Posts filed under ‘Year of Lovely Things 2011’
Candles and Prayers
This past Sunday was a very productive day. I went to the gym first thing then came home and threw the makings of chili into the crock pot, whipped together some guacamole, showered and went to church. Later on I baked some cornbread, served up the chili (which, if I do say so myself was pretty darn delicious!) and watched the NY Jets beat the New England Patriots! I had heartburn afterwards, but I think that was from the stress of watching the game more than from the chili itself.
Image via Wikimedia. Photo by emijrp
But the most productive part of the day really was going to church. I accomplished three things on my Lovely List:
#4 – pray
#5 – go to church
#6 – light a candle at church
I was raised by two very devoted, faithful Catholic parents. We went church every Sunday and on holy days of obligation. I received all the sacraments and said my prayers at night before falling asleep. As an adult I continued to attended mass regularly on my own, but after my mother passed away three years ago I just stopped going. I would still pray from time to time and go to mass on Holidays, but my faith thinned.
I have been wanting to rediscover my faith. I’ve found myself admiring friends who have a strong sense of connection to their church and religion. That’s why I included praying, going to church and lighting a candle in my Lovely List. They are all lovely things that I know will make life fuller; it was just a matter of getting myself to do them.
I went to mass at the parish I attended regularly with my parents when I was growing up. The same parish where my parents were married and both of their funerals were held. My Mama actually received all of the sacraments at that very church. It has a rich history with my family. It’s woven into the fabric of my life’s story, but on Sunday, I felt detached from it.
I’m not sure what I was expecting. I guess I wanted to feel my waning faith instantly begin to swell. But it didn’t. It was different
photo by ally
than it used to be; I’m finding that to be the case more and more the older I get. I was disappointed, but I realized that change doesn’t have to be disappointing. In fact, it should be encouraging. Change might be God’s way of showing us more about ourselves and the world around us. I suppose if things always stayed the same, we’d never discover anything new.
I’m glad I went to church. I prayed for God to lead me in the direction He meant for me and to guide me with His love and for my parents to watch over me. I lit a candle for my mother and father whose combined faith could, and did, withstand all the challenges that life gave them. While I may not have fully rediscovered my faith I started my journey to find it, and with God and my parents as my angels to guide me, I am sure that I will find my way in time, exactly how I was meant to.
Simple Happiness
I accomplished another item from my Lovely List, and I must say, it really is those simple things that bring happiness. And I do mean SIMPLE. Ready for this? Wait for it …
I made the bed! See what I mean by simple? Well, simple for some, but in my true procrastinator fashion, not-so-simple. It was #14 on my Lovely List, and I put it there because I knew it would get me to do it. I mean after all, how could I let of all of you dedicated Cupcakes & Cat Food readers down? Right?
Hello? Anyone out there? Cricket, cricket …
So I made the bed, and it is a lovely thing! Leaving the house with the bed made and coming home to it at night makes me simply happy. Now I just need to get myself to do it everyday.
Work it!
So, I may be behind on my commitment to Post A Day 2011, which I will make up by completing two posts today (does that count?), but I am on track with checking off items on my Lovely List for a Year of Lovely Things 2011.
#44 make new professional connections
Last night I attended the Professional Women of Westchester monthly gathering. In addition to networking there was a panel discussion on Social Media – Social Media and the “P” Factor – What’s the Purpose? - with some really amazing women. Seriously. I am in awe of them.
The panelists were: Stacey Cohen - President, Co-Communications, Inc.; Kyle-Beth Hilfer, Esq. – Advertising, Marketing and Media Attorney; Lisa Kaslyn - Principal, Prosper Communications; and Kris Ruby - President & Founder, Ruby Media Group.
First of all, to have a panel completely made up of women from the professional world of Social Media is impressive, but secondly, they are all a wealth of knowledge, great communicators and inspirational – far from the type of panelists that make the thought of watching paint dry seem appealing. These are the kind of women who make you wanna shout “Work it. Work it, baby. Work it ! Work it. Own it.” Like in “Pretty Woman”, but not in a woman-of-the-night-strut-your-stuff kind of way. More of in a kick-ass-woman-of -the-competitive-business-world-strut-your-stuff kind of way.
So not only did I accomplish #44 on my Lovely List by making new professional connections, I also learned a whole lot (my mind is still racing with all of the wonderful info!) and was inspired. All in a matter of about three hours. Not bad for a Monday night.
If you live/work in the Westchester County NY area, I highly recommend checking out the Professional Women of Westchester. I’m a member of the group, but you don’t have to be a member in order to attend the events. It’s a wonderfully supportive group of women eager to join forces and help each other out.
Until next time … Work it!
Officially Lovely
So, it’s official! I am participating in the Year Of Lovely Things 2011.
And here, in no particular order, … (drum roll please) … is my very own Lovely List:
- make handmade cards and mail to friends
- send someone flowers
- try a new crochet pattern
- go on a retreat
- pray
- go to church
- light a candle at church
- learn how to meditate
- volunteer my time
- organize my home office/creative space
- make hot chocolate from scratch
- plan a sleepover with my nieces
- try a new recipe
- make the bed
- scan old pictures
- restore my parent’s wedding album
- hang pictures in the bedroom
- organize my shoes
- take a Zumba class
- do yoga
- run a mile
- go kayaking
- go hiking
- ride my bike (that’s been sitting in the shed)
- dance (in public, not alone at home)
- drink lots of water
- enjoy a spa day
- plan a girls’ weekend
- put laundry away (as soon as I fold it)
- put up a clothesline
- make curtains
- start a garden
- read books I’ve bought that are collecting dust on the shelf
- read & discuss a book with a book club
- donate to charity
- start a recipe book of family traditional favorites
- cook a turkey and all the fixins for no reason
- go to an art show
- see a new musician in concert
- see a show on broadway
- wander around NYC
- Skype with far away family
- scrapbook with friends
- make new professional connections
- write a poem
- write a love letter
- put together Adirondack chairs that have been sitting in shed (and paint them fun colors!)
- go to a professional football game
- clean out the attic
- play scrabble
- do crossword puzzles
- read the New York Times (hard copy not online)
Who knows if I’ll accomplish all of these lovely things, but it would be great if I did! What’s on your list? Visit Year Of Lovely Things 2011 to see what other participants are doing and perhaps sign up yourself.
Thanks to perches in the soul for the inspiration!
Here’s to a lovely year!
