Inspired by Havi (because she’s brilliant), and because looking back is a great way to figure out the best way to move forward, I’ve started a ritual of reviewing the week that was: what went well, where it got hard, what to take away, and next steps.
How was your week? Chime in if you like!
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Wouldn’t you know it, just after I start a ritual, I break it. Being out of town for 6 days, with no internet access, made posting a weekly review more than I could manage.
Ah, life. Ain’t it grand?
Actually it is grand (despite my lack of laptop, iphone or ipad). And this week, I get to look back at two weeks.
Because it’s frequently hard to put attention here, we’re going to start with:
What’s going well
My nephew (who has my hair!)
And who is even more adorable and interesting than the last time I saw him six months ago. (Infants are like that.)
I even made him smile, on more than one occasion.
And did I mention, he has my hair?
Oh, yeah, and I got to see my brother too, a rare and cherished event these days.
Watching him give Spencer a bath was the cutest thing ever.
Teaching! I love teaching!
Big smooches of gratitude to the Society of Scribes for inviting me to teach, lo those many months ago. I needed a reminder of how much I love teaching workshops.
I’m all fired up to do more.
(Universe, did you hear that?)
Old Friends/New Friends
While in New York, I got to see my friend and fellow jazz singer, Sari. She’s gigging like crazy – yay! We talked shop, and I wasn’t even (that) envious, because although I’m not gigging much these days, I’m being fantastically creative in other ways.
(This is the challenge of being a Renaissance Woman – there just aren’t enough me’s to do everything all of the time.)
I also met a fellow ketubah artist, the amazingly smart, savvy and talented Stephanie, and we talked shop too. Amazing to connect with someone who has such a similar story and business!
Fame!
Well, not exactly, but it was great fun to participate in a panel on the business of calligraphy, streamed live over the internet. I think 27 people watched the stream (two of whom where my parents), but hey, I got to play “The Expert,” always a lot of fun.
New York!
I love New York! Even when there’s not nearly enough time to enjoy it. Walking 30 blocks down my old stomping grounds from my Juilliard days, even dragging and carrying luggage, was great fun (and exercise).
Illuminated Manuscripts!
Huge thanks to Beth from my class, who insisted I see the Catherine of Cleves illuminated manuscript show at the Pierpont-Morgan Library. We got there a half hour before closing, which wasn’t nearly enough, but a half hour more than I would have gotten if Beth hadn’t insisted.
Connections
Thanks to C. Robin Janning for making my day. We’ve never met, but I almost feel like we have.
Oh, and she’s going to feature my piece Kinetic Metaphor at Episcopal Cafe’s Art Blog. Cool!
Where it got hard
Migraine
Having to “perform” on the business panel with a migraine was not fun.
Many hours of pain and sleeplessness when I finally crawled into bed was even more not fun.
(Thank god it was gone in the morning, because teaching with a migraine would have been the most not fun of all.)
Overwhelm
My to-do list is longer than ever, and seems to be growing by leaps and bounds. Playing catch-up after a trip.. ugh.
Sadness and Loneliness
Everywhere I went in DC brought back memories of my last trip there, with my ex, pre-betrayal, when I still thought we were life partners. Sigh.
Takeaways
Remember: I don’t have to accomplish everything today. My Empire will be built baby step by baby step.
Notice: I am already living the life I want in many ways.
Next Steps
Ugh – I don’t want to think about it!
Hmmm… which tells me that perhaps my next step is to take a breather…
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Over and out. Happy weekend everyone!
