Today is Ground Hog Day. It’s the day we find out if spring is just around the corner – or another six weeks of winter – although in Minnesota the question of Ground Hog Day doesn’t apply. We will probably have quite a bit more winter before warmer weather arrives. Of course “warmer weather” is relative. After many days of sub-zero weather, temperatures above zero can seem to be “warmer.”
Just for today I want a glimpse of the springtime ahead. So here are a few pictures to remind me – and you – of what the world looks like when it isn’t covered with white stuff and old “grey stuff.”
Were you able to go someplace warm and have an early spring? If not, treat yourself to fresh flowers or a potted herb today. Meanwhile, stay warm. Roxanne
Each of us has a story that we tell ourselves and others about our lives. Our story may include the roles we have played in relationships such as a spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent or step-parent for example. The part we play in our story may be determined by our occupation or education. Often the story includes events we encountered and how we overcame them or failed to. Take time to think about your story.
Recently I learned that my life story, as told by my family of origin, is completely different from the story that I (and others) know about my life. Since I never knew about the story being told, it didn’t affect my own life choices. However, I’m sure the story I told myself sometimes limited the choices I saw in my life – as all stories will.
The Judeo-Christian tradition offers a number of healing archetypal life stories. Many identify with the story of Exodus in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is a story of leaving a life of enslavement to the dominant culture (Egypt) and escaping to a new life. Others may resonate with the story of Jesus. Jesus was falsely accused, scapegoated, tortured and killed – but he was resurrected as a new creation, no longer constrained by who he used to be. In both stories, the world is an enchanted place. God can do for us what we can not imagine for ourselves. In my own life, I truly feel that God “resurrected” me into a new life.
You are not your story. I am not my story. We can change our story to change our future. We can create a new story. We can choose no story at all.
Do you have a story? Consider its components. Are you the victim or the hero in your story? Does this expand or limit the possibilities you see for yourself? Ask yourself this question, “If this was not my story, how would my life be different going forward?” Or consider this, “What would be my ideal story?” Using magazine pictures create a collage using key elements of your new life story. Or find a picture or object that represents your ideal story. Place it where you can see it easily. Now live as if that story was already true!
Happiness is a choice and a habit. I have learned that how I feel on the inside does not depend on my exterior circumstances. Individuals like Ghandi and Etty Hillesum are well-known people who have demonstrated this for us. Be inspired. Read Etty Hillesum’s diary, An Interrupted Life.
Whether we are married or not, have children or not, are rich or not, has no bearing on our ability to be happy. Once our basic needs are met, if we choose happiness, life will open itself to us. Enjoy life fully and then, regardless of your circumstances, you will have had a wonderful life. If marriage, children, the job we want, etc. occur – then that is merely icing on the cake – is it not? If those things don’t happen, life is still good.
Since happiness is a choice why wouldn’t we choose it? Like learning to play the piano, choosing a life of happiness requires daily practice that keeps us healthy in body and mind.
How do we choose happiness habits? We choose them – or not – a thousand times each day. Here are some choices for happiness we can make today:
Play, skip, volunteer, exercise, stretch, build deeper relationships, read what inspires you, use your imagination, dance, cook for yourself, cook for others, sit and just listen, do nothing, listen to music, meet new people, smile, laugh, sing, enjoy nature, pray, meditate, find awe in the ordinary, be willing to be surprised, breathe deeply, discover yourself, enjoy time alone.
All that is required to choose happiness is to have our most basic needs met. That is why it is important to work for change so others’ basic needs are met – then they will have the ability to choose happiness too.
Choose happiness habits today!
Coming soon . . .
Recently this blog visited Paris and Dublin. Next time we are off to Juarez, Mexico. Join me.
You may recall my 2011 Challenge: A Year Without Buying Clothes. How am I doing? Well I was doing great — until yesterday. Aack! Yesterday I succumbed to the all the “markdown hype.” A fuschia sweater, white cotton turtleneck and earrings, all for $32 made a dent in my wallet. Mind you, I was walking for exercise around MOA (Mall of America), so at least that was good.
My DH offered to buy all three items for me, so I could claim them as a gift. But that’s not the point. For me, right now, I think the point is understanding that this is a process. Changing life-long habits never happens all at once. We take one step, falter, try again. Eventually persistence creates a new habit.
It was similar to bringing my own shopping bags to stores. At first I forgot to put them in my car. Then I forgot to take them into the store. Finally, I remember to bring them and to use them. But this entire process took at least a year.
So rather than beat myself up — I will be gentle with myself, take a deep breath and begin anew. However, I will donate 3 items of clothing and figure out a way to go walking without shopping for clothes at the same time.
Today I am home with the beginnings of a cold – most likely the cold my DH has had all week. But I am being taken care of. He is making fabulous – crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside – potatoes with garlic cloves and cinnamon sticks. The house is filled with the smell of roasted garlic and pungent cinnamon. I will post a link for the recipe. You can see what they actually look like right now and perhaps you can almost smell them?
Photo A. Meshar
Although cold outside, it is brilliantly sunny and all that sunlight is pouring in. Ravel is playing on the radio. . . crispy potatoes await. Life is good.
Babette’s Feast (same name as the film) came about when I and two friends decided to prepare an autumn feast. One of us (not me;-))lived in a large, old, Victorian home in Hyde Park, Chicago.
We invited family and friends. I remember that my brother and his kids were visiting Chicago and joined us. We created a menu of autumn foods. Everyone was asked to bring one ingredient. No one knew what their ingredient would be used for.
When everyone arrived, guests were asked to help chop, slice, and prepare the food. People who had never met found themselves sharing a cutting board and cooking together. Apples were peeled. Pies were assembled. Chickens and vegetables were roasted with garlic, lemons and herbs. Rolls were baked.
Layers and layers of linens draped the table. Squashes, pumpkins, and if I recall, wheat, candles and bread decorated the center of the table. We even found Limoges china in a hidden cabinet in the dining room! We used it. Cloth napkins and wine glasses were carefully placed.
We all gathered. Candles were lit. Wine was poured. Thanksgiving was offered. Food was shared. Incense was burned. Cello, voice and piano entertained everyone afterward. It was an amazing dinner. An amazing evening.
Photo Babette's Feast
Over the years I continued to plan Babette’s Feasts. I have organized dozens of Babette’s Feasts with many diverse groups of people. The menu has been completely different each time. Seasonal and local food is used whenever possible.
People come, prepare, share a meal, celebrate and are changed. Many experience the healing of being with a healthy community for the first time in their lives. It is always a powerful experience.
It is lavish. It is extravagant. It is elegant. It is simple. It is not expensive. But it is eucharist, thanksgiving, hospitality experienced in a very profound way. It nourishes the body, refreshes the spirit and renews the soul. God is made present and She is smiling!
Photo Red Couch Recipes
Some of the best ways to get the feeling of Babette’s Feast is to watch the movies: Babette’s Feast, Chocolate, Amelie or Like Water for Chocolate. Some books that are fun and uplifting to read along the same line are The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister and the classic, Like Water for Chocolate.
Today is Ground Hog Day. It’s the day we find out if spring is just around the corner – or another six weeks of winter – although in Minnesota the question of Ground Hog Day doesn’t apply. We will probably have quite a bit more winter before warmer weather arrives. Of course “warmer weather” is relative. After many days of sub-zero weather, temperatures above zero can seem to be “warmer.”
