tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31301897967801541272024-02-19T04:23:50.241-08:00Just Ms. B.Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-63263152352624311232013-10-04T19:05:00.001-07:002013-10-25T11:26:16.767-07:00The secret list - surprising outcomes from the main mighty listWhen I wrote my initial list there was the written list, and the secret list - the things that I have wanted to do, and thought were too - too silly, too loaded, not practical enough, not quite important, or cool enough to put on the real list. This post is about those things.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I wanted to have fun colored hair... Started the fun hair colour journey <b>a few weeks after last year's camp -thanks to mighty Rachel for having the conversation with me that led to the hair happening. </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I thought it would be great to have a space where I could make large art - <b>In my new office I have a large room where I can do just this (I never thought that this could happen, and I'm still in awe of the space).</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
I've always wanted ballet flats, since I was a little girl -<i><b>I purchased some lovely Reppetto flats in an amazing night sky colour, on sale no less, (love them and wear them all the time) and whenever I wear them I feel like Brigitte Bardot (Yay)</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
I love dresses, and have wanted to have more (or even some) dresses for many years. Generally I haven't been able to find anything I like in my size - <b>I took the leap and ordered some dresses off of the internet, yay eshakti! (this was a major leap- I am very much a try before buy person) , retro and classic they are flattering and fun -I now get to wear pretty dresses again!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Just the act of creating the life list, and then the organizing energy of attending camp mighty helps me to give more things (that I want to do, and that make me a little nervous) a try. Knowing that, regardless of the outcome, there will be a camp container to discuss and process my life list experiments has been transformative. </div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-46809278787817171802013-10-04T18:44:00.000-07:002013-10-25T11:19:11.728-07:00Year 2 Life List barebones update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_BwrfCPa7odU7A2xkgrO1_lOL2O90aHseAoutceKURgwUZGnLx36cD6e8NwK1cQLLzIPMcwBH4L8Ca_MzcsSGUAi9OhY1Iwc-xA2V_l4iIGStZU4gC0FRY6Jhx5jIw9YvZu7ll2nef05/s1600/7D81ECC1-8746-4429-8AB0-FF7F657388A7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_BwrfCPa7odU7A2xkgrO1_lOL2O90aHseAoutceKURgwUZGnLx36cD6e8NwK1cQLLzIPMcwBH4L8Ca_MzcsSGUAi9OhY1Iwc-xA2V_l4iIGStZU4gC0FRY6Jhx5jIw9YvZu7ll2nef05/s200/7D81ECC1-8746-4429-8AB0-FF7F657388A7.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li>Fill a sketchbook for the sketchbook project</li>
<li>Visit Catalina Island</li>
<li>Stay on Nantucket, and ride a bike with a basket while there</li>
<li>Read at least 7 poems by 5 poets that are new to me - <strike>Maria Howe, </strike></li>
<li>Publish one of my small art books</li>
<li>Photograph and display some of my art on-line</li>
<li>Visit the Tate Modern Museum</li>
<li>Go to the Storm King art center (sculpture park) in Mountainville New York</li>
<li>See More Live theater, 5 plays in Ashland Oregon, 5 plays in New York City, 5 in London</li>
<li>See Chagall's Ceiling in the Paris Opera House</li>
<li>Hear Joshua Dudamel Conduct</li>
<li>Hear Muti Conduct (Again)</li>
<li><strike>Visit the Chicago Art institute</strike> They have a very lovely members lounge, also heard some world class chamber music while I was there... gorgeous venue, amazing performance!</li>
<li>Attend Moth storytelling events in all of its' cities. <strike>sf</strike></li>
<li>Visit the Storycorps archive in the Library of Congress</li>
<li>Make a point of seeing more of Hopper's paintings</li>
<li>Visit Venice and eat a meal al fresco watching the boats on the canals</li>
<li>Visit some natural hot springs in Japan</li>
<li>Hear a live Bach choral work</li>
<li>Dine at a Secret / occasional restaurant in S.F. and also New York</li>
<li>Eat Shanghai Dumplings in Shanghai</li>
<li>Stay in a Luxury hotel in Thailand</li>
<li>Spend a night, and have dinner at the Awhanee Hotel in Yosemite</li>
<li><strike>Make a sand Castle, with all the trimmings</strike></li>
<li>Stay for a week on a quiet lake in a lodge with a big porch to sit and read on, and a tasty food right there, or an easy walk away</li>
<li>Hear 5 talks lectures by people who interest me- <strike>Brene Brown</strike>, Ann Pattchett, ?, ?, ?</li>
<li>Hear Tom Waits perform in a smallish venue</li>
<li>Wander through the Paris Flea Market and purchase one small childs toy there.</li>
