Is it just me or did this summer come and go too fast?
—August 29, 2021
I can't believe it is the end of August... I feel like life is moving at lightning speed and I am missing out on so much I still want to do and achieve.
Honestly, lately, I have been feeling unmotivated and discouraged. The world is making me pretty sad right now, not only the terrible news around the world, but also a gut feeling of a lack of compassion, understanding, and support for each other as human beings. And there is so much division in the world... As I read the comments on social media or in my neighborhood "Nextdoor," I can't help but notice how so many people are angry and judgmental of each other. Perhaps we are all tired of dealing with the pandemic, so rudeness, ugliness, and conflict have become our default reactions.
I still believe
I still believe in compassion and generosity. We might have to dig a bit more into our thoughts to find ways to be good people again. Maybe if we all take a moment to breathe before clicking that "send" button, we can find ways to say what we mean that do not hurt or diminish others. 
It is going to take time, I know, but life will be better again. I do believe in people and their willingness to change themselves and the world we live in, so we can again find love, kindness, and respect for one another.
Let's be optimistic and brave. Despite ugly times, let's try to find a way to keep on living the life we dream of, surrounded by loving family, good friends, caring neighbors, and even welcoming strangers. Join me in designing a good life for all. ❤️
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Stay-cation
I was on stay-cation for the last two weeks. I really needed time off, but staying home where I have been for more than a year did not feel like a vacation--it was more like, "I am not going to think about work; instead, I will spend more time in my living room rather than in my office." It did not really work that well. I still spent time in front of my computer, and teaching, and so much more...
In the end, I still enjoyed my much-needed stay-cation, and I loved having the extra time to spend with my husband and my kitties--it made it all so much better.
Making you smile more
This week I would like to share with you my Weekly Finds--Fun Finds!
I gathered a few quirky, fun items that might just bring a smile to your face--we could all use a few more smiles in our lives. 😉
Please enjoy my Fun Finds for this week, and if it makes you smile, even just a little, you might want to shop them! Take a look:
Did you miss "Shades of Blue" a few weeks ago? If you did, no worries, here is the link:
See previous "My Weekly Finds" and "Shop The Look"
My book recommendation for this week
Not a new book but one that I have read several times and have loved every time!
The story takes place in Louisiana in the 1970s. It tells the tale of a young couple, Gwen and Calvin, and their dream of creating a simple life away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. They not only build a new life but actually build a houseboat to live in. They spend eight years together, growing their own food, making their own wine, fishing, and enjoying their exotic, free, and wild way of living. Photographs of their journey, taken by C. C. Lockwood, were later published in a National Geographic collector's edition, which helped make them and their fascinating life story famous.
This is the perfect book to read while curled up with a cup of tea to inspire you to imagine a life of amazing adventures. I hope you love this book as much as I did! ❤️
"Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp"
Designing a Good Life
As always, I am so thankful that you follow my blog and for your support of my new journey! Please share my blog with others and encourage them to subscribe to my blog and follow me on social media--it would be so helpful. I wish you, your family, and friends a beautiful and peaceful Sunday and a lovely week ahead, and remember to create a Good Life! Much love, Mané
It’s not “ just you” I feel the same way. We have a lovely home and have NO reason or right to complain spending so much time at home, but I have been feeling a bit “ stir crazy”. Funny thing is, the flip side of this isolation, when I do get to go out, or have people here, it’s a BIG DEAL. I played duplicate bridge, in person-live, on Friday. I dressed carefully, savoring each choice of clothing ( and changing three times ). I put on make up. It was exciting! Yes, I wore a mask ( only three of 16 to do so in our fully vaccinated group) but it was so nice to feel the energy in the room. It’s really not the same on Zoom.
So my suggestion is to savor each opportunity like a present , because that is exactly what it is!
Thank you for your positive take. We all need to ( as the old song says) accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and don’t mess with Mr Inbetween. Have a safe and positive week my friend!
I share many of your feelings. I’m deeply saddened by the physical condition of our world – the pandemic, effects of climate change, earthquakes and war to name a few. I’m also deeply saddened to see how verbal abuse, cruelty, greed and narcissism have been normalized.
I do feel motivated though – motivated to make the best use of my time to be happy because life experience has taught me that it is my choice whether to focus on things that make me happy or things that make me sad. I’m motivated to live my life through example of kindness and integrity, to keep improving myself and to keep learning. I’m motivated to take care of my home and do what I can for the greater world and humanity.
When I think about people being mean, I intentionally “change the channel” in my mind, and think about people who are incredibly kind, and/or are dedicating their lives to improving our world. I think of all the volunteers who ran those vaccine hunters groups, who run Covidactnow, or Microcovid, or food pantries or refugee services, and for worthy political causes.
I actually enjoy my corner of the world very much. I get a ton of joy from dancing, either solo, with a masked partner, or dancing on zoom with friends. We have had some hilarious zoom parties! I owe a great debt of gratitude to Myles and Tessa Cunningham for their constant encouragement, nurturing and inspiration. I enjoy long walks with my daughter on the cell phone and Saturday Family Fun nights on zoom. I also enjoy walks, hikes, kayaks and picnics with a few very careful local friends. And I enjoy your funny posts! Much love to you and Roger! <3