Camped out in front of the fire place, reluctant. Reluctant to run upstairs to grab the power supply for my MacBook. Reluctant to get started on the chores I promised myself I'd accomplish today. Reluctant to finish the holiday tablescape I'd been working on, converting our "Chinese" dining room to something more seasonal ... as a compromise I'm using a pomagranite pomegranite crap POMEGRANATE theme. Of course all I need are the POMEGRANATES thank you spell check and greenery to complete the centerpiece. Ooh - and speaking of POMEGRANATES, maybe one of these too?!
I say reluctant, but what I really mean is content. Content to be curled up in a leather chair with my feet warmed by the fire. Content as it is not mission critical for my having to put on suitable clothing, style the hair, put on mascara, and - you know - drive defensively somewhere today. Content to finally have set aside time to dive into the creative warmth I've missed since immersing myself in this home wine business thing.
There is also reluctance to leave the abode because I'm waiting for a wine delivery. In essence, I'm being held hostage by our new UPS guy/guys and their unreliable schedule. Someone 21 years or older must be home to sign for it because it contains *gasp* alcohol. Oh - and if you're drunk they will not leave it with you. It really says that on the package! By the way, I saw my former beloved UPS guy in my old neighborhood last Friday - actually told him I missed him and his regularly scheduled - and courteous - deliveries. Think I'll give this year's "UPS guy gift" to the one in my old neighborhood...#WhatCanBrownDoForYou.
But there is contentment in knowing my new Oz Clarke book on Bordeaux is also coming today. Although I am surprised it doesn't require someone 21 years or older sign for it because it contains information on *gasp* alcohol.
Finding that balance between the not wanting to move and not having to move is the lesson today, just as it was on the yoga mat, so it is off the mat. Allowing yourself that time, space, simple enjoyment, or as I mentioned on another blog earlier today, pushing away from the table of American overdoing. Having gotten caught up in recently overdoing everything, I've had to regroup and take it down a notch. Boundaries, I've found, are the most important gift we can give not only to ourselves, but to those who have to put up with our cranky under-nourished selves. Here is where I draw my lines:
Early morning meetings. I will not do them. This isn't just reluctance, this is full on contentment not to have any part of being on the road with every one else rushing to get to jobs they must really love, or in a meeting at 7AM. For one, that is my time on the yoga mat and it is non-negotiable. Still.
The cell phone. Guess what, people, it's not tied to my hip and readily available for me to jump on and text at any time. One, I abhor texting. Two, if we don't have a precoordinated phone appointment after 6 PM or before 10 AM? That means the phone is off and in the den where it sleeps so its owner can enjoy dinner, focus on a wine tasting, or enjoy activity does not involve work. Oh, and hey, today that includes scooting around the blogosphere.
In this age of our society being over connected, over done, over fed, over taxed and over loaded with information, I find this quiet, warm space in front of the fire to be a refuge where I can choose what to read (and no, the news is nowhere in the top 100 list of things I will read today). Of course after this hour of contentment I will reluctantly close out this love letter to the concept of "balance", haul my MacBook back up to the den, switch on the phone, and get busy. I take one last glance at my perfectly POMEGRANATE-less table and decide it is perfectly elegant for now and there is no rush to finish it today. And I am content.
Wishing you all peace, love, and contentment - and a warm spot in which to honor your boundaries each day!
 |
Peach Pomegranate Holiday Martini
Photo Courtesy: © Van Gogh Vodka |
There is also reluctance to leave the abode because I'm waiting for a wine delivery. In essence, I'm being held hostage by our new UPS guy/guys and their unreliable schedule. Someone 21 years or older must be home to sign for it because it contains *gasp* alcohol. Oh - and if you're drunk they will not leave it with you. It really says that on the package! By the way, I saw my former beloved UPS guy in my old neighborhood last Friday - actually told him I missed him and his regularly scheduled - and courteous - deliveries. Think I'll give this year's "UPS guy gift" to the one in my old neighborhood...#WhatCanBrownDoForYou.
But there is contentment in knowing my new Oz Clarke book on Bordeaux is also coming today. Although I am surprised it doesn't require someone 21 years or older sign for it because it contains information on *gasp* alcohol.