<li>Hear an outdoor choral performance in Germany</li>
<li>Take a one week retreat in Ireland and stay somewhere with a beautiful view of green hills, and/or a lake</li>
<li>Return to Tassajara and sit in the hot tub at night looking at the stars and listening to the creek</li>
<li><strike>Fly first class on a trip longer than an hour. </strike><b><strike> </strike>Upgraded spontaneously after boarding the plane on my way to chicago the day after my 40th B'day, avoided energetic children, and had some amazing food!</b></li>
<li>Own a 1920's Stucco Bungalow without financial hardship</li>
<li><strike>Live easy walking distance from the bay</strike><b> Moved to Alameda 2.5 years ago, live about 15min walk from the Bay</b></li>
<li>Return to the the LA County Museum</li>
<li>Find a Karaoke Song that I can nail and sing it loud</li>
<li>Make flowers to transform things that I am ready to let go of <strike>done once with journal pages done a second time with tissue paper and affirmations</strike></li>
<li>Make a large piece of art roughly the span of my arms x the span of my arms</li>
<li>Have a photo session for myself in the style of Amelie (jeunet )</li>
<li>Watch two versions of Bleak House</li>
<li>Take a retreat to Breitenbush in Oregon and soak in their hot springs</li>
<li>Join the local museums <strike>SFMOMA</strike> <strike>De Young/Legion of Honor, SF Contemporary Jewish Museum </strike></li>
<li>Attend 5 VIP Events <strike>Black and White Ball</strike> <strike>Bastille Day Fete at the De Young</strike></li>
<li>Watch all of Fred Astaire's Movies <strike>Carefree, Swing Time, Flying Down To rio</strike></li>
<li>Eat food at the <strike>SF Underground Market</strike><i> Spam Musubi and Bach Solo Cello while waiting in line - Yes!</i></li>
<li>Visit Tulum, and Zihuatanejo, and have a room with an ocean view</li>
<li>Stay in 5 separate destinations with an ocean view <strike>santa cruz </strike></li>
<li>Hear Adele in concert</li>
<li>Find 4 vintage tablecloths for my kitchen table <strike>one down 3 to go</strike></li>
<li>Have a vintage style day dress made to my measurements</li>
<li>Read the novels of George Eliot <b>Middlemarch, Daniel Deronda</b></li>
<li>Visit Columbus Indiana and take an architectural walking tour</li>
<li><strike>Split a spontaneous meal with a stranger while eating alone </strike><b>I did this twice while I was in Chicago @ Girl and The Goat, and Fat Rice - so fun and I got to try more delicious foods!</b></li>
<li>Make a Joseph Cornell inspired Art Box</li>
<li>Remember 20 kindnesses that you have done for others, and write them down</li>
<li>Watch all of Howard Hawks' films</li>
<li>Listen to 2 versions of Porgy and Bess</li>
<li>Spend a night on a boat</li>
<li>See the aurora borealis</li>
<li>Mount a mini exhibit of my art - even if it's just one night</li>
<li>Eat at the Beach Chalet in San Francisco</li>
<li>Visit the Public Libraries in Stockholm, and Seattle</li>
<li>Visit the Bodleian Rare Books Library at Yale</li>
<li>Have a gourmet picnic in the Shakespeare garden at Golden Gate Park</li>
<li>Remember 20 of your favorite kindnesses received from friends, family, and strangers- and write them down</li>
<li>Receive 10 massages in 12 months</li>
<li>Visit relatives in Minnesota</li>
<li>Fly a Kite</li>
<li>Watch all available Eleanor Powell movies</li>
<li>Make a list of your 20 favorite dance Scenes in Movies </li>
<li>Make a list of your 20 favorite moments when people break into song in movies</li>
<li>Remember your top 10 favorite dance moments for yourself, and open the door to make at least one more</li>
<li>Make a humourous speech about dating and being single to a group of 20 or more people.</li>
<li>Make an inspirational speech about my personal journey as an introvert that looks like an extrovert to a group of 20 or more people. </li>
<li>Make a list of my top 50 favorite artists/works of art that have changed me </li>
<li>Visit/Discover 10 semi hidden food spots <strike>Simpatica Dining Hall(portland)</strike> <strike>n(new york</strike> <strike>Rice Paper Scissors pop up on New Years day 2012</strike></li>
<li>Travel to Chiang Mai for the Yi Peng festival</li>
<li>Visit the Noguchi Museum in New York</li>
<li>Visit 5 new "to me" Museums in Manhattan and the 5 boroughs </li>
<li>Go on a cheese tour in France</li>
<li>Find and visit 5 semi hidden exhibit spaces <strike>pier 24 sf</strike></li>
<li>Watch all of Gene Kelly's Movies</li>
<li>Seek out and visit Cornell art boxes</li>
<li>View the Fireflies at Blue Spring state park in Florida</li>
<li>Visit the Magritte Museum in Brussells</li>
<li>Walk to a field of Bluebells (location TBA)</li>
<li>Attend a performance at the Swedenborgian church in San Francisco</li>
<li>Take a tour of the Maybeck Christian Science Church in Berkeley</li>
<li>Find 5 favorite restaurants in Berkeley</li>
<li>Visit the blue lagoon in Iceland </li>
