On Notice

The start of a new year often brings goals, resolutions, hopes, themes…at least for some. I don’t find myself in this group as I find myself more likely to be someone who is on notice each day.

While some might believe I’m on notice due to life choices, daring escapades, living life as an explorer, and more, I’m not looking at being on notice as a negative.

Being on notice typically has a “you’ve been warned” connotation. I guess maybe I’ve been warned, or maybe it’s that I’ve been made aware!

The lessons learned when slowing down was forced upon me, when I walked through the grocery store with the awareness that others didn’t know what I was facing and I in turn didn’t know their battles, when dreams seemed farther off but so worth fighting for, when simple moments and small victories were suddenly big — these lessons put me on notice like never before.

I think I’ve long been a noticer. (“Noticer” is in the Scrabble Dictionary, so yes, it’s a word!) My noticing skills have been heightened in recent years. I’m guessing cancer had something to do with that. While I’m not facing big health issues at the moment, I’m still embracing — to the best of my abilities — the lessons learned while the battle was constant.

Noticing colors, sounds, tastes, smiles, and even pain became things to look forward to and things to look for.

From a hike in the North Shore region in MN

It does not bother me to end a sentence with a preposition. Life is too short to get caught up in that for me. It’s acceptable in casual conversation and we are friends, right.

The italicized thoughts are worth noticing. While I have worked hard to choose words On Purpose (thus, the title of my blog) and I worked hard to complete educational goals in language and I work with a literacy non profit, it is worth noting, that sharing stories, sharing life, sharing the beauty and the pain that we experience is of note.

I’m soon approaching EIGHT years since cancer was written into my story. Crazy!

Hiking The Narrows

The life that has been lived in these eight years has been one of note. I’ve cried for joy and with sorrow. I’ve hiked a glacier and through The Narrows of Zion National Park, I’ve welcomed four grand children into our family and said an earthly good-bye to a parent. I’ve been a noticer to different languages and cultures, and continue to work on noticing what brings joy to others.

Preparing to hike a glacier in Iceland

I encourage you in the New Year and in EACH NEW DAY to notice

–the breath in your lungs

–the colors of the grass, trees, birds, flowers

–the eyes of those you pass

–opportunities you have to lighten someone’s load

–the song you hear being whistled

–the aches in your joints as you are still here to feel them (that’s my perspective, anyway)

–ways you can learn by listening to the lessons of others

I guess I may be one setting a New Year’s goal after all. My goal is to continue to live a life being on notice each day of 2023.

Recent friends noticed in Colorado

A Life of Ordinary Moments

In a period when it seems there is more than enough negative to go around, I am more convinced more than ever of the importance of positive thoughts, positive words, positive actions…positive people.

I too have opinions on the arguments that are prevalent in this world. My opinions come after thought, listening, reading, and experience. As I have steered away from joining in the arguments — my heart and mind are tired of the yelling — I have found I still need to be purposeful in being positive. I want to be mindful that I don’t turn negative toward those choosing to voice their opinions. That has not been easy for me. I continue to be a work in progress and am aware of the choices before me.

Life is not easy. There is much that comes with pain and there are definitely concerns in this world. I am not minimizing pain or concerns. That would be contrary to my nature. I care deeply. However, in caring deeply, I am encouraging myself and anyone who reads to search for extra in the ordinary. Choose to have an awareness of what is nearby. Choose to find something to celebrate today and live in the moments at hand.

These thoughts do not come from a pollyanna point of view. I’m not living in a vacuum or isolation, nor am I surrounded by fear. Recent days for me have been filled with grief and mourning and I am aware that the process is never really complete on this earth. While walking through grief, I know the impact of gratitude and the steps of caring for myself. Sharing joy are important pieces of each next step.

There is much that the ordinary offers

Walking is a choice I make as regularly as I can. It has proven to be beneficial in many areas of my life.

Taking it all in

As I have walked a familiar path often in recent weeks, I have found delight in noticing the increase of acorns on the ground. Some have been shelled and I like the sound made as they crunch underfoot. I have taken care to notice the mighty burr oaks, their large canopies, the shelter of their limbs and leaves, and the many, many acorns that have come after years of growth. The joy from these oaks could have been missed without the choice to take note. The choice to soak in the moment, seeing the extra in the ordinary is a choice worth making.

Unique and beautiful

Those acorns are beautiful. They are each unique and offer the hope of life — either from new growth or from the nourishment they provide to local inhabitants. The ordinary, yet unique acorns are beautiful to my eyes and underneath that shell, there is something more. The potential of what is underneath is perhaps what I find most beautiful.

My life is ordinary by most accounts. I suspect most of life is made up of ordinary moments and in that manner, we all live ordinary lives. That’s a beautiful thing. The ordinary moments of life are where we live. How are you choosing to live those moments? I’m choosing to notice what is nearby, appreciating what I can experience right now. I hope that in doing so, I can offer encouragement and add something positive.

There are perhaps parallels that can be made with the acorns. Perhaps they might correspond to people, or life events, challenges or opportunities. I don’t know what that parallel — if any — might be for you. I do know that my ordinary days are better for having noticed them.

Meet Me on the Landing

Nearly thirty years ago we began a family tradition of gathering together before the first one went to sleep. We would spend a few minutes sharing something we were thankful for and then would give thanks. There were times when we would choose to limit the list to a set number, as certain family members would go on and on with their list. Looking back, that is a memory that makes me smile. I want to believe that child was so filled with gratitude and was not merely stalling to lengthen the bedtime routine.

Over time, the landing at the top of the stairs became the meeting place to share what was called our “thank You fors.” Everyone paused what they were doing, halted phone calls or text conversations, and gathered on the landing. The high school siblings didn’t fuss. It was routine. It was good. It was a common event that refocused our thoughts. It reinforced a mindset to consider the choice to display gratitude. Some of the “thank You fors” included family members, pets, and friends. Some times the list included completed tasks, victories in competitions, and simple acknowledgements of progress. The list was different every day but it was a full list!

Lately, my list has included:

• sunshine
• scientific minds
• the tulips planted last fall are peeking through the ground

• laughter
• my well-check can be delayed — that I can have a well-check
• a quiet path on which to walk
• a faithful friend who walks with me

When the first child went off to college, there were times when he was included via a phone call. He joined in the evening meeting on the landing. It was harder to schedule but it worked and sometimes it was a text shared later. This family meeting on the landing is one of the things my adult children reference when asked about positive habits we tried to develop in our home. For me personally, I’m thankful for the routine of looking for things for which I am thankful. I’m thankful for the ease in offering thanks to the Giver of all good things. (James 1:17) I’m thankful for the memories of sharing the good, even in tough times.

With my birthday two days away, I have been asked if I have any plans of how I am going to celebrate.

I’m thankful to have some of the world’s best cake in the freezer!

In this time of uncertainty, when social distancing is the norm, I’m putting out a birthday request. My friends know I am ALL about celebrating life. I think that goes hand in hand with daily “thank You fors.” For my 57th birthday (HOORAY for another year) I’m asking you to Meet Me on the Landing and express your thanks.

Each day brings good things and tough things. This has been my experience. I know the days are uncertain. In truth, they always are. I have experienced grief, doubt, pain and weariness. I have also deeply experienced an inexpressible and glorious joy (1 Peter 1:3-9). Each day brings choices. I choose to land on the side of gratitude. Will you meet me there?