Character, Emotional Health, Health and Long Life, Holidays and Traditions, Spiritual Well Being, Uncategorized

It must be the fault of all those candles

June 13, 2013 Cherry Leave a comment

Birthdays wouldn’t be so hard if it wasn’t for the candles. The cake looks more like swiss cheese or a mini gopher colony once the candles are removed leaving pocks and potholes where the frosting used to be. My three-year-old granddaughter seizes the candles, licking off the frosting and then double dipping as she waits for me to cut the cake.

This year my candles would be difficult to arrange in orderly rows and ranks; an odd number; a prime age. Prudently and perhaps with a bit of thrift, my mother placed only three candles in the corner of the cake – just for tradition. So everyone could sing by candlelight. I took a breath and blew. Success. My grandchildren clapped and cheered and shouted, “Make a wish! Make a wish!”

Suddenly, I was stuck. Pop quiz! Make a wish. What do I wish for? Blank. Perplexed. It is such a heavy responsibility to have only one wish. There is a fear and shame that goes along with wishes. Fear that you might wish for something and be disappointed. Shame that you are engaging in wishful thinking and should shake a leg and do something about it.

“Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” What if I blow out all the candles and the magic works? What if I wish for the wrong thing, and get it? Let me think this through. If I make a wish, have I committed myself? After all, it is pure laziness to engage in wishful thinking and then take no action to make the thing you want or wish for come about.

What do I want? For me? Wishing and wanting, doesn’t that sound selfish? I have no wants. I don’t know what I want. So then, what do I need? Nothing, really, I have learned to get along. Poke me, I have no feelings. What do I want? I want to do the right thing; or rather, to not do the wrong thing. I want not to make a mistake.

Wait a minute, there is something deep inside that hungers for something more. What is it? What is that niggling thought? Like the spoiled little prince who cried out, “I want something hot as summer and cold as winter,” I am vaguely dissatisfied. I want, I want, something different; something new and wonderful. A new life, a new love, a new location, a new job. Really? Am I wishing for those things? What am I thinking of? What if the new life was just out of the frying pan and into the fire? What if it wasn’t what I wanted and I was sorry I left my old life? Do I even have energy for new love? Do I want a new location? Think, woman!

What is the right thing to wish for? World peace? World prosperity? Are those wishes I won’t feel guilty about? But, can I do anything about it?

Happy Birthday! You are thinking too much again. Who needs a birthday spanking when you can beat yourself up without even trying? It must be the fault of all those candles.

Uncategorized

Foto Friday

June 7, 2013 Cherry 1 Comment

Since Wild Wednesday was predominately Written Wednesday; here I follow up with Photo Friday

Delicate Arch – Arches National Park near Moab, Utah

Landscape Arch – Arches National Park, Utah

Delicate Arch as seen through an arch along the way. Arches National Park, Utah

Skyline Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

Character, Emotional Health, Goals and Dreams, Health and Long Life, Spiritual Well Being, Travel

A Wild Idea

June 5, 2013 Cherry 6 Comments

To begin with, I wasn’t even wearing my hiking shoes. My friend had prevailed on me to meet her at 8:30 a.m. to help sort recently moved boxes for a yard sale. Friends shouldn’t have to prevail, but Thursday morning begins my so-called weekend and I keep my mornings free to write and create. Late getting out of the shower, I headed to my phone to request an additional 15 minutes. There was a message waiting for me: Let’s make it 9 o’clock. At 10 after nine, I pulled in her driveway. I was wearing my denim work shorts and a T-shirt, and my Chucks. She was sitting in a sunny living room window in baggy capris, with a cup of coffee, reading. She groaned, “I don’t really want to pull boxes down from the garage attic. My head hurts. My body is already aching.”

