Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, soul nourishing romantic women’s fiction with light paranormal elements. My stories show you what life could be like if you had a place like The Circle where you are unconditionally accepted, supported and loved. And where, with this support, you make choices to overcome the darkest nights and choose love and light.
August is the 8th month of the year. We are well past the half-way point in 2023.
I had such plans for myself in January. The previous couple of years had been a challenge due to some health issues. I was hopeful that the antibiotics, etc. had done their work and I’d be on top of the world again.
When I look around me, I do
not see progress. However, my very best friend was reminding me just yesterday
that even when I don’t think I’ve done anything, I actually have.
She is, of course, correct. I’ve
gotten up, dressed, done my morning routine of fixing tea and protein bar. I’ve
checked emails 99% of the time. I feed myself. So, what’s this “I’ve not done
anything” about?
It’s actually very simple.
I’ve always been an
independent doing kind of person. I
make a list and Do It. Of courses
there are days when not Everything gets done and by the end of the week or
maybe in extreme cases, the month, it does all get done.
I won’t bore you with my “One
of These Days” and “Gonna Do It” lists. I will tell you that I’ve made progress
on whittling them down. And yes, there are and have been challenges along the way.
#1: Finding someone who can do things I cannot
do who is competent and available and affordable. I managed that in May 2023.
#2: Giving myself a realistic time frame. I’m working on that one.
#3: Sorting things into what I can do and what
I need help to get done. Some things no one else can do. For example: I did get
a simple Will written out and notarized the day before I traveled to St. Louis,
MO for the 2023 Glasser conference.
#4: Along with the realistic time frame is pacing. I don’t have the stamina to work
on more physical projects every day and sometimes not even every other day.
#5: Celebrate successes! Yep, one of those
things that makes everything easier and yet…
#6: One of the core messages in Dr. William
Glasser’s teaching is “Is what I’m Doing bringing me closer or pushing me apart from
the people who matter?” I’ve adapted that to “Is what I’m doing now helping me move
forward or holding me back? Is it something that will matter next week, month,
year or in 5 or 10 years?” By answering this question, I put things in
perspective and that is helpful to me.
#7: Be flexible both in terms of time lines
and also what is important. Revisit the “will it matter in weeks, months, years”.
There are things I’d like to have done that don’t actually affect my life. An
example is to have the roof of my house “raised” and the upper level made into
two large main bedrooms including a lovely bathroom, closet and balcony off the
back of the house where I can see Mt. Hood on a clear winter day. I’ve lived
here 47 years without that. However many years I have left, while it would be
nice, it isn’t necessary.
#8: Share the load. As I said, there are
things that only I can do. There are also Lots of things, other people can
either do or help me with them. This one seems so easy and yet, for an
independent person it is one of the more difficult. I am making progress and
still have a ways to go!
#9: Find joy in each day, each step along this
path.
#10: Be grateful. I am very fortunate in so
many ways. Focusing on what I have rather than what I don’t have or don’t have
yet actually makes my life simpler, easier and happier.
What would you add to this list?
your local library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.
Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle
series at JudithAshleyRomance.com
Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.
You can also find Judith
on FB!
© 2023 Judith Ashley
