Embrace Life

Wishcasting | 37, 38, 39 & 40

WISHCASTING | 37 If anything's possible (and it is), what would you wish for?

I want for very little, but if I could wish for anything (beyond good health and good choices for me and my children) it would be for a lifetime membership to and property at Canyon Ranch, Tucson. I would visit regularly and make the desert lifestyle a more physcially present part of my life and not just every April!

What about you? If anything's possible, what would you wish for?

WISHCASTING | 38 Who is the "you" you wish to be?

I want to be comfortable in my own skin. In that I mean, I want to be the weight of the woman inside. The weight of the woman with my test results. I have no problem with the look of the weight - as in I feel no shame because of it - but I do have a problem with not looking like how I feel. The woman I wish to be better resembles the woman I was before the thyroid disease, before the frozen shoulder, before adrenal failure. I am happy to be the woman who had four kids in four-and-a-half years who is now 50. The rest I could do without!

What about you? Who is the "you" you wish to be?

WISHCASTING | 39 What rules do you wish to break?

Given the current level of bullying and mean behaviour I've witnessed, I have some serious issues with societal rules of engagement. Especially those that just don't ring true in that they are meant to elicit an inauthentic response - the made up rules that protect the bully and shame the victim. I wish to break every rule that does not honour the only one that matters to me: treat people the way you want to be treated. 

What about you? What rules do you wish to break?

WISHCASTING | 40 How do you wish to be brave?

I wish I could consistently stand in my truth every minute of every day. I would let the words and actions of those in "power" (who use judgment and shame to manipulate) just wash over me with no reaction. I would really like to convert my current reaction of anger and helplessness to pity - or even generosity and gratitude.

What about you? How do you wish to be brave?

_______________________________________________________________________

These are responses to the prompts found in Jamie Ridler's 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes. Though I'm more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. Recently, there has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes.

Wishcasting | 33, 34, 35 & 36

WISHCASTING | 33 What do you wish to feed?

I wish to feed my innate nature: I am curious. I am sensitive. I am a dreamer. I am kind. I am fiercely loyal to those loyal to me. After years of trying to keep my truth in check - I was told it was rude, emotional, distracted, needy and difficult - I am giving my innate nature free reign and I wish to make up for lost time and feed it at every opportunity.

What about you? What do you wish to feed?

WISHCASTING | 34 How do you wish to spend your day?

My day would start enjoying breakfast, well, brunch, with all of my kids around the same table. My kitchen would be miraculously spotless so I could leave to grab my camera and take a photo walk. I'd spend the afternoon with my sister - shopping, a show, a class, whatever. Then I'd join my girlfriends for a meal that would have us laughing and drinking until well past dessert. I'd get home, change into comfy pajamas, read a few pages in my latest book. I'd turn out the light and snuggle up tight with my partner who is happy I had a wonderful day and happier he now has me to himself :)

What about you? How do you wish to spend your day?

WISHCASTING | 35 To what do you wish to say "no"?

My friend Robin is fond of the old Polish proverb: Not my circus. Not my monkeys. I couldn't agree more. I am so incredibly tired of drama. And not just the teenage variety of which there is much, daily. I'm tired of adults acting like children by making more of a situation than what is there and going to such an extreme as to make it absurd. Drama is boring. Focus on other things: world peace and tollerance, bringing light into darkness, kindness to evil, patience to bigotry. Please.

What about you? To what do you wish to say "no"?

WISHCASTING | 36 What do you wish to create?

A genuine life, one full of truth, tolerance, authenticity, love and kindness.

What about you? What do you wish to create?

_______________________________________________________________________

These are responses to the prompts found in Jamie Ridler's 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes. Though I'm more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. Recently, there has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes.

Wishcasting | 29, 30, 31 & 32

I had started random Wishcasting years ago. In January of this year I signed up to take the course through the year starting with prompt 1; prompts 2 - 4, prompts 5 - 8 and then managed to let other things get in the way! I've decided to catch up so this is officially Wishcasting Week: 4 prompts a day for the next six days!

WISHCASTING | 29 Where do you wish to TRAVEL?

I have decided that I am a home-body. I love the idea of travel but I hate the increasing inconvenience of it all. If there were a way to get to your destination instantaneously - with no charge for your luggage or line at customs, I'd go everywhere! As it stands, I plan to live vicariously through my children who plan to go to exotic places. I wish to go to the UK: revisit castles in Scotland; take in the myth and wonder found in Glastonbury in England; enjoy the pubs in Ireland; drive the ring road in Iceland; and, maybe go to Italy to walk in the steps of history. Other than that, I'm content to keep my traveling to those destinations I can make within a day or two in my truck, with the simple adventures the journey provides.

