What I Learned

Today’s blog might be a little off topic from my usual crafty, artsy blog but I wanted to share this.  This has been a difficult month both physically and emotionally for me. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and along with that I had difficulties with a new doctor (who is no longer my doctor).. But here is what I have learned through it all:

1- Stick up for yourself because no one else will.

2- Don’t let anyone judge you because they do not know what you have been through in your life.

3- You have more friends than you realize.

4- When someone asks for your opinion, be honest even if it seems mean because the other person involved may have a lesson to learn; even if that other person is a doctor.

5- If you don’t get the answer you want, keep asking.

6- Be careful what you say because you may have to act on it (I always said I would give up my beloved coca-cola if I had to for my health and I had to.  No I haven’t tried the zero coke yet.  I might at some point).

7- Learn everything you can about what you need even if some the reading is conflicting information.

8- Don’t be afraid to tell others what you are going through.  You never know who will have helpful information or wonderful hugs.

9- God has a plan for you but sometimes it takes a while for the plan to start. (and sometimes you are the plan for others – see the above item 4).

10- Sometimes what seems like the worst thing to happen can often be the best thing to have happen.

And from me to you:  Stay Healthy, Everyone.

 

©2017 Cheryl Fillion

 

 

Doing While Waiting

My mom was one of those mothers who would bring toys for us when we went somewhere to visit.  She wanted us to be entertained (and out of trouble) and she knew we would be bored just sitting there waiting for the adults to stop talking.  I continue to do that.  I always have a book or a magazine with me.  And sometimes I have my needlework. 

I take things to do when I travel.  You can get a lot done in those hours between destinations. I often do needlework during the business part of a quilt guild meeting. I can stitch and listen to all of the announcements at the same time. I won’t miss an announcement or miss a stitch. I usually have a book while waiting in a doctor’s waiting room.  But recently to a doctor’s office, I brought some needle work.

It’s always interesting to see people’s reaction.  Sometimes there are questions:  “What are you doing?”, “What will it be when it is done?”(This time I was buttonhole appliquéing a picture).  Occasionally you hear stories of what they used to do or remembering what their mother or grandmother does or did.  I’d like to think my activity is bringing up fond memories for them.

Some people will watch me while trying not to be noticed that they are watching me. Those people make me smile.  I always want to say, “Go ahead and look, I don’t mind” but I am afraid I will embarrass them if I let them know I see them.

Often I get the statement “I just don’t have the patience for that.” And that is OK, not everyone does.  Although I do laugh when I think of the times when things aren’t going great and I lose my temper with something I am attempting.  I am not sure I sometimes have the patience myself.

I am glad I brought my appliqué this time as it was a long wait in the examining room and it kept me calm while I waited. I often hear from others “You always have to be doing something.  Can’t you just sit?”  Yes, I can.  But for me it is a lot more fun to do needle work (or read a book) while I sit, especially while I am in a Doctor’s office.  

For me needlework calms me down (lowers my blood pressure) and doctor’s offices do the opposite, so why not do a little calming hand work.  Hopefully when they take my blood pressure, it will be lowered because I have done some stitching.   And it makes the time go by faster.  I am one who wants the time to go by when I am just waiting.

So take something with you the next time you have to wait It doesn’t have to be needlework.  It could be your sketch book, or your poetry book or a book or magazine that will spark some new ideas.  Don’t leave your creativity at home while you are on a plane or bus or doctors office.  Bring it along. It just might like to wait with you.

©2017  Cheryl Fillion

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Honor a cancer survivor and make a donation to your favorite cancer charity.

Here are some ribbon items in my shop.  Proceeds from the sale of these items goes to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  This is an event I participate in every year with friends and students.

Yoyo Pink Ribbon Doily  

Pink Needle Felted Ornament

  Pink Needle Felted Magnet

I am showing the pink ones here but I also have needle felted awareness ribbons in various colors.

© 2017 – Cheryl Fillion

Silence

Society today is built to allow for communication with others or from others.  We have phones (cell and land lines), e-mail, pagers, not to mention television, radios, and answering machines.  The only communication that society doesn't allow or even sometimes encourage is communicating with yourself.  To do that you need, not all those electronic gadgets, but the antiquated idea of silence.

Silence is how we hear ourselves think.  As creative beings, we need silence.   We begin to see our lives, and the world around us in silence.  To some it is the only way to communicate with the Spirit.

For many years I lived in a dormitory as the hall director (what many might think of as a Dorm Mom).  Outside my front door was usually a lobby with a TV and dozens of college students at any time of the day or night.  I realize now, being away from that atmosphere, that I kept my stereo and TV on more as a sound wall than for any enjoyment or even company.  As long as I had something on in the apartment, I couldn't hear what was going on in the lobby (and there were times I didn't want to hear what was going on in the lobby J.).

Now the TV is rarely on.  I don't have to fall asleep with either music or something creating 'white noise'.  When I do listen to music, I am able to enjoy and relax to it. And to my great enjoyment I can hear the little birds at my feeder, the breeze through the trees and a thunderstorm.  But mostly I can hear my own thoughts. 

I don't have to set aside time very late at night to create an atmosphere of quiet (usually with ear plugs).  Silence isn't that far away.  Without all the noise, my stress level is down, decisions are made easier and my creative ideas just flow.

Now this might not be possible with a house full of family.  You might also have to create some time late at night with ear plugs, as I did.  If you need to, do so.  Without silence, your life and your creativity will reflect the chaos of the noise around you. 

Catch bits of silence whenever you can.  If you are consciously looking for the quiet, try not to use the phone - even let the answering machine or voice mail pick up.  Don't have the TV or stereo on.  While driving, turn the radio off.  Silence can be found quite nicely in the newly insulated cars on the market these days.  And even in the mists of traffic, with the radio off, you will be able to hear yourself (pay attention to the road though, OK?)  Take a nap in the afternoon when you can so you can stay awake after the rest of the household is off with the Sandman.

You don't have to do anything during these times of silence (unless you are driving the car).  Just sit.  Maybe start out by breathing deeply.  And relax - the blood can't get to the brain with those tight shoulders and neck muscles.  As you spend more time in silence, your mind will take over.   Just follow it to see where it leads.

Even with tiny bits of silence here and there, your stress level will decrease (noise of any kind raises the blood pressure), your concentration will increase and your creativity will blossom.  It may take a while but you will see a difference in your life.

Silence is golden.  Shhhhh.

© 2017 – Cheryl Fillion