Don’t let it get you down.

 

I just want you to know, I get it. I’m just as angry and tired and sad about the election and the behavior of the stupid, newly elected being in the big White House. Notice I am not naming names or titles because this person, these people don’t deserve that kind of honor. Because they are not honorable. They are thieves. Plain and simple. 

But don’t let them take you down with them.

Because that’s what they want. They want you to be tired, scared and stressed and give in. They want you to be angry. They feed off of it. 

So don’t. 

Don’t give them your anger to fuel their hate. 

Don’t give them your fear to fuel their aggression. 

Don’t give them your energy. It fuels them and fills their pocket books. 

And I believe, they will not last. 

Give love and comfort. 

  

In the meantime, what can you or I do to make our lives better? One thing we can all do right away in our own homes and lives to transform our anger into love. 

What do you love to do? Do it. I’m thinking of Martha Beck’s idea of making a Sanity Quilt. Quite simply, it’s finding small, easy things in your life that you love to do and doing it. I know, it sounds simple but it works. 

So do it.  

Do your walk in the woods to fuel your sense of wonder. 

Pet your dog.  

Hug your spouse. 

Kiss your grandbaby to give and receive love. 

Doodle with colorful markers. 

Take a beautiful photo to share to fuel your creativity.  

Write in your journal. 

Write a positive post on social media to share good thoughts. 

Be kind to your elected officials and their interns who are on your side. 

Help others and help yourself. 

What can you do that helps make life better? 

It doesn’t have to be big.

Thrive Anyway

The past few weeks have been crazy. And I’m convinced that is the intention of this new situation we have with our government. You’ll notice I’m not naming names, political parties or internet barons. Why? Because, names have power and I’m not giving it to them. I know, it’s a shit show. But I’ve decided not waddle into it with them. I believe that’s what they want me/us to do.   

I resist. And I’ve found my own way to fight and some needed inspiration from this poem by Loren Brantz.

“In a time of hate

Love is an act of resistance

In a time of fear

Faith is an act of resistance 

In a time of misinformation

Education is an act of resistance 

In a time of poor leadership

Community is an act of resistance

In a time like this

Joy is an act of resistance

Resist. Resist. Resist.”

• Loryn Brantz

Love.

I’m going to send out love into the world as much as I can. I’m helping my family stay healthy and calm with words of support. I’m taking care of my grandsons and granddaughter by giving them a safe, loving place to have fun. 

Faith.

I’m going to send out faith instead of fear.  We are strong.  Each of us is powerful in our own hearts and our own lives. We will get through and beyond all of this because we believe not just in our rights but also the rights of others. 

Education.

I’m going to help educate myself and others by seeking and sending out facts and good information. Here’s a link to a Substack podcast written by an experienced broadcast journalist. https://miketurner921.substack.com/p/trouble-in-the-newsroom?r=2j4566

Community.

I’m sending appreciation out into the world as much as I can. I’m there to help my neighbors and friends. I’m making and donating crochet hats and scarves to keep people warm. I’m thanking the park workers who clean the bathrooms and trim the trees to keep the park beautiful. I’m wishing every walker I pass by a ‘good morning’ and a smile. 

Joy.

I’m going to continue to create whenever and wherever I can. I will not let fear stop me. I will continue to paint and sculpt and crochet. I will share it with anyone who wants and needs to create joy in their life too. 

This is my resistance. What’s yours?

Finding Light in the Dark

 

Yesterday was a hard day for me, for many of us. I refused to watch or engage in the travesty and dishonesty embodied in Washington. I worked hard for many years personally and professionally to bring rights to all people regardless of their gender. Those of you who also worked hard, I know you understand. 

I had to do what I needed to thrive through it all: comfort and creativity.  

Comfort. 

I love to bake. It’s not just cooking but a creative act, because I do love experimenting with recipes. It’s also calming and comforting. Mixing the sugar and butter and spices in just the right proportions keeps my mind focused in the moment. And my hands moving helps my body settle.

Pumpkin bread hit the spot. It’s cold outside and the smells of cinnamon and nutmeg are warming and uplifting. It reminds me of my Gram’s home where I always felt safe and loved. She passed on the baking bug to me and I am forever grateful. 

Creativity.

In the last year, my studio has not been a hive of activity as usual. Recovery from major surgery has kept my studio out of my reach for months. While I healed, I found a few creative things I could do, crochet and watercolors to keep my spirits up and my body moving. 

