Oct 6, 2010

Carola's 'Practice'

Before returning next week with more about my practice, I am continuing on with those who have offered up theirs. Today I am honoring Carola and her 'practice'..as she's shared with me.

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Often I dream of having a daily practice. Something that would put me in my creative mood. Instantly.Like a light switch.
The reality, however, looks – well, different at best.
There are the daily necessary routines – dropping kids off at school, workout, doing basic household chores and preparing meals. But there is also the luxury of an empty house, quietness and calmness that I enjoy almost every day.
I’ve found, however, that there are certain little pleasures that keep me going, that I simply need and that eventually get my creative juices flowing. Without them, my day wouldn’t be as productive and I would hang around with a feeling of non-accomplishment which in the end would just block my creativity. As a result, I’d be unhappy and turn into a grumpy old woman. Not very desirable.
The first thing I need in the morning is coffee – with a good amount of soymilk creamer. Soymilk adds a tiny bit of sweetness to the coffee that is just right. I take my coffee and sit at the kitchen table, solving the Sudoku in the daily paper. A day doesn’t seem complete without my Sudoku.
However, the most important part of the morning is the walk through my garden. Seeing the richness of the colors that the first sunlight spills onto the flowers and getting inspired by it. Checking on the veggies and planning meals. Watching the birds and enjoying nature in my backyard. And usually, the camera is close by and used almost every morning – that keeps me going.
After that, the day takes off – I’m in the mood, whether it’s writing, painting or playing with photos.

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Would love to hear more from you and yours. If you have a 'practice' that you'd like to share..please email me with 'Daily Practice' as the subject title. I'll be posting them here to honor the light in me that honors the light in you.

12 comments:

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

It truly is a luxury to have a quiet and calm home and the time to pursue your passion and creative side.
Your daily practice is enviable...
I have to agree...my morning coffee is a little pleasure that I love!
Thank you for sharing! :)

Prairie Girl Studio said...

mmmm ...
i feel so calm after following you
along in your daily practice, carola ...
simple and soothing ...
thank you!
: )
prairiegirl

blue elephant photography said...

i would love to sit in the morning and walk through a garden, i'm jealous! my morning consists of meetings and more meetings lol

Prairie Girl Studio said...

and thank YOU, marcie ...
for bringing all these wonderful
daily rituals of practice to light ...
*hugs*
prairiegirl

Meegan said...

Thanks to Carola's link here on her blog I think I've found another wonderful blog to add to my sidebar!:)

Reading this reminds me that I need to work on creating my own little daily rituals to soothe and inspire me. With a baby on the verge of becoming a toddler I haven't yet managed to get a real routine down for us yet and I often feel like I'm chasing my tail or playing catch up. I need to give some serious contemplation to creating a routine that I can work with and that helps to feed my soul. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Jamie said...

These posts are a reminder to me that I NEED some daily practice in my life.

Ange said...

mmm - It's the walk outside in the early morning Autumn light with that warm soy coffee that fills my senses too. Thanks for sharing Carolla. Enjoy your sudoku too :)

kelly@thebluemuse said...

I, too, love that little stroll through my garden. This year it was scary and neglected, but it made me realize how important it was to me, next year, those strolls will be happening.
Thanks for sharing your practice!

Stephanie Amos said...

Reading about your morning practice makes me want to change mine! Well, actually I would just add yoga. I miss that practice!
Thank you so much for sharing yours. =)

Cindy Adkins said...

Mine is checking my email! lol

windrock studio said...

Carola ... what a great pleasure to read about your morning ritual! I got a wonderful visual of your garden, you are so lucky to be able to enjoy starting the day like that, I can tell you appreciate it all.
Susan

Julia Dunnit said...

Lovely read Carola, especially to catch the garden first thing, a real daily treat. My practice is a little more mundane, but I can't settle to anything crafty until the kitchen is clean and swept and sorted..I feel it frees me up!