summer Archives - Moving Peaces

This Week’s Three

September 4, 2015Samantha Gratton

It’s Friday, and I’m just now getting to the weekly recap. Whoops. Here’s a few questions that I think are worth asking…

1. Do you have to? Sometimes you have a lot to do but then realize you don’t have to do it and really need to take a nap or call a good friend instead. A lot of this week I’ve been stressed out by my to-do list, only to step back and see that only a small fraction of it had to be done by the deadline I had given myself. There’s usually something that can wait a day and take a backseat to the things that are really important.

2. Did you take the chance you had? All summer long I’ve said we’ll get to a baseball game. A simple and small thing, but it didn’t happen last summer and here we are at the end of the season. With a packed weekend ahead, Monday night was our last chance, and I’m so glad we took it.

3. Who do you want to be like? I think we are each individuals with unique talents and dreams, but I also think we are greatly influenced by those around us. This weekend, my three-year-old niece wanted her hair to match mine, regardless of what it looked like. As we get older, that admiration may take a different form, but I think there’s still value in it. If there’s someone who you appreciate or respect, it’s worth realizing what it is about them that you would like to learn from and work towards. Maybe it’s their values, commitment, skills, work ethic or wisdom. Who are those people in your life? Are they the right people to learn from? What is it that you admire most?

Thursday Three

July 2, 2015Samantha Gratton

What a week. One of these days I’ll get around to telling all of the crazy ups and downs and twists and turns, but for now, let’s just focus on all my favorite things.

1. Summer fun. That just about sums it up when I say we were spectators at a soapbox derby last weekend. Other words to describe it: ridiculous, crazy, awesome and bizarre.

2. Celebrations with friends. I’ve got some great people in my life, and I was so thrilled that a few of them joined me in celebrating another year at my favorite neighborhood restaurant. This doesn’t even cover everyone who came or everyone who I consider great in my life.

3. Birthday surprises. Yep, I’m slightly older and had a birthday. I did some writing and ate pizza, but otherwise didn’t expect much else after that gathering with friends earlier in the week. Turns out I was wrong, and there was a bit more sweetness in store from this little friend of mine.

Thursday Three

July 18, 2014December 9, 2014Samantha Gratton

How is it already the end of the day? How, how!? Well, hopefully you all had a lovely day. I certainly did. It was full of friends—in person and from afar.

1. Last week was long and hard. Yet at the same time, it seemed to fly by (which certainly contributed to the lack of blogging these last two weeks). I did travel back to the Midwest for my grandpa’s funeral and saw tons of family (and when I say tons of family, I mean dozens of family members…not a baker’s dozen of people…DOZENS of family members) When the funeral director addressed a packed room and asked that the friends pay their respects first, I think he was surprised when no one moved as we were all family. It was good to be there, but overwhelming at times.

My grandma, my mom and all her siblings. Spouses and children not included.

2. This summer has not gone like I planned. Nor has it gone like my back-up plan or my secondary back-up plan. Oh, normal people don’t have that many plans? This is just how I function. But despite it all, I could not have planned my summer of unemployment at a better time even if I tried. I’ve been able to be at those family things. I’ve read so many books, hosted more out-of-town guests and enjoyed my friendships. Without this added time, I don’t know what I would have done. So, I’m hopeful for what’s next but really trying to take full advantage of the time I have.

3. You need to do this. Let me be direct in saying this, your creativity is important. It’s needed, and we want more of it. Sometimes I can get caught up in the “maybe 12 people read this” or “I’ll never be famous” but that’s not what it’s about. Creativity spurs other creativity. Lately, I’ve been playing a bit more music. Is it my main thing? No. Will I ever have a hit single? Nope. But having a creative outlet, a hobby for lack of a better word, matters. We were meant to make things. So do it. Write the first chapter, paint that dream, put together the band, make up a new recipe, rearrange your furniture—whatever! Take this as your sign or statement of encouragement to be creative. We need it and you need it.