The Winds of Change

Today is Monday, 29 March 2021.  The sun is shining and it is officially spring.

The seasons are changing.  We still have cold days, but the sun seems more consistent, there are so many more birds in the skies and in the trees, and I have even seen flowers popping their little heads up - yellow and purple and green against the brown grass that hasn't quite begun to brighten just yet.  

We were supposed to have a talk tomorrow wherein our guest, Blinne (class of 2019) chatted with us about some of the work she has done since graduation - writing and publishing campaign modules for Dungeons and Dragons.  However, life has a way of happening while we are making plans, yes?

So, that talk is being moved.

We were supposed to have a talk next week by another alum of FLCC who was going to talk about how they have accomplished some pretty nifty things since she graduated as well, despite having some pretty anxieties and fears.  However, life has a way of happening while we are making plans, yes?

So, that talk has been cancelled.

But, if we have learned nothing in the last year, we have learned that we need to roll with the changes.  And so, that is what we shall do.

Change can be upsetting and bothersome in many circumstances, but I don't think this needs to be one of those times.   We still have an amazing speaker coming to visit with us.  And we have room later in the semester if someone would like to give a talk - on accomplishing things in the face of fear, or something else altogether.  

So, I hope you will join us next Wednesday for our talk about passion and publishing and persistence.  We will roll with the changes just as we have learned to do about things that are so much harder and more difficult.

My wish for you on this Monday morning is that all the changes in your life be ones that are so easily remedied and may you have many things in your life to look forward to.  May the change in the seasons bring you happiness and joy in these days to come.  May you hear the birds and see the flowers and bask in the sunshine of warmer days.

Spring, Rest, and Self-Care

Spring is most decidedly coming.  We can feel the energy in the sunlight and while there may still be cold days ahead, we know.  Somewhere deep inside we know that Spring is right around the corner.  Maybe it's the flurry of birds.  The longer days.  Something in the air.  A hint of buds on the trees.  Whatever it is, I'm sure you are welcoming it just as I am.  We need the extra energy that spring seems to bring every living creature.

Because we are tired.  Tired and even as we are stuck at home most of the time and not doing as much out there in the world, we are busy.  It feels like there is always something we have to do - whether it's school or family or household or job or anything else under the sun, we have so much to do.

So, let's take an hour to gather together and learn what we can do about that.  Just because we are busy and tired doesn't mean we can't take a moment to relax.  In fact, it's all the more reason to do just that!  There are lots of things we can do that don't necessarily need to take a lot of time, but can do a world of good for our state of mind.  The library has gathered a whole slew of De-Stressing Activities and Ideas into one place, for instance.

And next week is our first talk in the Honors Talk Series.  Sean Maley, Associate Professor of Mathematics, is also trained in Mindfulness and he is going to show us some techniques that we can use to slow down just a little bit now and then in our busy lives.  His talk, "Mindfulness for Busy People" will be held March 23, 2021 at 5:00 via WebEx.  Meeting information has been mailed out, and the link to it is right here.  The password, if you need it, is breathe.

Take some time out for yourself, because if you aren't taking care of you, then you can't take care of all the things you are responsible for.

"Come, Rest Awhile" by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Come, rest awhile, and let us idly stray
In glimmering valleys, cool and far away.

Come from the greedy mart, the troubled street,
And listen to the music, faint and sweet,

That echoes ever to a listening ear,
Unheard by those who will not pause to hear­

The wayward chimes of memory’s pensive bells,
Wind-blown o’er misty hills and curtained dells.

One step aside and dewy buds unclose
The sweetness of the violet and the rose;

Song and romance still linger in the green,
Emblossomed ways by you so seldom seen,

And near at hand, would you but see them, lie
All lovely things beloved in days gone by.

You have forgotten what it is to smile
In your too busy life­come, rest awhile.