August Wisdom in Words and Images from the archives of 2012. The mixed bag feels like a lifetime ago but as timely as ever.
The photos are old and newish but all mine.
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 8/12/2011 1:11 AM | View Comments (4) | Add Comment
When Is The Right Time To Stop?
Every writer grapples with this: knowing when the poem, novel, story, blog post is ready, finished and complete. Every painter laments: will the painting benefit from another daub of paint?
Maybe you’re wondering about the right time to leave a job, have a baby, move to another country, leave a spouse or call an estranged family member.
If you’re stuck debating, you’re not acting. If you’re you’re waiting for a perfect time, forget it. There will never be a perfect time. Right now is perfect for action. The right time to stop might be now.
The list above is how I actually brainstorm ideas. It’s the genesis of my cat blog Cat Wisdom 101.
Aug 2 2012
I Heart New York
Even when I have business in New York I find time for pleasure. These are my versions of Instagrams taken on a rainy day in the city yesterday.
For me New York is about diversity, endless moods and walking billboards. While seating on the subway, a couple of tourists snapped photos and while I prefer to be behind the lens found myself on the other side. It gave me a fresh perspective on being discrete.
I forgot to bring an umbrella and after trying to avoid getting wet, I said fuggetaboutit! So what, I’ll have a frizzy bad hair day and enjoy like the tourists on the open air bus.
The secret to enjoying your neck of the woods is to be tourist. Remain curious. The most ordinary moments are extraordinary if seen with fresh eyes. They inspired this bunch of new photo quote de jours.
Aug 3 2012
Gore Vidal and Being Nice
Author Gore Vidal, who died on July 31 at his Hollywood Hills home, was known for razor-sharp wit and one-liners. “Style,” Vidal once said, “is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”
I admire his balls but I can’t help thinking he’d be terribly bored in heaven. Sadly, best-selling Irish author Maeve Binchy died the same day and maybe she’ll keep him amused. R.I.P.
A long time ago I learned the value being nice to everyone. The person who serves you coffee one day might be your boss another day. There will always be flavors of the month and in the eternal flux of life nothing ever stays the same.
Aug. 7, 2012
The Zen of Girl Talk
No matter what generation, women have always sought the solace of secrets and camaraderie of girl talk.
In the old days, there were coffee klatches with the next door neighbors and now we have online connections, but there is no substitute for real face time, one on one for a Sex in City type get together like I enjoyed in the city last night.
Late arrivals announced themselves by text, disputes were settled by Google but at the end of the day nothing had changed from generations past. Information was exchanged, secrets shared and a Zen feeling of peace from simply being acknowledged and heard. In a high tech world, there is nothing more nurturing than low tech girl talk face to face.
Aug. 8, 2012
The cicadas are singing, the garden is full to bursting and August feels like an ice cream cone in the sun.
The U.S. had the hottest July on record and August is shaping up to be a sizzler.
But summer is waning in front of our eyes and damn it, I’m going to take a bite and enjoy every minute. How about you? There are endless simple pleasures to enjoy this month. Enjoy your farmer’s bounty, flying a kite, walking barefoot; maybe all at the same time. The first scent of September has already curled inside my nostrils.
What are you waiting for?
Aug. 10, 2012
Choose True Happiness
When I was a young girl and maybe not so young, I’d pluck petals from daisies to find my fate. He loves me, he loves me not, I’d sing, tempting fate with those odds.
The daisy-like echinachea inspired this quote on happiness from Amma. I confess to feeling quite happy at the thought of all those craned necks deciphering the words. No need to pluck at petals. Love your own beautiful self. Have a happy weekend!
Aug 13, 2012
Creativi-Tea
Surprise! This isn’t exactly Zen-like for Zen Tea Tuesday but I hope this quirky teapot helps you think out of the box or pot.
Ugh, can’t find the original but improvisation is creative.
I believe everyone is creative but somewhere in some of our childhoods’ we learned to adopt false beliefs like, “You can’t draw. You’re not artistic. That’s not art!” I say, that’s utter nonsense.
Put on your creative cap and make something out of nothing. It can be as small as choosing an new font color for your emails or painting a mural over your bed of your favorite quotes. While you’re thinking, have a cup of tea or something. But don’t think too long. Go on…just do it!
Aug 15, 2012
Farewell Summer-Wordless Wednesday
It happened yesterday while walking in warm summer air. It happened right there on the path. The green leaves were turning gold. I blinked. When did summer say farewell? And just like that the shift happened. A new moon in Leo. A new beginning. There are no words.
Aug. 16, 2012
What’s in Your Bouquet?
To restore balance from being online and talking much of the day, I spend part of each day in nature. I believe nature heals by simply being cloaked in its beauty and from up close and personal observations: a pine cone, smooth stone, mossy cushion, a towering tree that’s been alive longer than the Declaration of Independence.
Flower gardens have a special magic. Yesterday I spent time with these beauties. All different and yet beautiful in their own right. Each one whole, just like us.
We may not feel whole when we’re identifying with sadness, envy, spite, frustration and other feelings. If we prefer one flower more than another it’s based on our perception at the time. I labeled the flowers with random emotions but all emotions, like all flowers just are…natural
As I flitted like a bee from one to the other, I felt lightheaded and happy. Suddenly a raincloud emptied and I ran for cover, momentarily annoyed. The flowers extended their petals to receive the water and I did the same.
The warm air felt electric and alive. I was alive. I am alive. If you’re reading this, you are alive. Go look at some flowers up close and personal. Real ones. For now, look at these. You get to choose what’s in your bouquet.
