August 8, 2021: The Choices We Make
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing.
Annie Dillard
The town of Danforth, Maine is where we choose to spend four months out of the year. Located on the border of East Grand lake and Canada, it’s a small town of around 500 people who are committed to keeping the sense of community strong. Each year, we take on the onerous task of packing up an office, two studios and moving our businesses, and two golden retrievers six hours north. It is a remote area. The internet is not always reliable, the nearby dining and shopping options are limited, but if you’re seeking a place of natural beauty and quiet, it is ideal.
This past weekend, we participated in Summerfest, which kicked off with a “chowder dinner” and lots of homemade desserts. The town is committed to creating a community space for seniors and this “supper” asking for donations, was just one of the ways of raising money in a town that struggles economically.
The weekend was filled with events sponsored by volunteers, with activities for all ages, ranging from a parade celebrating the town’s history, corn-hole tournaments and kids games, to fireworks, concerts and a dance. The event draws in local residents as well as visitors to the area. Eleven years ago, we were invited to showcase our jewelry here and had our very first public sale on a simple card table. Returning yesterday to the site of our very first “show” inspired reflections on the changes which have occurred over the years, impacted by the choices we made. Our shows are much more complicated now, but the excitement and pleasure of our customer’s reactions and their encouragement and support continue to inspire us.
“May your choices reflect your hopes not your fears.”
Nelson Mandela
In retrospect, it’s astonishing how fast the time has passed and the unexpected paths our lives have taken, even during the time so drastically impacted by the pandemic. Last year, all of our shows were cancelled. During this time of uncertainty, there were some silver linings. No shows, meant that windows of time opened up, allowing us to pursue other interests. We were able to spend time exploring this beautiful area and delve into other long-held, but postponed activities. Painting watercolors and nature photography became areas of focus, opening up to other endeavors like creating our Dreamscapes: Visions of Nature Collections online https://dreamscapejewelry.com/dreamscapes-visions-of-nature-photography/ and selling both paintings and photography in a local gallery. The joy found in creative pursuits as well as the time spent in nature, helped to balance out the worry about our world.
Each day, we make choices on what we have to accomplish. Essential acts, both important and necessary, can compete with our hopes and dreams. Yet if we don’t consciously evaluate these choices, time slips away from us.
It is now half-way through the Summer season. While I’ve been out photographing the beauty around us, I haven’t picked up my paintbrush. I really do love painting with watercolors and thought about why I haven’t painted once since last year. I’ve realized it involves the simple answer of what I was choosing to do instead. Some of the choices are mandatory ones necessary to keep our lives and businesses running smoothly. This Summer there were others which involved visiting company and engaging in activities to keep everyone entertained. But too often, the other “obstacles” involve mindless escapes like playing with puzzle games on my IPAD or streaming a series on tv. How often has your day flown by, leaving the question of “what did I really accomplish today”.
“May your choices reflect your hopes not your fears.”
Nelson Mandela
Evaluating the way we spend each daily gift of time, will inspire the critical choices of how we spend it. Carving out time for activities that bring us joy and fulfillment is an effective antidote to the stress and worry of our modern world.
If my hope is to develop more painting skills, I need to consciously create the time to paint and commit to it. I have all the materials I need waiting in the cabinet. I can set the stage, putting my materials out and have everything ready to go, but unless I make the conscious choice to engage in the process, the pages will stay blank and the joy I feel while painting, unfulfilled.
What dreams do you have which have not been pursued due to “lack of time”? What activities in your daily life are dream distractors and can be let go. What changes and/or choices can you make to open the door for fulfillment of your hopes?
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. We welcome your comments and invite you to share it with someone who might find it meaningful. Here are some more quotes to inspire reflection. If you have additional ones, we’d love to share them.
Best regards…stay healthy and safe!
Wendy Oellers-Fulmer
Inspirational Quotes
We all need to decide whether to “play it safe” in life and worry about the downside, or instead take a chance, by being who we really are and living the life our heart desires. Which choice are you making?
Charlie Badenhop
“Transformation occurs when there has been a learning lesson and you choose to create a better choice.”
Andrea Reibmayr,
“You always do what you want to do. This is true with every act. You may say that you had to do something, or that you were forced to, but actually, whatever you do, you do by choice. Only you have the power to choose for yourself.”
W.Clement Stone
“The choices that we make in our life, indeed determine the kind of results that we experience and the quality of the life that we live.”
Sumeet Jain
“Big changes don’t have to be hard, but they do have to start with a choice. This is where real change begins; this is where you start taking control of your life and how you choose to live it; this is where it all starts.”
Nathalie ThompsonNathalie Thompson