<li>Go to the Opera in San Francisco</li>
<li>Stay in a location with comfortable lodging and very little ambient light during the full moon, and stargaze</li>
<li>Eat at the Jimtown Store (Healdsburg)</li>
<li>Shanghai Dumpling Project - <strike>cooking papa</strike>, <strike>heaven's dog</strike>, <strike>shanghai dumpling king,</strike> <strike>little dumpling shack in cupertino</strike></li>
<li><strike>Stay at the Royal Hawaiian on Oahu</strike> - <i>the lovely lanai and good morning coffee, and floating in ocean watching the stars come out.</i></li>
<li><strike>Stay at Hotel Vitale in SF </strike><b>Stayed @ Vitale the weekend I went to the Black and White Ball - on my pillow "your world is as big as you make it"</b></li>
<li><strike>Try the Grilled Cheese at Hog Island Oyster Co</strike>- <i>the oysters were the best, and the new zealand white wine.</i></li>
<li>Have a a gourmet picnic in Central Park.</li>
<li>Attend 5 Inspirational retreats :<i> Accordian books with Lisa Congdon, Camp Mighty 2012 & 2013</i></li>
<li><i>will come with time</i></li>
</ol>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-4596168335228116032013-09-04T14:30:00.004-07:002013-09-04T14:30:45.165-07:00Life list side effectsThis is just to say - it's been quite a year of transformation since last year's mighty meeting. This blog is mostly here so that I can publicly update and muse on my life list - strangely I tend to get much more involved in the doing than the updating.<br />
<br />
Thus, a life list update is in the works. The most amazing thing for me life list-wise has been how the mere creation of the list has set in motion so many incredible miniature and maxiature shifts/expansions/ and experiences.<br />
<br />
Signing off for now<br />
<br />
Just B.Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-76734835133513391832012-09-23T21:02:00.000-07:002012-09-23T21:02:01.338-07:00Life List Sneak AttackAfter posting my life list, I thought I'd have a little space to breathe. The perfectionist in me was excited to have completed, and posted this challenging (for me) task.<br />
<br />
The universe laughed.<br />
<br />
I posted it all (the whole list) on Wednesday, and on Friday I saw that Brene Brown was speaking in San Francisco (easy life list check off) . Yay, I am in in the city all the time at least one day out of every 2 on my weekend, was so excited. Upon clicking some links and making some phone calls I found out that she was speaking in Corte Madera - not my comfort zone. What to do? I'd rather be vulnerable nearer to home - plus I always get lost when I am in/near marin/san rafael, and I end up at my ex boyfriend's house on the way home, 'cause I don't know how to get home from there.... Yuck.<br />
<br />
Brene Brown is big for me. Her work has helped me feel hopeful about my mental health, and also given me context, and tools, to deal with many of the more complicated and ennervating feelings that have occured again and again in my mind and my life. So not going to see her would have been a vote for the darkness. Even though I wasn't in the mood for the navigational discomfort that would ensue, I was going to try to make it.<br />
<br />
I went, I got lost, I was still early, I felt uncomfortable being there alone in a crowd of people who mostly came with at least one, and maybe more friends, family etc. - However, I was also free to journal, take a ton of notes, cry super hard (she was so right on and amazing) and pretend I was at my own revival meeting, letting out a stray "yes!" and "uh huh!" at different moments. Interestingly, when another loner attendee reached back and patted my leg I thought she was sorry for me, turned out she was was giving me an "amen sister" and had been agreeing with Brene, and me, (quietly) ... Also met a great mother and daughter in line for the signing, and got to talk about loving food - I sometimes end up feeling like I'm too dark for these group gatherings, in this case I felt seen in some profound ways.<br />
<br />
Bottom line - glad I went. Still processing, but wanted to throw up an acknowledgement of the event. Sometimes "Daring Greatly" is just driving to Corte Madera.<br />
<br />Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-29151608775788561192012-09-19T19:03:00.000-07:002012-09-23T20:32:27.299-07:00"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in"Putting my life list down on paper - was different than I imagined.<br />
<br />
I have always had an ongoing bucket list, mostly unwritten.<br />
<br />
To write it down, put pen to paper, and own it publicly required some personal housekeeping.<br />
<br />
What I needed was a new set of guidelines that made a safe space for dreaming, and a safe space for sharing dreams - dreams are tender, a lot of the time they go into hiding in bad weather.<br />
<br />