“Well, we could just go out of town instead,” I quipped. “What I really wanted to do was go to Ft. Collins this weekend.” Her face perked up. We discussed this novel idea for a few minutes as we have mutual friends in Ft. Collins, in addition to two of my children. “But I don’t think we can get out of town before 10:00 and we would have to leave for home by 3:00 tomorrow afternoon -that’s hardly enough.”

She had a full tank of gas. In the end, we pooled our lunch, grabbed the first aid pack and an extra water bottle from my car and headed for Arches National Park in Utah. We didn’t take time to change clothes or run by my house. I was wearing Converse low cuts and my last pair of clean white socks. That is why my toes hurt. We hiked 5 miles and decimated several bottles of water. I was gone from home 12 1/2 hours. And to think, I was going to do my laundry after I helped sort boxes.

If you had determined to live each day as though you have been given 365 days to live, would you have gone hiking – or finished the laundry?

Character, Emotional Health, Goals and Dreams, Health and Long Life, Music and Theatre, Spiritual Well Being, Uncategorized

When was the last time you felt, IN THE PRIME OF LIFE?

May 31, 2013 Cherry Leave a comment

A few days ago, while searching for images to update and illustrate my writer’s profile, I came across a photo album titled, “Rancho.” Flipping the pages, this thought escaped me unbidden, “Man, was I ever in my prime! And I didn’t even know it.”

I was in my early forties when I co-wrote, co-directed, designed costumes, designed and constructed the sets for a children’s musical. It was a nearly charmed time in my life. At first I volunteered as pianist for a newly formed children’s choir, quickly became assistant / substitute director, costume designer, and organizational wizard. What a ride. Before the two year journey was up, I had organized and delivered a week of summer music camp activities, worked for a recording studio, helped produce four children’s church musicals and one Christmas CD. When those years culminated in “Rancho Prodigolly,” it was no longer just the director and me, but a full team complete with wardrobe director, choreographer, and stage hands.

It can be difficult to look back, see an astounding success, notice things have tapered off, and worry you are now past your prime. It is somewhat consoling to take a look at prime numbers. You will notice erratic gaps between seven and eleven; 23 and 29. The great thing about growing older is that I have seen enough to know that prime of life experiences come again and again. What makes it the prime of life for you? Is it having resources, money to do what you dream? Is it completing an advanced degree?

Prime for me is when somebody sees my value, my worth, puts me in that position and gives me free reign to shine. Given this affirmation, I prove myself beyond their expectations. But I have to reveal a little bit of myself, at least the tip of the ice berg, before anyone knows, before they think of me. Often, this revelation happens through volunteering or taking entry level jobs. Sometimes, it is an arduous journey between primes.

I don’t know about you, but I want another prime.

Does the prime of life refer to only a narrow corridor of years?

In my twenties, I was in the prime of life; entrepreneurial, physically more beautiful than I had ever been. In my thirties, I hit my stride writing scripts, musicals and getting other people where they needed to go. My forties yielded hours in the music classroom where I knew I was being fully she I was meant to be. Most recently, I have experienced prime moments, tiny snippets of time when I connected with a tutoring or piano student.

It can be an arduous and erratic journey between primes. I am making the journey. I feel another prime of life coming on. How about you? Where is your next prime?

Emotional Health, Health and Long Life, Photos, Uncategorized

Wild (Work) Wednesdays

May 29, 2013 Cherry Leave a comment

Ever feel like the place you work is a little wild? Today’s Wild Wednesday picture post is all about wild things at my seasonal place of work.

Wild Life. Desert bighorn ewe, March, 2013

Wild rocks, wild weather, Independence Monument, January, 2013

Wild Hogs at the visitor center, Colorado National Monument, August, 2012

Character, Emotional Health, Family, Goals and Dreams, Health and Long Life, Home and Hearth, Spiritual Well Being, Uncategorized

Gratitude brings happiness

May 24, 2013 Cherry 1 Comment

Some months ago, while car shopping, I posted on Facebook “ Red with a spoiler,…but will it make me happy?” And my 24- year-old daughter responded, “Yes, yes it will.” If you know my daughter and me, this exchange seems ludicrous, almost batty. We both know that things don’t make you happy, that money doesn’t buy happiness. We are accustomed to live frugally.

