Mental Imagery

Currently, I’m in love with this Tiffany’s advertisement ::

I saw it in the February edition of VERANDA, an interior design magazine that I picked up one day. I actually tore the page out and posted it up on my bedroom wall. I did this because this photo reminds me of some of the things I really want in life: a ring from Tiffany’s and a baby. That’s not really in the order of what’s more important, though. 

I put the photo on my wall for two reasons: the advertisement is really a lovely piece of art, and the other reason is that in order to achieve your goals, you often times have to have something in front of you reminding you of what you want. Mental imagery is a technique used by many people who are striving to meet certain goals. I’ve heard of it referenced to athletics. Athletes need to visualize what they’re supposed to do. But it goes for everyone. You need to see yourself as who you want to be before you are ever that person, before you can ever become that person. 

So, now every time I walk out of my bedroom, on the wall next to my door, I see this photo, and I see myself as the little red-haired mother with a Tiffany’s ring on her finger.

My first freelance writing check!

Of course I took pictures of it.

 

I wasn't going to give you my address.

 

$10/articles isn't bad.

 

 

 

It was a long time coming. The company had a few setbacks in getting the first batch of articles reviewed and payed for, but I think now we’re on a roll. I’ve got to find some time to actually write again, so I’m not sure when I’ll ask for more assignments. 

There’s a busy weekend ahead of me, and here I am blogging from home when I should be at work. I’ve really not felt my best today. As I was getting ready to leave home this morning, I vomited. Slowly, I tried to make myself continue to dress and get out the door, but it just wasn’t happening. Sometimes, your body blatantly screams to you, “I’m tired. Just let me rest.” So I heeded my own advice and stayed home in order to recuperate for a major event we’re having tonight for our youth at our church. After the local football home game, we’re taking them roller skating from 11pm – 1am. Then we’re heading back to the youth building for a lock-in. There’s a movie we’ve rented, and we’ll have lots of snacks. I’m only hoping I can keep up with those kids – especially the ever-talkative, very lively bunch of middle school girls! I love them so much, though, for their tireless energy and excitement – it’s what’s so much fun about growing up, I guess. 

Tomorrow, I’ll have a wonderful lie in with my husband – try to recuperate again for that evening. I’m babysitting the dear miss 11 month old Cheyenne. She’s my good friend’s beautiful baby girl, and she’s growing into her personality, showing us all a little bit of her “wilder” side. I very much enjoy babysitting her. 

I’m obviously not a mother yet, but the feminine instincts in that regard still have a way of creeping into my emotions, I suppose. I started a new book recently. 

 

by Lisa Bevere

The first chapter talks about the story “Are you my Mother?” by P.D. Eastman and it’s possibly firstly comical impressions but then also it’s quite emotional/spiritual implications. Bevere also talks about the birth of her first son in this opening chapter. I don’t know if it’s because reading this book has been highly anticipated by me, and I had to wait a while to order it, or what, but during the description of her son’s birth, streams of tears rolled down my cheeks. (And they even fell hard enough to roll into my ears since I was lying down in bed while I read.) 

Now, this certainly doesn’t mean I’m ready to have a child – still no where near entertaining those thoughts for me and David. (Sorry, Mom.) But I am really interested in finding out with this whole nuture thing is all about. Even without being a mother, I am aware that I need to be a nurturer in my home and a nurturer as a sister to my friends, and that, indeed, I need to be nurtured as well. I will try to update this blog on some of my thoughts on the book possibly. 

Speaking of, I think I’ll give my mind a little break from writing here and try to read some before I rest a bit more. Once David comes home from work, we’ll be getting started on the crazy evening with the youth. Say a prayer for my strength, will you?

Maybe you haven’t noticed,

but I’ve been changing the layout of this blog quite frequently over the past week or so. I think I’ve settled on this one for a while. What do you think? 

I used to use the WordPress “Freshy” theme quite consistently, but I don’t know, I get tired of the same design way too quickly. 

But enough about the trivial things. I promised myself I would write tonight, even if I didn’t know what to write about. Somehow, writing makes me feel better, makes the clarity of mind improve. I’m certain that is why ‘catharsis’ is in my blog title. You fellow writers know what it’s like to at least get something down on (virtual) paper. Even if it’s nothing much, it’s a sign of perseverance – the opposite of leaving a white flag out somewhere. 

The issue with writing for me at the moment is the fact that now that I’m working consistently 40 hour work weeks with plenty to do during my work day, time for writing has significantly decreased, which just means that I will have to prove to myself how much I really want it – how much I really want to write. I thoroughly believe you will do what you want to. We always find time to do what is most important to us. 

I think I’ll finish off this post with some random pictures. One is from my cousin’s baby shower for her second daughter, whom she is naming Chloe Grace. And the other is of my husband and his recent facial fashion.

The neat “diaper cake” at my cousin’s baby shower this weekend:

And my husband’s recent interest in the “Wolverine” look:

Hugh Jackman, move over.