Judy Price is Writing

A dreary, cold November day, this Saturday, and I am glad I chose not to hike today.

Not often I would admit to that, but there it is.  I prefer brighter, and a little warmer days, at least not the kind of damp cold that seeps into my bones.

I know I will miss the woods, though, and all it offers me this weekend. 

I have planned to conserve my energy for other things this week in preparation of a little ‘escape’.

A friend and I decided to share expenses so that we could both get out of the cold and rejuvenate, in anticipation of  this fast-approaching Christmas. 

We are both grieving losses, albeit different kinds, and the reprieve will hopefully enable us to both achieve not only a change of scenery, but also a little  ’perspective’.  I have learned that sometimes the ‘widescreen view’ can only come with distance.

I find I am procrastinating though, and here I am writing instead of doing what needs to be done and quickly.  I think I need to fulfill one of my passions today, and writing is that ‘one’. 

However, I will limit my time here today, and there is only one more thing I want to share.

After the DivorceCare group I facilitated this past Thursday evening, I did not feel the devastating effects of the previous week.  In fact, my sense of humour escalated to the point that I responded to an email that evening with a heightened sense of playfulness, unlike me of late!

There are probably many reasons I felt more normal, the most important being that  my spirit was uplifted during this session, as opposed to burdened.

When I ‘let go and let God’, as I did this time, my load is lightened and I reap the reward as do all those I serve . . .

As the American Thanksgiving approaches, and Christmas in fast pursuit, it is time to count my many blessings in this life.

I regularly do this anyway, especially in October (Canadian Thanksgiving), yet it seems appropriate to consider them here, in my blog.

I am truly thankful for my children.  They are by far the greatest gifts in my life.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think about them and feel blessed.

I was also given intelligence, creativity, sensitivity, grace and genetics bestowing a youthful beauty.  I am very fortunate indeed.

My parents (even though now deceased), siblings, and their families provide stability and unconditional love in my life, and an important sense of history.

My variety of friends offer wondrous gifts of their unique individuality, and bring different dimensions of love to my life and being.  

In spite of my losses and limitations, I am grateful for each day as it appears before me. 

Opportunities have been presented to me that others have never been fortunate to have.

I had a lengthy marriage and numerous happy memories from that union, as a couple and then as a family.

During that ‘lifetime’ spanning 28 years, I had the privilege of enjoying the fruits of a successful business and wealth for at least several of those years.

I have travelled extensively in North America, the Caribbean and Hawaiian Islands, and plan to explore more of this planet before I leave this earth.

In my professional careers I was able to share my knowledge and experience with others and am grateful for those years.  As a volunteer, I am still able to serve and help people.

I was blessed with a loving heart and soul which I attempt to open to others through the mantra of, “Care deeply, love generously, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God” . . .

After more than a few days of allowing myself to grieve and experience my pain, I joined a new friend on a hike in an area I have never before traversed.  I am grateful for her gracious invitation, and especially for her friendship.

It was a beautiful day for an outing, and afterward I am feeling more calm and content, more ‘normal’.  My soul is well-fed.  This is what being in nature, while hiking with others, does for me.

I do not want to lose this peacefulness within my being. 

Definitely, one of my priorities has to be ‘to live’ by regularly participating in fast-paced walking/hiking in the natural world.  My preference would be to enjoy this activity with at least one other person.

I am ready to begin the upcoming week, and to see where it will take me . . .

The day after the night before! 

I never thought facilitating divorce recovery groups could affect me the way a ‘party’ used to do.

I know it is my grief surfacing, as the holiday season without my Mom for the first time approaches, as well as ‘spreading myself too thin’,  that is rendering me in this state.

I have to nurture myself as I counsel others to do.  I must be kind to myself and allow the tears to cleanse me once again, as these waves wash over me. 

I need to give myself permission to ‘wallow’ in self-pity, at least for a little while, before getting on with living . . .