The Small Offerings

“Living well is an art that can be developed: a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift.” — Maya Angelou

I’m so glad I’ve learned that living well is an art. I thought a few things would give me a well-lived life: my daughters, my husband, the church, and a decent career. But there was something that was completely missing from all those things. It was myself. I was there, but there were parts of me that I didn’t welcome on my journey. Eventually, I came to learn that I’m a lifetime of getting to know and that I get to bring all these changing and unchanging parts of me wherever I go. No questions asked. I also learned how to get to know me and that I’m worthy of knowing. Once all those things came together, I found ways to appreciate life in a free way. It’s like life welcomed me with open arms, like it had been waiting there for me the whole time.

What little gifts has life offered you lately? What are you hoping for?

#Momlife

“Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it.” -Ernest Holmes

Today I spent the morning with my little boo. We made books together. I love that when she’s doing something she likes, she can do it for hours. She made a book titled Love book. She felt like my book had too many pages, and you know what, I can agree with her. I laugh because I thought at first it wasn’t enough, but I should have listened to her. After we made our books and cleaned up, we experimented with making pepperoni and cheese wraps. The cheese pull was entertaining.

How’s your Saturday?

Connection

“There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” -Aldous Huxley

I look forward to this weekend. I don’t have a lot planned, and that’s the way I like it.

Improving myself isn’t my priority, but it is a responsibility that I value. My priority is motherhood and connection. But I think this quote is an important reminder that you don’t have to worry about everybody’s improvement. Just be there. Just show up to listen, relate, and share, but not to fix. I like this reminder.

Ok, weekend plans? What are they? Hopefully, there’s some self-care tossed in there.

My Sunshine

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” -Walt Whitman

I was looking for quotes about the fall season; instead, this one came up. And I had to have it. There are a few people out there that just light up my life, and when they come around, all the bad news falls away. I usually call them my sunshine. They are welcome to the wide range of feelings that come with being human. That won’t even take away from the joy they bring me because it’s not just the positivity. It’s a whole vibe. It’s a “I’ve seen dark days, and I don’t want that for you” type of vibe. It’s a “times are hard, but let’s have a really good cup of coffee” type of vibe. It’s all about that vibe.

Tell me about something or someone that makes the shadows fall behind you.

Full Moon

It’s the full moon, and I’ve been a sleepy girl. I got class time off today, and I took full advantage. I napped on the couch with the news on in the background. I’m not a news person, but these days, it’s almost like if you don’t have the news on, you’ll wake up to an entirely new world. I’m just not ready for that.

So about the Full Moon, it’s supposed to be the third and final super moon for 2025. It’s called the Beaver Moon. We’re supposed to be busy building our winter dreams. I have a million winter dreams

What are some of your winter dreams?

Become Fully Yourself

“Woman is learning for herself that not self-sacrifice, but self-development, is her first duty in life; and this, not primarily for the sake of others but that she may become fully herself.” -Matilda Joslyn Gage

Unbecoming and becoming happen all at the same time. As a woman and a mom, I had to learn to let a lot go while welcoming the more authentic parts of me. Once I really took the time to learn about myself and my values, I was able to pursue things that I loved deeply without shame. The world will really tell you all sorts of things, and most of those things are just a reflection of their own fears, their own limitations and critical voices. Finding ways to bloom into the fullest version of yourself is one of the surest ways to combat all the silly billies who limit you from your own greatness.

Writing and Liberty

“I’m free from pain. It’s where nobody tells me what to do; it’s where my imagination is fecund and I am really at my best. Nothing matters more in the world or in my body or anywhere when I’m writing.” — Toni Morrison on NPR’s Fresh Air, 2015

This is exactly the vibe I was talking about in yesterday’s blog. I’m glad I happened across this. I was actually looking into Toni Morrison’s book Imagining Freedom. Here’s a brief summary.

“Toni Morrison’s non-fiction explores the power of word work as a practice of freedom, emphasizing the responsibility of writers to imagine new forms of liberty.”

I’m intrigued by this thought, and I’m interested in reading more of her thoughts on writing and liberty. I think I’d like to step into this challenge if I haven’t already.

What books have you recently added to your TBR pile?

Favorite Feelings

When you’re writing and the world falls away; that’s one of my most favorite feelings.

There’s a million things that bring me joy, big and small. Those are often moments that go as quickly as they came. But when I sit down to write stories that fill in all the nooks and crannies of my life, it feels like heaven. This must be how God felt when He was creating all this.

With that being said, I have a lot of things that bring me joy and I usually seek those things out every Sunday. Not all the things at once. Just one or two things that stand out in my mind by the end of the week. This weekend my focus was getting a new nail polish. I got a shimmery nude, and a base coat, and a quick set top coat.

This may seem a little off topic but I have to say it.

I’m grateful that I had my writing community to support my inner writer. She’s still thriving because of their consistent and intentional connection. I wouldn’t be able to appreciate this feeling without them. So, Thank you writers. I appreciate you.

Your turn! What’s your favorite thing about writing? Or how do you treat yourself?

I’m Getting Excited About Christmas

I’m ready to get our Christmas tree, and I think next weekend would be the perfect time to go. I love Christmas so much. I hope we get a white Christmas this year. Our family tradition is going to cut down our own tree. My husband thought of it, and we’ve done it ever since. The girls love it. I love having us all together outside walking around in nature. Sometimes, there are food trucks at the tree farm, but not always. Another mini tradition is painting ornaments together. I’m getting so excited just talking about it.

Do you have any annual traditions. (Doesn’t have to be limited to Christmas or Family. ) What are your favorite holidays?

Rest and Recover

“Resting well means going beyond just getting enough sleep. It involves intentionally giving your body, mind, and emotions time to recover from stress and stimulation. This could mean taking a mental break during the day, spending quiet time in nature, saying no to draining social events, or practicing mindfulness.” Calm.com

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “prioritize your rest.” I’ve reached a point in my life where I do my best to romanticize my rest: candles, my favorite tunes or audiobook, something comfy to wear, and time away from whatever it is I’m taking a break from. I’ve also started to use mobile games as a tool for rest.

There’s a time to feel the pressure and a time to release it. Right now is the time to release it.

What are your favorite ways to rest?