Friday, September 6, 2013

Time For To Make Art, saith the Cat

One of my favorite passages written by wise King Solomon says "There is a time for everything."

It goes:

There is a time for everything, 
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.


I know most will skim over that due to time pressures, but I've slowed down many times and read it carefully, thinking about each line. And I think I know why I haven't felt the need lately to write on this blog.



See, I've been here for YEARS, asking questions, searching for answers. And now it feels like I have no more questions. It's that simple. I feel at peace that I already have enough answers... now I simply need to DO what I know needs to be done. Sure, there is always more to learn, but that's not my point. My point is: it's time to DO.

  • I've done the search for Understanding, in regards to my past.
  • I've done the tough job of accepting TOTAL responsibility for my situation.
  • I've made huge changes in what kind of nutrition I eat on a regular basis.
  • I've made peace with the fact that this is permanent; I can't "use" food like a drug, and still be healthy.
  • I've learned that in order for this to be permanent, my Heart must change.
  • I've decided to accept "what is", and totally let go of "what could have been."
  • I've learned I need to embrace my goals and refresh the vision I have for myself.

And I feel at Peace about all that. Finally. 

So I really don't have a lot to say right now. I am enjoying reading and supporting some other health/weight loss blogs, but mainly am spending my online time over at my art blog. I feel the freedom now to put my energies there. I don't need to spend tons of time looking for my answers here: I already have them, and need to DO them. Hmmm.... I said that before, didn't I?

For totally unrelated reason, this morning I was looking up word definitions, and it helped me in writing this post.
Here are some of those words:
self-centered
self-absorbed
self-indulgent
self-involved

Hmmm... see a pattern there?? Now you see why I'm tired of writing about ME??!!

Remember, this is where *I* am, after years of blogging around the same mountain. If you are just starting out, don't think I am telling YOU not to explore your own life, mind, heart, past, situation, etc.  May your journey be filled with discovery and new understandings!

But for me, it's time to pursue my passions... the things that get me up in the morning, and fill my day with joy!



See ya sooner or later.

Enjoy the journey,
 
Loretta

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Loretta! I totally know what you're saying. There are days when I am so VERY TIRED of writing--and yet my writing is my talent, like your art is your talent. I feel a little hard-hearted toward myself when I want a break from writing--like I should never have a day without writing. It definitely does feel egotistical, in some regards, to write about myself. I use myself as an example, not to be egotistical, but because it hurts nobody's feelings when I'm both the overweight person and the slimmer person I refer to. If no one needed it, I probably would just *think* the thoughts because my writing is basically how my thoughts sound. But what I'm good at is: describing and analyzing things. And I've decided that I should gather my best blog posts about weight loss and put it in an ebook. So I'm working on making it a complete set that deals with all of the major issues but no extra fluff. So I feel a little pressure about that, but it's an opportunity too.

I think your vision of yourself is *artist.* So perhaps, when I am talking about being true to your vision of yourself, that would draw you to your art and your art blog. I always imagine that your personal weight loss/health vision would regard being at art shows as an artist. Am I right? I think of you are a kind-hearted magical artist. :D

I will continue to cheer you on--in all ways. <3

Retta said...

You are going to do an E-Book?? That's fantastic. What a great idea, to gather up all the gems of posts you have written and put them all together.
And I don't think your writing falls into the egotistical category AT ALL. It is authentic and helpful, and shares stuff you have learned the hard way. That's generous.

And wow... you really nailed it... that IS my vision for myself. Right down to getting out into the community at art related events. My husband is a photographer and has done booths at shows, and one of my goals is to be able to join him and show my art. :-)

MargieAnne said...

I thought this was a very happy post.

Maybe one day you will be able to pick out a series of posts that show your progression through the stages of seeking and discovery to the peace you have found in leaving this behind to enjoy your art.

I kind of envy you for finding yourself free to develop you art now. Great news.

Blessings

Retta said...

Thank you, MargieAnne, for the supportive comment. I definitely haven't given up the journey to regain health, but I just decided to spend the online time over at my art blog. I can tell you understand, and I appreciate that. :-)

Weighing Well said...

What a great place to be! Enjoyed your post!

Retta said...

Thanks, BeginngingAnew, and thank you for stopping by! :-)

Kyra said...

It sounds like you are diving into your life, and that's always a wonderful thing! :) Pursue your passions, it's the most fulfilling thing.

Retta said...

Thank you, Kyra. And I had been thinking about going back to doing some mini's... and then I saw all your ADORABLE mini art you've been doing. Wow, so imaginative! You inspired me, and I've now sent for supplies. :-D))

Leslie said...

Loretta,

I love how you started out with that passage. You are so right there is a time for everything. I think sometimes we want to stay to long doing something becaue it seems like the right thing to do. I am going to have to check out your art blog, because I would definetly like to keep in touch. I don't think that anyone is every selfish, however for sharing there thoughts, feelings, and experiences. To me it is in the way the same as art:) Best of wishes in all your new adventures. Again I am so glad that I have gotten to talk to you a little.

Lesllie

Retta said...

