(post on former website 11.14.2014)
Needless to say, it has been awhile. I find that despite having plans, life can easily change one’s itinerary on this earth plane.
My usual M.O. (method of operation) is sleeping (!), eating(!), teaching Art to teenagers, playing with others, pondering, creating and sharing. Then repeat. In my pondering time, I find myself coming up with new ideas. In the past year, I had three ideas that I was passionate about, and was beginning to germinate.
- Idea #1 was creating a series called the Portraits of Resilience; through these works I wanted to help turn negative situations into positives, as well as showcase inspiring, everyday heroes.
- Idea #2 was that I came to the realization that it was time to share my story (and my Art). I was chosen to speak, in a T-Ed like talk, at Life is a Verb Camp, in North Carolina. The talk was called “The Courage to Remain: Choosing Life and Love.”
- Idea #3 was the internal confirmation that I wanted to revamp my webpage. I wanted to include exciting new tidbits, weekly sharings and so much more.
Well…. life had other plans. I was rerouted!
The past year has been progressively challenging to not only my life, but my ideas and plans. First of all, my chronic condition (the growth on my spine) has become more chronic. Pain levels have increased dramatically, and treatments that worked last year, have stopped in their effectiveness. Specialists and Doctors are at a loss on how to help me. In fact, my pain levels have been so high, that I had to forego my speaking engagement (at the Life is a Verb Camp). But the biggest agony in my life, and in my heart, has been the end of life status, and the passing of my mom (this past September). She was a woman who helped define me, and who was my biggest cheerleader; she is no longer here and I feel this loss.
Life has a way of putting things on pause. And so we should.
Please know that if life puts you on pause, it isn’t the end. It is a moment of rest and reflection before you take your next flight.
Former Comments:
from J. Allen: It's been a rough go for you, Barbara, between your last play session and the one patiently waiting for you to be ready again. I'll return to this page when I need to be reminded that a pause is just that. Thanks!
from Trust: Its been very tough to walk again in life when somethings happens against our aims. There are also some persons in our life which helped us to continue our life by forgetting your problems. The author shared the experience of a lady and gives a very beautiful message.
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