Embracing Positivity

Each month, the host of the Spiritual Journey Thursday community invites others to walk along life's path. When the invitation sent by Bob Hamera, aka arjeha, arrived in my email, I realized that the prompt, attitude, would be an appropriate one for me. Bob asked the Spiritual Journey community to take a look at our attitude and how it affects not only ourselves but also others.

 

As the community knows, I am walking a tightrope since the sudden passing of my husband in April. Each day, I wake praying to find a new avenue that will restore my soul, revive my heart, and renew my life. Unfortunately, at the end of most days, I find myself standing in a vast ocean of unpredictable, swishing waves, realizing that my emotions are scattered across the sea's waters. Another image appears, a remembrance of days at the ocean, watching the tide ebbing and flowing at a rapid pace. My feet sink into the sand, and my body falls into the cold water, unable to rise with balance. . .

After reading Bob's invitation, I realized that a new attitude is exactly what I needed. By chance, I found an interesting quote on the Purposely. podcast, "Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it." As in the Bible (Phillippians 2:5), Apostle Paul advocates for a new attitude: "Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus." Paul is speaking about having a humble and selfless mindset like Jesus. These thoughts may have been hiding all along, since I believe in a positive mindset. Now, I am ready once again to spark the fire that filled my heart with positivity. This is a necessity. I need to walk the spiritual journey with hope and faith and not waddle in the darker side of life that interferes with a positive attitude. With a strong mindset, faith, and hope, my goal will be to minimize the grief and anxiety I often feel. 

I am grateful for our Spiritual Journey host and community of faithful writers, and am eager to read each blog post. You can join us here if interested.

#SOL22 March Musings Day 14: A Day in Six-Word Memoirs

Have you ever thought of your life as a series of six-word memoirs. "A Day in Six-Word Memoirs" is an interesting format being used as a writing prompt on Two Writing Teachers. I am not sure who shared the format but I thought it was a good way to reflect on a day. (If you know who offered this format, please let me know.)

MARCH 14TH

day overstuffed with a to-do list

NOW

scurrying around to finish another task

APPRECIATE

late-night writing when all is quiet

MUST

tired of thinking, prepare for surgery

POSITIVITY

new lens, new view on life

      ©CV2022 

March 14th is now. Tackle the must-do tasks of each day with faith and positivity.

Appreciate life!

YOUR TURN

Can you write your day in a six-word memoir? Find the positives of any one-day mixed in with the must-dos.

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for this daily meeting place to connect with a community of reflective writers. 

A Case of the Pandemic Blues

Enough is enough!  I have noticed a dip in my positivity level each time life stressors interfere (way too many times to count). Can I categorize this new felt loss as the pandemic blues? 

"A mid-summer poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation reported over half of US adults indicated the pandemic has affected their mental health." (Article, Beating the Pandemic Blues)

I count myself as one of those affected by the stresses of pandemic life. Back at the end of February, my husband and I signed a contract to build a new home in Virginia near my little granddaughters. Who knew that COVID-19 would rear its ugly head a few weeks later changing my perspective in so many ways. Yesterday morning I paused to reflect on the happenings of the past nine months, building a home virtually and almost selling my Long Island home five times if you count interested prospective buyers. All of this has left me with weakened resolve but yesterday I found a bit of clarity. 

An incessant all day downpour turned the sky dark while drenching my newly-decorated porch. Fresh poinsettias sat beautifully in pots standing like poised guards waiting for yet another prospective buyer. The rainstorm negated that visit and caused my new plants to become rainsoaked. I ran outside to rescue them. Poor me, I thought. There would be no walks today, no finding small details in nature to bring peace. But then, I decided this outlook would only cause more distress so when I caught an interesting sight from my bedroom window I took a closer look. Nature was sounding off with gusts of wind and a downpour unlike those seen in many weeks. There was a strong windshift and pendulating swings of tree branches. I decided to pause and indulge in a few moments of relaxed self-care, just taking time to watch nature at work. Later, the following digital poem evolved.

I decided that If my poinsettias and decorations could withstand the relentless outbursts of nature during trying times, then I could, too. While my future path many not be a smooth one, I am ready to start thinking about the urgency of self-care: getting hold of my emotions and not letting the howl of pandemic blues deprive me of joy. It is with resolve to move forward that I will keep the following quote front and center.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain." 

