Life Stuff: Girl Interrupted

In my hurry to leave the house today, I locked myself out. As I reached for the non existent keys in my pocket, I watched in terror as the wind slammed shut my "self locking" door. Security sucks when it turns against you. I had hidden a key outside somewhere and began desperately negotiating with God to help me find it. I began thinking of the needless side track this brought into my day. Something so small, but so important, so day-altering, had totally jammed me up...

We hate to be interrupted; when we are talking, thinking, sleeping, trying to get something done, watching TV, I could go on of course. It's so TRUE, yes? Maybe it's time we all loosened up a little. I mean, why are we so controlling with our time? If I don't leave room for people around me to "break in" to my day once in a while, than I am not a very good friend, sister, daughter, girlfriend, etc. You can't really be there for the ones you care about if you pack your life so tight you can't see when others around you need a little something only YOU can offer - a kind word, a helping hand, a listening ear, good advice, a fresh perspective... You get the point. Well I found my hidden key, thank God! I was relieved. I also felt thankful. Not so much that I could get on with my day, but I was thankful for the reminder. A chance to reconsider what was important today, for real. I am proud to say that I didn't get everything done today... I let myself get "interrupted" a few more times... and it was well worth it.

Life Stuff: Susan's New Blog

Being an artist, I am always finding symbols in the world around me that reflect back truths about life. It is an annoying habit sometimes, but also very useful when writing music!! It seems to me that good art should be committed to inspire... to reach into our predictable little "mental closets" and take everything off the hanger, maybe even prompt us to give some stuff away, show us what needs a button, what makes us look "fat" and what just doesn't "do anything" for us anymore.

Not long ago I came across this article on the internet about a plant that grows in the desert called Yerba Mensa. Being a novice gardener, it's description fascinated me. The Yerba Mensa is a plant that can live in any environment, whether extreme heat, extreme cold, drought, and even flood conditions. This plant not only survives these conditions, but grows and prospers in the midst of them. I love the spirit of this plant... such a great example of the kind of person I want to be; not just "surviving" the rollercoaster that life is, but thriving in the middle of it. It is a challenge to never let the hard things stop me, a choice to be strong no matter what, a decision to turn the hardest things into the greatest unexpected victory.

So !! Welcome to my blog, "Yerba Mensa." I hope these ramblings give you a lift. (and a much hipper mental closet!) Peace xSuz