Dreamscape Jewelry Design

May 3, 2020: Tiny Changes

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” 

― Mother Teresa

As the directive “shelter at home” will be in place for another month, we continue to adjust to the changes in our lives.  We’ve settled into new routines, accepting the restrictions and rules with the understanding we need to keep others as well as ourselves healthy and safe.  If we have to go out, we don our masks and make sure that hand sanitizers are in our car.  Any visits to see our family has been limited to standing a significant distance away, phone calls and virtual meetings.

This week we found out to our dismay that four of our upcoming shows have been cancelled, two as far ahead as mid to late Summer.  While shows are a lot of work, we love the engagement with our customers. We get to share our excitement for our jewelry and in turn hear stories, make connections and new friends.  We’ve had our first “Live” interactive session on Facebook with plans to do more, but it’s definitely not the same as in person connections.  Life, as it used to be remains uncertain, but the small acts of every day keep us focused and on a positive track.

All this time at home has had its benefits.  Procrastinated projects are getting completed, less distractions means more time for creative jewelry design, and simple pleasures are magnified.  Every day, the ritual of  seeking and finding inspirational quotes sets a positive intention for the day.  Taking our golden retrievers out for a long walk gives a feeling of freedom from restraint.  Camera in hand, we look for evolving signs of Spring.  There is comfort to see that despite the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, Mother Nature continues her reassuring steps in the cycle of life.

We both love watching the birds, and this year especially, has given us time to observe and photograph our feathered visitors.  I have gotten into the habit of working with my laptop in the kitchen with a direct view of our deck and feeders.  With a camera by the sliders, I’ve been able to observe and capture some of the avian antics.  While our regular visitors continue to delight us, this year we’ve had some unusual visitors, (pileated woodpecker, pine warbler, Myrtle warbler) which brought us great delight.

 While the worry for the future remains, it is soothed by the understanding  how simple acts of everyday chores  from housework and filling our feeders, to preparing the gardens and Spring cleaning, keeps us moving forward.  When life’s events are out of our control, we can focus on the positive things we can do while making sure to nurture ourselves as well as others.  

Here are a few of the inspirational quotes i found on change this week:

“If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.”

Gail Sheehy

“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”

Wayne W. Dyer

“If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

Maya Angelou

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”

John Maxwell

“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

C.S. Lewis

“Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.

Raymond Lindquist

“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.”

Abraham Maslow

“Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.”

Raymond Lindquist

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy.”

C. JoyBell C.

“Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes.”

Hugh Prather

What changes have you made that help you to stay positive during this time of uncertainty? Where do you find your strength? We’d love to hear your thoughts.