To Be...

Good morning!!  The sun is just now starting to cut through fog that was hanging around for the second day, yesterday it felt like a heavy winter quilt.

I'm sitting at the kitchen island, pretty sure it's my favorite spot, looking out the window.  Yesterday it was sparkling like diamonds.  Bright sunlight breaking through the fog, making the mist sparkle like diamonds sprinkled all over the beautiful changing colors.

I am totally a fall girl!  I decided I needed a few days for me.  A chance to balance things.  A chance to reconnect with my home, my family, and me.  My personal "to-do" list.

As I was getting ready to write this morning, I was cleaning up my personal email account in between semi-tidying my kitchen.  I have started following Jay Shetty.  I like his take on life. I like the positive glow that he brings into a world that seems to be moving more and more into a dark place.

Today's quote that caught my eye... "Make your To-Be list, not your To-Do list"... I haven't read the article that the quote was from.  For a moment I just want to savor what it means to me.  How those words spoke to where I am in my life journey. I feel like I spend way too much time making non-stop to do lists anymore.

For example: Paint the door frame, do the laundry, do the ironing, finish the quilts, pay the bills, wash the dishes...

I wonder what things would be like if instead of to-do's I could manage to focus on to-be's.

To be completely present in my life almost feels are too overwhelming. And equally as needed. But... what if...

1) to be engaged - not distracted by media, work, the have to's.
2) to be playful and experience life
3) to be attentive not only to myself, but my family and friends

Wow, this exercise is a bit harder than I thought it would be.

4) to be genuine
5) to be content
6) to be creative
7) to be healthier

Getting easier...

8) to be happy
9) to be joyful
10) to be loving
11) to be kind
12) to be compassionate
13) to be helpful

Okay... so I might actually like having a to-be list as opposed to a to-do list.

Yesterday, Hubs and I spent the day doing many of these things.  We put the day on hold.  No must do's were included unless they made us happy.

We started with a 2 plus mile walk - yep #7 on the list.

Next we went over and helped the girl - she was having a plumbing issue, had coffee and visited with her and the youngest grand baby.  How many of those to-be's did a simple visit check off.

After that the sun had burned through the mist and fog, and a bright, warm day awaited us.  It was time for an adventure!

We dashed off on the Harley, Hub had selected the Great River Road as our destination.  I love the River Road, I hate the journey there. I am not a fan of riding on the highway, too many people not paying attention, oblivious to the fact that they are guiding a deadly weapon at a high rate of speed while texting or not paying attention.  Don't believe me?  Ride on the back of a motorcycle and look around, it's astonishing.

Once there, it's peaceful though.

Hubs wanted to stop by the Casino in Alton, neither of us gamble.  Why waste our hard earned dollars like that?  It was heart breaking to me.  There were rows upon rows of handicap parking spots, all full at 11 am on a Sunday.  They weren't partaking of the buffet, it was nearly empty in there.  Hubs wanted to walk through, it was a place that his mom loved to go, and he would often take her there. As I wandered around sipping my drink and soaking up the atmosphere it felt horrible.

Bright colored lights, so many seniors and people with disabilities staring blankly as the pressed buttons.  I assume there is some return on investment, even if it's blind hope.  During the 30 minutes we were there we never saw a single light flash to signal a winner.  I felt that the casino was taking advantage of people that were struggling in life.

Back out in the sunshine my mood immediately lifted and off we went towards Grafton.  I was looking forward to sitting on the deck of my favorite winery overlooking the river.  Doing some people watching, and hoping to spot at least a few eagles and beautiful colors.

I was not disappointed on any front!

Hubs found us a spot right at the front under a big umbrella.  There was a fishing tournament happening on the river front, classic cars and tons of motorcycles in a non-stop parade.  We watched people all round us, listened to live music, savored a small snack and I drank wine while he sipped his tea. I did feel a tad guilty, the apple wine reminds me so much of Germany at this time of year.  All that was missing was an onion pie.

By the time lunch was over it was warm enough to lose the lightweight jacket and enjoy the breeze, for the first time we waited for the ferry.  Usually we time our travels that we do not end up waiting in line. Just for it's quick journey back from the other side.

My favorite part of the journey is the other side of the ferry.  I could live over there without a moment's hesitation.  Well, except for the fact that it is Illinois. It's beautiful, peaceful, the low rolling hills and bluffs.  Miles and miles of farm fields, barn quilts, orchards and pastures.  It has a bit of everything that I love.

Top it off with some of the smoothest roads for riding.

It's a great way to spend time with the Hubs.  We can talk, laugh, we look around. It is the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We were both anxiously watching the odometer, we've only had the bike for 14 months, but we knew we were going to take it over 10K, that's a lot of riding in such a short time.

We'd just crossed the bridge at Hardin and started back down the river road as we noticed it was getting close. I reached around Hubs with the camera, I wanted to be sure I got a picture for him.  Just as we entered the TINY town of Nutwood, we rolled it to 10K, I know it seems silly, but it's a milestone.

We found a little bar, needing a break to stretch our legs and found it was Bloody Mary Sunday.  Yep, he spoiled me again, but come on $1 each?  And they were darn good too.

Hubs made some new friends, he always does, I sat silently enjoying the exchange.  I am not nearly as friendly, and I am really okay with it.  Soon after we were off to enjoy the beauty of Pere Marquette, we were still a bit early for the true color changes, I hope we get another chance to go in up before they all fall.

The beauty of the day was only matched by the perfection of spending a day engrossed in simply being. Being with the ones that you love, focused on the here and now.  It was perfect.

Today... I have that darn to-do list to work on.  Yet as I am thinking on them, I am realizing that it can also be a to-be exercise. Because it is allowing me to be more focused on the why of the task and not simply the task.

I think I need to work on this exercise a bit more.  I need to focus on the positives and on just being.

Anyone care to join me?