What about you? Where do you wish to travel?

WISHCASTING | 30 What do you wish to CHOOSE?

I am fortunate to be in a position where I am able to choose just about anything I want without restriction. Well, there is always the time and money restrictions we all have, but beyond that I enjoy very few limitations except those I put on myself. My logical brain recognizes fully that I have 100% control over all of the choices I make. I'd like to choose without my self-imposed ego-motivated limitations - or the expectations of others - getting in the way. The idea that "I can't" or "I'm not enough" or "the idea isn't good enough" or "no one would be interested" would be better off banished from my brain!

What about you? What do you wish to choose?

WISHCASTING | 31 How do you wish to EXPRESS YOURSELF?

Writing. I wish to express myself and my core desired feelings and beliefs through stories and characters. I have been mulling different ideas ranging from picture books for toddlers to giant tomes of readable fun and adventure. I am finally getting to the point where I have not just one simple idea, but many. If you had asked me a year ago, I'd have told you this would be an impossibility - my creative well had run dry. The passage of time has certainly worked it's magic and I am happily in the optimistic beginning stages of writing again. Happy sigh.

What about you? How do you wish to express yourself?

WISHCASTING | 32 What do you wish for your WELL-BEING?

I am enjoying this long journey to wellness - mind, body and soul - My mind is always occupied with concepts and ideas, my body is moving and tests are being done for the parts that don't function properly and my soul is being constantly nourished through meditation and practice. For continued wellness, I would like for my almost always perfect kids to be more respectful of each other and bicker less! That would do my mind, body, soul AND heart good :)

What about you? What do you wish for your well-being?

_______________________________________________________________________

These are responses to the prompts found in Jamie Ridler's 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes. Though I'm more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. Recently, there has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes.

Wishcasting | 25, 26, 27 & 28

I had started random Wishcasting years ago. In January of this year I signed up to take the course through the year starting with prompt 1; prompts 2 - 4, prompts 5 - 8 and then managed to let other things get in the way! I've decided to catch up so this is officially Wishcasting Week: 4 prompts a day for the next six days!

WISHCASTING | 25 What do you wish to DARE?

I am in the process of mapping out a book. A book along the lines of those books I enjoy reading: books by Sarah Addison Allen or Katherine Center or Jan Karon or Alice Hoffman. Nice stories with good messages that are a bit of an escape from the pace and pressures of every day. I want characters like people I'd enjoy in my life every day - after all, they will be in my life every day. I want settings that feel comfortable and warm but not like home, more like a familiar place to visit. I want lessons that resonate but don't feel too preachy or judgmental. I wish to dare to not only write these books but submit them and have them published.

What about you? What do you wish to dare?

WISHCASTING | 26 What do you wish for your SPACE?

Once everything is moved into our new home, new furniture is purchased and arranged, art and curtains are hung, I wish for my space to be 100% clean and organized 100% of the time. I have recently let go my cleaning crew as they were doing a less than adequate job as the weeks went by and I was tired of paying for something sub-standard. Now I'm in twice the space with half the help! Crazy. But, now everything has it's place and there is no excuse for clutter and disarray. I am just as much a culprit as the kids, but since the whole space is mine, there is more for me to manage. I just want them to manage theirs, regularly :)

What about you? What do you wish for your space?

WISHCASTING | 27 What do you wish to make TIME for?

Reading. I wish to make time for reading. I seem to have managed to make time for writing and creating but I have forgotten one of the most important things! Reading. I am always reading magazines and online articles, but I don't often make time to sit down in my big reading chair with a thick book filled with all manner of stories and characters and settings and plots and drama and emotion and facts and pace and concepts and climax and conflict. My bookshelves are bursting with unread books. I wish to make time to read every unread book in my home and on my Kindle!

What about you? What do you wish to make time for?

WISHCASTING | 28 What do you wish to LEARN?

I wish to learn to make beautiful things. To start, I'd like to create with words and clay, much like the items found at paper boat press (in Australia). I love the idea of a small gift shop where I am able to sell items I make by hand. I want to knit - or at least find the patience to knit - nice heavy and chunky throws. I'd like to re-learn how to sew as I have a few crafty ideas rattling around in my head. I'd also like to make some jewelry - or at least learn the basics of it. I’d like to learn how to use my pendulum and get more in touch with my intuition and energy. So much!

