A Happy New Year

"Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on." 

-Eckhart Tolle

On a regular basis most of us need to be reminded to be free, be ourselves, and not hang on to things that we really don't want afterall.

The most miserable people I've met are the ones who hold on to things that make them unhappy because they are afraid to let go and have a life they would truly enjoy.

As Julia Cameron says, "Leap and the net will appear." 

Wishing you all a brave, happy, free, adventurous new year filled with making changes toward the life you want.

My Happy New Year Has Begun!

She Returned!

This past Wednesday I was at home sick when my mourning dove friend returned to our fire escape garden.

I was so happy to see her that I immediately felt better... reaffirming that a happy mind can improve the way our body feels.  : )

She ate some bird seed, drank a little water...then came over to the window and peaked inside...before she settled down in the corner of the window ledge and fell asleep...as did I in the nearby bed.

Later that day, I investigated what it would take to build a bird house for a mourning dove.  I wanted her to be warm in the winter. Turns out mourning doves like very simple bird houses. So next week, while I'm visiting my family in Kansas, my brother-in-law, Doug, has agreed to cut out the wood for her new house.

And Old Friend and a New One

Today, January 1, I woke up to the New Year...put bird food and clean water out to the sound of chirping sparrows, anxious for me to finish so they could start to eat. I shut the window and counted 14 sparrows. After about 30 minutes, I heard a space age whirring sound as two mourning doves landed on the fire escape.

My mourning dove friend was back with a partner. Looks like the bird house is needed not just for keeping her warm this winter, but also for the continuing expansion of this family.

As I watched the pair, I felt a touch of anxiety...the kind that comes with new responsibility. Then, I reminded myself ... I wished for the mourning dove to return. I set in motion the building of a bird house to keep her warm and dry. I've investigated the food she should eat...I wanted her to have a mate. I've done the research, planning, work and wishing...did all that bring about the appearance of this pair?

Usually our goals and plans aren't answered so quickly, but this was a great reminder that they are answered.

So as I think of my career, as writer and illustrator, maybe it's just a longer road than getting two mourning doves to live outside my window.

A career does take research, planning, work, and wishing...just like having mourning doves outside the window.

My New Year has started off just right.
Hoping that yours has too!