Below is what I came up with :<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>If there were no deadlines</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>If there were no grades</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>If whatever I did, or didn't do, was fine</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>If this was an excercise in Play, Inspiration, Fantasy, and Infinite possibility</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>This is what I would list</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>On this day Sept. 14th 2012 </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>3 days after my 39th birthday</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the amazing part, after I wrote this, my list came out of my head and onto the paper.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>Fill a sketchbook for the sketchbook project</li>
<li>Visit Catalina Island</li>
<li>Stay on Nantucket, and ride a bike with a basket while there</li>
<li>Read at least 7 poems by 5 poets that are new to me - <strike>Maria Howe</strike></li>
<li>Publish one of my small art books</li>
<li>Photograph and display some of my art on-line</li>
<li>Visit the Tate Modern Museum</li>
<li>Go to the Storm King art center (sculpture park) in Mountainville New York</li>
<li>See More Live theater, 5 plays in Ashland Oregon, 5 plays in New York City, 5 in London</li>
<li>See Chagall's Ceiling in the Paris Opera House</li>
<li>Hear Joshua Dudamel Conduct</li>
<li>Hear Muti Conduct (Again)</li>
<li>Visit the Chicago Art institute</li>
<li>Attend Moth storytelling events in all of its' cities.</li>
<li>Visit the Storycorps archive in the Library of Congress</li>
<li>Make a point of seeing more of Hopper's paintings</li>
<li>Visit Venice and eat a meal al fresco watching the boats on the canals</li>
<li>Visit some natural hot springs in Japan</li>
<li>Hear a live Bach choral work</li>
<li>Dine at a Secret / occasional restaurant in S.F. and also New York</li>
<li>Eat Shanghai Dumplings in Shanghai</li>
<li>Stay in a Luxury hotel in Thailand</li>
<li>Spend a night, and have dinner at the Awhanee Hotel in Yosemite</li>
<li>Make a sand Castle, with all the trimmings</li>
<li>Stay for a week on a quiet lake in a lodge with a big porch to sit and read on, and a tasty food right there, or an easy walk away</li>
<li>Hear 5 talks lectures by people who interest me- <strike>Brene Brown</strike>, Ann Pattchett, ?, ?, ?</li>
<li>Hear Tom Waits perform in a smallish venue</li>
<li>Wander through the Paris Flea Market and purchas one small childs toy there.</li>
<li>Hear an outdoor choral performance in Germany</li>
<li>Take a one week retreat in ireland and stay somewhere with a beautiful view of green hills, and/or a lake</li>
<li>Return to Tassajara and sit in the hot tub at night looking at the stars and listening to the creek</li>
<li>Fly first class on a trip longer than an hour.</li>
<li>Own a 1920's Stucco Bungalow without financial hardship</li>
<li><strike>Live easy walking distance from the bay</strike></li>
<li>Return to the the LA County Museum</li>
<li>Find a Karaoke Song that I can nail and sing it loud</li>
<li>Make flowers to transform things that I am ready to let go of <strike>done once with journal pages done a second time with tissue paper and affirmations</strike></li>
<li>Make a large piece of art roughly the span of my arms x the span of my arms</li>
<li>Have a photo session for myself in the style of Amelie (jeunet )</li>
<li>Watch two versions of Bleak House</li>
<li>Take a retreat to Breitenbush in Oregon and soak in their hot springs</li>
<li>Join the local museums <strike>SFMOMA</strike> <strike>De Young/Legion of Honor</strike></li>
<li>Attend 5 VIP Events <strike>Black and White Ball</strike> <strike>Bastille Day Fete at the De Young</strike></li>
<li>Watch all of Fred Astaire's Movies <strike>Carefree, Swing Time, Flying Down To rio</strike></li>
<li>Eat food at the <strike>SF Underground Market</strike><i> Spam Musubi and Bach Solo Cello while waiting in line - Yes!</i></li>
<li>Visit Tulum, and Zihuatanejo, and have a room with an ocean view</li>
<li>Stay in 5 separate destinations with an ocean view <strike>santa cruz </strike></li>
<li>Hear Adele in concert</li>
<li>Find 4 vintage tablecloths for my kitchen table </li>
<li>Have a vintage style day dress made to my measurements</li>
<li>Read the novels of George Eliot</li>
<li>Visit Columbus Indiana and take an architectural walking tour</li>
<li>Split a spontaneous meal with a stranger while eating alone</li>
<li>Make a Joseph Cornell inspired Art Box</li>
<li>Remember 20 kindnesses that you have done for others, and write them down</li>
<li>Watch all of Howard Hawks' films</li>
<li>Listen to 2 versions of Porgy and Bess</li>
<li>Spend a night on a boat</li>
<li>See the aurora borealis</li>
<li>Mount a mini exhibit of my art - even if it's just one night</li>
