Sweet Soliloquies

(Please check out Jamie Ridler’s first Creative Living podcast here. You owe it to yourself.)

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Jamie, thank you for this week’s Wishcasting Wednesday question.

What do you wish to begin?

To me, it says, “Okay, enough dreaming, let’s start doing!” I need that reminder because I could spend a lifetime dreaming and not doing unless I get a little kick in the behind.

Autumn always feels like a new beginning to me. It’s when I finally wake from hibernation, give my limbs a good stretch, and peek out at the world around me. This is the time when I feel most like me, and have the most energy, so I guess it makes sense that this would be a good time to…begin.

I’m going to begin by planning, writing things down instead of just dreaming them up in my head. I say to myself, “So, you want to create jewelry because you love it so much and think you could maybe, just possibly, do it justice. What are you going to do about that?” Sign up for another class. Now.

Oh, and, “Do you want to take your wish from last week and dig a little deeper?” Yes!  Make a list of how to be an encourager, motivator, and even better listener. Better yet, break that list into three columns:

1. List actions you can take to feed your soul, pamper yourself, give yourself the oomph in order to be there for someone else.
2. List situations where people might need your presence and by that I mean help, empathy, encouragement, praise, or simply a shoulder to cry on.
3. List actions you can take to help others in those situations move past them. Look to the past for similar moments and what steps were taken to improve the situation. Remember that you are there in a supportive role; the steps must be taken by the individual. Maybe all that is needed is a good hug and the words, “You’re doing a great job. Keep it up!”
   

It seems odd to put these things down on paper since intuition has always reigned and I’d always just go with the flow. Intuition is still key, but maybe the act of digging a little deeper will bring forth new ideas and help me be better prepared when an opportunity to be of service presents itself.

Blah, blah, blah…”enough talk” you say. What about beginning? Enough about planning and lists. How are you going to begin being a better encourager?

I’m attending a transition school open house tomorrow night and I’m going to ask if there is an activity I can get involved in to be truly present and available to these transitioning adults. If there’s nothing to sign up for, I’ll create something. Maybe a monthly event out or a poetry class or a Halloween extravaganza….something!

There are a million ways I could answer Jamie’s question, but today, I wanted to choose something concrete. I want to begin living out the wishes and dreams I’ve shared with all of you. Something exciting has wafted in with the cooler, almost-Autumn air and I believe it is action…and courage. Let’s get on with this stuff already. You’re the only one holding you back. Why wait any longer? Begin.

Encourage others to begin as well.  You’ll find their wishes here.

Beginning by Kathy Ostman-Magnuson