Finding that balance between the not wanting to move and not having to move is the lesson today, just as it was on the yoga mat, so it is off the mat. Allowing yourself that time, space, simple enjoyment, or as I mentioned on another blog earlier today, pushing away from the table of American overdoing. Having gotten caught up in recently overdoing everything, I've had to regroup and take it down a notch. Boundaries, I've found, are the most important gift we can give not only to ourselves, but to those who have to put up with our cranky under-nourished selves. Here is where I draw my lines:
Early morning meetings. I will not do them. This isn't just reluctance, this is full on contentment not to have any part of being on the road with every one else rushing to get to jobs they must really love, or in a meeting at 7AM. For one, that is my time on the yoga mat and it is non-negotiable. Still.
The cell phone. Guess what, people, it's not tied to my hip and readily available for me to jump on and text at any time. One, I abhor texting. Two, if we don't have a precoordinated phone appointment after 6 PM or before 10 AM? That means the phone is off and in the den where it sleeps so its owner can enjoy dinner, focus on a wine tasting, or enjoy activity does not involve work. Oh, and hey, today that includes scooting around the blogosphere.
In this age of our society being over connected, over done, over fed, over taxed and over loaded with information, I find this quiet, warm space in front of the fire to be a refuge where I can choose what to read (and no, the news is nowhere in the top 100 list of things I will read today). Of course after this hour of contentment I will reluctantly close out this love letter to the concept of "balance", haul my MacBook back up to the den, switch on the phone, and get busy. I take one last glance at my perfectly POMEGRANATE-less table and decide it is perfectly elegant for now and there is no rush to finish it today. And I am content.
Wishing you all peace, love, and contentment - and a warm spot in which to honor your boundaries each day!
This sounds like the perfect hour of contentment to me.One hour is better than none!
ReplyDeleteGotta take it when you can, Michele! LOVED your post & thank you for turning me on to Faith's blog :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your words on my page... Your state of mind here is something I envy right now! and I know u know what I mean... Hopefully things will be looking up for me... had to involve a lawyer... crappy cousin who is playing God right now... which is ballsy considering, he isn't even a blood relative of my mom.
ReplyDeleteChrissy - sometimes it's so hard to find it, to come back to that state of mind. Somethings are easier to push from your consciousness - other things are harder. I once read about moving people (like your cousin, toxic people/situations not serving you) out side your "bright pink aura" and blowing them up - all imagery, of course. Sounds fruity, but damn it feels good.
DeleteDude, it's so nice to see you posting again....I missed you and junk. Great reminder lady, thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteAww shucks. I miss you guys too! It's so good to "get some" of this blog time in, you have no idea.
Deletereaffirming boundaries and finding the contentment in not moving... Beautifully written, and I can feel the serenity from here.
ReplyDeleteCheers, peace & pomegranates!
It was a pretty serene day - and you know, when I start my day with creativity both on - and off - the mat (i.e. here) I'm much less of a pain in the ass as I go through my day. Much calm to be found here. Namaste!
DeleteIt is true that Americans occasionally forget to just stand still for a moment. I, on the other hand, seem to have adopted to the laid-back-Sicilian culture a little too well. That, combined with the fact that we hardly ever have company means that I have a growing mountain of stuff in each room that I'll sort out "one day". But it's looking more and more like "one day" will be the day when it's time to load it all up into a truck and move anyway :-P
ReplyDeleteSorry about the miscommunication about my blog, the new one is at http://falamericana.blogspot.com/
Hope to get back into better blogging habits!
Good on you for getting to experience that laid back lifestyle, Haley. Many Americans never get to experience it, and I'm continually resisting the pull of being dragged back into the craziness. I've done a few 12+ hour days in this business, my own fault, and realized that is stupid. Often the return on your time investment isn't optimal. I'd rather live without the latest phone, fashion, and car (my 99 is still running just fine!), and have found that even eating out is just overrated, too expensive, and unhealthy, so we've pretty much cut that out too. I'm all about getting rid of excess "stuff" - less physical clutter, less emotional clutter. :) Thank you for sending me your new blog link - couldn't find it the other day!
DeleteGood for you Valerie! x
ReplyDeleteWord, lady! Going through Europe withdrawals and trying to hang onto that "nothing is an emergency" attitude.
ReplyDelete