Somehow I just didn't choose well

My life has been anything but serene this year. Less so than most, really. I'll be listening for a more appropriate choice for next year. It seems this was just out of my control. At least "mindful" was something I could work on or be aware of.
I could make a list, a long one really, of why this year has been less than serene, but really, what is the point?
So, I'll spend the days remaining of 2011 listening for the word. Listening. Maybe that is the word.?

Still cloudy but I found a ray of sunshine

a peaceful descent

 in cleaning out that mind cluttering basement.  9 1/2 hours, 5 bags of trash, a carload-and I do mean load of stuff to Goodwill, and a large plastic tote of things to try to sell or give to someone I know, and a big pile for the recyclers has left me with a basement that is at least somewhat organized, maneuverable and really has given me a little serenity for this no-work Friday. I'm going to do some art, cooking and reading. I already went to Day's for my celebration latte by Chris who makes me a pretty design and a latte that taste like a toasted marshmallow. Super good. Oh, and because I couldn't go to the bank without walking pass Kizito I was rewarded a hard to come by unless requested Apple Ginger Muffin. Ah, the little rewards in life.
Ironically, I read this post today which reminded me, I really need less stuff and then I wouldn't need to reorganize. So true.
Here are the before and after pics of basement. Keep reminding me I need less stuff.....

a right at the end of the stairs

view at bottom of stairs

This was by the door to garage

after toward garage door

path to closet

That area at the foot of stairs now

 latte

Lessons

I'm learning the hard way that Serenity is very much a state of mind. It's sort of the "love the one you're with", "bloom where you are planted" scenario in which you get to make some choices, but for the most part you learn to find peace in the moment.
It has been a challenging year. Lawsuits from neighbors, aging parent, adult children finding their way, business ownership....
But, so far it has also been a wonderful year and I am learning to focus on the wonderfulness.  I have found a new church community that is diverse and interesting, led by an inspiring woman.  It is creative and loving but perhaps what I like most right now is how accepting it is of people, whoever they are, wherever they are and they love celebrations. I'm all about celebrating anything and everything!
My former church is far from home and as I get older I am finding peace in staying close and discovering new things about my community, being a better steward in a way. I'll maintain my Wednesday morning prayer group in the east end, as it has been a source of strength, comfort, inspiration, and love for many a year. The women there are wise and I wouldn't have known them any other way, and really, they have been my "church" for several years.
My farewell to the other church is bittersweet. My best friend still goes there (thankfully on Wednesday AM, too) and we won't be coming up with high jinks togethers as one of the BRAS-back row altos any more, my children were raised with the help of some of those folks as I was a single mom-which was the main reason I stayed there, one less change for them, and I felt a sense of duty to serve there in gratitude. So, it is sad to let go of that but the gratitude will always be there. But, it has some not so fond memories associated with it as well and it is freeing to let go of those.
I've had two weeks with very little work to do in my business, which is a little scary when it comes to paying bills, but has afforded me a great time of rest and fun in preparation for the last quarter which is always my busiest time of the year. I've had serenity to enjoy it as the beginning of the year was busy and there is money in the bank for this slow time. Joy, joy!
My plans for play today have been thwarted by the clouds. I wanted to experiment with my new light reactive dyes and it is the cloudiest day we've had in months! But, peace will come from a few hours spent in the depressing basement of JUNK, making it less depressing and more mind freeing, so really in the long run it will be a boost to serenity spending some time down there. If I'm brave enough, I'll take some before and after pictures. Just try not to faint from the horror of the original condition.
Still pursuing....it's a journey. Isn't it always?

And another quarter year has passed

This year has been anything but serene on many fronts. And rather than write about all of the ways it hasn't been and all of the ways I wish it had, I just haven't written.  But, I have tried to incorporate a little serenity into the beginning of my day.  I spend a few minutes in bed thinking about loved ones, whispering prayers for each of them and hopes for the day which is a nice alternative to shutting off the alarm and hoping out of bed and into the shower. So a slower pace has led to a little slice of serenity.  The year is just half over so perhaps the next 1/2 will bring more thoughts and realization of serenity.
Still seeking....... I may have just not been in tune with myself this year.  I have been doing a lot of self-discovery, oh, maybe that was supposed to be my word?

Starting slowly

I got started right away but my progression is slow.  I'm really feeling the need to streamline for serenity. I'm trying to be serene during the process and not do it like a mad woman.

My first step has been to have a glass of water every morning when I first get up. Sounds weird, I know. But, I tend to rush into the kitchen, make coffee which is dehydrating and skip what my body really needs.
So, I am finding it calming to have a glass of water and think about the day ahead.

I've started organizing. Preparing for the holidays had me digging into my built-in storage cabinet in the dining room where platters, candle holders, vases, etc. are kept.  It is a tumbling down place where I want to scream every time I need something.

I saw the massive amounts of storage containers at Target this week and picked out a few co-ordinating, cheery green and clear containers for this cabinet. I absolutely love it! I can access things I want-easily and move aside what I don't to get to what I do-easily... Yea, yea, yea!

I moved out the silver accessories, sadly in need of polishing because they are used infrequently, to the basement. Oh, woe is me when the basement day arrives, but- I don't live in the basement. I do live in the dining room.  Remaining are platters and glass serving pieces, a soup tureen I love but don't use often, vases (all together), my iron and spray starch (which oddly are most convenient here), and then my bins of candle holders, candles, tea lights, some seasonal decorating accessories. Not a heaping pile of things that tumble over as I try to retrieve something.

In the process I put several things in my donate bag, threw several things away and found a handful of items that I thought friends would use and gave them to them last night. They were thrilled and so was I.

I'm happy just opening it up and looking at it.

Ah.....

New year, a new word

For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

-

T.S. Eliot 

Love a new year, it gives one reason to reflect, review, anticipate... So it is again. I decided that the word that best summed up the desire of my heart was serenity.
I want to streamline my possessions. I want to take more time for inner exploration which may leave less for more visible pursuits, but maybe not.
Let's see what a year in pursuit of serenity looks like and where it leads.
What's your word? Where are you wanting to go?

The end of a mindful year

I think mindful was a good word for 2010. I've had plenty to be mindful of and I do think it has helped me accomplish what I hoped and that was to be more aware of my life and not let it pass me by. I realize a difference in my perception of time as I get older. It goes by a lot faster now and before I know it another year passes so fast it was a blur. So, my goal was to just soak it in a little more. Not to be a member of the human race who was literally-racing.
It is a hard thing for me because I love doing and trying new things, new recipes, new crafts, new challenges, new work. It is stimulating...... and exhausting at the same time.
So, I was more mindful even though it still sped at a pretty good clip, mindful that a few themes like, love, gratitude, justice came up over and over again.
But, mostly it was all about the love.

Thanks for journeying with me!