So yesterday, I played with watercolors. Brushing the water onto the paper and watching the flow of colors is always fun. And leaving the studio to let it dry, then adding more color, kept me moving in a good way all day. 

At night, I sat watching a favorite TV show while crocheting another hat and ear warmer headband. I’ve made dozens of hats, scarves, ear warmers and blankets for my whole family. 

And I think they’ve got enough so why make more? It helps to keep my hands moving and my mind occupied with the calming motion of crochet.  

I know I can’t change the situation in Washington in the next four years. So I’m trying to do what I can to help myself and my family. What are you doing to help yourself feel better? And btw, anyone need a hat?

2025 Word of the Year: Thrive.

 

It’s taken me a while to find my way to this year’s word. It wasn’t easy but then last year and this year have not been easy. Even as I wanted to move, like last year’s word, I was stopped at almost every turn. Stopped by pain and confusion and fear and, finally, major surgery. I’m very grateful, I finally got the help I needed.

Am I angry it took so long to get help? Yes. Our healthcare system here is sick and broken and needs major surgery too. And, so this new year, I hope for a healthier healthcare system for all of us. 

It’s time for me to thrive. 

Recovering from major surgery is not easy. It takes a lot of patience, which is not my strong suit. My instructions were: no lifting, no pushing, no pulling, no yoga. I could walk. Slowly. One day at a time, I walked a little further. Finally, I got to the park and around the lake and back home with my husband and sweet Darby by my side. 

The more I listened to my body and gave it what it craved: good food, tea, rest and walks. The more it rewarded me with more energy and less pain. There’s a lesson for me here. Maybe for you, too?

Thriving instead of Striving. 

It’s in our culture, these deep seated beliefs. Work harder. Go faster. More is better. But what if it isn’t? What if, less is really more? What if, slowing down get us where we need to go? What if working softly with intention brings more life to our lives?

Maybe to really thrive, instead of listening to my head or my culture, I need to listen to my gut. Slow down. See the heron on the branch.  Listen to the rain hitting the roof. Snuggle by the fire reading a book. Paint watercolors with my granddaughter. Cuddle with my grand baby and watch a silly movie. Play with paint and clay and crochet. 

 What if, relaxing into our days moment by moment, rather than striving, is the way to truly Thrive. 

If you want to know more about the healthcare situation, here’s a link https://open.substack.com/pub/miketurner921/p/health-care-is-broken?r=2j4566&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Goodbye 2024 Word of the Year

 

Every year, I choose a word of the year. I do it to give myself some inspiration and motivation for the coming year. Last year, my word was Move. With all the lifestyle changes that happened both during COVID and after, I need a word to get me going. It seemed like the perfect choice. 

I’d been in the hospital before Christmas that year with an abscess that needed to be drained. It was a scary, unexpected situation and even though I came home from the hospital before Christmas, I had to take it easy and not do or move as much as I usually did. I obeyed the instructions and thought after that all would be well. 

So Move seemed like the perfect choice. 

Not so fast. 

Yeah. This last year was a maze of doctor, urgent care, express care visits with so many different drugs and diagnoses that I was in a constant state of confusion. If you want to know more, read the blog “Easily Dismissed”. 

To say I was in a haze is to put it mildly. I lived with pain and fear. I was low on energy, yet pushed through to move on with my life as best I could. I couldn’t throw clay because it hurt to push the clay around on the wheel. So I made small figures in clay because I could do it sitting down in a comfy chair and rolling out the clay in small batches was manageable. 

I’m moved by those who helped. 

First, my wonderful husband who did the heavy lifting all year. He took over so many of my duties that I could not do. He grocery shopped, cooked and cleaned. He baked up a storm of cookies and treats and meals to keep me eating when I didn’t feel I could. 

My children, adults now with their own families and jobs, stepped up to walk, feed and care for the dog when I was in the hospital. Twice. They, along with friends, brought food and treats and things to keep me busy while I was confined to my bed. They are so wonderful. 

Thank you  to my art supporters from the gallery to the pottery group. It’s because of you that I was able to keep doing what I really love to do and manage to get my art out there. With the help of my husband doing the hauling and lifting and driving, I did Ceramics Showcase and sold a few things. Best of all, I had a gallery and a wonderful supportive owner and staff who wanted my work and worked with me to make it possible and sold it too!!

And a big thank you to the doctor and nurses and aides at St. Vincent Hospital, I was finally diagnosed correctly. Yes, I had a major but much needed surgery. And I went home finally, whole and healthy and able to really move on.