What about you? What do you wish to learn?

_______________________________________________________________________

These are responses to the prompts found in Jamie Ridler's 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes. Though I'm more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. Recently, there has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes.

Wishcasting | 21, 22, 23 & 24

I had started random Wishcasting years ago. In January of this year I signed up to take the course through the year starting with prompt 1; prompts 2 - 4, prompts 5 - 8 and then managed to let other things get in the way! I've decided to catch up so this is officially Wishcasting Week: 4 prompts a day for the next six days!

WISHCASTING | 21 What do you wish someone would SAY TO YOU?

I wish someone would tell me what is exactly wrong with my thyroid and exactly how to fix it. I want someone to lay out the steps. "Lee, if you do 1. then 2. then 3. then the chemicals in the medication will finally attach to the right part of the cell and actually work within your biochemistry and as a result you will be healthier, rested, thinner and fitter." I would love to have someone give me the exact formula to make it easier for me to manage my life, every day.

What about you? What do you wish someone would say to you?

WISHCASTING | 22 What do you wish to EXPERIENCE?

This is something I've been pondering for a while. I wish to experience my children cherishing and being cherished by partners who understand their value. I wish to experience being a grandmother - I've even chosen my grandma-name, though I'm sure #1 grandchild will come up with something else. I want to experience a finished to-do list. I want to experience having my novel (then series) published and on the Globe & Mail or New York Times best seller list for one week - or many weeks. I want to experience companionable silence with a lovely partner of my own. I want to experience a reasonably cool body temperature for a whole day. I wish to experience a full night of sleep leaving me fully rested and sharp.

What about you? What do you wish to experience?

WISHCASTING | 23 What do you wish to RECLAIM?

I wish to reclaim all of the fabulous stories and amazing characters I was able to make up for the little boys and girls I babysat while I was a teenager. Somehow in the process of having and caring for my own children, that part of my brain, the part that could create with limitless abandon, disappeared. I'd like to get back to that state where I can live in my head for a bit, forget about getting kids fed, clothed, washed, comforted, educated, to sports and arts events on time, all those things that keep me very busy through my days. I know that time is coming with all four of my kids claiming their independence in different ways. This may be the perfect thing for me to focus upon and distract me from all the upcoming changes in my world.

What about you? What do you wish to reclaim?

WISHCASTING | 24 What do you wish to ASK FOR?

I don't often ask for anything. I do my best to be self-sufficient and independent within the natural boundaries of my life. I suppose I could ask for a cure for psoriasis, or thyroid disease? World peace? A cure for the Ebola virus and Cancer (though, the latter has it's own economy, it's not in the interest of anyone except those suffering to find an actual cure). A better, kinder, understanding and tolerance for depression and other mental illnesses. I wish to ask my children to clean their rooms, the communal living space in our home, their bathroom. I wish to ask for patience and kindness to prevail over profit and expedience. I wish to ask for many things that have nothing, but perhaps everything, to do with me and those I love around me.

What about you? What do you wish to ask for?

_______________________________________________________________________

These are responses to the prompts found in Jamie Ridler's 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes. Though I'm more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. Recently, there has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes.

Wishcasting | 17, 18, 19 & 20

I had started random Wishcasting years ago. In January of this year I signed up to take the course through the year starting with prompt 1; prompts 2 - 4, prompts 5 - 8 and then managed to let other things get in the way! I've decided to catch up so this is officially Wishcasting Week: 4 prompts a day for the next six days!

WISHCASTING | 17 What do you wish people KNEW about YOU?

I don't know that there is much I keep hidden. Perhaps I'd like people to know that I can be dreadfully naive and somewhat oblivious to malice unless it's right in my face - and even then I might need for it to be translated. To my detriment I always err on the belief that people are naturally kind and giving. I am often caught in a state of bafflement, asking myself "why?" when people display a mean or stingy nature.

What about you? What do you wish people knew about you?

WISHCASTING | 18 How do you wish to NOURISH yourself?

With only good things - or, let me re-word that. With only things I know are good for me. That includes food, drink, people, choices, books, workshops, programs, travel, art, distractions, involvements, concepts and ideas. I want to nourish myself by making choices that are in alignment not only with who I am right now but with who I am striving to be. What's that idea? "I will not compare my beginning or middle with someone elses end." It's time to not just incorporate all of those things, but to include some really positive self-speak. I'm done with negative motivation - it's time to embrace the kind and positive I offer everyone else for myself.

