when your ducks don’t line up

Finally.

The excuses have run out and I am finally taking action.

Back in December I started my official website, the one I had been wanting to create for way too long using my name as the URL and that would not have any advertising (unless I were to choose to advertise). I sought and received help with all the technical stuff that I still don’t understand. All of my posts were uploaded onto the new site and things were pretty much ready to roll… Except that somehow I thought all my ducks had to be in a row.

Why is it we humans like to get our ducks all in a row before we are able to do new and uncomfortable things?  I don’t know the answer except that maybe we think if everything is just right, our chances of success will be greater.

Six months later my ducks are still not lined up. The stars and planets haven’t come into alignment either.  In fact, this seems like a terrible time to say “SCREW IT” and just announce my new website.

Sometimes you have to just let your ducks be a mess and move forward without them.
They will eventually catch up.

Today I proudly announce my blog, i choose gratefulness at terriclement.com

I feel a little bit famous.
I feel a LOT scared.
My name is now attached to this crazy woman’s heart and thoughts written in blog posts.
And I am ready to take the comments, the compliments AND the criticism.
In fact, I welcome them.

Stop by and take a look around.  terriclement.com

I am truly grateful that you would take the time to read my words.

facing difficulty

I’m climbing.
It’s a huge crag, one that takes learned skill – training, practice and experience – before climbing. This is the crux point, the toughest place on the climb where I have to muster up every ounce of strength to trust my training and ability in order to keep going. Soon it will get easier.

I could let go.

Safety precautions have been taken and the rope will hold me. The belayer has my back.
If I let go, I will survive.
If I let go, it is between me and my belayer.
If I let go, I will have a choice to make.
Start over and try again.
Take a break and come back later.
Or…  Give up and never go back.

Have you ever felt this way?

I’m not a rock climber, but for the past few years I have been on the climbing adventure of my life. Gradually I have stepped into situations that are more and more difficult, sometimes letting go, sometimes taking a break for awhile and sometimes WANTING to give up…
But never actually giving up.

Again I ask, have you ever felt this way?

When you are at the crux point and you want to give up… When you are tired… When you feel helpless, hopeless and incapable…
THAT is the time to think back and remember where you started.
Are you further along than you were a  year ago? Do you know more now?

Every climber must start with the basics. You learn about harnesses and rope and carabiners. You learn that it takes muscle strength and proper body positioning in order to reach the next hand or foot hold. You learn the basic lingo and get brave enough to use those words even if you’re worried you might get them wrong.
Eventually, through practice, those words become a normal part of your climbing vocabulary. Recognizing holds as well as using your body and your stronger muscles to reach them becomes second nature. Putting on a harness and figuring out how to use carabiners is no longer a puzzle.
By pushing through difficult situations you have learned so much and have come so far!
And yet, you are in a difficult spot.

When you are facing difficulty, be encouraged by the knowledge that when you push through, YOU GROW. 

Then next year you will look back gratefully because you will be able to see just how far you’ve come.

be refreshed

Grateful this morning for a pretty little front yard where I can sit on a bench in the sunshine while watching and listening to the birds. A mourning dove coos softly. The water in the pond trickles from one level to the next. The sparrows and chickadees flit from the fence to the feeder, chirping playfully. Hummingbirds buzz from flower to flower, appreciating a break from the sugar water in the feeders. 

I’m grateful for a little slice of earth that brings joy to my heart – right here in my own front yard. 

Feed your heart today… Do something that you love. Listen to the sounds. Notice the colors. Take in the scents. Feel the textures. Take it all in. And be refreshed.

love it or hate it

There are two kinds of people when it comes to April Fools’ Day.
Those who love it…
Those who hate it.

Those who love it are great at coming up with pranks and even better at pulling them off. It’s an art, really. And it’s totally fun to see these pranksters in action as long as the joke is on someone else.   

Those who hate it are generally unsuspecting, gullible people who fall hook, line and sinker when they come face to face with a prankster. They are honest and trusting souls who want to believe that when it comes to honesty, everyone takes it seriously.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Sheesh, lighten up a little… It’s all in the name of fun.”
I agree completely.
But as someone who has been hurt by humor many times in the past I would ask pranksters everywhere to take a different approach to your jokes this year.  Unless you have an understanding or some special kind of relationship with the “victim” be careful to not single out any one person in your pranks. Perhaps try fun pranks like these I saw on Facebook this morning instead:

  
Believe it or not, I have come a long way in the realm of laughter and joking.  I am grateful to be able to laugh at myself and with my husband as we muddle our way through healing and strengthening our marriage.  Without that laughter, we would not have come as far as we have today.  I am grateful to be able to laugh with friends and not believe the world is out to make me look foolish when I fall for a joke. I am grateful to be able to laugh at harmless jokes and pranks that I see on Facebook or videos. I am grateful for growth and resilience in the area of laughter and joking.     

Again, I want to stress that I KNOW April Fools’ Day is all in fun…
At the same time, I believe there is an element of truth in every joke played or sarcastic word spoken.

Keep that in mind as you play your tricks today.
~~~~~
I’m curious, do you love April Fool’s Day or hate it? Why?
Share your story in the comments below.

 


Featured Image Photo Credit: Kidzworld.com