<li>Eat at the Beach Chalet in San Francisco</li>
<li>Visit the Public Libraries in Stockholm, and Seattle</li>
<li>Visit the Bodleian Rare Books Library at Yale</li>
<li>Have a gourmet picnic in the shakespeare garden at Golden Gate Park</li>
<li>Remember 20 of your favorite kindnesses received from friends, family, and strangers- and write them down</li>
<li>Receive 10 massages in 12 months</li>
<li>Visit relatives in Minnesota</li>
<li>Fly a Kite</li>
<li>Watch all available Eleanor Powell movies</li>
<li>Make a list of your 20 favorite dance Scenes in Movies </li>
<li>Make a list of your 20 favorite moments when people break into song in movies</li>
<li>Remember your top 10 favorite dance moments for yourself, and open the door to make at least one more</li>
<li>Make a humourous speech about dating and being single to a group of 20 or more people.</li>
<li>Make an inspirational speech about my personal journey as an introvert that looks like an extrovert to a group of 20 or more people. </li>
<li>Make a list of my top 50 favorite artists/works of art that have changed me </li>
<li>Visit/Discover 10 semi hidden food spots <strike>Simpatica Dining Hall(portland)</strike> <strike>n(new york</strike> <strike>Rice Paper Scissors pop up on New Years day 2012</strike></li>
<li>Travel to Chiang Mai for the Yi Peng festival</li>
<li>Visit the Noguchi Museum in New York</li>
<li>Visit 5 new "to me" Museums in Manhattan and the 5 boroughs </li>
<li>Go on a cheese tour in France</li>
<li>Find and visit 5 semi hidden exhibit spaces <strike>pier 24 sf</strike></li>
<li>Watch all of Gene Kelly's Movies</li>
<li>Seek out and visit Cornell art boxes</li>
<li>View the Fireflies at Blue Spring state park in Florida</li>
<li>Visit the Magritte Museum in Brussells</li>
<li>Walk to a field of Bluebells (location TBA)</li>
<li>Attend a performance at the Swedenborgian church in San Francisco</li>
<li>Take a tour of the Maybeck Christian Science Church in Berkeley</li>
<li>Find 5 favorite restaurants in Berkeley</li>
<li>Visit the blue lagoon in Iceland </li>
<li>Go to the Opera in San Francisco</li>
<li>Stay in a location with comfortable lodging and very little ambient light during the full moon, and stargaze</li>
<li>Eat at the Jimtown Store (Healdsburg)</li>
<li>Shanghai Dumpling Project - <strike>cooking papa</strike>, <strike>heaven's dog</strike>, <strike>shanghai dumpling king,</strike> little dumpling shack in cupertino</li>
<li><strike>Stay at the Royal Hawaiian on Oahu</strike> - <i>the lovely lanai and good morning coffee, and floating in ocean watching the stars come out.</i></li>
<li><strike>Stay at Hotel Vitale in SF</strike></li>
<li><strike>Try the Grilled Cheese at Hog Island Oyster Co</strike>- <i>the oysters were the best, and the new zealand white wine.</i></li>
<li>Have a a gourmet picnic in Central Park.</li>
<li>Attend 5 Inspirational retreats 2 pending:<i> Accordian books with Lisa Congdon, Camp Mighty</i></li>
<li><i>will come with time</i></li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-62178779963075936612012-08-20T17:30:00.001-07:002012-08-20T17:30:29.050-07:00When the tide goes out <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab_vZDAx8Yb-xM9n9rR9vlS02zx2FhWifPXrfWbayOetncBhtpS2ZGq07oAewvOuc1ia0STyaCjIDrwTHJHDfp7KOVjb4UPyzifnc7OG4nlwA2sjcAabpxRWuj_lcKHlvffkKrPzfSmoz/s1600/85B3BEA3-7A3F-4CEA-A3C5-3E63924ED522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab_vZDAx8Yb-xM9n9rR9vlS02zx2FhWifPXrfWbayOetncBhtpS2ZGq07oAewvOuc1ia0STyaCjIDrwTHJHDfp7KOVjb4UPyzifnc7OG4nlwA2sjcAabpxRWuj_lcKHlvffkKrPzfSmoz/s320/85B3BEA3-7A3F-4CEA-A3C5-3E63924ED522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Suddenly the cool water is almost gone - too far away</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of the things that were so simply, absolutely, here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
are just as absolutely out of reach.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You blinked,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the light went out of the sky.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The wind isn't friendly anymore,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the sand is no longer soft.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It feels so personal. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It feels so impersonal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where is the blanket that you kept meaning to put in the trunk? </div>
Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-54310498567560251692012-08-07T19:41:00.001-07:002012-08-07T19:41:10.536-07:00We Had Everything<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElcxa8tMA_7gXhBBePFUKwxEaGvEbK15Z7E14HP4MgOZrRWhSlijwDovgM0XA8vlH1rJmCn8H6-19BWw-LUl8ZuE_5uyOXBfnFQy3dcY7zZx0gviU2Jfe8jHZCHDbFQBvbT4pLcvDpGou/s1600/9C116E6B-BB7A-4878-AAD6-AE1DC4CC63D9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElcxa8tMA_7gXhBBePFUKwxEaGvEbK15Z7E14HP4MgOZrRWhSlijwDovgM0XA8vlH1rJmCn8H6-19BWw-LUl8ZuE_5uyOXBfnFQy3dcY7zZx0gviU2Jfe8jHZCHDbFQBvbT4pLcvDpGou/s320/9C116E6B-BB7A-4878-AAD6-AE1DC4CC63D9.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plate: Rob Ryan <br />