-Author Vivian Greene

☔

It's Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers so I am moving over to join the writing community because writing is one of my happy places.  

 

March Musings #19: Lucky To:

When growing up, I always heard about the luck of the Irish. Good luck is for everyone and is often developed from positive mindsets. I am fortunate to have been raised in a talented family with strong female role models. From my grandmother and mother, I learned how to be nurtured by my passions. Creativity is a gift and developing it is a lifelong journey of persistent observation, practice, and patience. Below is my digital inspiration on being lucky created with Buncee. 

Close-up of a blackout poem I created based on Wonderopolis' Wonder of the Day, #1649, "Why are Four-Leaf Clovers So Hard To Find?".

 I am lucky to be part of several writing groups and the Connected Educator initiative where positivity is at the foundation. 
**************************

 

Day 19 of Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life Story Challenge.

March Musings #3: Celebrate This Week

One day warm enough to walk outside with a light jacket-another day bundled up to stay grounded during a nor'easter - strange weather patterns happened this week. 

While it was great getting outdoors for a walk in the sunshine, the sudden change created quite a stir on Long Island. Unfortunately, many limbs from our majestic trees in the neighborhood were strewn around the ground with remnants of thrown-over garbage cans.

The good news is that the expected power outage on Friday never happened so I was able to continue baking for the Sunday Oscar parting my family and I are attending. 

But then this morning, I opened a text from my daughter that was dated last night. During the nor'easter two of the trees on their property toppled over and landed very close to their home. "We're at a hotel." 

Shocked by the news, I scurried to make a call and then, a Google Hangout to see that everyone was fine.  Relieved that all was okay for the time being, we said our goodbyes and would wait for more news. Stay tuned...

🙋While there may have been uncomfortable situations this week, the positives outweigh the issues. At Mass tonight, I was thankful and felt blessed.

Each week Ruth Ayres Celebrates This Week at her blog site. I am grateful for this writing community that celebrates the positives of life. I am also grateful for the March Slice of Life writing community at Two Writing Teachers.

                                                Day 3

Curve Ball

Has life ever thrown you a curve ball when you least expect it? 

Life is fragile and uncertain and you can't predict when the curve balls come your way. I have seen many a curve ball in my life but this spring into summer has brought a few new ones. Curve ball #1 was thrown out in the late spring just before our first grandchild was to be born. My husband had a horrible case of shingles. The pain was intense and constant, localized around the eyes. The eye specialist and internist wanted him isolated. That news sent shock waves. How would we see our grandchild when she was born? Our faith was tested but we managed to get through that ordeal and travel to see our sweet granddaughter right after she entered the world.

Now, a new crisis has risen. It appeared suddenly and without warning. This time the pain is more excruciating that the shingles virus. It radiated from my husband's lower back and down into his leg that became numb. There have been three days of doctor visits, tests, and no let up in the pain. We are now faced with the reality that my husband may not be able to travel to Cape May for our summer holiday weekend with our grandbaby. 

It is interesting that this week I wrote about life living moments. While this is not a joyful time, it is a real life living moment. Many people experience times of crisis. They are part of life. The hard part is that these moments rob the joy (temporarily). While medical problems are tests of faith, they are also opportunities to work through the struggle. 

I may have sunk into the depths of the muddy water over this matter but I know that this is not where I want to stay. As I searched the internet for positive thoughts, I found this wonderful quote by Maya Angelou that has steered me in the right direction.

Tonight, I decided to celebrate the curve balls in life, rather than feel defeated, using positivity and faith as my lifelines. Reflection and writing seem to be ways for me to rise above the funk. Tomorrow morning starts a new day of hope!

It's time to Celebrate This Week with Ruth Ayres, so I use this post as a guiding piece for a new day. 

Connecting With Great Educators

It is amazing how a great, online conversation can broaden your perspective and leave you pondering even after the convo. One day later and I am still thinking about the flow of tweets from last night's #NYEDChat convo on Twitter with Jimmy Casas. During the chat, a connected energy was harnessed as we discussed What Great Educators Do Differently. Today's stream of tweets, encouraged deeper thinking on my part.

*****

Many tweets went by.

I sit still pondering a reply.

I return from a state of quiet to write.

Connected educators are a mix of spring blossoms,

Positivity, possibilities, and potential-a simple bouquet

Scenting the morning air with fragrant garden freshness. 

