Friday, September 23, 2016

And the beat goes on ...

There's a rhythm to the seasons. Most people have a rhythm to their daily and weekly lives as well. I used to. Now I'm trying to find a way into a different kind of rhythm, one that involves getting up in the morning with a sense of purpose and creativity, balancing exercise, inspiration, socializing and reflection throughout the day, as well as keeping myself on my positive paleo diet. (These are Alice's "five things".)

I walk Remy three to four times every day, but that's not really enough exercise for me. I feel much better when I get a significant workout in. There are so many factors that play into me having a good day, feeling healthy physically and mentally, sleeping well at night, etc. And yet I so often ignore them and spend hours at the computer and/or watching procedural TV show reruns.

In preparing for my upcoming colonoscopy, I've been trying to eat better. Yesterday was a really good day, and today was going well till I decided to buy some gluten-free cookies. Bad idea. I really have to stay away from all refined sugar -- dates seem to be okay, and very small amounts of maple syrup or honey, but anything more than that and I can't stop eating it. I'll start fresh again tomorrow.

I thought getting away from my past years' routine would help me to create a new one that is more productive and creative, and in fact, at some places during my travels I was more creative. The places where I did things like go for a walk instead of spend hours on the computer were places where I had to go out in order to access WiFi, or where the connection was slow so that I used it far less.

I love creating music, singing, dancing, acting, walking, biking, interacting with other people, volunteering in ways that help people ... and yet I don't do it. And as much as I love being here in Grand Rapids with Annie and her kids, I'm getting antsy to move on, but still somewhat uncertain about where I'm going.

Here's the current plan. I'll stay in Grand Rapids long enough to take my mom to see the US Women's Gymnastics Team at Van Andel Arena on October 16. After that, I will either travel to somewhere on the Gulf Coast and room with friend, Rick Overholt, for a year (lease) or if that doesn't work out, drive back to California, stopping off in LA to help out my friend, Joan, who is recuperating from a nasty dog bite to her foot/ankle, and to see what I can find in the way of a place to sleep and possibly work. Problem is that, while my SS is not enough to live on in LA, earning money to supplement it will reduce the amount I can get.

It's time to trust the unknown again. If Rick finds a place for the two of us, I'm totally ready for a year near an ocean, having a roommate experiment. I know I'll be spending some time in New York next summer, helping Abby prepare for her and Adam's wedding. I might even see if I can work a session at Blue Lake and visit my friends and family in Grand Rapids before returning to the south.

Perhaps the first thing I need to do when I "land" is find a voice teacher and/or community theatre. I think that would make me very happy and get me back on the creative track.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying having the time to clean and cook for people who really appreciate it. I guess, if the creative thing doesn't work out, I could be a nanny or housekeeper for a family -- even this family. 

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