go you for rolling with the changes.
Carry on.
Thanks for driving by!
(Our condolences, although that was a damn fine game.)
Once upon a time, Mom, Dad, DH, me and the kids were on a trip together. (Oops, forgot the preamble: no one in my family is really good with change. In fact, we are really bad. One of us is known as Rut Man because he loves his rut.) We were put together (like we weren’t already!) into a group named the Fireweeds. Forever after, our mantra has been Fireweeds are Flexible. Often said through gritted teeth.
@Delia – want to meet for lunch at truly maniacal? Anyone else?
Great story!!! I am SO adopting this phrase now.
(Fireweeds ARE Flexible, dammit.)
(To your DH [yes I saw the FB picture], congratulations, that was a damn fine game.)
Sure, but I’ll have to make it short if I’m going to make it to stark raving mad before dinner.
twelve pounds!!! that is so great! congrats!
I think half of it’s back tonight…. even veggies are filling when you eat so many of them.
(Thank you!)
You are AWESOME. And that candle is the most gorgeous candle ever. And you are awesome. Just so you know.
I wonder about my talents… being bossy, sarcastic, disorganized, and geeky are not exactly talents. One thing, I guess, is noticing and encouraging talent in other people. I try to encourage everyone – well, everyone I like.
Ha, well thanks. I don’t feel very awesome, but you do keep telling me this, so perhaps some of it could eventually soak in.
True, the candle is exquisite and smells up the house beautifully.
Those are the talents of a leader, and a teacher, and a damn fine Mom! Sure, you are also a pretty great cheer leader/noticer/encourager as well.
(Who the hell encourages people we don’t like? That would just be silly.)