I’ve been cleared by the Doc to work out again so I’m back at it and it feels so good. Legs are already sore but I love it, and have missed the feeling. All those whoppers and root beer floats are hanging out around my mid-section right now. A little too soft for my comfort. Am also trying a new spin class at Bike Dojo in Santa Cruz — so excited!
Whenever I hear the word “nook”, I think of Sex & the City and Aidan’s “nook” Carrie desperately wanted to get back into after they got back together. Nook has a whole new meaning to me now. My nook. The nook where Jace sleeps. I know I should put him in his crib, but when he’s in my nook and I can stare at his little face and fingers and feel his breath on my face, I refuse to move. He is so perfect in that moment that I will not move him. Plus, he sleeps 4 hours in the nook sometimes so I let him him stay there for as long as he wants. The crib can wait if you ask me ;)
As you may or may not know, I’m a huge fan of DailyOM. Their daily emails always seem to come at the right time. Below is a DailyOM I received last week in my inbox that I keep coming back to, titled “Relying on others: The wisdom of surrender”. It’s so meant for me – I’m telling you, it’s like DailyOM knows exactly what I need to hear and when!
Lately I’ve been having a hard time “letting go”, you could say. I’m trying to be OK with a messy house and letting others do things for me. Dishes can sit in the sink for a couple days, right? Dirty diapers can pile up — laundry can go unfolded — for a bit? I feel most normal when my house is clean, but for now, normal is to let things go and maybe rely on someone else for a change, and not myself. To smell my baby’s head some more instead of vacuum up dog hair. To let others help – including Rob {when he has the energy to}! No entertaining. No added expectations. No guilt.
Here is the full DailyOM excerpt for “Relying on others” — perhaps it will speak to you as well!
The first step is accepting the situation fully as it is. Too often we make things worse either by trying to do more than we should or by lapsing into feelings of uselessness. In both cases we run the risk of actually prolonging our dependency. In addition, we miss a valuable opportunity to practice acceptance and humility. The ego resists what is, so when we move into acceptance we move into the deeper realm of the soul. In needing others and allowing them to help us, we experience the full realization that we are not on our own in the world. While this may bring up feelings of vulnerability, a deep feeling of gratitude may also emerge as we open to the experience of being helped. This realization can enable us to be wiser in our service of others when we are called upon to help.
It takes wisdom and strength to surrender to our own helplessness and to accept that we, just like every other human being, have limitations. The gifts of surrender are numerous. We discover humility, gratitude, and a deepening understanding of the human experience that enables us to be that much more compassionate and surrendered in the world.
I’m officially on maternity leave. Between doctor’s appointments and emails for work, I’ve been finding things to keep my mind and hands occupied. I don’t do well at home with nothing to do. I’m supposed to be “nesting” . . . but all I want to do is do something, ha. I’ve done all the laundry I can do. Nursery is about ready, bags are packed for the hospital, kitchen is clean, movies are lined up on Netflix. Should probably be napping more. God knows my body wants to. So, here’s how I’ve been killing the time:
{daily walks to the beach}
{ordered a TON of new magazines}
{catching up on Revenge}
{more belly pics … gotta keep documenting}
{some fresh narcissus for my bedside and more reading}
1. I’ve been thinking a lot about trying my “hands” at calligraphy, and would love to attend a formal class (Miss Heather must have finally rubbed off on me;)}. Overall, I’d just like to do more crafting and continue my education in the arts.
2. I think 2014 is the year I buy a new camera lens. I’ve been talking about it long enough. I just need to do it already, right?! And also take some more online photography & photo editing classes. Want to make sure I capture every little expression on our little boy’s face.
3. Time to re-brand Cher Joy, revisit my own creative brief and reboot. Will be doing some serious brainstorming and blogging in 2014 {or at least I’m aspiring to!}.
4. Subscribe to some good magazine reads. Something for me to look forward to in the mail, now that all the baby gifts have come to an end. Feel free to share your favorite magazines. Would love your recommendations!
5. Last, but not least, Pinterest & Instagram, oh, how I love you both. I’m a marketer at heart, yet I don’t use these two outlets to my advantage, to network and get creative. Hoping to up my game and creativity on both and really, just have more fun with both!
If you’re a blogger or DIYer, what are your creative goals for 2014?