Growth Opportunities

Remember how I asked myself what I could do to support my body's natural healing ability?

Well, the simplicity of the answer may shock you. It certainly threw me for a loop.

Rest.

Yep. That's it. Get more shut-eye. Log off the laptop and log more hours in the Land of Nod. Just let go like featherweight rose petals.

What was more shocking than the prescription from my intuition was the awareness of how little mental rest I was getting. See, I sometimes forget that I'm a human being, not a human do-ing. And that it's possible to read, blog, talk and maybe even floss too much.

Now it just so happens that my epiphany about needing a time-out coincided with a light schedule, but I could easily have filled up all my waking hours had I not listened to my wise body, which is doing worlds better, by the way. I'm still drinking the muddy brick tea and getting acupuncture to bring me back to balance, but I'm certain my healing has accelerated with added sleep and fewer activities.

Want to know what else increased along with my well-being? My income. On the days I was most "passive," I noticed a spike in my songwriting royalties. Coincidence, maybe, but even if I hadn't literally gotten paid to close my eyes, I'd still choose to get more rest because it feels so darn good! And because somehow the essential things are still getting done but more efficiently and joyfully than before. Now that's growth I can bank on!

Flower Power

"When you have only two pennies 

left in the world, 

buy a loaf of bread with one, 

and a lily with the other."

 –Chinese Proverb

Growth Opportunities

At the risk of sounding less than rosy, I'm going to tell you about my morning.

That it began at 3:30 with the percussive sounds of my radiator, which took it upon itself to warm up the entire Northern Hemisphere as well as my apartment.

That the stifling heat wasn't doing my raw, chapped hands any favors.

That the tea my acupuncturist prescribed me for the eczema flare-up doesn't taste as good as my daughter once described her own concoction (a lollipop dragged across a muddy brick).

That I had committed to attending said daughter's publishing party at school today.

That during our commute in 30-degree weather, I wondered at least half a dozen times why I ever decided to leave Florida. And also bemoaned that I'd have to wet my hands more than usual (gloves are no use at this stage) to make soup that's a crucial part of Amanda's diet.

Well, that's one version of my morning.

The other one is that while lying in bed at 4 a.m., I remembered some really tender moments with people I love.

That it was kind of nice not to wear two pairs of socks indoors.

That a shaman of a violinist named Adriel Williams – whose business card features none other than a bold crocus by Gabe Kirchheimer – moved me to tears on the subway platform.

That flowers again made an appearance when a friend gave me a precious and completely unexpected birthday gift – a notepad from Punch Studio.

That another friend's gratitude list inspired me to write and share my own.

That, in addition to questioning my change of address 11 years ago, I also asked my Higher Self what I could do today to support my body's natural healing ability.

That, at the publishing party, I got to read my daughter's story about the rewards of intense effort, a most welcome lesson on this "hot and cold" day.

That making soup was the perfect way to marinate ideas for this entry and that it motivated me to make some blood-strengthening beet juice for myself.

That I remembered I'm not alone in my sensitivity to winter and that, although my hands still hurt when water hits them, they are doing better with the "muddy brick" tea.

And that my paperwhite bulbs – a gift from yet another generous friend – must have liked the extra heat and took it upon themselves to bloom today, of all days.

Seeds of Inspiration

"Mama, what's the point of Pinterest?" Amanda asked me last week.

"Well it's fun, and that's a pretty good reason right there."

"Okay. What else?" asked my seven-year-old, who has her own board full of rainbows, chihuahuas, and bunk beds on my page.

"I'm getting to know some of my friends better and making some new ones," I said, recalling that three of them over a period of three months had urged me to try the site that "allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web."

"Oh, I know!" she said. "You also get to figure out what you like."

The wise child took the words right out of my mouth.

Like "offline" vision maps, or treasure maps, as they're sometimes called, the pin boards offer clues to heart's desires, and they're also pretty good trip planners and botany instructors (I'm ready for my quiz on ranunculus and frangipani, Professor Nomenclature).

Words of wisdom and humor abound as well, and if you're crafty, you'll find a cornucopia of good ideas. And did I mention the colors? Mamma mia!

Can Pinterest be addictive and actually thwart creativity?

by Tena Holmgren

Like anything not used in moderation, it could be problematic. But overall, I'm seeing positive effects on creativity. For example, this picture Amanda pinned inspired a fun and simple art project now hanging in her room. And the photo above, which I took in Shakespeare's Garden last spring, has been making the rounds on the boards of fellow gardening fans, which moves me to create and share more images like it. 

What moves me just as much, maybe even more, are the "pintimate" and often poetic revelations on the boards. To share photos you admire or create is to share your soul. And to encourage others to do the same.

Roots of Compassion and Resilience

The cool lady in the shades is one Maria Ana "Nini" Luna, otherwise known as my mother. She's not only responsible for my being here, she also has a lot to do with the optimism and resilience I've cultivated in my 41 years on this planet.

After a rough day at school, she'd gently remind me that tomorrow would be a new day, which might be completely different than the one before. I wasn't always receptive to that notion, but, boy, have I called on that wisdom many times as an adult to put a "bad" day or moment in perspective.

Whenever I assumed something about a friend, she encouraged me to look at things from the friend's perspective and see if there was more to the situation than I was noticing. I frequently call on those lessons in compassion and tolerance when having heart-to-heart talks with my own daughter.

My mom has helped me cultivate (and resuscitate!) a few plants along the way, too, and modeled healthful habits (kale-beet juice, anyone?), so while I've certainly enjoyed the birthday spotlight today, I'm happy, if not compelled, to share it with her.