Today Jamie Ridler of Jamie Ridler Studios asked, "What do you wish to take a break from?"  My immediate response was nonsense.  Then as I had my coffee I pondered the question a little bit more and realized I really don't have alot of nonsense in my life right now but I do worry too much about what other people think.  So I decided my wish should be, "I wish to take a break from the nonsense of worrying about what other people will think."  As soon as I started worrying about what other people would think of my response, I realized this was exactly what I should not only wish for but do something about.  I am anxious to see how this wish will impact the
decisions I make.

I have spent quite a bit of time writing this week.  My goal is to have most of my book finished by the end of the summer.  I am sure this is a lofty goal but I hope that by staying motivated to write, I can come close to or maybe even accomplish finishing my first novel.  The main character in the book is presented with an interesting opportunity.  She can change her life for one year which means moving, changing careers, and doing whatever it takes to make her dreams come true.  If after one year she wants to return to her present life she can and nothing will have changed. The only stipulation is that she, and only she, must make each and every decision. 
What would you do?  I'd love to know how many people would take this opportunity and what changes they would make in their lives.   My research so far shows that although it sounds like it may be an easy decision, it isn't for many people.

Everyday brings something special if we are looking for it.  That special experience can be something big and exciting or something as simple as enjoying the sunshine on your face or the wind in your hair.  This week when I answered the prompt on Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday explaining that this summer I wanted to focus on writing my book and enjoying the process I received the most comments that I have ever received.  Anyone who blogs knows how much fun it is to receive comments and how much they mean to the blogger.  These comments meant so much to me because they were all so encouraging.  Writing a book is a big endeavor but knowing that so many people sent me such wonderful wishes makes the whole journey even that much more special.  Blogging has brought me many special moments.  I want to thank everyone who took the time to send such encouraging wishes this week.  I hope that I can meet each and every one of you at my book signing sometime in the not too distant future.  What a special moment that would be!!!

The weeks are flying by and it is time to cast my Wednesday wish with all the other people who are part of Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday.  Today Jamie asked, "What do you wish for this summer?"  My wish is very simple. I wish to focus on writing my book while enjoying every single minute of the process. 

For the past several years I have been dabbling in lots of things.  I love to write, to paint, and to take pictures.  I often wonder if I should concentrate on one thing in order to get really good at it but then something new catches my attention and I begin down that path. 
Today I was looking at some of the pictures that I have taken in the past year and many of them are of water.  I love water.   I love how it looks, how it sounds, and how it smells.  The smells of the ocean are so different than the smells of the river or of the lake.  Sunsets at the lake are different from sunsets at the ocean but both are special.  I would not want to trade one experience for the other.  Spending time at the lake, the river, and the ocean have opened up different doors and created wonderful memories for me. 
Then it came to me.  Spending time writing, painting, and taking pictures are also all different but special.  I realized today that I am not ready to give up one creative experience for the other.  So a decision has been made.  I am going to enjoy all of the experiences.  Hopefully, I will get better at everything I do but if I don't I know that each learning experience will be special and unique. This morning I came to the conclusion that for me, now, that is more than enough!

Each Friday I take a few minutes to reflect upon some of the special moments that I have experienced during the week.  I realized this week that since beginning this practice, not very long ago, the special moments, just seem to keep growing.  This was a special moment in itself.  Just like surrounding yourself with positive people definitely helps a person to stay positive, remembering and celebrating all of the special moments and events in your life helps you to recognize those moments when you do experience them.  We all have moments during the day when we share a laugh or a smile with someone, hear a bird sing, read just the right quote, eat just the right thing, get to rest our eyes for just a second, or do one of the hundreds of things that we all do that can make life special.  It is taking the time to savor those moments that makes the difference for me.
This week I was very fortunate to be able to spend time with six very excited women who are all working on a new project.  Sharing with them my dream of writing and publishing a book and hearing all about their dreams was very special.  There are many more conversations to come and I can't wait to see what the future will hold as I get to know these creative women. 
 This week was also filled with time spent talking to people who see positive things happening in their lives.  Meeting new people and connecting with old friends was very special.  Hearing their stories and sharing their excitment as they talked about the goals they had already met and the opportunities that are now on the horizon, presented a chance to celebrate for both of us.  I talked to someone who had just finished her dissertation and called to tell me she had just earned her doctorate, someone who's business is starting to take off, and someone who is going on an interview for her dream job where she can help children who really need her.  All of those conversations reminded me that there are opportunities out there for all of us if we continue to pursue them.  I have watched all of these people struggle to get to where they are but they never gave up on their dream.   So many of my special moments this week came about because I was able to celebrate the dreams and accomplishments of others and at the same time share my dreams with them.   I would love to know what special moments you experienced this week.  Sharing our life with others helps to make those special moments, big and small, even more real and  exciting.

It is time to cast my wishes out into the world as part of Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday. I always look forward to starting each Wednesday with Jamie and the rest of the Wishcasters.  Sometimes the answers are right at the tip of my fingers as I begin to type and sometimes I have to really think long and hard before I know what I want to say or do.  Because not only do I believe in the magic of wishes but I believe in helping those wishes to come true by taking action.  I am not usually a list maker but this week that is what seems most appropriate to me.  This is a list of some of the things that I wish to delight in:    
                                                        Special times with family and friends
                                                        Writing my book and seeing it published
                                                        Waking up to the sounds of the birds 
                                                        Walking my dogs
                                                        Coffee on the deck
                                                        The beauty of nature
                                                        Stimulating conversations
                                                        Learning new things
                                                        Yoga
                                                        Movement
                                                        Healthy foods
                                                        Art
                                                        Laughter
                                                        Music
                                                        The perfect store where I walk in and can find just the right outfit

These are all things that are very important to me and most of them are a part of my life right now.  But I realize that in order to delight in them I cannot take them for granted.  I also have to stop and appreciate each of them as I experience them.  Each day has a way of speeding by and that is why it is so important for me to remember to take time to enjoy and appreciate all of the things that delight me.  Thank you Jamie for another wonderful Wishcasting Wednesday. 
                            
        
                   
                                                         

       "Obstacles are those thing you see when you take the eye off the goal." 
                                                                                                                     Hannah Moore

I am going to keep things simple this week.  I'm not taking my eye off of the goal which is to live a happy, healthy, and well balanced life.  Remembering this should make all of those everyday decisions much simpler.  All I have to do is ask myself, "Does this help me reach my goal?" If the answer is "Yes" then it's a go otherwise I will have to make a different choice.  Sounds simple.  Let's see what happens.  I would love to know more about how last week went for you and what you will do this week to live a healthy lifestyle. 

PS  I finally took my first Pilates class.  I was surprised because I really enjoyed it and will take more.  Even though I did not seek out this opportunity it came to me and I am glad I was open to enjoying it.