My birthday was Monday. As I look back on the last year, all I can say is Wow! It has been a very eventful year and I have explored new places and experienced new challenges. Both of these things have had a huge impact on who I am and what I want for this next chapter of my life. If you want to know where I’ve been this last year, this blog started July 2021 so you can read and get caught up.
I feel like I am on the cusp of resolving several things I have been working on for years. Hopefully this is the year to accomplish things and be able to move on.
I took a drive last Sunday. My first since I came back to the desert 6 months ago. I drove to Lone Pine and Independence, just me and the dogs. It was wonderful to be able to drive up 395 again. The rains over the last couple of weeks has made the color in the desert come alive. Incredibly beautiful. I was so happy to be out and about. I don’t feel trapped anymore. I can go when I need or want to and that is a huge thing for me.
I have also started making art again. Still working in pen & ink because it is something I can do without a lot of prep or mess. And it is very meditative. Practicing textures and lines then building to filling shapes. I found this Youtube video of the textured balls. It was fun to do. Then I started creating images from photographs I have taken and I am adding some watercolor to some of these works which adds another dimension. So it is a process of building up skills and getting comfortable with materials again. Making progress…
What have I learned over this last year?
That I really want to live some place green and that is a priority that I will continue to work on. I think I am getting closer to doing that. The wheels of change seem to take their own sweet time and there is little we can do to change that.
That I need to be more patient. Having shingles and this long recovery time has required incredible patience as well. The body heals as it needs to and we can only give it the support it needs to do so. Drugs, rest, and nutrition, and lots of patience.
That I want to simplify my life. This is hard because I love details and complicating things! And knowing these two things about myself means that in order to get the most out of happiness is that I need to have less things in my life so I have time to enjoy their details and spend the time I want to use them in the way that makes me the happiest. It’s that Less is More thing.
And then there is the world around us. I have spent a lot of time processing all the the major upheaval that is occurring in our country and in our world. Much of it is frightening! Women in this country losing their rights to control their lives, I thought we settled that 50 years ago! Russia invading an independent country and the rise of Autocracy throughout the world. Why is it necessary for control freaks to try to control everyone else? Remember that saying “It takes all kinds to fill the freeway”? Well it is true and we all should get to make our own choices for ourselves. And most frightening of all is our Earth is really letting us know that we are running out of time. Climate is changing drastically and dramatically impacting us and our way of life. We need to pay attention and make change happen! I love seeing all of the youth energy getting involved in dealing with the issues of today. New ideas and new blood is what is needed to take this world into its next chapter.
So to finish this up, I am sorry I have stayed away so long. I just didn’t know what to say. Now that I am feeling a little more like I might have a future, I will write more. Sometimes we just need to sit quietly and wait.
I hope you are all well and finding your way through all of this change, I look forward to hearing from you!
Have a Happy Day,
Cheryl
On to the Next Adventure 