things i keep meaning to tell you...
how I'm feeling these days
(plus a new soul mantra in the heart.full collection in my shop)
If we were settling in for a long conversation over a pot of tea, these are a few of the silly, serious, everyday things that might come up today:
1) Earlier this month we saw Fabio at the grocery store. Yes. That Fabio. He was there promoting something. There were a lot of women waiting to meet him. They were putting on lipgloss. We were just buying lunch.
2) I finally bought a huge calendar for my studio wall and am planning to use Elise's sticky note method to keep track of blog posts/projects so that my content will be more consistent over here. My schedule has felt upside down since the holidays, but I'm craving a rhythm again. Small movements each day to get back to this rhythm are helping. (Revisiting the wisdom in Zen & the art of being a work-at-home mama is helping too.)
3) Several loved ones are having some health issues right now, and almost each day, we've been lighting a candle with the specific intention of sending them love and light and healing. I share this because this simple practice helps me feel like I am doing something when it feels like there is little I can do from far away.
4) My retainer broke. Yes, my retainer. The one that has been on the back of my front lower teeth for 23 years. Twenty-three years. I haven't felt the back of those teeth since I was in 8th grade. Wow. It is awesome. Except for the glue/cement stuff poking me that will be there until I can get in to the dentist. Still, flossing is like my new favorite past time these days.
5) In the last few months, I've become one of the top 25 most followed Pinterest users in the world. I know. It is crazy. So crazy that I have struggled trying to talk about it over here because it was so unexpected. For a few months now, Pinterest has recommended boards to new users based on a few pins they choose. My "YES" board is one of those recommended boards. I say again, crazy.
So far it has meant a few interesting opportunities, like being one of the first users of Luvocracy and being asked review things. (Yes, I would be delighted to review this new chocolate [post coming soon] because who turns down chocolate. No, I don't need new car mats or want to do a giveaway for them.) It has meant a slight increase in traffic over here on the blog. (Yes, it is really fun to be connecting with a new audience. No, it doesn't mean I now have millions of readers here or thousands of customers for my offerings.) I look forward to sharing more about this wacky, fun new path of seeing myself as a curator. And connect with me over on Pinterest. I'm having a lot of fun and will be sharing more about how I use Pinterest for inspiration and other good things here on my blog.
6) Feeling deeply called to gather with women in person. Teaching, sharing stories, creating together. Spending time thinking about how that could happen. Knowing in my bones that this is my path. Hosting my retreats fills me up but I'm only able to organize a small handful a year. So I'm hoping to be invited to teach other places...to visit you in your corner of the world and help you create a safe space where your kindreds can connect. Also dreaming about holding "retreats for one" here in my corner (where women would come for a personal retreat with me as their guide).
7) The part where "they" tell you to be careful what you say around kids when they start talking is true. I know you know that. But each time I swear and Ellie repeats whatever fantastic phrase I've said in a sing songy voice while dancing...well, those moments are equal parts awesome and oh my goodness please don't say that in front of Grandma.
Now, it's your turn. What would you share over tea today?
Blessings,
Liz
make a list.
Reader Comments (13)
WOW that is amazing !
I still don't really understand Luvocracy, I wish I would though.
I would share how very much your words have meant, and are meaning, to me. I would tell you how very much I would like to sit over tea with you, because you and Jenn Gibson fill me with more peace and grace than anyone else. I would like to hug you until you can relax.
I love everything about this post. I was laughing about Fabio till the end. It isn't by lucky chance that you are in the top 25 boards on Pinterest (OMG!). You are shining. SHINING.
I would talk about how important it is for women to make those all important connections--the real ones, the face-to-face ones, the intimate ones. I have realized that I am such an introvert (an INFP, to be exact--more or less) that making the connections is harder. Small groups of women who connect over similar interests--there I am comfortable, and I may even talk and share. I have a dream this year, too, to organize a retreat along the lines of the Shutter Sisters but for the East Coast (would you come?) for women photographers--not necessarily pros, but women who want to create with their cameras. (Did I just say I was introvert? this dream of mine and I may be an oxymoron for sure!) I want to create space for us to "be"--alone, together, working, playing, sharing. . . .
That's what I'd talk about with you over tea and lattes and maybe salsa and chips!
OMG. you're awesome! Ellie sing-swearing...priceless. :) And Fabio...really?! And Pinterest. Yes, that IS crazy. crazy cool. :) thinking of you and your loved ones.
first of all, i had to giggle at the Ellie story...we have totally been down that road.
and secondly, yay for you and pinterest! that is so awesome.
i am such a pinterest addict, it isn't even funny...but the good thing, it replaced my FB addiction :)
can i ask how you knew that you were one of the top 25? Did pinterest let you know that? That is seriously awesome!
and i don't think i have to say that one-on-one retreats would be super-awesome,
especially for those of us that live on little islands in Canada...
:D
I would laugh over Fabio with you & tell you about the time my husband pulled over Shannon Daugherty. I would gush over your Pinterest ranking...so very cool! And laugh at Ellie's cursing (my daughter did the same thing!). Then I would tell you what an amazing person you are & how lucky someone would be to have a one on one retreat with you.
I wouls share that I would so love to do a one on one session with you :)
I would tell you that I still haven't figured out Pinetrest.....I have an account but I don't really know what to do with it. I would tell you that I dream of being able to attend one of your retreats one day. And I would thank you again for Earth Mermaid!!
I would tell you this: my best friend, who died just over a year ago, has left me some money, and I have decided to use it to buy a piano. I miss her every day. I am very excited about the piano and will think of her every time I play. I would also tell you: being 60 isn't so bad except when I read about new scientific advances and they say something like, 'In thirty years we'll ....' Sigh. I would tell you that I have the best sons in the world :-) And I would tell you that I love your blog and look at it every day. x
i would tell you. i am learning to slow down. to listen to my whims. to lean into love. to make time for pleasure. to enjoy this life as it is. it is the rawest way i have ever lived and i feel like i am making baby steps/no steps{at times} but i am present to it all.
I figured I'd add my name to the list of almost 4 MILLION followers you have there. Holy cow!
Hello liz,
Thank you x
I have been struggling lately with distant worry and care for a loved one, it makes me feel, inadequate , restless etc , you know...
So thank you for sharing about lighting a candle... I do light candles often with a sense of meaning, but I think maybe it might help me at the moment to apply the idea of caring through thought of someone in this way x and take a bit of weight off me x
Bests Nicola x uk