Second Choices

Hi All,



There was an apt article in the Times of 12/28:



"Our second choices in life, when we reassess where we are and what we’ve been doing ... Dire Times Offer a Chance to Reconsider Choices "




I tried to forward it to our blog, but it didn't work. It just reminded me of where many of us are now in our lives, an d what opportunities that affords.



Of course New Years is a time for reflection, and for hope. It gives us a chance to start again. Soooo, take a deep breath, hoist that bubbly and

let's all hope for a New Year of Peace, Joy, and serendipity.



Love,



Halema

Nihilistic

The word I couldn't think of in my post about the story I wrote was (for what it's worth) "nihilistic"!
I imagine all are pretty occupied with family and holiday prep, etc. Today was Joshua's last day of school until after New Year's
We started the vacation off by cooking lots and lots of baked home-"fries" and organic veggies, baking a mega batch of brownies and bringing it all down to a shelter in Westport called the "Gillespie Center" tonight, where we helped to serve a meal. Joshua stood on a chair and helped to serve the potatos and salad (brought by another volunteer). He really liked doing it, so I'm thinking it was a pretty good way to introduce him to the concepts of service and tzedakah. Sophia was mostly interested in raiding the shelter's cookie and candy supply, but she'll figure it out in due time, I'm sure. Her contribution was simply being adorable Sophia.

Well, just wanted to connect. We're enjoying Channukah, but miss living closer to you all at this time. Wishing you and families all wonderful holidays and -- for those celebrating -- a sacred, joyous Christmas!
love, amanda

birthdays

On a lighter (healthier?) note, I was so touched by all of your e-mail birthday wishes (and also Susan's talking email thank-you card to my kids!) and realized that, although, I don't think we should pressure ourselves to live up to repeat performances of the beautiful birthday tributes we each received over this past year, it would be good for us all to know the exact date of each other's birthdays so we can support and celebrate each other yearly in one way or another. So, if the venue seems appropriate, please post your b-days!
love, amanda 12-20-60

Insomnia/Agitation

Good early morning, dear friends...
At a loss for answers, I stayed up last night reworking a short story I've been writing since October. Thinking about how Julia Cameron writes that you can't worry about writing something good right away, that early "crap" can end up being fertilizer for future "gold" (I'm paraphrasing here). The story takes place on Halloween. The charactrs are a "damaged" woman who doesn't make commitments and a man of faith who was also traumatized years ago. They encounter a girl. I don't quite know how I came to some of it. I know it has sort of been a venue for the struggle between the misanthropic, skeptical (can't find the word I'm looking for, but something that's the antithesis to faithful, as in despairing or antagonizing,... I tell you, my brain really has lost some cells over the past 6 years, it begins with an "A" I think, or a "Pa," but maybe not, paranoid, pathetic, nope, can't think of it. Someone who not only doesn't believe, but is somehow really immoral because of it...)well, that side of me and the part of me, which harbors a childlike longing to be saved by some sign of irrefutable goodness, something I can latch my heart onto, be comforted and reassured by. Well, anyway, I've got a draft of a weird story to show for it. If nothing else, I guess the writing provides a space for my "demons." This space seems to have such potential for holding our creative dreams (or sometimes nightmares?) and fostering cross-fertilization (to continue with the metaphor), so thought I'd just mention what I've been doing with my "stolen" moments. Wish me luck getting through this day on little to no sleep! - a

Hi All. Buffy, thank you so much for this!!! It will be a wonderful way to communicate and to keep our artists' spirit flowing. Happy Birthday Amanda!!
Stephanie, after we spoke I looked for a prayer that we all could share, on Destiny:

Finding your way, discovering your purpose, the spark of delight becomes a roaring fire of passion for destiny.
Believe in destiny. There is always a purpose. Know that now; understand it when it happens. Your time will come, they say. You will know your purpose we're told. It is true, if you believe. Believe, destiny is God's will. Believe, God has a purpose for you.
(Ms. Holly Wyman, Women's Uncommon Prayers)

This is wonderful, Buffy! Thank you for creating this lovely space for us to continue our important work of nurturing each other's growth, happiness and creativity. And thank you also so much for your good birthday wishes! I feel loved and blessed to have all of you in my life. I'm excited about the winter sleep-over plan. It's good to know we're able to be creative about maintaining our connection despite new geographical circumstances. Well, happy snow for now!
xoxo amanda

This is FABULOUS!

Thank you Buffy for setting this up, what a terrific idea. As I mentioned last night seeing you all was such a gift, hearing about your lives, your growth, changes, challenges, hope, faith - was an inspiration. And things I have been meaning to do to help break out of that "stuck" feeling, like joining Facebook and writing a blog, are happening, thanks to you! As our Artist Way instructs: follow the signs and the serendipity.

I was talking to Amanda last night before she got on the train, and we are seriously thinking about a Sleepover in Connecticut. You all know I love to plan, and love a project, so I am organizing this! Let's think about the New Year, sometime in January/early February when the winter dulldrums have us all down - we'll pack hot chocolate, popcorn and chick flicks and store the men and children someplace... (haven't figured out the logistics of that one yet)

In any case, it is a lovely thing to anticipate. Thank you all for being in my life. I am so blessed.