I know some things that do bring happiness: a heart full of gratitude, time spent with those I love, the sweet feeling of success large or small.

Within a week of purchasing the vehicle, I was able to travel to Ft. Collins and visit my two younger children. I had been desperate to see them for several months. I can take the car to work or into less accessible areas. When I return from a long hike and see my own *Red Pearl in the distance, it is like coming home. My heart is filled with gratitude.

When I began car shopping, I knew just what I wanted; a dependable, fuel conscious Subaru Outback, preferably red, within the scope of my savings account. The spoiler was unexpected lagniappe. So is the upgraded stereo system – literal music to my ears.

It is impossible to ever enjoy a feeling of success without having set goals – large or small. Reflection on goals met or sweet success brings contentment and confidence. The confidence comes from being able to say, “I did what I said I was going to do.”

Andrea commences the rest of her life May 2012

I got my children through school. I finished my degree. After much research, saving and shopping; I got the car I wanted. But these successes share some things in common. They all cost money, time, focus.

Money may not buy happiness, but it does augment the time I spend with those I love, the sweet feeling of success; and hey, money right when it is needed causes overwhelming gratitude.

This year, I’m going to do what I said I was going to do. I’m going to write a book. I’m going to live as though I have been given only 365 days to live. That is going to take time and focus. Oh, and undoubtedly some money.

* Red Pearl – sorta like the Black Pearl, and captained by a woman. The dealer certificate lists the color as regatta red pearl.

Photos

Wild (flower) Wednesday

May 22, 2013 Cherry Leave a comment

It’s time for Wild Wednesdays; the day I post photos of things I love that are wild.

May 15, 2013 No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail

May 15, 2013 Nature's landscape. Large Indian Paintbrush on No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail — May 15, 2013 Nature’s landscape. Large Indian Paintbrush on No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail

Little Barrel Cactus - Claret Cup - May 13, 2013 Gunni Loop Trail — Little Barrel Cactus – Claret Cup – May 13, 2013 Gunni Loop Trail

Everything blooms, even the willow. No Thoroughfare Canyon at the first pool, May 15, 2013

Addiction, Books and other Soul Food, Character, Emotional Health, Health and Long Life, Spiritual Well Being

Dueling with the daily despond

May 19, 2013 Cherry Leave a comment

Sometimes, I feel like I have only two settings for my moods; life is wonderful, or get me out of here. I am constantly observing my habits for ways to take charge of the daily despond. I am not talking about major, long-term, unrelenting depression here. A proper duel doesn’t last long. Someone wins. The other loses. The day moves forward. When I take on the daily despond of rising and getting going, I want to be the one who wins.

Maybe these heart healthy habits apply to you too.

Looking up Monument Canyon from Independence

Walk or hike daily. Second only to getting a good night’s rest, walking or hiking is the most deeply spiritual thing I do.

Make music Making music is right up there with walking and hiking as brain, heart and soul food. Singing or playing a wind instrument adds an aerobic bonus.

Read and Write – Sometimes, life is dissatisfying simply because I have not spent time in the company of great thinkers via a good book. Other times, penning a well turned phrase or two in my journal will bring contentment

Eat well I have experienced the jubilant feeling of wellbeing often enough to know that’s what I want every possible day. Eating well includes on time, often and healthful. Pinto beans are disastrous for my feelings; also, anything with caffeine – including chocolate. Too little sugar makes me droop. On the other hand, too much sugar is catastrophic. I suffer in body as well as spirit when I succumb to gorging on my favorite sweets.

As long as I make a beeline for the good things in life – apples, lovely salads, chicken and veggie stir fries, my body and my spirit communicate well. When I cave to the occasional temptation of carbonated drinks, an ice cream, wine or mixed drinks, I pay for it the the next morning – seldom with a headache, but frequently with a vague dissatisfied feeling of non-wellbeing.