"I don't think that anyone is every selfish, however for sharing there thoughts, feelings, and experiences." Oh dear, Leslie, I hope what I wrote didn't come off wrong. I wasn't thinking of ANYONE else... just me. I've done this blog for YEARS now, and asked all the questions I could think of, and thought and thought, and come to lots of helpful conclusions, and made peace with lots of stuff from my past. So, I guess I was thinking that for ME it was time to move on, and truly focus on the DOING what I already know to do. And... to spend my time focusing on my art, which is something that I hope can be a blessing to others, not just me. It's a way to give back, to hopefully ADD to others (well, that's my dream, anywhoo).

I hope that makes sense. I sure wouldn't want you to think I thought you should NOT be posting. Goodness... post away, as much and as long as you feel the need, in your own heart. And I hope you find it as helpful as I have. I've met some wonderful people, and learned alot along the way. I hope you do, too. In fact, I am sure you will!

Hugs,
Loretta

debby said...

Love it Loretta! I think that's where I am right now, at least this week that's where I am.

Retta said...

It's a good place to be, Debby. :-)

Anonymous said...

Lovely post, and wise words from King Solomon - I love that passage because it really puts everything into perspective.

Mand

Joy said...

How are you? I hope well. You have not blogged in a long time. I have missed hearing how you are doing with your health and fitness. So a couple things must have happened…..

You are not blogging anymore because….
1.) You have achieved your optimal health and fitness!! Or….
2.) You have given up on your goals of reaching optimal health and fitness….

In any case, no matter what has happened. I would love to hear from you. I have missed you!!

If by chance you have achieved your optimal health and fitness, I would love to hear from you!!

I have been searching through the blog world for bloggers who are working their plans, losing weight and getting fit. A lot of the ones I see, well mostly….they are not doing this. They are blogging about other things, or they are stuck, or they have just quit blogging.

Frankly I need inspiration! I need hope….I need to see a healthy lifestyle working out in other peoples lives……I want to see success!!!!!

With that said, if you have achieved your optimal health and fitness, could you please email me at transparent.joy@gmail.com? Because I want to feature you, on my blog, as an Inspirational World Changer!!!

Yes that’s right….your story just might help change the world and help us fight the battle of obesity!!

If by chance, you have given up on your goals of reaching optimal health and fitness….I still want to hear from you!!!! Maybe I can help!!!

You’ve followed my blog, so you know that I have been working at this since 2010. Since I’ve started my journey, I had lost 74 pounds on my own. But the beginning of winter 2013, I started gaining back some weight and ended up gaining 15 pounds back!! Then, August 2013, I found a new plan where I'm eating 6 times a day, drinking plenty of water and working with a free Health Coach! So far, I've lost 28 pounds on the plan and I feel great!! My hope is restored and my goal of reaching 140 pounds will become a reality!!! I’m so EXCITED!!!

If you or someone you know has been looking to make the same type of changes, I'd love to share more with you on how I have done this!! Message me and let’s talk!

That's my spiel....but it's so much more than that!! Since starting this plan I've learned so much about food and how to fuel my body. I have clarity of mind - which is fabulous! And I have more energy than I've ever had!! Truly this is a miracle for me!!

I wanted to share this with you my dear Friend, as I know you have struggled as well. This is the best thing that has happened to me. I finally feel like I will really reach my goals, but also, the biggest Blessing of all is that I'm learning HOW TO KEEP IT OFF!!! Gaining back the weight has always been the biggest fear for me. Now I have confidence that once it's off - it will stay off forever. I am watching several of my friends who are on the plan, who have lost 100+ pounds and have maintained their weight loss for years!! AMAZING!!

Anyway, let me know if you are interested in hearing more or if you are not interested, could you please forward this information to your friends and family. My goal is to help as many people as I can to beat obesity!!!

Please know my heart; I only want to help people reach their goals of ultimate health and fitness. I want that for you!!

Have a fit day!!!

Retta said...

Hi Joy, nice to hear from you!

"You are not blogging anymore because….
1.) You have achieved your optimal health and fitness!! Or….
2.) You have given up on your goals of reaching optimal health and fitness…."

Actually, there is a THIRD option: like I said in my post, I now only post when I feel I have something to say. My focus is on the DOING now, not the saying. I am not a "writer", who writes for the love of it. I wrote for practical reasons, not to fill space.

I don't want to be a parrot, just repeating what others say, hoping it will sink into my head. I want it to go from "head knowledge" to "heart knowledge".

Thanks for the offer, but I have no need of another program or plan. Instead of going "wide", I am now going "deeper". I'm not sure how to explain that, other than to say there are a FEW things that I know to be true, and so I am working on DOING those few things, and not casting around for new stuff that will distract me.

I feel no need to report, explain, defend, excuse, or otherwise blab away. I am just simply working my plan, boring and simple, day in and day out, stumbling here and there, learning from it here and there, and yet just going on. No drama, no angst, no hand wringing. Just LIVING.

I hope that makes sense... I wish you well on your new program. That's cool you found a way that you feel excited about. :-)

Loretta

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