Healing and Moving On
Thank you all so much for the positive comments from yesterday’s post. It’s been a hard week, but it’s wonderful to know that I’m not the only one in the world with these issues.
I love the comment from Lisa yesterday:
Repeat after me, I didn’t cause it and I can’t fix it. It is great that you are working out these issues but be careful about dwelling on them too much. Don’t rob yourself of the joy of now. The present is the best present.
This is absolutely true! What keeps running through my head is the search for joy. This morning I got James up and we had a terrific morning just making breakfast, playing, and talking silliness.
I believe the joy of life is in these small things – smiles, laughter, silly phrases of our own “language” that no one else will understand, and hugs – lots and lots of hugs!
Yesterday after posting, I went to visit my massage therapist, M, and I left her house nearly buzzing with positive energy. She is an amazing healer and is teaching me new methods to relax and let loose.
M allowed me to see that the hardest part of this quilt and everything that has come out of it is already done. The choices have been made so let it go already!
I’m planning on putting Sinkhole away for awhile before I quilt it. For one thing I really need to get into my fabric room, go through everything, clean up the place and get rid of a lot of junk. I plan to paint the walls a cool green color, upgrade the lighting, and install new hangers for my fabric.
I had always planned to wait until the spring to quilt Sinkhole simply because I need time to come up with the words and thread that will be used over the top. And who knows, I may even hand quilt it!
So I’m finally getting back to some of the projects I was working on before this quilt. I’m really looking forward to getting back to the Hawaiian Quilt:
And of course, the Over the Top Quilt from the How Do I Quilt This?! Series:
This winter I’ve been planning something really fun. I tend to quilt very nontraditional quilts through the whole year, but then during November and December all I want to do is work on something super traditional.
So this year I’m going to finally make a sequel to The Duchess, my first white show quilt that got ruined. The new quilt will be called The Duchess Reigns with a redesigned border on dark red fabric with white thread!
I’m really excited and looking forward to working on this quilt because it will be like coming full circle. 2 years ago I created The Duchess when I was just learning how to show quilt, just learning how to McTavish, and just figuring out all the right things to do and use for easy free motion quilting.
I can’t wait to see what happens when I attempt this quilt again with all the filler designs and skills I’ve learned in the last 2 years.
But today I need a day of rest and relaxation. A day to breathe deep before tackling the huge job of ripping out my fabric room. So I’m off to Gastonia for a wonderful day of shopping, lunch, and pedicures with my best friend.
To seeking and finding joy,
Leah Day
I'm glad you are working on something positive! Keep moving up and onward!
Joy, delight, love and laughter – relish in it all – hug your lovely son, enjoy a moment of tenderness and share a silent understanding moment with Josh
You are probably right in setting 'sinkhole' aside for a while and exploring existing, new and rejuvenating old projects – there seems to be a new fire in you which is ready to burst into flame and inspire us all – way to go Leah
Good morning Leah. Happy is fleeting, joy we hold in our heart through the darkest times.
I wish you all the joy,
Sharyn
The duchess quilt reigns makes me think of the book, "The Red Tent"; maybe you need to read that, too 🙂
Life is short, leave behind the people that suck the life out of you and keep close the ones that feed your soul.
We get to pick our Friends but not our Family, or at least that's what they say. I say, Ha! Pick your Family too!
You Go Girl!
Very inspiring post to read. You are very brave indeed to take the road to healing and making a different life for your children!
Leah,I was so happy to read that my comment made an impact. One trick that works for me is that I visualize my thoughts,(brain) as an expensive rent space. My space is filled with beautiful and priceless things. I don't want trespassers coming in to my space and trashing the place. When my mind is filled with thoughts about my crazy, dazy parents, I ask myself, are they worth the rent space? If they are crowding out my joy then an eviction is needed. If you haven't read Ekhhart Tolle's book, A New Earth, then I would highly recommend it. You are so talented and bring joy to others. You deserve joy too. Now, I am going to quilt.
Leah, just found your site while looking for some coaching videos on free motion quilting. I love your videos – they are very clear and very easy to understand. Great tips! Went to your quilt gallery, and just love your quilts. Some of your designs look like something that's been going around in my head recently, in designing a "peace quilt" for a group of friends. I love that you are open to sharing your journey on your blog – it's inspiring. thanks for your work! I for sure will be checking in again and looking up some of the tips and tools that you recommended.