Sandwich: Just B.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When you are no longer driven to get it right </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It all becomes so much easier</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like there's more air in the world</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like floating in a big still lake with a starry night sky above you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Less effort more buoyancy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When perfection is off the menu</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
reaching out, connecting, creating, they're all right there </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
within arms reach - here - now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-91778796537695187142012-08-01T10:55:00.003-07:002012-08-01T14:10:08.147-07:00Baby Steps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgWIIJVr-DY6b45N2XkmoZhuIOUnl3ekNgt-PbH_qFT3dSGgPQSIgD_MQ3rdOgGxlNTzye733wF9ojosSiRZkZvIhetJ6KLZkc4B-oKEL7G4xNuYD0-DLY72tuwq4MbldGdpSL66dILu8/s1600/D5063F4F-A765-42B4-A073-A44D040696EA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgWIIJVr-DY6b45N2XkmoZhuIOUnl3ekNgt-PbH_qFT3dSGgPQSIgD_MQ3rdOgGxlNTzye733wF9ojosSiRZkZvIhetJ6KLZkc4B-oKEL7G4xNuYD0-DLY72tuwq4MbldGdpSL66dILu8/s320/D5063F4F-A765-42B4-A073-A44D040696EA.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Today</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I forgive myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I remember that I don't know the whole story.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I forgive others.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I let go of striving for perfection, again, and again-</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I choose the actions and experiences that I want</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in my heart, my mind, my body, my life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I practice compassion.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I breathe</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I choose now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I let go of getting it right </div>Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-24585509938521310742012-07-24T18:13:00.001-07:002012-07-28T01:03:45.877-07:00Let Me Count the Ways<div style="text-align: center;">
Constant lister, frequent completer of lists </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lists create obligation, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
incentive to achieve. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The dark side of lists, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they sometimes feel like little alarms going off in my brain, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
other times they sound like bells. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Permission to destroy, rewrite, revise lists so they fit the me now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Letting things rest like bread so different tasks have the time and space to rise and gestate. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Choose your own adventure - get rid of the censor make</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
wings out of postits </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and fly </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjFwaXy0yh7UZNGcDTauksu8ItF8M48XR2PSSVPrctzzsthqStl70CJbY-Ski2q738kyAiFlnZzGYN77wJIarG5kp6jQXE4MtVCkaWk9u3OU2JVC8bEYeIXND0oXWolJlk1fb-mC5HWFg/s1600/C9FC34C8-A18D-496A-81ED-752405BC6A01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjFwaXy0yh7UZNGcDTauksu8ItF8M48XR2PSSVPrctzzsthqStl70CJbY-Ski2q738kyAiFlnZzGYN77wJIarG5kp6jQXE4MtVCkaWk9u3OU2JVC8bEYeIXND0oXWolJlk1fb-mC5HWFg/s320/C9FC34C8-A18D-496A-81ED-752405BC6A01.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-76168962128551187202012-07-23T10:03:00.001-07:002012-07-24T17:20:17.124-07:00How we play the game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIoHaRd8GHPsxmCUI3ZaDRyh_XL2NYxdId1R0QNxgW1KPOh1_A-C4IF7FSiUnOY0WyJ5CeJohcPRjXaoJy_CpuCKXyGaGrTVXJNa6UeR8_6auhMsanabdwcHUc-bfcg4r9U-mPp3e49-G/s1600/E9F74885-CBE0-49F6-A7A6-B1EBE154BF06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIoHaRd8GHPsxmCUI3ZaDRyh_XL2NYxdId1R0QNxgW1KPOh1_A-C4IF7FSiUnOY0WyJ5CeJohcPRjXaoJy_CpuCKXyGaGrTVXJNa6UeR8_6auhMsanabdwcHUc-bfcg4r9U-mPp3e49-G/s320/E9F74885-CBE0-49F6-A7A6-B1EBE154BF06.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
