Sunday, September 26, 2010

BIG Heart for YOU!

I had a conversation the other day with a theologian. As you could guess, many of our conversation topics turn towards religion. Although I'm not a religious fanatic, we have enlivening discussions because we are both patient listeners. The topic this time was: "Love your neighbor as you would love yourself." I posed the question, "how many people do you know love themselves?" It was thought provoking. If you don't love yourself how can you love anyone else? Loving oneself is different than having a huge ego. Loving yourself is having compassion for your own faults and taking time to nurture and take care of your own needs.
It took me a while to learn this, sometimes I still give to everyone else before I realize, "hey Girl, its time to take a break and let yourself relax."
It's time to cut ourselves some slack and realize that we are perfect within this moment.  Close your eyes, breathe, smile and allow your heart to get BIG!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

bike month, driving day

On my ride home today it was gently raining.  I don't mind riding in the rain, it adds a fun element to my commute.  
I'm using my weekly driving day tomorrow.  I am taking advantage of this day to transport my massage chair to VA Mortgage Center (where I give massages every other Friday), pick up a cold frame I ordered from the hardware store, and go grocery shopping.   With only one driving day, its a necessity to do all the heavy/ bulky errands at the same time.  


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Bike Month and Street Murals

I regretfully announce that I had to take two driving days this weekend.  I was working on a street mural Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday, I drove, just in case the artist needed me to pick up any last minute supplies; she didn't .  Then on Sunday I got a call from the artist wanting some supplies!  I started to drag out my bike trailer from under a pile of things in the garage.  Before I got too into it, I tested the tires... totally flat!  Didn't have time for all that, so I begrudgingly hopped in the car.  GRRR... so much for planning ahead.  That doesn't mean I'm not challenging myself anymore, its only the beginning of the month!

I am helping two neighborhoods in Columbia paint murals on their streets.  I'm grateful to have this opportunity to work with art on a public level.  Last weekend was a great community effort on Ash and St Joseph.  People would be riding their bikes or walking by, and they would stop and comment on our work, or even stop and pitch in for a few minutes... or the rest of the day.  I was so impressed with everyone coming together to create a work of art... ON the street!

Next Saturday we are doing it all over again at another intersection, Windsor and Melborne.
All ages and artistic abilities welcome.  Come participate in an artistic street party and hope for good weather!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Bike Month!

Jacob and I are participating in the Low Car Diet Challenge this month.  All of our trips will be by bicycle, except for one car trip once a week.  Usually we take an average of  7 car trips per week so this will be a challenge, but some extra planning will make it do-able. I did some mid week laundry and will take a few clean sheets with me to the massage studio every day in my panniers.  We also have a bike trailer for our grocery and hardware store shopping.
  
Today is Day 1. its raining, so I've packed an extra pair of pants and will wear a raincoat.  (I'm secretly hoping that by the time I'm ready to leave, the rain will have let up a bit.)