Both my mom’s family, and my dad’s, had people in the way-back days who were named variations on Mattie. I can’t find the details of who and where, just now.
Here’s what I do remember… Mattie-ing on somebody meant something pretty close to herding them. You know – expecting, directing – those kinds of things. And, yes… I’ve been watching the news! (Though not nearly as much as usual!)
Now, I’m no fan of expecting and directing. I’m much more comfortable with intentional questions and suggestions. With noticing and wondering.
At this moment, though, I seem to be the one who needs a bit of Mattie-ing. Self Mattie-ing, to be exact! You see, it’s pretty tempting to just quit trying to make things better. Fires. Floods. Earthquakes. Plane crashes. Murder. Racism. Poverty. Megalomania. You hear me. And I’m hugely aware that I can’t fix it all. In fact, some of it’s way too big for me to fix alone.
What I can do is make what I can reach just a bit better.
That’s where the creativity and Feng Shui come in! (Really!)
The cat-in-progress you just met is a wise voice in my tweens & teens book-in-progress, and she’s coming to life! Layer by layer. (I never tried to paint a cat before!) Her name is Gloria and she informed me, emphatically, that we – you and I – are part of the message Gloria Steinem left for us to carry.
Then, there’s the place where the Legendary Husband and I abide. It hasn’t so much kept up with our changing needs and, for a while, I think we might have been busy pretending we didn’t notice. I’m choosing to notice, again, and it’s getting better, already. Intentionally better!
We’re working hard to make this brick ranch, built in 1962, be safe and comfortable and supportive, here and now. It’s a challenge… though I am starting to feel a smidge more hopeful! (Though the new fridge still needs some help!)
Somewhere, deep in my consciousness, I can almost hear Mattie brusquely suggesting that we stay on the road.
I’m in!
ps… I just rearranged the book shelf next to the magic chair and put some wisdom cards in easy reach. Some from friends. Some of my own! And you can get your very own deck of mine! Just click here for all the info. I’d be delighted and honored to mail you a batch. They really were created to help all of us make what we can reach just a bit better. (Or, maybe… lots better!) It’s that whole perspective and strategies thing!!!
pps… internal book release goal: November 1, 2026!!!
It’s interesting to hear your confession of unsureness because you’re usually so upbeat. I like hearing that you need some herding from your ancestors. God knows. we all do right now. I just spent a few days with dear friends I hadn.t seen for 9 years and I gave each one of them my sincere earnest advise- to find the things that you love, do them, be in joy, find a zone in which time disappears, etc That’s all we can really do to change and build the world we want to live in and envision for the coming generations. I appreciate your honesty, vulnerability and service to others. and I’m glad that the house is getting attention too. When Shiloh said that even a 1 degree shift can make a change, that is encouragement. Yes, maybe today I can shift 1 degree from a pattern which has held me back. And the arc over time will take me sone place new. Sending love and appreciating you along the red thread.
Thank you, dear Gwen, for reading and HEARING! I’m so glad that folks like us can cheer each other on, along the road. Here’ to 1 degree, my friend! <3 <3 <3