Midday at the Pinball museum in Alameda - hot, still air, busier than I've ever seen it. I'm not good at pinball, but I really enjoy it... love the bells, the lights, the rolling balls the flipping flippers. Playing pinball reminds me of playing the slots, except more fun, and less money lost.<br />
<br />
On this day I was pinballin it with my sister ,and a cousin, and tried a new (to me) marble game - at first it made no sense, then gradually with practice it all started to become clearer... It is so easy to forget that with a little time, patience, and repetition most information starts to sort itself, and fall into place. The fact is, I often expect that I should swim immediately when dropped in new waters. The truth is, I may swim, I may flail - it's a big unknown...<br />
<br />
The reflexive expectation of immediate mastery, and harsh judgement, when I fall short is what makes me so weary at the thought of trying new things. The high value gambles can be the hardest to make, I will walk around the world and scrub all of the grout in the house to avoid failing at the things I really want. This keeps me safe, from the larger world, and the grout clean - am working on doubling my rate of failure, trying more, forgiving more. Inspired by this post on the Discardia blog <a href="http://www.discardia.com/2012/07/keep-experimenting.html">http://www.discardia.com/2012/07/keep-experimenting.html</a>Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-35674391758043868362012-07-20T19:09:00.002-07:002012-07-23T18:36:37.384-07:00Looking into the Mirror.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc6sO2akmMko0lr3ktCry2MjFdpRiLniMAGoP2BNGaUV5ZHGXljUlPG9eKsijBQaD1z3UyXu5zq1_FyORDB6f4iIgnsxxxpdYFGuOM_mAy6c8hQGqBbDEbBdtopXDxxoJszxLOG5P5VDs/s1600/4043CE0B-2312-47C1-9C75-964578BA7B98.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc6sO2akmMko0lr3ktCry2MjFdpRiLniMAGoP2BNGaUV5ZHGXljUlPG9eKsijBQaD1z3UyXu5zq1_FyORDB6f4iIgnsxxxpdYFGuOM_mAy6c8hQGqBbDEbBdtopXDxxoJszxLOG5P5VDs/s200/4043CE0B-2312-47C1-9C75-964578BA7B98.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ace Hotel Portland<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<h1 class="title" style="color: black; font-size: 1.917em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.45; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 class="title" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;">I first read this poem in <u>The Time Traveler's Wife </u> by Audrey Niffenegger. Both the book, and this poem, are favorites of mine. So rich and multi-layered. Sitting and appreciating the stratta of self... </span></span></h1>
<h1 class="title" style="color: black; font-size: 1.917em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.45; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 class="title" style="color: black; font-size: 1.917em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.45; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">Love After Love</span></h1>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">
</span><br />
<div class="poem">
<div style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">The time will come</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">when, with elation</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">you will greet yourself arriving</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">at your own door, in your own mirror</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">and each will smile at the other's welcome,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">and say, sit here. Eat.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">You will love again the stranger who was your self.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">to itself, to the stranger who has loved you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">all your life, whom you ignored</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">for another, who knows you by heart.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">the photographs, the desperate notes,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">peel your own image from the mirror.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">Sit. Feast on your life.</span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">
</span><br />
