…soft lingering kisses, a side-hug from my grown son, creosote after a rain, sounds in a diner at breakfast shift, the smell of a flower shop when you open the door, freshly washed sheets, Mozart, Van Gogh, lemon water when I’m really thirsty, my granddaughter singing in the backseat, my dog waking me up in the morning with a “whisper bark”, my dad saying “I LOVE you, Aline” before hanging up the phone.
I am grateful for you, your art, your silliness, your creativity, your ability to lift us up.....YOU ROCK....I know, I say that a lot. You are not a rock, but you do rock this life and ours with you.
foggy morning bike rides, the ocean spray off sparkly waves, a four year old's take on the world, refreshing showers after long hikes, a good novel, The Moth podcast, catching an unexpected John Prine song on the Spotify playlist, watching a butterfly make her way through the flower and tomato gardens, massage, the dawn sun waking up the neighborhood, little kid laughter, a homemade chocolate chip/oatmeal/coconut/walnut cookie , the fragrance of jasmine flowers off the back deck...
I very much appreciate your posts - all of them - but especially this one. I can get so bummed out by the news but you nailed it in your post. I also appreciated the many comments that I read and the way others are responding to the world, to life, to you. In the words of Jack Nicholson (in the movie As Good As It Gets), you make me want to be a better person. Okay, he said "man" but I will say person. Either way, you rock. Thanks for this.
Wow, Jill. I feel you. No, I *really* do. I'm 3 and a half years post open heart surgery for heart defects I didn't know about. From teaching yoga, cycling, hiking, gardening...to barely being able to walk from room to room. And then the surgery. (Which fixed two of the three issues.) It was *extremely* humbling and enlightening. I thought I'd wake up and get sensible with the time I have left...instead I've doubled down on my creative life, my commitment to my loved ones, and my gratitude for living on this crazy planet. I touch my scar with reverence - like a momento mori - every morning and say 'today I might die'. From my heart to yours, Jill...❤️
I not only like this post, I am so motivated by it. Today I walked and swam and helped folks without compensation—and I am so satisfied. Love your post. It speaks to me! 76 yo lawyer practicing retirement imperfectly …
Thank you Jill. I've been feeling the same way about the news. I want to be aware, and since I'm an empathetic person, I need to limit the news to protect my heart. The news can throw off my focus so easily with the constant "emergencies." I'm very grateful for people who are leading the way to protect democracy, and there are many forms of making the world a better place. After reading your words, I remembered a story I read a few years ago about an art teacher in a concentration camp. She focused on helping the children draw pictures about their lives and these pictures survived the camps somehow. Doing art really helped the kids during a very dark time. Thank you for reminding me to make the most of the life I still have. Art, writing and creativity are a very important part of my life, as are the people & nature I love and care about.
I love this so much. I have it saved to refer to daily if needed. I would add to this list to focus on reading books, nature journaling, blackberry lemonade, Dahlias and live stream nature cams showing birds growing up and fledging from the nest or bears fishing in an Alaskan stream.
…soft lingering kisses, a side-hug from my grown son, creosote after a rain, sounds in a diner at breakfast shift, the smell of a flower shop when you open the door, freshly washed sheets, Mozart, Van Gogh, lemon water when I’m really thirsty, my granddaughter singing in the backseat, my dog waking me up in the morning with a “whisper bark”, my dad saying “I LOVE you, Aline” before hanging up the phone.
It’s more fun loving Dolly Parton than feeling aggravated with the orange idiot’s latest stupidity.
I am grateful for you, your art, your silliness, your creativity, your ability to lift us up.....YOU ROCK....I know, I say that a lot. You are not a rock, but you do rock this life and ours with you.
xoxo
We see in others a reflection of ourselves. Definitely true here. You rock, Kim.
foggy morning bike rides, the ocean spray off sparkly waves, a four year old's take on the world, refreshing showers after long hikes, a good novel, The Moth podcast, catching an unexpected John Prine song on the Spotify playlist, watching a butterfly make her way through the flower and tomato gardens, massage, the dawn sun waking up the neighborhood, little kid laughter, a homemade chocolate chip/oatmeal/coconut/walnut cookie , the fragrance of jasmine flowers off the back deck...
I very much appreciate your posts - all of them - but especially this one. I can get so bummed out by the news but you nailed it in your post. I also appreciated the many comments that I read and the way others are responding to the world, to life, to you. In the words of Jack Nicholson (in the movie As Good As It Gets), you make me want to be a better person. Okay, he said "man" but I will say person. Either way, you rock. Thanks for this.
Love these
Hear Here! Well said, Jill. Thank you for affirming what I aspire to as well. 🙌💗
Thank you, Dakota. Likeminds …
Beautiful!Add chickens and Muses. ❤️😻
Wow, Jill. I feel you. No, I *really* do. I'm 3 and a half years post open heart surgery for heart defects I didn't know about. From teaching yoga, cycling, hiking, gardening...to barely being able to walk from room to room. And then the surgery. (Which fixed two of the three issues.) It was *extremely* humbling and enlightening. I thought I'd wake up and get sensible with the time I have left...instead I've doubled down on my creative life, my commitment to my loved ones, and my gratitude for living on this crazy planet. I touch my scar with reverence - like a momento mori - every morning and say 'today I might die'. From my heart to yours, Jill...❤️
Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you Jill for expressing through this writing what loops in my mind these days. Your creative energy is contagious Thank you
Thank you, Barbara, I think a lot of us are thinking these things too xo
Everything about this spoke to me Jill!!!!
Aw, thanks for letting me know. It makes a difference when people do that.
Yes.
Is the juicy watermelon available as a print? ~Love it! ~Casey😁🍉💦
It can be a print.
I not only like this post, I am so motivated by it. Today I walked and swam and helped folks without compensation—and I am so satisfied. Love your post. It speaks to me! 76 yo lawyer practicing retirement imperfectly …
Thanks so much for your comment. It really means a lot.
Thank you Jill. I've been feeling the same way about the news. I want to be aware, and since I'm an empathetic person, I need to limit the news to protect my heart. The news can throw off my focus so easily with the constant "emergencies." I'm very grateful for people who are leading the way to protect democracy, and there are many forms of making the world a better place. After reading your words, I remembered a story I read a few years ago about an art teacher in a concentration camp. She focused on helping the children draw pictures about their lives and these pictures survived the camps somehow. Doing art really helped the kids during a very dark time. Thank you for reminding me to make the most of the life I still have. Art, writing and creativity are a very important part of my life, as are the people & nature I love and care about.
Yes, empaths especially need to protect themselves from this toxic circus. Keep that art and writing coming, Linda.
Thanks Jill. ❤️
I love this so much. I have it saved to refer to daily if needed. I would add to this list to focus on reading books, nature journaling, blackberry lemonade, Dahlias and live stream nature cams showing birds growing up and fledging from the nest or bears fishing in an Alaskan stream.
Beautiful additions.
me too
This is wonderful. You continue to make my life better and I appreciate all you do to reach out to make the world bearable.
Thank you, Laurie, that means a lot!
I love your focus.
I love your title.. Life DOES happen, thank goodness. Thanks for the comment!
Jill…I look forward to your posts… helps to ground me and focus on what is really Important…loved your list… Thank You! 😊
Thanks so much, Lynn!
Thank you! And I love your list and your watermelon drenched face.
One must commune with a watermelon for the full experience. ;) Thanks Judy Reeves.