Great educators examine their understandings.

A positive spirit of good will and respect fill their talk.

Possibilities (unlimited) frame their mindset and lead their walk.

Potential is what is envisioned to extend their journey of growth.

It is within a thriving, borderless community of shared networking that

Lasting relationships are solidified, collaborative efforts promoted, and 

Engines of the mind ignited to collectively impact teaching and learning.

From these swirling thoughts, 

Digital inspirations previously created 
Swept across my screen as promising mantras.

The journey to connect and grow as a collective body of professionals is one that should not be walked alone. Have you reaped the benefit of a connected network of great educators? If not, it is time to grow your PLN with edufriends who think beyond the box, are risk takers, and understand the wisdom of passing on ownership of learning to their students. 

I am posting this to Two Writing Teachers for Slice of Life Tuesday tonight. With gratitude for this outstanding group of connected educators who honor the practice of writing by honing their craft each week, I share my thoughts. 

Spring Celebrates Life

Spring is when life's alive in everything.

-Christina Rossetti

Whether the rains fall in torrential waves, there is a chill in the air, or the sun shines brightly, spring sends out messages of love and renewal. Recently on Long Island, there have been many looks to springtime, all leading me to celebrate springtime.

Last weekend there was a twelve hour span of beautiful sunshine for our Shower of Love-a celebration of life growing!

 

This glorious day was followed by cleansing rains throughout the week that brought more life to my gardens. Hofstras and herbs popped in their garden beds. The peonies are ready to burst open and the front planters of colorful flowers are looking regal.

Springtime honors life in its many forms. At the end of this week, I look back on life through a positive lens. There were several springtime celebrations, a baby shower, spring rain showers, a fundraiser for beautiful, handmade African jewelry and accessories, a professional learning opportunity, an art gala, and time to spend with family and friends. 

  

 

Balance and tranquility flowed, as it should when you look at life with a positive outlook. 

May you find positivity this coming week in all that you do and celebrate the wonder of life in springtime!

I am "Celebrating This Week" with Ruth Ayres so please visit Ruth's site to read how the community of bloggers celebrated their week. 

March Musings 15: Party On!

A party is just what this frozen winter day needs to perk me up so I am accepting Leigh Anne Eck's invitation to her party for slicers. 

I am to bring five of my favorite things. What would you bring? Here are my choices:

1.  Positivity-the spirit that brings joy to any event

2. My tray of biscotti and chocolate chip cookies for all to sample

3. Book to discuss "in the deep woolen dark" of evening: Before Morning by Joyce Sidman (It just came in the mail.)

4. iPhone to take photos of a winter night 

5. Online app, FotoJet, to create a memory or a winter meme

Thanks Leigh Anne for the invitation. I'm delighted to add my name to the guest list.

Deb at Coffee with Chloe

Deb at Primary Perspective 

Kendra at Simply Learning Together

Jennifer at Sweet Writing Life

Michelle at One Grateful Teacher

Ramona at Pleasures from the Page 

Lauren at Taxonomy of a Teacher

Diane at Newtreemom

Loralee at This and That

Denise at Dare to Care

Linda (the original partier!) at Teacher Dance

Amy at Runner, Reader, and Rockin' Mom

This post is the 15th in the series titled March Musings for Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life

 Story Challenge

Some Kind of Wonderful

It's Saturday morning. The sun is shining but the cold air smacks me in the face as I set off to drive to a daylong work assignment. The highway is clear but then again it is Saturday. I start to relax at the wheel taking in the sights until I reach a congested spot where drivers seem to be in a frenzy of motion. 

Two cars break my concentrations as they twist and turn down the highway but a song on the radio reminds me to take a breath and relax as before. Some Kind of Wonderful by the Drifters plays with a soft, melodic tone and I start reflecting on what is wonderful about the start of the day.

Recounting the some kind of wonderfuls helped me to forget any negativity on the road and life. I celebrate the some kind of wonderful feeling that allows me to capitalize on the positive aspects of my week. 

This has been a week of poetry in motion. 

Eye on Women

Rise

Day 3 of Laura Shovan's #10FoundWords Project

Day 4 of Laura Shovan's #10FoundWords Project

Let Kindness Spread

I celebrate with Ruth Ayres tonight at Celebrate This Week. You will be interested by what Ruth has to say this week. It made me stop and reflect.