My word for 2011

Most bloggers pick a word each year to be their word for the year.  After a lot of thought the word I picked for this year is "BELIEVE". I did it in caps, because that word for me is key. I realised this year that on many levels I don't really believe, I am capable of positive change concerning certain aspects of my life.  Mainly where my relationship with food is concerned. I have a unhealthy relationship with food sometimes. I say sometimes, because sometimes I eat pretty healthy, and don't overeat.
Sometimes I "use" food to distract and protect and comfort myself and food is supposed to be fuel for my body. I think it is okay to love food, to enjoy to cook and eat delicious food, however to use food to fill the gaps that are supposed to be filled emotionally only serves to make the use of food in this way harmful. I have failed so many times to make healthy changes where food is concerned in the past , but this year I am educating myself by reading many books on food issues, and treating myself gently where these issues are concerned. I think if I can learn to believe in myself and trust myself more, that I can once and for all, resolve this issue for me. Part of that process is educating myself on these issues and finding my own path to health and wellness. I'm about to be 57 years old on Valentines day and I am so ready to resolve this so I can live the rest of my life without this issue that has plagued me for so many years.


BELIEVE


peace and blessings
Sherry

A New Year

It's that time of year when we reflect on the past year and look hopefully to the coming one. Some of us make resolutions to make fantastic changes such as lose weight, quit smoking (if you do) work out more, or maybe pay off debts, or maybe just be a better person in general.
I don't usually make resolutions, but instead reflect on a few things I want to work on. Mine is my health. I have so many health issues and I am determined to help myself get better. Be my own health advocate as it were. I bought several new books to read and educate myself on making some changes towards better health. I need to learn what foods to eat, what supplements to take and what exercises for my condition. I am very tired of not feeling well and being sick. I am willing to do the work involved to move towards wellness. I think my very life may depend on it.


Love you...mean it,
Sherry

sunlight on roses

only in texas

taylor.the next generation.

Quote

Words make love on the page

like flies in the summer heat

and the poet is only the bemused spectator.

Charles Simic

Getting Older

 

This getting older is NOT for sissies.  There are a few good things about it.  Like you care less and less what others think about you. You develop a patience you may never have had before.  I now drive slower and walk slower and stop to smell the roses literally. I enjoy the simple things more ,  like a good cup of tea or a beautiful sunset, the smell of banana bread baking , my dogs cold nose when she finds me in the dark and cuddles.

Some of the things I don't like are there are aches and pains where I never even knew I had muscles.  I tire easily.  I gain weight easily.

I want to embrace getting older and enjoy each new transition of life. I have learned that each stage of life carries with it, it's own unique gifts and unexpected treasures. If you slow down and really pay attention. If you are mindful and present in the moment. If you keep your attitude open and hopeful ,  it is a tremendous difference. My mother is 78 and has almost all her life been negative and complaining and not hopeful. I have chose to learn how not to grow old like her. Her choices have made her isolated and unhappy. I choose acceptance. I treat myself lovingly most of the time. I also treat others with kindness and compassion.

I have many personality faults but I overlook them mostly and focus on my better qualities.

I care about others and I strive to be kind and say nice things and put out a positive energy force into the world. That's good enough for me and I'm good enough just as I am. 

State Fair Of Texas

Big Tex



Hubs enjoying the sporty cars



Fountains in International Area

Another muscle car

   I have been going to the fair since I was about three years old.  You do the math.  I only go now once about every third year.  The fair has a mixture of good and bad memories for me. The good outweigh the bad by a long shot. My kids riding the rides and eating all the fair food and laughing so much are the best memories for me. The bad one is when my son was around 11 years old we were waiting in line to get a corn dog when a ride malfunctioned and went off its rail and three teenagers died not ten feet from where we stood. I quickly covered my sons eyes with my hands , but that memory was burned into my brain forever. I being a mother, felt the pain for those unknown moms that were going to hear that terrible, unspeakable news that night long ago.

Many years later I still enjoy my occasional visit to the fair , but I don't go to the midway part of the fair grounds anymore. I go to the creative arts building and enjoy the photographers exhibitions and the beautiful handmade quilts and various crafts, and I always have to eat two "Fletchers" corn dogs, one nut bar ice cream and one frosty cold root beer before I go. Take my advice and skip the "fried beer" it was disgusting to say the least. (Hubs just had to try it)

A Poem

Woman Holding A Balance

Between dark and light,
Between this world and the next,
Between maidenhood and motherhood
She pauses, held in balance
Like the balance she holds.

Her focus not the gold or
The weighing, but the justice
Of her scales, settling to their still
Point in a steady hand,
And she herself unadorned,
A lily that needs no gilding
But the points of light that lie
On her veil like jewels in a crown.

If she raised her eyes, she would see
This luminous beauty, drop the scales,
And, like a blushing Eve, break
The balance and forsake
The innocence of her task,
But she does not.

If she turned, she would see
The Last Judgment, saints and sinners,
Weighed in the final balance, and,
Called to think on ultimate things,
Lose this moment –
But she does not.

Trained on the object, undistracted,
Patient while the instrument swings
To its center and is still, she turns
This little task to prayer - if mindfulness is
Prayer – to an exercise of love – if it is love
To be attentive to the thing at hand.

Marilyn Chandler McEntyre
American poet/author