What about you? How do you wish to nourish yourself?

WISHCASTING | 19 What do you wish to MAKE ROOM for?

I wish to make room for a pool table in the basement. The kids have no and do not ask for much. This is the one thing they are all in agreement on, so I think I'll get the bookshelves loaded with the boxes of books and start my hunt for a table.

What about you? What do you wish to make room for?

WISHCASTING | 20 What do you wish to say YES to?

Ha! I am that mum who always says "yes". That's simply because I know that some other mum will say "no" and I'll not end up being the bad guy in any given situation. I say "yes" to whatever activity they want to persue as long as it doesn't put them at risk, well, not a lot of risk, there is risk in everything! I've also reset my personal default from "no" to "yes" over the last few years. If it does not put my safety or bank account at risk, I say "yes". What do I wish to say "yes" to right this minute? Eileen Fisher has a stunning cashmere cardigan I'd love to say "yes" to. Hmm. How many birthday gifts can a girl buy herself?

What about you? What do you wish to say yes to?

_______________________________________________________________________

These are responses to the prompts found in Jamie Ridler's 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes. Though I'm more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. Recently, there has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes.

Wishcasting | 13, 14, 15 & 16

I had started random Wishcasting years ago. In January of this year I signed up to take the course through the year starting with prompt 1; prompts 2 - 4, prompts 5 - 8 and then managed to let other things get in the way! I've decided to catch up so this is officially Wishcasting Week: 4 prompts a day for the next six days!

WISHCASTING | 13 What do you wish to END?

Sleeping on the air mattress! Oh my aching bones (and everything else). We left some furniture in the townhouse in order for it to be staged nicely for sale. Among those pieces is my bed. I suppose I wish for the time on the market for my townhouse to end :)

What about you? What do you wish to end?

WISHCASTING | 14 What do you wish to TEND?

After a couple of years of not having a garden, I'm really feeling the pull to be out planting new things and tending to the upkeep and care of the new perennials I have in my new front and back yard. They are both quite sprawling, certainly in comparison with the couple of container plants I had become accustomed to looking after - badly!

What about you? What do you wish to tend?

WISHCASTING | 15 What do you wish to WELCOME IN?

I wish to welcome in a relationship. I signed up for LifeMates almost a full year ago. I was told at the time that my age and my height would make me a difficult match - on top of it my weight and my answers to the questionnaire would make it very difficult. It has been. I've had one sub-standard date and it's time to be more proactive! At around the same time, I signed up for match.com and the profile of the same man (local, friend of friends) is delivered to my in-box on a regular basis even though I have cancelled my subscription. He may not be the one I end up spending time with, but I wish to welcome in something!

What about you? What do you wish to welcome in?

WISHCASTING | 16 Where do you wish to go SLOW?

I wish for my years to go slow. With Claire going back to University in a few days and Cole moving into boarding, I look back over the last year, and then a couple of years before that with amazement at how quickly they've grown up. Sometimes my days go dreadfully slow, but the years are going by far too fast for my liking. I wish time to slow down so I can savour our time as long as we have it together.

What about you? Where do you wish to go slow?

_______________________________________________________________________

These are responses to the prompts found in Jamie Ridler's 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes. Though I'm more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. Recently, there has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes.

Wishcasting | 09, 10, 11 & 12

I had started random Wishcasting years ago. In January of this year I signed up to take the course through the year starting with prompt 1; prompts 2 - 4, prompts 5 - 8 and then managed to let other things get in the way! I've decided to catch up so this is officially Wishcasting Week: 4 prompts a day for the next six days! 

WISHCASTING | 09 What LEAP do you wish to take?

I am an introvert by nature. Though I do enjoy a certain amount of social engagement, I am not one to put myself out there easily. There is one thing I used to do that I miss, a lot. Singing. I have sung my whole life, in choirs, as a soloist, part of a trio, at karayoke but have not sung much outside of the car in years! There is a local group: My Pop Choir, that performs a lot like a glee club. I've decided to just go for it and signed up for their fall session!

What about you? What leap do you wish to take?

WISHCASTING | 10 What do you wish to ENJOY?

