There is more than just waiting for a sale....
...and it is up to me, and only me, to figure it out.
From the time I put my home on the market until the signing of the P and S my full focus, really my only focus, was getting the sale executed, securing the loft in which I wanted to live, deciding what would move and what wouldn't, planning the layout and decor of my new home.
When it all fell apart I was left feeling very sad. Very disappointed, And very empty. I had set aside everything else for this downsizing business.
To "stage" my home I had packed up a lot the things I treasure. To keep my home ever-ready for showing, I had restricted what I did, where I did it, and always, always left it in a "ready to show" state.
Being a carefree sewer this meant no lint and random threads scattered about that got vacuumed up, maybe once a week. This meant no spreading out my sewing stuff all over the dining table, the kitchen counter in addition to the desk and every surface in my sewing room.
It really inhibited me as I had to leave enough time to clean up after myself every time I worked on something. When there wasn't enough time to sew and clean-up, well, I didn't work on anything.
So, not having my sewing to occupy me that left me way too much time to dream about my new home, plan the furniture layout, plan what I might get to make it function better for me. These activities created no mess to clean up.
Fortunately, I also had my Bible Study group, my Centering Prayer group, and two volunteer commitments (assisting in the 6 week Cooking Matters class and mentoring in the 12 week Budget Buddies class).
The way things happened the classes ended and the prayer groups went on summer break and the sale fell apart. So there is this big, gaping hole in my daily routine. No forthcoming move to plan for and no regular commitments on which to focus.
Fortunately when the sale fell apart I was on my annual Centering Prayer retreat. This week long retreat has been a constant and faithful anchor for my spiritual, prayer, emotional, intellectual, and physical life for well over 10 years.
The retreat is held at the Paulist Father's summer camp, St. Mary's on the Lake, Lake George. The routine of the retreat provides 4 opportunities daily to Center with the group. There are morning and evening session for learning, sharing, praying. The afternoons are "free time" and my usual routine is to spend as of it as possible swimming in glorious Lake George.
The retreat is designed, led, inspired by Vinny McKiernan, CSP. I have neither the skill nor the words to fully tell you about him, but here's on link that will give a little glimpse at who I have been privileged to be on retreat with these many years: Vinny McKiernan, CSP on YouTube
This routine for the week resets my "centering prayer clock" and also gets me into a daily routine of swimming at a local lake. Over time I have learned to not pressure myself to Center twice daily. I used to, seldom did it and then would simply give it all up as I had "failed". Now my goal is one time a day, in the morning, somewhere during the getting into the day stuff. That is not just doable, but becomes an essential part of setting me in a great mental, emotional, spiritual place for the rest of the day.
The daily swimming is another time for reflection and prayer. I set a starting distance out and back, and then add 10 additional stokes each way daily. Gently increasing my exercise, stamina and meditative time.
This waiting time is not what I planned, not what I wanted. But, as is so often the case, it is exactly what I need. The sale feel through. I was left empty. But, I was with a group and in a space that renews me and restores my courage to firmly stand on my faith. Now, I am back home and have a revitalized foundation to stand on.
The sale will happen. I will downsize and move to another home which I will make work for me. In this meantime, it is summer, nature is glorious and abounding. I am blessed with family and friends and I will use the inspiration from the retreat to propel me forward for this next phase, however long it takes.
And I will re-figure how to keep my home showing ready and still be able to sew and quilt and create as those activities fill me with much joy. And I have so many ideas for things I want to make, learn and try. I will not think about a new home until the next P and S is signed and been sitting for a day or two. To steal from Father Vinny, I will "be present to the presence", I will live in this moment and not miss it because I am so focused on the next.
From the time I put my home on the market until the signing of the P and S my full focus, really my only focus, was getting the sale executed, securing the loft in which I wanted to live, deciding what would move and what wouldn't, planning the layout and decor of my new home.
When it all fell apart I was left feeling very sad. Very disappointed, And very empty. I had set aside everything else for this downsizing business.
To "stage" my home I had packed up a lot the things I treasure. To keep my home ever-ready for showing, I had restricted what I did, where I did it, and always, always left it in a "ready to show" state.
Being a carefree sewer this meant no lint and random threads scattered about that got vacuumed up, maybe once a week. This meant no spreading out my sewing stuff all over the dining table, the kitchen counter in addition to the desk and every surface in my sewing room.
It really inhibited me as I had to leave enough time to clean up after myself every time I worked on something. When there wasn't enough time to sew and clean-up, well, I didn't work on anything.
So, not having my sewing to occupy me that left me way too much time to dream about my new home, plan the furniture layout, plan what I might get to make it function better for me. These activities created no mess to clean up.
Fortunately, I also had my Bible Study group, my Centering Prayer group, and two volunteer commitments (assisting in the 6 week Cooking Matters class and mentoring in the 12 week Budget Buddies class).
The way things happened the classes ended and the prayer groups went on summer break and the sale fell apart. So there is this big, gaping hole in my daily routine. No forthcoming move to plan for and no regular commitments on which to focus.
Fortunately when the sale fell apart I was on my annual Centering Prayer retreat. This week long retreat has been a constant and faithful anchor for my spiritual, prayer, emotional, intellectual, and physical life for well over 10 years.
The retreat is held at the Paulist Father's summer camp, St. Mary's on the Lake, Lake George. The routine of the retreat provides 4 opportunities daily to Center with the group. There are morning and evening session for learning, sharing, praying. The afternoons are "free time" and my usual routine is to spend as of it as possible swimming in glorious Lake George.
The retreat is designed, led, inspired by Vinny McKiernan, CSP. I have neither the skill nor the words to fully tell you about him, but here's on link that will give a little glimpse at who I have been privileged to be on retreat with these many years: Vinny McKiernan, CSP on YouTube
This routine for the week resets my "centering prayer clock" and also gets me into a daily routine of swimming at a local lake. Over time I have learned to not pressure myself to Center twice daily. I used to, seldom did it and then would simply give it all up as I had "failed". Now my goal is one time a day, in the morning, somewhere during the getting into the day stuff. That is not just doable, but becomes an essential part of setting me in a great mental, emotional, spiritual place for the rest of the day.
The daily swimming is another time for reflection and prayer. I set a starting distance out and back, and then add 10 additional stokes each way daily. Gently increasing my exercise, stamina and meditative time.
This waiting time is not what I planned, not what I wanted. But, as is so often the case, it is exactly what I need. The sale feel through. I was left empty. But, I was with a group and in a space that renews me and restores my courage to firmly stand on my faith. Now, I am back home and have a revitalized foundation to stand on.
The sale will happen. I will downsize and move to another home which I will make work for me. In this meantime, it is summer, nature is glorious and abounding. I am blessed with family and friends and I will use the inspiration from the retreat to propel me forward for this next phase, however long it takes.
And I will re-figure how to keep my home showing ready and still be able to sew and quilt and create as those activities fill me with much joy. And I have so many ideas for things I want to make, learn and try. I will not think about a new home until the next P and S is signed and been sitting for a day or two. To steal from Father Vinny, I will "be present to the presence", I will live in this moment and not miss it because I am so focused on the next.
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