<div class="poet" style="color: black; font-size: 1.417em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">- Derek Walcott </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-17399834568993405612012-07-18T18:45:00.001-07:002012-08-07T19:43:27.749-07:00P.S. Take a breath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfkYmNZDgMHmAaI-SVffCRyfWdxOIFLtWYZr9CHopFnfkVi4RJTDc6A1d4VsqFdTegz2w0KAk6cY83vd1M3uD_1cTPojAU6gaUTG-7oQvbpioNkOodfCVRWHuofUsr-u8d4YM7f-jLFGO/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfkYmNZDgMHmAaI-SVffCRyfWdxOIFLtWYZr9CHopFnfkVi4RJTDc6A1d4VsqFdTegz2w0KAk6cY83vd1M3uD_1cTPojAU6gaUTG-7oQvbpioNkOodfCVRWHuofUsr-u8d4YM7f-jLFGO/s320/IMG_0431.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In June of 2010 I was 2 years into owning my own business, 3 years out of a hard break up, and about 5 deaths in to a 7 deaths (in 8 years) family death streak. I was dried out, and yearned for some time out, rest, and contemplation. I wanted to go to Hawaii.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I bought some crazy sandals for the (so far fictitious) trip, and kept saying out loud that I was planning on going to Hawaii - and voila - I ended up with a trip to Hawaii - my dream trip, staying at the hotel of my choice. My head was spinning, and I was thrilled. For the first time I was going on a trip just to relax, and look at the water.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's what happened. My hotel was beautiful, so was the ocean... I found out that without any general busyness, or anyone to blame my crankiness on, I was <i>unable to let go</i>. I observed my inner dialogue, and found out that I was mean to myself, keeping myself uncomfortable a lot of the time - I was playing control games. For Example : I need to go to the bathroom, so instead of going, I set a goal to read another paragraph.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This whole unconscious internal cruelty was news to me, and, it explained so much about why I wasn't feeling balanced and loved, even in good situations. Bottom Line, I wanted to learn how to be kinder to me. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every morning I wrote myself letters with drawings, and insights, and mailed them to myself at home. I didn't want the awareness that I had gained to just disappear, and the letters were a gift to the me in the future. I had been holding on so hard, trying to control the world, that I wasn't able to receive, from myself, or anyone. I wanted to learn how to receive - I came up with a new mantra: Open one hand, Open the other hand, Open your heart. Easier said than done, but repeating it was a good reminder of my intention. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The habit of ignoring my needs was going to be hard to break, so I came up with a list to lean on when I start to feel off. This is the list I use(d) for kindness training. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Take a Breath</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Go to the Bathroom</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 Drink some water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Have a small protein snack (nuts)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Take another Breath</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was a good place to start. When I returned from Hawaii, I started working the kindness steps, and began learning how to treat myself as someone of worth. The first step being, my most basic human needs. Who Knew.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130189796780154127.post-22577702862610323682012-07-17T17:34:00.000-07:002012-07-24T15:15:35.731-07:00Beginning<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here I am, back in the cyber world. My acceptance into Camp Mighty brings me out of the shadows, and into the public place of documenting my dream to reality accomplishments, and the small adventures of food, fabulousness, and folly that make my world a better place. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a fairly solitary bear I hesitate to publicly put pen to paper - however, I love the magic, and if not magic, insight, that can happen within a supportive community. So, without further ado:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ann Patchett wrote a long essay on writing called <u>The Getaway Car</u>, this quote strikes a major chord for me:</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">I believe that, more than anything else, this grief of constantly having to face down our own inadequacies is what keeps people from being writers. Forgiveness, therefore, is key. I can’t write the book I want to write, but I can and will write the book I am capable of writing. Again and again throughout the course of my life I will forgive myself."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">So true - the passages that surround this, about being willing to take your perfect mental picture, and birth it however imperfectly into the real world gives me the impetus to get my dreams dirty, and reach out of the ill fitting box of safety, and into the world of infinite success, and failure, humanity, and possibility. So scary - so exciting. These are the roots of reaching out. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>Just Ms. B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11900904103684785682noreply@blogger.com0