I’ve made no bones about the fact that I’ve been stumbling through life lately.
One of the places I can escape is in good writing, whether that’s in a newspaper, magazine, or book. Reading has so often been my lifeline my entire life. (For that matter, it’s also my livelihood!)
Sometimes words are so good that you just read them—and then reread them. The second time, maybe you read through them more slowly to let them soak in.
That was the case when an e-newsletter arrived in my inbox yesterday morning. Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper is always packed with insights and things that make me think. Yesterday, it made me pause and gave me life.
She always writes an introduction that’s based on what she’s feeling and experiencing, and her intro yesterday knocked me over.
I’d like to share an excerpt:
Someone recently said to me, “Maria, you’re so alive and awake.” This was the first time anyone had said this to me, and I must say, at first I thought this was kind of an odd thing to say to me. But then I let the statement sink in. I sat with it for a while, and now, I own it. I celebrate it. And, I’m grateful for it.
Yes, you’re damn right I feel alive. You’re damn right that I’m awake in my own life. I haven’t always felt this way, but I do now, and thank God for that.
I want you to also feel alive and awake. So today, ask yourself: “Do I feel alive?” “Am I awake in my own life?”
If not, then ask yourself what’s keeping you from feeling that way. Ask yourself, “What really brings me joy? What inspires me? What energizes me, motivates me, and interests me? What gives me hope today to keep living for tomorrow?”
And another:
Find your voice. Register to vote. Dance. Sing. Get in touch with your body. Be kind to yourself because the alternative is downright mean. (I think we can all agree that there is enough mean and fear in the world already.)
Don’t wait for tomorrow to feel alive. Don’t wait for tomorrow to wake up to the miracle that is your life.
Get your living on, and do it today. It’s all you’ve got.
So, I’m going to be doing just that. I’m going to be seizing the things that bring me joy—doing more of them. And I’m going to be tossing out the things that don’t—or that worse than that, flare up my anxiety or just plain hurt.
It’s way past time I start feeling alive.
Best bite
Each week, I’ll drop in a pic and description of my favorite sip or bite—and a recommendation, too!
I made a thing, y’all! And it was delicious. It’s a low-carb turkey enchilada casserole, and the recipe is here.
Instead of the egg noodles called for in the recipe, I used red lentil pasta because it’s high in protein. I didn’t notice any difference in taste or texture, so I’ll use that pasta again!
Favorite Reads
Still reading Beach Music by Pat Conroy. I haven’t really taken much time to let myself just read, so it’s been a slow go. I need to give myself some more downtime, so maybe I’ll finish it up this week.
Audiobook-wise, I’m finishing up Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate. I’ve already purchased my next two audiobooks—first up will be The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen, which sounded intriguing. Then once I finish that up, I’ll have Jodi Picoult’s book downloaded, since I pre-ordered it before the release date.
Auntie’s baby
Now surely, you didn’t think I’d create a blog without my baby love in it, right?!
Happy, precious baby.
Questions I’m pondering…
These things are on my mind—if you know the answer, please share! Sometimes these will be light-hearted, other times they will not.
- How do you know when you’ve been working too much or too hard?
- What do you do to take care of yourself, body and mind?
- Why are sweater ads so off-putting when it’s still 90 degrees in the middle of September? Especially ads that say “it’s sweater season”?
- Why aren’t political ads during sporting events prohibited by the highest law of the land?
Quote of the week
Wrapping things up
I’ve been working and working and working lately…but it felt good to put “pen to paper” to write this blog. And the good news is, at this time next week, I will be only hours away from a Florida vacation! 🏖🌅🍹👙
See you next week.
Grace Always Wins 