I wish to enjoy cooking. Seriously. I am a very capable cook and regularly make well-balanced and delicious meals for me and my family. I have learned a ton through courses, the Food Network, cookbooks and seminars. The only thing I haven't learned is how to enjoy the process. I do enjoy the planning and the eating, I just don't enjoy anything else about cooking. I think the experience would be better if I could just learn to enjoy it since it's something I do at least once a day - every day.

What about you? What do you wish to enjoy?

WISHCASTING | 11 How do you wish to SHINE?

I have spent the last few months doing a lot of internal work on myself. Many hours have been spent practicing meditation and yoga along with walking, drinking water, eating right and reformer Pilates. Everyone tells me that I look great - which always begs the question of how bad I looked before :) - at any rate, I'm happy for the improvement. It is from this incredible place of alignment and inner peace that I wish to show others - and find new ways to express and improve it.

What about you? How do you wish to shine?

WISHCASTING | 12 What dream do you wish to EXPLORE?

My greatest dream should be simple, but it is turning out to be remarkably difficult: I want to explore the idea of being completely well. I want the weight gone, experience no pain and feel fully rested - every day. I continue to work hard to make this dream a reality. It's been very discouraging but at the same time I've learned so much and improved in so many other areas. Maybe that's the whole point?

What about you? What dream do you wish to explore?

_______________________________________________________________________

These are responses to the prompts found in Jamie Ridler's 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes. Though I'm more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. Recently, there has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes.

Wishcasting | 05, 06, 07 & 08

WISHCASTING | 05 What inspiration do you wish to FOLLOW?

I am told I tell a good story. This has always stuck me as curious as the only stories I tell are the truths of my life. And then, once told they are often forgotten - very certainly the nuances, subtleties and humour of the situations are lost forever. I am inspired by everyday happenings and the everyday magic found within those events. I'd like keep the nuance, subtleties and humour, and write stories much like those of Alice Hoffman, Jan Karon, Sarah Addison Allen, Katherine Center and Alice Munro. I wish to follow, record and explore, the everyday inspiration that surrounds me.

What about you? What inspiration do you wish to follow?

WISHCASTING | 06 What do you wish to be GENTLE with?

My opinions of others - their motivations, their actions, their words. I was raised to be critical and judgmental of those around me. I have some ingrained habits that are hard to break but break I must. I need to remember that people do what they do and say what they say purely based on their own situation with very little consideration for the people around them. It is okay to be guarded and aware, but not okay to be harsh or unkind. I wish to be gentle with my opinions.

What about you? With what do you wish to be gentle?

WISHCASTING | 07 What is your DEEPEST wish?

My deepest wish is for my children to see me in my real physical form, not the body I am in right now. I feel like some kind of alien being ate me up and I'm stuck in the middle of a strange heavy suit. I wish to resemble myself again and have my children see that woman. I wish to be me again.

What about you? What is your deepest wish?

WISHCASTING | 08 Where do you wish to grow your CONFIDENCE?

Confidence has never been something I've ever had in short supply. Because of this reality it came as a surprise when faced with a recent social situation. Though, of all things, social situations make me twitchy. I am an introvert by nature and putting myself "out there" is the hardest thing for me to do. This is especially true in situations where I might encounter people who are friends with my ex-husband or his partner (a woman I've known for well over a decade). I'd like to go to any of the events I want to attend and not give a damn who might be there. Maybe next time!

What about you? Where do you wish to grow your confidence?

_______________________________________________________________________

These are responses to the prompts found in Jamie Ridler's 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes. Though I'm more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. Recently, there has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes.

Wishcasting | 02, 03 & 04

WISHCASTING | 02 What do you wish to EMBRACE?

ORDER. I wish for my home to be in complete order, all at one time. I seem to be bouncing from project to idea to chore to concept to plan without any real sense of getting anywhere. There is a consistent feel and destination to thsese ideas but I can't seem to focus with all of the noise in the background. I need to remove the distraction, I believe I need to put things in order. Sit down, pen in hand, a master list of what needs to get done and then execute the plan. At least with order I can avoid the distraction - and the excuses - that come along with it!  

What about you? What do you wish to embrace?

WISHCASTING | 03 How do you wish to STRETCH?

This one is a truly physical desire - I wish to stretch. I feel so good when I do, every Tuesday and Friday at reformer Pilates class. My hip has been so sore and after an hour of workout and deep stretch it feels so good. I really have to do it every day. I have a lot of the equipment at home (mat, roller, ball) I just need to carve out some time and stretch, allow myself to feel good, every day.

