The Everyday Mundane

One of my favorite blogs and podcasts is that of Jamie Ridler, of Jamie Ridler Studios. Each Wednesday is dubbed Wishcasting Wednesday, an opportunity for bloggers and “independent creative spirits” (as Jamie so lovingly calls we creative types) to release their hearts’ desires into the world. (And on a side note, don’t you just adore the term “independent creative spirits?” Don’t you just sense yourself standing a little taller at the mere mention of it? I know I do.)

I realize it’s Thursday and that my wish is coming a day late. But, really, is it ever too late to wish?

This week’s wishcasting prompt was, “What do you wish to enjoy.”

For me, I wish to enjoy the everyday mundane…the here and now…this in between time in my life that feels a little bit like standing in a line. I know what I want and where I am going, but must first work…and then wait to reap the harvest.

It feels a little bit like being a kid and having a pair of footie pajamas that are a tad too tight. You know, where your toes press against the inside and stretch out the ends of the feet, but they aren’t quite tight enough to convince mom to cut them off and let your toes wiggle freely? I’m that kid in those don’t-quite-fit-right footie pajamas.

I recently stumbled upon a proverb that spoke to my core about this very matter.

“Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.” Proverbs 20:4

Writer Diane Eble, expands upon this thought in her book Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions by explaining that, as with so many things, timing is everything when it comes to the success an endeavor. With farming, it does the farmer no good to sow too early in hopes of harvesting his crop a little bit sooner. Nor does it do him any good to sow too late in an attempt to shorten the time between the planting and harvest. There’s a timing and a method and a reason for both in every successful undertaking.

It’s something I must continue to work on, and remind myself of often as I put in the late hours and make sacrifices and all the while wonder, “Will it even matter?”

When my gremlins named Self-Doubt and Passivity try to talk me out of my dream, I silence them reminding myself of the tiny sprouts already springing forth in this creative dream of mine. A year ago, I hadn’t a clue what I wanted to do. Now, Stepping Stones Studio is REAL…and growing. One. Step. At. A. Time.

During my first marathon, my muscles sore but strong, my body fatigued but determined, I realized that all the training miles, all the lonely early morning runs had finally pieced themselves together to create this moment. It was because of all those baby steps that I was now conquering the 26.2-mile challenge before me.

So today I want to enjoy the steps, whichever one I happen to be on at this very moment. It may be working an ordinary J-O-B for awhile in order to fund My Dream…and that’s O.K. Actually, it’s not only O.K., it’s great because it’s the steps in the journey that make arriving at the intended destination that much sweeter.

So today, I wish to enjoy every last second of the everyday mundane.

www.bysararae.com
Stepping Stones Studio

Wishing Wednesday

When I was a little girl, I wished upon stars nightly, casting up my Christmas-list of wishes like handful of sand. Looking back, my wishes were silly things. A pet bunny. A good grade on an upcoming math test. A boy to like me. To be a famous singer. Or my personal favorite...to meet my idol Julie Andrews. (What can I say, I was a bit of an old soul.)

The thing is, back then, my little 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-year old heart was so full of hope and belief that there wasn't any room for head logic to creep in and steal my wishes. They were real to me, and if I believed in them enough, they would come true.

I eventually got a pet bunny...and several more would follow over the course of my childhood. Upon being handed my final for Algebra II and told by the teacher, "You need a D on this test to pass the semester," then, yes, I consider the D+ I got an answered wish, too. A boy did like me...so much so, he married me. I never found star-studded fame in singing, but I did reach my own level of stardom when I got to live out my dream of playing the role of Dorothy Gale in a community theater production of The Wizard of Oz. I'm still waiting to meet Julie Andrews. Maybe someday. (And if I do, I hope she won't think it too corny to sing "My Favorite Things" with me.) :)

My point in all this reminiscent rambling is this...sometimes our wishes, like prayers, aren't answered in the way we think they will be. But they are answered in some way when you believe with your heart instead of your head. It's up to us to look for it. 

I only discovered the Jamie Ridler Studios blog (http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/) and the Creative Living with Jamie podcast the other day. But already the words I've read and heard resonate. In fact, it has inspired me to start wishing again...and believe with a wide open heart and the faith of a child.

So, in the spirit of the Jamie's blog's Wishcasting Wednesday, my wish is to...

• Change the lenses in my glasses to the ones that see the blessings in seemingly inconvenient situations.

• Take a closer look at that closed door and see that it is only closed...not locked. And then go open it!

• Reclaim my energy by letting go of the urge to reach perfection...one task at a time.

• Inspire those who read this to rediscover their own hidden wishes.

Happy Wishing!