Cathy's blog

I find that I often put off doing the things that would help me to further my passions. In my head there are a hundred reasons I can dredge up for not moving ahead. I’m too old, it takes too much time, I don’t have the discipline…
I heard a story the other day and I was thinking about how it would be a good guideline to get past the excuses and follow my dreams.

I’ve been taking a great course at the Writer’s Ctre based on the book by Julia Cameron called “The Artist’s Way”. The idea is to do various things and try different tools that will help to open up creativity. There are 6 women taking the course and we’re really enjoying hearing each other’s perspectives. Darold and I are both doing what Cameron calls “morning pages” - 3 handwritten, private pages (of whatever comes to mind) that you do first thing in the morning before you have a chance to think about or get going on anything else.

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ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

Believe in Yourself,
and Remember that
Anything Is Possible
Believe in what makes you feel good.
Believe in what makes you happy.
Believe in the dreams you've always wanted to come true,
and give them every chance to.
Life holds no promises
as to what will come your way.
You must search for your own ideals
and work towards reaching them.
Life makes no guarantees as to what you'll have.
It just gives you time to make choices
and to take chances
and to discover whatever secrets might come your way.

I was just having a glass of wine before bed and wanted to propose a toast to all of the dreamers in the Dog and Pony show community who have the courage to follow their hearts!

Taking risks is not easy and it's something I've always been somewhat afraid of. Looking foolish in other people's eyes, failing, fear of the unknown, worries about giving up stability and safety all seem to be things that get in the way of following our dreams.

“If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
Henry David Thoreau quotes (American Essayist, Poet and Philosopher, 1817-1862)

"That Day on the River"
Most of us are blessed in our lives to have even a few days that we can recall with clarity as having been perfect. One such day in my past has taken up permanent residence in my memory vault and I can pull it forth at will like a treasure to be gazed upon, handled carefully and savoured.
This particular day involved my sister, my father and I. It was in the middle of the week which gave us the added pleasure of feeling like we were playing hooky while everyone else was pursuing their commitments.

I thought this was a great encouraging piece!

don’t forget to write
by maya stein
while you are piecing together the map of your life,
stepping as nimbly as you can out of the mulch
of your thoughts, the busy traffic of your heart,
while you attempt grace and magic and the blessing of
your soft, surrendered kiss, while you are fathoming the stretch
you will need for the wide and rocky jungle of your own happiness,
while you are hunkering down to a piece of dark bread
and the odd, welcome relief of hunger,
don’t forget to write.

The lyrics in this song are very encouraging around the importance of following our dreams.
Although for financial and familial reasons it might not be possible for everyone to give up what they're doing and follow a dream, it seems important for us to pursue (at least in a small way) some of the directions that make our hearts sing! After all we only have this one life to live..

Wow, what a beautiful place, so many gorgeous plants and trees and then there’s that lovely ocean.