What about you? What do you wish to stretch?

WISHCASTING | 04 What do you wish to LET GO?

What a loaded question! The answer: so much. I wish to let go of all the things - thoughts, beliefs, people, practices, habits, hobbies - that no longer serve me. I suppose part of that includes letting go of the clutter in my life. Most of all, I wish to let go of my armour: skepticism and weight.

What about you? What do you wish to let go?

_______________________________________________________________________

These are responses to the prompts found in Jamie Ridler's 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes. Though I'm more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. Recently, there has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes.

Wishcasting | 01

Back in 2010, I followed Jamie Ridler's "Wishcasting" prompts with an all-too-brief re-visit last year. I enjoyed them as writing prompts but stopped when life got too chaotic and complicated. The lesson in that is to keep writing especially when things get complicated. Upon reflection it would be nice to see what/how I was thinking at the time!

Those were dark days when I had given up on the idea of dreams and wishes. It feels like such a long time ago. Though I'm still more goal-oriented than a dream-believer, I have a fondness for wishes. There has been much heart-work done and I can be more authentic, more gentle and more kind with myself and my wishes. I went onto Jamie Ridler's site and saw that she has a new 52-week e-course: What If You Filled Your Year With Wishes? Perfect! I'm all signed up.

WISHCASTING | 01 What do you wish to awaken?

I wish to awaken my too-long-dormant sense of wonder. I've been so dedicated to my practical life of raising my four kids and maintaining my home that I've forgotten to take a deep breath and just wonder at it all. Instead of feeling the need to have all of the answers, I'd like to just consider the phrase "I wonder ..." and then go on a fantastical daydream - a journey that has no end and has no limits.

What about you? What do you wish to awaken?

Wishcasting Wednesday: Welcome

Image found here.

Sometimes what is old is new again. Good "old" ideas never go out of style and I'm happy to have rediscovered Wishcasting Wednesday, a meme from Jamie Ridler which I had participated in for a while through 2010. The last couple of years have been a bit of a personal trial and some Wednesdays - and others too - were wish-free as I was stuck in the mire of trying to keep my life and my kids together. It was exhausting!

Not that it's over, not by a long shot, I now have more skills and a better attitude. I've actually found a certain level of calm. So much so I can now welcome wishes back into my world! (I think this goes hand-in-hand with dreams re-entering my nights just a couple of months ago. Weird, eh?)

For this fresh start, the prompt today is perfect!

What do you wish to welcome in?

I wish to open my heart and mind to welcome love, respect, trust, compromise, kindness, patience, joy, peace and understanding. A lingering visit from a creative muse would also be most welcome!

What about you? What do you wish to welcome in?

Wishcasting Wednesday: Growing Older

Image found here.

How do you wish to grow older?

Great timing for this question as I have been thinking a lot lately about age. How much the process of aging and (ostensibly) growing up has taught me about me and about those around me. I am always a work in progress: there are a few things I'd like to change and things that I'm happy to leave alone.

I am fortunate in that I've been surrounded by a number of women in my life who have aged gracefully. Certainly, there have been plenty trying to be the eternal teenager, but most were happy to step into their role with poise and grace. I want to be one of them.

Then I realized, at 46, time was getting away from me and I'd better get a move on!

In a physical sense, I'm learning to embrace the gray and am no longer employing my hairdresser as a weapon against the aging process! I'm eating better and definitely getting more active during the day. I can improve in both of those areas, but I'm happy to have started.

In a spiritual sense, I'm really getting comfortable in my beliefs. I'm no longer apologetic for what I think and feel and this newfound confidence is translating into a real sense of quiet, confident well being. I feel much lighter and calm.

In an intellectual sense, I hope I never stop learning. I have an insatiable curiosity about those things that interest me. I'm always reading and researching. I like challenging myself and hope to never find myself in a position where I have to stop.

In a creative sense, today I am in a place where I know I'm about to become overwhelmed. A strange sense of giddy anticipation and dread. Once, during my five years of pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and post pregnancy (a blur - four kids in five years!) I lost all ability to create. I couldn't do anything. At. All. It was terrifying. My identity disappeared and in it's place were four gorgeous, needy beings taking up all of me. I wouldn't trade them for anything and I love that after losing it, I know I'll never lose it again!

