While I am entirely a dog person, I have found myself thinking in a feline, Cat with Nine Lives kind of way. It started about a week ago when the glamorous Tabitha at Bourbon & Pearls revealed her current fetish (her word) for the romance of Russia. A lively dialogue developed in the comments section in which I mentioned having participated in a theatre festival in St. Petersburg during a cold, dark winter. The rippling surprise of her reaction encouraged me to remember that yes, I had done that and yes, it was an extraordinary experience. One that had been buried under the leaves of long ago. I tend to forget.
While I know I am not “what I do” and certainly not “what I wear” hopefully there is something brewing in the “how I am.” I have worked over the past year on being more in the present moment. A greater appreciation for the small moments right in front of me has arrived out of that. But I have been so focused on the now that I am left feeling a bit bare. Some layers have been stripped out of necessity, it is true. Along with the down-sizing that we have undergone in the past few years, I have also down-sized…myself. I have kept my house swept a little too clean. Now I want to remember that it is perfectly fine to let those fallen leaves linger while I inch my way towards whatever is Next. There is nothing wrong with a little surface suggestion or a waltz with what has been.
Time to dust off an album, put the needle on the record and let the music play.
I know that we are all formed by our past and our previous choices but I am curious–if you wish to share–how much of your past has stayed with you? Have you changed much over the years?
Thank you, dear Marsha. Yes, I remember now your interest in cycles. And that we learn something, not always what is best, strikes a chord with me too and is something I will think about. That and resilience.
And my hair was much shorter when I cut it after I came back from the States! Chin length in the front and shorter in the back. 🙂 Change is good from time to time.
No, I did! Ben hasn't learned his way around the camera yet. 🙂 And Contessa, you are a great example to me of a woman who is "bien dans sa peau"–good in her skin! I love that your experiences in Italy only made you stronger.
Hello Heather: What a lovely blog you have. You say that you are fascinated with my corner of the world. Well, your corner enchants me. I would visit France every year, if I could. My husband and I spent a week in Avignon and during that time took a midday dinner cruise up to Arles and back, through the locks. It was very hot as we wandered about the town, poking our noses into various corners. Another day we rented a motor scooter and visited the Pont du Gard (and swam in the river) and Les Baux de Provence. What a magical day that was, with the scent of olive trees, lavender and the richness of the earth filling our nostrils as we zoomed by. But I'm getting carried away here.
The experience of spending 20 years in South America has enriched my life in so many ways, and continues to affect the way I look at life here in Canada and anywhere I go. I'm more aware of the little things that make up culture, and have an appreciation for so many of the things we in the affluent west take for granted. As Sharon has said, all experiences, both positive and negative, bear weight upon us. The way we use life's experiences is up to us.
Your question is one that has made me think. I read your post this morning, but have not replied until the evening.
I hope that, as you move into another outlook on life, you will be further enriched.
Hello Heather
Your various lives all sounds fascinating and so diverse. Oh to have a meeting of bloggers and to talk about our past lives and our re-inventions and the lessons drawn from these experiences. I most certainly have changed careers from the corporate world of travel and tourism to fashion design to art. Long time friends remark that I have mellowed.
I find listening to old albums to be similar to going through photographs, both evoke and bring forth the past
Best of luck in your "next" stage
Helen xxx
I wish some day we could all sit down and chat about the subject of life's changes or, as I say, cycles. And, of course, we all learn. Something. But I'm not certain we learn what is best, what we should do. I spent a long time looking for something, when I found it the fabulousness was there but, alas, very short-lived. I could let it ruin me and be in despair. But I haven't. Things are not perfect for me, but they are so much more perfect than for most people. Maybe I've taken the good life for granted. Perhaps it's time now to rejoice in the small stuff, as you've suggested. In the end family, friends, pets, your home, your perspective is all that matters. You matter a great deal to me, Heather, and your hair looks splendid !! It will grow back if you want it too, but I love the "new" look.
YES, I have changed over the years.ITALY changed me for the better.Had to live there for a few years and well it wasnot easy but I grew into a whole new me!I would need a KIR ROYAL and you at a round bistro table to go into details but I definately evolved into what Iam now……….the contessa you know from a far!
I cannot believe your hair is so short!When did you do that?BEAUTIFUL HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!BEAUTIFUL PHOTO!I wonder who snapped that!Perhaps, BEN…………..
Thank you so much Sharon and I wish you and yours, including of course Gibson and Ghetto, the same. I think what I have been wondering about the most is that I have let so many memories go, even the pride around the good stuff. That I want to rethink! And yes, I am only 43, who knows what chapters are next, as you well know…
xo,
H
What a beautifully written post Heather, I love your description of the different stages in your life. Seems to me that we are continually enriched by new experiences that then become part of our persona. Of course we like to hang on to the positive bits, but the negative parts play a huge part too, and certainly make us stronger.
You are still so young, with so much of your life ahead of you, it can only get better and better!
I wish you and Remi the very best for the year ahead
Sharon
xx
Thank you so much Judith and how much I agree with all of your perspective on where you are going and how. I love that in our society we have the luxury of so many chapters–who knows what is next?
Bisous,
H
Hi Heather,
Sometimes you need to look back in order to move forward — especially during times of transition. You need to remember who you are and how you got where you are. Yes, we all change as our life progresses. I hope that I have become kinder, more patient, calmer, and less judgmental as I've aged. But the transition I am currently in — trying to find sustainable work that I love and making a sustainable plan for the rest of my life — it helps to review what I did in the past. What did I love doing, what were those passions that are still untapped, what were the good parts and how can I make them part of who I am now as I move forward?
That young woman who went to St. Petersburg sounds very brave to me, an explorer. You are still doing that and I hope that I can be more of an explorer and adventurer in my own life.