Rise with the sun I like to let my body sleep in while my brain is waking up. Rising before dawn is a struggle. Whenever possible, I like to wake naturally with the dawn. Optimum for my frame of mind, is waking gradually without alarm and having a few moments between sleep and full speed ahead. In these moments, my brain and heart process new ideas and revelations. I notice what I really think or feel of a goal, problem or relationship after sleeping on it.

This idea is not unique to me. Melody Beattie recommends paying close attention to your first thoughts and revelations on waking: “Morning Cues, There is an important message for us first thing every day. Often, once we get started with the day, we may not listen as closely to ourselves and life as we do in those still moments when we first awaken. An ideal time to listen to ourselves is when we are laying quietly, our defenses are down, and we’re open and most vulnerable. ..lay still and listen and then accept the message.”

Get outside fast When I must set an alarm, my next technique is to get outside as soon as possible, go to the door and stick my head out, open a window. If the great outdoors is not available to me for some reason, my other option is to get into the shower and let an abundance of hot water cheer me up. Hot running water will forever be my modern luxury of choice. Usually, by the time I am dressed, made-up and out the door, I am invigorated.

Sleep well, rise with the sun, get outside fast, walk, make music, read and write – these all earn a Healthy Heart label. What choices do you make to keep body and soul healthy?

Uncategorized

Wild Wednesdays – No Thoroughfare Canyon

May 15, 2013 Cherry Leave a comment

Welcome to the inaugural post for Wild Wednesdays! Generally, I think too much and live to write about it on the weekends, so I update this blog once a week on Saturdays, or Sundays – maybe even Fridays-as I ponder the deeper (or lighter) things in life. Because I hike out in nature as often as possible, I have an abundance of pictures to share. Visit me each Wednesday to see where the wild things are these days: Wildlife, Wild Flowers, Wild Rocks. I’ll keep the paragraphs at a minimum and let the pictures paint 1,000 words.

Character, Emotional Health, Fiction is Truth, Goals and Dreams, Health and Long Life, Metaphor, Music and Theatre, Poverty, Spiritual Well Being, Uncategorized

The piano is not firewood yet

May 3, 2013 Cherry Leave a comment

“The Piano is not firewood yet,” this phrase, from lyrics and music by Regina Spektor, is my new battle song – my new anthem.

I shout, “The piano is not firewood yet!” and it is the voice of John Paul Jones bellowing, “I have not yet begun to fight.”

I hear the voice of God asking in the wilderness, “What have you got in your hand, Moses?” and Moses replying, “A rod.”
“Throw it on the ground, Moses.”
The voice calls to me,
“What have you got in your hand?”
I reply, “A Piano!”

For me, Regina Spektor’s lyrics are literal. Maybe for others, metaphorical. But here’s the deal, It is summer weather. I have four more months of warmth in this 365 days to live, so the piano is not firewood yet; though it has been dangerously threatened over the years. But, if it is not going to be dismantled to keep us from freezing, might it be taken from me another way?

Metaphorically, is it collateral? Capital? A sacrificial lamb? What possibilities does it present? Is it merely to attract more students? Is it to rehearse my fingers for performance? Is it setting there between me and my empty wood box, to inspire my stories (I can’t seem to keep the protagonists from playing the piano)?
Is it to point me constantly toward a heart of gratitude? Once, I did not even have a piano and this one was provided generously, almost miraculously, through a friend.

Regina reminds me to press on, to do what needs to be done.
“the piano is not firewood yet
but the cold does get cold
so it soon might be that
I’ll take it apart, call up my friends
and we’ll warm up our hands by the fire”

The Universe calls clearly, “What have you got in your hand?”

I answer joyfully, “A piano! My piano is not firewood yet!”

What is this throwdown going to look like?

Cherry Odelberg