Author: SeasonedSistah2

During this final season life, I am going on a journey to define "ME." Opening up and going outside of my comfort zone to redefine ME.. Exploring and pursuing new interests that will lead to personal happiness, serenity, and tranquility. In undertaking this mission, overcoming the FEAR is my greatest challenge. Fear has played a large role in my life, but I overcame the FEAR of breast cancer, chronic pain associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Sleep Apnea. My new mantra: FEAR has two meanings: "(1) Forget Everything And Run, or (2) Face Everything and Rise. The Choice is Mine." Blogging here I come ready or not!!!

Week 1 – August 21-25, 2019

Last week, I began a 10-Week Self Challenge to exercise a minimum of five days per week. “You will never always be motivated so you must learn to be disciplined.”

Test 10

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY – APRIL 12, 2017

Wordless Wednesday – April 5, 2017

Wordless Wednesday – March 29, 2017

My Gratitude Journal – March 2017

As I write this post, I feel relaxed and at peace.

A 45-minute early morning walk, joined only by a self-shadow, opened up space to reflect on what has been GIFTED in this season of my life.

This is the first in a series of planned monthly posts for 2017, where I express GRATITUDE for the GOOD in my life, which I failed to acknowledge and appreciate for far too many years.

Gratitude Journal – March 2017

Thus far this month, I have been abundantly gifted with the GOOD and I am, especially GRATEFUL for:

FaceTime with my 8-year-old granddaughter. This is our special time to talk, laugh, listen share and bond. Despite being physically separated by more than 2,000 miles for the past seven years, FaceTime keeps us connected face-to-face for the entire year.

Dining Room Table which was an unused piece of furniture in our home for more than seven years. When the youngest daughter relocated to Florida last summer she: (1) purchased the house next door; (2) moved from an on-site business office to an off-site home office; and (3) decided our dining room was the perfect workplace because there were too many distractions in her home. So glad she made this decision for my days are happier and brighter when I walk by the Dining Room Table and know THIS IS WHERE SHE SITS.

Healing Garden and it has been my nurturing place for more than five years. It is now the learning, sharing, healing, working and bonding place that I, happily, share with the eldest granddaughter.

NEW YEAR – NEW ME

Though the first post on this topic, I started this new journey to uplift the BODY, SPIRIT and MIND at the beginning of the year.

Thus far, I have brought several things into my space as I meander down this path of becoming a NEW ME in this NEW YEAR.

UPLIFT THE BODY

I am grateful for a strong support team of likeminded FAMILY MEMBERS, FITBIT FRIENDS, and FELLOW FACEBOOK 70 DAY CHALLENGERS who strive to follow a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE regimen. I interact with one or more of them on a daily basis. This keeps me informed, motivated, inspired and challenged to stay on track in my efforts to UPLIFT THE BODY.

I have a FITBIT and 70 DAY CHALLENGE goal of 10,000 steps daily and, with few exceptions, met and/or exceeded this goal.

UPLIFT THE SPIRIT

To uplift the SPIRIT, I confiscated Hubby’s abandoned and ignored MAN ROOM to create a space, for me, to BE IN STILLNESS and MEDITATE.

In the pre-dawn hours, I retreat to the SERENITY ROOM. It is the place, for me, to build the solid foundation, which always seem to sustain me throughout the day.

UPLIFT THE MIND

Always open to learning something new, I agreed to go to a WATER COLOR PAINTING CLASS with the 25-year-old granddaughter. I enjoyed the quality time spent with my MINI ME, but made the CHOICE to not return for a third class.

I am grateful that the NEW ME felt empowered enough to walk away, without carrying the burden of guilt, to something that no longer served to UPLIFT THE MIND.

However, I plan to keep the two partially-finished pieces as a reminder of a wonderful bonding experience with my MINI ME.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY – MARCH 22, 2017

Wordless Wednesday – March 15, 2017

Knee Replacement Surgery and Pecan Resin Figurine Painting

KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Two years ago, I went through the required medical clearances, scheduled a tentative surgery date, and ended up backing out on a total right knee replacement.

Now, the pain levels hampers my ability to function on a day-to-day basis; and, I see the quality of my life diminishing.

If I am really serious about living life to the fullest, I have to get this knee replacement. I refuse to chicken out a second time. As a daily reminder, I posted a reminder on my bulletin board:

My Post-Surgery Distraction

In this season of life (74-years-young), I want to live, thrive and enjoy every moment including the post-surgical moments. So, during the surgery recovery and rehabilitation period, I plan to:

finish painting a pecan resin African American Santa that has been on hold for more than two years: and

start and complete painting a pecan resin African-American Santa that I purchased more 20+ years ago.

Hopefully painting these two figurines will be a distraction from both the pain and stress of surgery. It did just that, when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis 20+ years ago.

In this season of life, I want to live, thrive and enjoy every moment including my post-surgical rehabilitation moments.

PAINTING PECAN RESIN FIGURINES

In 1993, shortly after being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, the eldest daughter gave me my first pecan resin figurine and a set of acrylic paints. She felt a hobby would distract me from the pain.

I have no idea about the number of figurines painted and gifted to friends and family, but the few below are the only ones now in my possession.