My Sunday List
November 24, 2024
Words
He said the worth of things can’t be measured by what they cost but by what they cost you to get it, that if anything costs you your faith or your family, then the price is too high and that there are some things that will never wear out.
—Bob Dylan, Chronicles, Volume One.
Music
This performance from last weeks CMAs blows me right in the dirt. And this song is killer (a co-write with Chris and Miranda Lambert). This is why we love country music! I’m so glad we have Chris and Morgane Stapleton to class up the joint. They do. Everytime.
I watched
I am watching the Leonardo Da Vinci documentary on PBS, but I haven’t made it through the first episode yet. I had a hard time sitting still this weekend — I decided to start decorating for the holidays since John Henry will be home this week for Thanksgiving, and I have about eighty-seven open projects that need to be moved forward.
Book
I’m in a good zone with reading right now — feels like a good mix of work-related, non-fiction, and delicious fiction. My two favorites at the moment: All Fours by Miranda July and Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottleib, which was pressed into my hand by a dear friend the other day. I keep one in the living room to read by the fire if I have time in the morning and the other on my nightstand to read before I turn out the lights.
Favorite moments
Having family dinner tonight. Sis and I are trying to make gathering on Sundays a regular thing. Feels right. Tonight, we had Rancho Gordo beans — The Domingo Rojo and The Midnight Black mixed together. I threw in a can of chiles, some chili powder, some cumin, minced garlic, and salt. Served over rice with cilantro and shredded cheese. Yum.
Decorating for the holidays. It feels so different this year. That’s okay.
I had a few epiphanies this week in the area of personal growth. Whenever I can allow myself to cross the threshold that lies between letting the past rule the present and letting the present rule the present, I feel empowered. But I have to be able to remember I’m in complete control of my ability to do that. It’s a decision, a way of life.
What I’m wearing
Fall is really cute. But I haven’t been taking many photos. Here’s one I snapped mid-week because I was sending my BFF a photo of the look I put together for this blue blouse, which I found last weekend while she was visiting. The brand of the blouse is The Author, which I found in a tiny, tucked away boutique called Alice here in Nashville.
The way you do anything is the way you do everything.
Poem
I DID THINK, LET’S GO ABOUT THIS SLOWLY (Mary Oliver)
I did think, let’s go about this slowly.
This is important. This should take
some really deep thought. We should take
small thoughtful steps.
But, bless us, we didn’t.
I’m grateful for
My fireplace. Particularly when I have time to sit by the fire with the animals.
A warm and safe home.
My friends.
My family.
What I made
I wanted a new decorating vibe this year, so I’ve been working on getting the house ready this weekend. I found some cardboard houses (in the kid’s crafts department) that I thought would make the sweetest little winter village scene. So now I’m obsessed. Stay tuned.
Favorite photo of the week:
What brought me joy
The latest book from Flamingo Estates. I might have to take a trip to visit this place.
A day at home today — cooking, gardening — have y’all planted your amaryllis for Christmas blooms? I just got mine done today — I hope they’ll bloom in time. My Christmas cactus has been blooming all year. There’s a song in there somewhere.
Prayer
Thank you, Great Spirit, for the life you give me every day. Thank you for the blessing of my son, my sister, my family both biological and chosen. Thank you for the blessing of this experience, even when it seems like the hard times are too hard and too many. I know I must walk through periods of difficulty in order to learn what I need to learn until I transmute the lessons and see that every encounter with my woundedness is an opportunity to address it, not to try to numb the pain. Remind me to turn to you with every breath. Please strengthen my faith so I might turn all things over to you and the wisdom to know you will work miracles in me through whatever you place in my blessed path. Remind me my choices determine my experiences and my lessons can come through positive ones rather than the opposite. Allow me to gracefully release what is not meant for me and to hold tightly and lovingly to what is. Allow me to be open to change every day as you remind me it is the only constant besides you. Allow me to repair what is broken. Allow me awareness of my dissociative tendencies and keep me present so I may make choices that reflect the life I desire. Allow me clarity, focus, and courage. Allow me to rise to my highest vibration each day and spread truth and beauty wherever I go. May I learn how to truly forgive. With deep gratitude I pray that your will, and not mine, shall be done.
Intention for the week to come
May I be present and fully inhabit my mind, spirit, and physical body.
May I walk through the world with an open heart and without judgment.
May I be curious and ask questions before I decide.
May I breathe peace in, and breathe love out.
May I be humble and see myself clearly so I may accept my limitations while working to lovingly decrease them. May my progress be reflected through my actions, seen and unseen.
May I have the self-possession and grace to meet others with the kindness and acceptance I desire for myself.
May I find the flexibility in myself to gracefully accept the imperfections of life and not take inconveniences personally.
May I think before I speak.
May I think MORE than I speak.
May I first do no harm.
May I be grateful for what I have and may I not seek more for my selfish gain.
May I allow myself to trust but may I also always use my discernment.
May I have CLARITY and find a way to be CALM about it.
May I be patient.
May my vibration resonate in harmony with the universe.
May I remember it isn’t about me.
May I do good work.
May I have optimism and positive thoughts.
May I be open to what the Great Spirit knows is for me, and may I walk my path accordingly by remembering I can only take it one step at a time.
Something I’m thinking about
When I went up to attic yesterday to get some decorations out to start the holiday process, I thought about how this year might feel different. Might? Naw — it will, without a doubt, feel different. It’s weird to spend every holiday with someone for over a decade but then all of sudden you don’t do that anymore. I’m making the best of it and am figuring out how to push forward and through. I decided not to put up a regular tree with all of the regular ornaments on it. I just didn’t want to dig through it all and dredge up those emotions. So I’m doing something different this year — mostly lights and vignettes around the house and several smaller trees throughout the living area. I’ll have some photos ready for next week’s list. For now, it’s all still a work in progress.
Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. — Buddha
Habit
Right now it seems like having a million plates spinning in the air is my habit. Not real plates, but if you could see the amount of unfinished projects I have around me you might think there’s something amiss in my mental health — alas, I haven’t died in an avalanche of art supplies or hoarded up work, I’m still pretty organized about it all — but I can’t seem to finish one project before I start another. It’s a sign of curiosity and enthusiasm, but also one of undisciplined, dilettantish artistic habits. I need to slow down and focus so I can finish something. Loving myself through it….
Wishes
That we all are and will be well.
That we all are loved.
That we all put our pasts behind us every minute.
That we all have a glorious and fulfilling week.
That everyone who reads this will feel peace in at least some small way.
That you will forward this to one person you think might like it.
Have a wonderful, peaceful, joyous week. And thank you for supporting my work here at The Autotelic.
Peace. Love.
Allison
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A salad bar in the fridge is brilliant!
All the holiday hype is rather stressful, but I'll be busy with Nutcracker season at the ballet. Your little houses are adorable and will make lovely decorations with your creative touch.
Da Vinci was a genius, and I'm looking forward to the remainder of the episodes.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving with lots of gravy and gratitude!
P.S. If I come to Nashville, I'll be sure to check out that "Alice" boutique, since it has my namesake,