"Instead of focusing on what you can accomplish, focus on how much you absolutely love what you are doing."
                                                                                                                                    Leo Babuta

What a great reminder.  This was a week when I did focus on what I love doing and that is working with creative people.  I was lucky enough to see the work of several of my clients and to share with them the excitement that comes with accomplishing your goal no matter how big or small. It has been a quiet reflective summer but I am looking forward to the excitement that fall always brings.  I love the cool weather and the beautiful colors and my plan is to enjoy them both as I do the work I love.  Not every moment of every day is filled with doing what I love.  But I have found that if I focus on the moments that I do enjoy, my world seems like a much happier place. I hope that your Labor Day weekend is filled with moments when you are not only doing what you love but are realizing that you are doing it.

               When you share your gifts and your talent with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!
                                                                                             

          " Worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's troubles.  It takes away today's peace."  
                                                                                                 (Found on Pinterest)

As I get back to blogging, I am also getting back to setting an intention for the week each Sunday.  Although I might not consciously think about my intention each day, I know it is there and it seems to make a difference in how I spend my time. This week I want to worry less and enjoy the moment more.

I am a worrier and that is something I would like to change about myself. I realize that worrying means living in a future of "what ifs" which has the power to take away the beauty of the present moment.  So when I find myself worrying about something, I bring myself back to the here and now by asking myself, "What do I know for sure?" and deal with only the things I know for certain. It really works for me.  So if you find yourself worrying about something this week, I invite you to ask yourself just one short question. "What do I know for sure?"  See if this simple trick works as well for you as it does for me.

                 When you share your dreams and talents with the world, magic happens!  Let the magic begin.

                          "You will either step forward and grow, or you will step back into safety." Abraham Maslow

I love it when I find the perfect quote to go with how I am feeling in the moment.  This summer I took several steps back into safety but now I am ready to step forward again and see what happens.  For all of us there is a time to rest and a time to step back. There is a time to move slowly and to reflect upon what is important.  But then the the time approaches when, at least for me, it is time to move forward.  I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. Although I am going to have a plan and set schedules, I am also going to be flexible and open to new ideas and opportunities.  I am looking for new classes to take and people to meet. I've learned a lot this summer about myself.  Now, it is time to put that knowledge to good use.  I'm excited and energized and it feels good.  How about you?  How do you feel?  What comes next in your world?

This summer I decided it was time to step back from the computer for awhile.  My husband was trying a new medicine which really took all of his and my time and attention for awhile.  The medicine did not work and he is ready to try something different this week. There will still be an adjustment period to see if the side effects are tolerable. We are keeping our fingers and toes crossed that this will be the magic that he and so many others are looking for.  

When I took a step back from the computer I was not sure what to do with myself.  I have been blogging for the past five years and it has become part of who I am and what I do.  In stepping back, I realized that I miss it.  I miss the connections I have made online.  I miss the sharing of my stories and hearing the stories of others.  I miss writing at least three times a week.  So I am back.  Back to share my world.  Back to listen to your stories.  Back to connect with those I miss.

I'm not sure how many times a week I will be able to post at first.  Hopefully, I will get back to posting at least three times a week. I do know that when I set a goal and take small steps towards that goal, I can usually achieve what I set out to do. It was good to step back.  It was good to realize that writing is more than just a hobby but is part of who I am and what I do. 
Now it feels really great to step back in. I can't wait to see what happens next!