I want to be a source of inspiration and guidance to my children, support to my friends, kindness to strangers (and friends and children, of course). I want to be respectful and realize that not everyone looks at the world in the same way I do but at the same time I want to not feel the need to apologise for needing order, direction and purpose. I want to use my time wisely on projects that have meaning and longevity. I want to dwell in the land of positive and surround myself with others who live life to it's fullest with kindness and respect.

I want to grow old with grace, dignity and a sense of humour. I want to be surrounded with love and blessed with good health.

And good wine!

What is your wish? Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios. If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

Wishcasting Wednesday: Time

Image found here.

How do you wish to spend some time?

It has been a while since I've participated in Wishcasting Wednesday and I miss it! This challenge really appealed to me since the only things I feel I can control, at the moment, are my wishes!

I wish to spend some time CAUGHT UP. Some time where my house is completely tidy, everything organized and put away in it's rightful place, groceries purchased, dinner made, assignments and projects completed, bills paid, laundry washed and folded, gardening finished, kids clean, garage organized, cars fueled and tires filled.

A time where my mind isn't jumping from list to list wondering what needs to be done.

I'd like to spend some time with nothing next.

What is your wish? Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios. If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

Wishcasting Wednesday: Space

Image found here.

What do you wish for your space?

Funny to receive this question today. I have come to the realization recently that though my house reflects my style, my personal taste; it does not reflect any of my own person. As a creative-type you would think there would be evidence of me all over the place, but with the exception of a few photographs, there is very little of my own personal work around the house. I've only just moved my entire collection of scrapbooks up to the family room to be more readily enjoyed by everyone. Over the weekend I spent a bunch of time cataloguing a number of interesting projects that I'm interested in pursuing and crafting. Yesterday, I remembered Green Pixel Printing and after looking through the site I have been filled with many plans to put more of my photography throughout the house. I wish for my space to reflect, more fully, me.

If I could have a second wish: I wish for less clutter so my style and personal taste can be better enjoyed and not be simply a reflection of the four kids who live in the house!

What is your wish? Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios. If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

Wishcasting Wednesday: Catch Up

I really enjoy participating over at Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday. After all, who can resist these two questions:

What would happen if every week you made a wish?
What magic might start to stir?

Wishcasting Wednesday is a safe haven for wishes, a fertile field in which to plant wish seeds and have them witness and tended lovingly. It is a place where magic begins.

Indeed.

For quite a while I had been mulling what to do with my growing collection of wishes. It is great to have them here on the blog to share with everyone but what if I want to revisit them? There are also a number of wishes which are too personal to share here. Yes, sometimes there are lines that cannot be crossed! I don't want to over-share :)

I am a brick and mortar type, needing to see, feel and hold things. So, when Aud Neal asked me to participate as a guest blogger, I decided it was a perfect time to get my act together and come up with a method of keeping these wishes.

For me, as a scrapbooker and photo taker, an album was the only choice.

I'm also big into using what I already have, and I have plenty of memory preservation supplies! I found an old Creative Memories 8x8 Album and that's where I started:

And, for those who need the nitty gritty up-close details:

 

 

Credits: Photo discovered via Google Images and found here; Fonts: 2Peas RF RhonnaDESIGNSRegular (flourishes), Garamond (title and content).

(I must apologise for the scans, I have no idea what the yellow line is on the left side, nor do I have a clue how to fix it, but I refuse to buy another scanner, so it is what it is!)

Today the question is one of those which I will answer and put on in the book, but not here to share with everyone, but I didn't want to leave you with nothing! Actually, the last few weeks I've recorded for the album and the album is filling quite quickly but the blog has been empty. I will attempt to remedy that next week.

What do you do with your wishes? Do you save them, re-visit them, mull them for a while, put them out to the universe and forget them?

Wishcasting Wednesday: Bloom

How do you wish to bloom?

I wish to remind myself each day that the actions and words of others are completely in relationship to their life experience and world view. It rarely has anything to do with me, my actions or that of my family. I wish to bloom by remembering this and letting it not effect my reactions or judgment. I want to be not a victim of my insecurities and past experience but to bloom by absorbing the experience and criticism of others without reacting in kind but with patience, self control, acceptance and love.

What is your wish? Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios. If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog and then add a direct link to your post in the box below. Support wishes by visiting other participants, leaving a comment saying “As (insert name) wishes for her/himself, so I wish for her/him also.” It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together.

Wishcasting Wednesday: Break

What do you wish to take a break from?

