Eudaimonia

The heavy rains of last night have ended and for now we have early morning sunshine. Double blessings for new spring growth; some of which I can see as the feet of old snow continues to melt away, return to the deep earth. Birds are not at the feeders right now. My wooly Bear still finds snow to roll in, to lick as a child would enjoy a popsicle.

Andrea told me of a book she loves: Big Magic - Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. I immediately bought and read it and have now downloaded it to Audible so I can listen to Elizabeth reading to me while I paint/stamp/stencil in my DLP journal. I listen as I prepare Listing paperwork for a new  real estate client. I listen while I plan for the next hula lesson I'll teach or the next Hawaiian language class I take. This book is big magic as it propels me to just keep doing the work. Don't judge, don't overthink, just work. If poetry doesn't come, then paint. Or plan the next hula costume. Or choreograph. Or work in the yard, painting with plants and rocks in the bits of my tiny yard which I can see right now. Greens appearing around the still deep snow bomb piles.
My new favorite word - that I've wrapped around me like a blanket - came from her text. EUDAIMONIA. She explained it as from the Greek, meaning 'well daemoned'. Protected by creative spirits. I've read that it was first used by Aristotle to mean happy and healthy. I also ascribe my core self as having my Grandmother Dix's happy gene. Aristotle and Grammy plus good spirits dancing around me. I am blessed.

I understand that I have chosen a varied life which encompasses my 'work' work as a decades long Real Estate Broker and is seasoned by a passion for traditional Hawaiian hula which I now teach here in our village. I also require the companionship of my beloved rescue Alaskan Malamutes; Bear Pono is my guy right now. Blind and yet he sees/knows more than I will ever ken. Art journaling has opened a grand new time of excitement as I learn color and form and freedom on the page. I have also returned to an on going class in Hawaiian language in order to understand the chants with greater clarity. Each of these holds a dear place in my life, each one feeds the other.
I dance forward in each quadrant of my life with the intention of doing and being better each day.
Client meeting this morning. A little art journaling mid-day prior to walking the dog. Then rehearsal for Women's International Month presentation at Snowy Owl this evening. Life is good. I wish the same for you. Aloha.