coming to the end of a project means you need to switch energies … and
what that energy shift can mean

Riding the wave of excitement of a project like compendium 7, and then finally seeing the printed copies, sitting on the desk, ready to send out, is amazing. It’s also the place from which I want to harness all that energy and keep it going. Sometimes that is possible, sometimes it isn’t. The reason: because whatever is next, you are starting again, and sometimes beginnings aren’t that easy.

Almost the moment I finished compendium 7, I wanted to start on c8, because the ideas were flowing so nicely. And I will do this, start on c8 sooner than later, but there is one thing I need to keep in mind, (you might call this a character trait), is that I throw myself ALL into something, and other things get tossed aside. It is a very fast way to create burnout for me.

I don’t want to do that anymore, and I am learning not to. Every day I practice the beautiful balance of moving from one thing to another, to keep a bunch of things all going in the right direction. My body is also much happier with this plan. Never staying in one place long enough to create an uncomfortable outcome for me physically.

Ahhh, the continuing learning that happens in a life. I like it!

the changes in life can be challenging …

I am one of the millions of people in the world who have cataracts in their eyes. At the beginning, it was annoying, but now, as I await my turn to have surgery, it is truly bothersome. Fine work is hard. The computer work is harder … although I just made some adjustments to my screen via the Accessibility part of my system, and it is helping a bit.

It is another one of those reminders to keep moving between things, so as not to get too tired out by the strain that is caused by murky vision.

This week, I read an interesting article from Microsoft about their Chief Accessibility Officer, Jenny Lay-Flurrie. She has had a hearing loss since she was a child, and learned to work around it … no one knew she couldn’t hear properly. She would practice lip reading in front of the mirror to mask her hearing loss. This is what we know as an “invisible” disability. It is not obvious to anyone, so it is often not accommodated or recognized.

Then, not long ago, Jenny suffered a major blood clot in her leg, and suddenly had a visible disability. Her mobility was deeply affected, and there was no hiding it. She was shocked by the change in her world. Things she never knew were problematic suddenly were monumental. She discovered a new world …. one that is not all that accommodating to physical differences in ability to get from point a to point b.

Jenny also experienced the kindness of people. They were more eager to open doors and help her, making sure she was okay. They noticed her in a new way.

I am astounded that we don’t just make everything accessible to everyone. But we still don’t. The barriers are everywhere. What to me might be a half inch lip on a doorway, is a barrier to someone else. Cracks in sidewalks are a hazard to anyone with mobility issues. Vision and hearing issues are so often not taken into consideration when designing spaces.

I found the article very interesting, although long. There is some really good stuff there … and the recognition that huge corporations are trying to make the world a more accessible place for everyone made me hopeful that one day soon, everyone will be considered when designing places, spaces and services.

The Story of Jenny Lay-Flurrie

the season has officially changed … my cat tells me so!

This was the week of the official change of season at our house. Squeak, our wild-thing, outside guy, decided that it is now time to come in sometimes and sleep in the warmth and comfort of the house. I had to make him a nest in the studio, of course, and he seems pretty blissful about it. (He is currently curled up like a squirrel, which means a BIG sleep!)

And this is how seasonal change gets truly recognized and honoured in our house.

And so, that’s it for this week … as I head over to the other side of my studio and see what needs to move to the next step … but first, I must check on my Carrot Cake in the oven.

Always remember … whatever the problem, either tea or books will solve it!
Happy Week to you!

~sarah