Calming the Restless Butterflies

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The butterflies are restless today. They decided to take up residence the moment I awoke this morning. Fluttering about madly in my stomach.

I could fight back or try to soothe them. So I did my yoga practice with extra deep breathing. I also asked for guidance to do the very best job I can.

Tonight is the first in a three part series workshop I am teaching on Self-Publishing. I’ve never taught a class like this before — but I’ve certainly been through it with publishing my own children’s books and memoir.

I remember clearly trying to swim through the endless sea of information on this subject myself. Having spent countless hours and many e-courses I took on the subject. There is so much to learn.

While I think the workshop will get the participants off on the right foot, I hope it will also help them set a foundation for what is ahead. The publishing world continues to change and keeping up is a job in itself. But the rewards are great.

Most of all I want to encourage them to tell their stories and get their book out into the world. While I don’t know yet if and when I’ll have another book in me to write, I do know that the books I have written have changed my life for the better. I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to do so.

And so it is with my first session of talking self-publishing tonight. I step out once again, out of that zone of comfort, hoping I can make a difference in encouraging others to do the same.

And if the butterflies want to come along for the ride, well then, so be it. But I have a feeling once I get into talking tonight they will flutter off to sleep and all will be well.

What Matters. New Morning Ritual.

20140916_071805The mornings are cooler and crisper. Snippets of fall color are appearing in the trees. Leaves on our maple tree are beginning to flutter ever so slowly down to the ground, one by one.

While I feel a sense of wanting to accomplish many projects, I also feel a tug of slowing down. Oh, the ebb and flow of life.

After Kylie eats her breakfast she makes her way back to bed to snuggle in for the morning. Oh, to be a dog!

A new morning ritual that began this weekend is that I lay a soft blanket over her. I love to take a few moments and linger by her side.  I lay my head on her side and stroke her head. I tell her how much I love her. I call her my little pony.

It’s all that matters. No matter what else the day may be full of, or what it may bring, this is what matters. Love.

Love for a dog who has taught me that I am enough. She loves me. All of me. And I love her. Oh, how I love her.

Our bond a steady stream of growth over the years. Growing richer and deeper with each passing day.

It’s what matters. It’s all that matters.

Autumnal Blessings

20140914_101202When autumn begins making its appearance, everything in me seems to shift. All feels right in my center. I don’t just love fall, I adore it!

Projects I’ve been thinking of seem to pick up speed and actually get done. Like my front door, which was blue for about the past five years or so. Ever since the day I painted it, I didn’t like the color once it dried. It bothered me every time I looked at it.

But I didn’t know what color to change it to. I can’t even tell you how many times I thought about a new color!

My house is a darker sage of green. I wanted a color that would go with the different seasons, plus the many holidays for decorating purposes.

And then I found it… an autumnal blessing… I painted it a lighter shade in the green family called “antiquity.” Just the name itself makes me happy.

What a difference painting my front door this color has made in my spirit!

20140914_120045Now I can’t stop staring at my front door!

As I looked closer at the photo I took of Gidget who wanted to be on my lap while I painted, but finally gave in to sitting off to the side, I see she looks to be in an almost meditative state. I guess the autumnal antiquity agrees with helping her to feel in balance too!

It will be another autumnal blessing soon when I bring out all my fall decorations – but for now I just had to enjoy a few days longer the summer floral on my freshly painted door.