tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5421968273515941780.post6236367857999167097..comments2024-03-15T00:27:09.013-07:00Comments on lisa gammel maas: in clover: you say joyful, I say stressfulLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16539774270449394468noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5421968273515941780.post-34073110315158505662014-11-11T13:06:08.628-08:002014-11-11T13:06:08.628-08:00Somehow, dear Lori, this comment never made it'...Somehow, dear Lori, this comment never made it's way to me in 2011...it has found me now though...as I prepare to lead a group of women in a "getting ready for advent" retreat. Perfect timing! Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539774270449394468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5421968273515941780.post-60876547572922625992014-11-11T13:04:55.447-08:002014-11-11T13:04:55.447-08:00Some how, Lisa, I don't think I saw this comme...Some how, Lisa, I don't think I saw this comment...all the way back in 2011...and have just now seen it. I'm glad you took that from Wednesday nights and we'd love to have you back, anytime you can come! Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539774270449394468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5421968273515941780.post-74272449210704748902011-11-30T19:39:15.968-08:002011-11-30T19:39:15.968-08:00I know what you mean, but one important thing I ha...I know what you mean, but one important thing I have learned from coming to your "creative mindfullness" mtgs, is that one can be busy yet have a calm mind while doing so. This does not always happen for me, but at least I am aware of it and can focus on that more. I'm working on it.Lisa Wheatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5421968273515941780.post-8684440958868044142011-11-28T17:17:16.490-08:002011-11-28T17:17:16.490-08:00What I've been doing, slowly, year after year,...What I've been doing, slowly, year after year, is learning to watch for and really enjoy messiness, imperfection, and the not quite as planned, especially during the holidays. At first I could only do this in hindsight. More recently, I've noticed we can do this in the moment its happening. This thanksgiving, for example, one of my favorite moments was when a long-burning candle in a metal tin decided to shoot flames out its sides on our entry way table. It was found simultaneously by a relative and a friend (who didn't know each other before that moment) who then together flung it in a perfect arc of flames out the door and into the rain as if they'd been working together in sync all their lives throwing exploding candles out front doors. So impressive. And so funny.<br /><br />Its the messy, not-quite-right things where all the best memories live anyway. So why wait 5 years for something to become a funny or profound shared memory? I loved this, and them, as it was happening. (They did roughly 30 seconds later when they relaxed after their adventure.) :-)<br /><br />This is where peace often lies, I think. And as I get better at loving the mistakes and flaws and not-quite-perfects, everyone around me seems to be getting better at it too. Either that, or they'll decide to have Thanksgiving at a less flammable home next year. That remains to be seen. ;-)Lorihttp://www.collectiveself.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5421968273515941780.post-11209880927528140752011-11-24T05:39:54.903-08:002011-11-24T05:39:54.903-08:00Oh Emily, that's a blog post in itself! Thank ...Oh Emily, that's a blog post in itself! Thank you for your kind words and thank you for sharing your view, from your kitchen window. From my sunroom, I love watching your boys jump in leaf piles and from across the back fence, the peals of laughter is music to my ears. Happy Thanksgiving, neighbor!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539774270449394468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5421968273515941780.post-7224802984681953902011-11-24T05:29:41.438-08:002011-11-24T05:29:41.438-08:00Thank you for sharing this, Lisa. If there's ...Thank you for sharing this, Lisa. If there's a voice in your head warning you that you're on the brink of failure, it's no wonder the holidays are stressful, and Mike ends up getting yelled at :) Maybe the trick is to realize that you are already a success. From my kitchen window I catch glimpses of your beautiful home and family and, from that perspective, there is no universe in which you or your holidays could amount to failure. And since you're already a success, then whatever happens this holiday season is just icing on the (already very successful) cake. You're welcome to come over to look out my kitchen window any time you'd like. Happy Thanksgiving!Emily B.noreply@blogger.com