Hockey games. Just a little break. The good news? My wish came true last night when Cole's Ranger team won the Tri-County Pee Wee AE Championship. We will still have plenty of time in the rink with practices and 3on3 games, but no high-pressure games for a while!

What is your wish? Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios (though today I got distracted and headed over late today, like only minutes ago!) If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

Wishcasting Wednesday: Story

What story do you wish to live or let go?

I am amazed at the timing of this question. I have been in the midst of a couple of stories, tangible words-to-screen variety stories, which I've finally decided I have to let go and let other stories evolve and take their place. I wish to live a truthful, kind and observant story. One or more that I will be proud, even honoured to pass along.

What is your wish? Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios (though today I got distracted and headed over late today, like only minutes ago!) If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

Wishcasting Wednesday: Awaken

What do you wish to awaken?

I wish to awaken my energy, my physical energy. My mind is working overtime but I can't seem to force my body to be equally nimble and quick.

What is your wish? Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios (though today I got distracted and headed over late today, like only minutes ago!) If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

Wishcasting Wednesday: New Year

Oodles of posts for the new year, all full of intentions and goals.

Today Jamie asks:

What do you wish for 2010?

My prevailing wish is for kindness. No, more than that. I wish that everyone would consider and adhere to that lovely golden rule we were all taught as children: do unto others as you would have others do unto you. It is just about the ONLY rule in my house. I think it should be the only rule for anyone. Imagine all the terrible crap that would be avoided in the world. Is that too big a wish? Can we not just treat others the way we wish to be treated ourselves? All I can do is start in my home and hope to influence a few others.

Cheers.

Enjoy your New Year!

What is your wish? Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios (though today I got distracted and headed over late today, like only minutes ago!) If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

Wishcasting: Holiday Wish

Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios. Over the past year or so, I've heard much about Jamie and enjoy all aspects of her website, blog and podcasts. If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

Today: What do you wish for this holiday season?

I already published my over-the-top gift wish list yesterday. So as for material wishes, you can find it over there. My big wish is for my kids to get along, keep the disagreements to a dull roar, and maybe, if we're lucky, the weather will cooperate and give them their greatest wish. It also accomplishes getting them out of the house and give me peace :)

For my kids, I wish for SNOW.

(Here we are in the Great White North and you'd think it's really the Great Green North! My sister and her family in Virginia have received more of the white fluffy stuff than we have. We get the occasional tease, but nothing sticks to the ground. The kids have even agreed to shovel it when it arrives!)

Wishcasting Wednesday: Give

Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios. Over the past year or so, I've heard much about Jamie and enjoy all aspects of her website, blog and podcasts. If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

Today: What do you wish to give?

Every day I wish to give support and build confidence in my kids. They are energetic and enthusiastic which is sometimes enough, sometimes not. I want them to know that even when they fail, if they've given 100% and try their best, I'm always there to give encouragement, love and acceptance.

I wish to give them unconditional support, 100% of the time.

Wishcasting Wednesday: Spirit

Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios. Over the past year or so, I've heard much about Jamie and enjoy all aspects of her website, blog and podcasts. If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

Today: What is your spirit wishing for?

My spirit is wishing for direction, a focus, a route.

I have been struggling for a long time trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up. Somehow I managed to accomplish all kinds of things: a fulfilling career, many trips to exciting (and some not so exciting) places, met all kinds of important people, listened to great performers, seen and done all kinds of wonderful things. I have four lovely children who I enjoying watching and helping them grow up when I don't feel in the least bit that I've come across what it is that I'm meant to do.

How can I help them discover their dreams and point them in the direction of their future if I don't know what I'm doing? 

My spirit is wishing for some help.

While I was over checking for my Wishcasting question today, I clicked around and discovered Soul Reflections which asks the question: When was the last time you and your spirit shared some quality time? 

Well, now that I have to think about it, never. I haven't had time. Isn't that the most annoying response ever? I realize I have to make time. So, in anticipation of Jamie's, no doubt brilliant, upcoming Soul Reflections course, I'm going to make time, take time, to spend some quality time with my spirit.

With the New Year quickly coming up, and my go-go-go need to write up some lists and goals, I'm going to take some time, some time to gain some connection with all of those things that have to be done - with forethought, purpose and mindfulness. I know that sounds all a bit too "new-agey" even for me, but really, that's where I'm at right now. I feel somewhat adrift, disconnected. Time to slow down and engage.

When was the last time you and your spirit shared some quality time?