What Does Your Perfect Place Look Like?

I remember one of the first books I read on setting goals started with the exercise of imagining yourself in the perfect setting.  The idea was to give yourself an ultimate goal to motivate you continue to take little steps of progress.  You were to write it down and keep it as a reminder of why you were willing to work and sacrifice.



There were prompts to help you envision your perfect place such as these:

• What would you be doing? 
• What would you be wearing?  
• Who would be with you?  
• What would your surroundings look like?
• What would you hear?
• What would you smell?
• What is the weather like?

The picture that came to my mind was so vivid.  

I could see myself sitting on a stool at the breakfast bar in my dream barn-style home.  I had a cup of coffee in my hand and a book open in front of me. The french doors to my left were open to the patio and a summer breeze filtered in.  Beyond the patio, the morning sunlight reflected from off a small swimming pool and the scent of wild roses permeated the air.  I felt comfortable in my long flowing skirt and light cardigan from Coldwater Creek.  The birds chirping were the only sounds I could hear.  I took a deep breath.  My mind was quiet.  

It's amazing to me that after 15+ years I can still see the picture in my head. And part of what stands out to me is the "Coldwater Creek" attire.  I loved looking at the catalogs when I was a girl.  The models looked modest and kempt and comfortable.  I longed to have a wardrobe of exclusively Coldwater Creek clothing.  I still love their clothes.  I guess I always thought that they were out of my league because of the cost.  I could look, but I couldn't buy.  So that's why Coldwater Creek made it's way into my perfect world.

I definitely haven't made my dream a reality yet.  I still long for my barn home, patio and pool.  I have done my best to make sure I get quiet time with my coffee and books.  I like to sit outside in the summer breeze to read and take in the scents and sounds.  I may never make it to my perfect world in this life.  But I'll enjoy the little pieces I can get here and there.


I was thrilled this past week when a local surplus store advertised Coldwater Creek tops in their circular.  Last night I went into the store and bought two sweaters for $10 each.  These are my first articles ever from Coldwater Creek.  They are beautiful and comfortable just like I imagined.

Another little piece of perfection.

What part of your perfect world are you enjoying now?

Almost Heaven

When we were at Goodwill just before New Year's Day, I went looking for a nice puzzle for our New Year's Eve tradition.  I came across a 1000  piece Thomas Kinkade puzzle with the picture of a man fishing alone in the middle of a beautiful mountain scene.  Immediately the image stuck me as perfect.

It took 3 days to complete the puzzle.  It nearly consumed me.  Every piece that clicked into place was a personal victory.  As the image started to take shape, I couldn't help contemplating the man in the picture and how he related to me.

Strange.  I know.

To be honest, I don't think the painting is one of Kinkade's best works.  The colors are very muted.  Almost boring.  The pink sunset blended with the heather mountains that blended with the clay rocks that blended into the stream that reflected the sunset.

So why did this image strike a chord with me?

It was the fisherman.  Wearing his red plaid shirt, he was the only spot of color.  He was alone in the vast expanse of beauty.  He was there because he chose to be.  Because he enjoyed taking a few minutes to be alone with his thoughts.  To be inside his own head for a while without any interruptions.  Maybe fishing wasn't his passion.  Maybe it was his excuse to get away from the noise.  Maybe this is how he recharged so he could face another day. He's an introvert like me.  This man in the painting.  Who has never lived a day.  I know him.

I did a quick Google search and found the name of this painting is Almost Heaven.  Fitting, I think.  A quiet place where I can relax without any demands on my time or energy is almost heaven for me.  However, I have a few extroverted friends that, though they would enjoy the beauty of a place like this, would be bored to death in about 2 minutes.  They suffocate in quiet.  I suffocate in noise.

I left the puzzle up for a day after it was finished.  More because I wanted to celebrate my perseverance and introversion than because I liked the picture.  I don't really.  It's not my style.  But I did enjoy the time of introspection.

The puzzle is in pieces again and will likely go back to Goodwill.

Holiday Parties for the Introvert

Is Christmas over yet?

It seems that I have been involved in some Christmas celebration at least twice a week since the beginning of December.  Don't get me wrong.  I love Christmas.  I love spending time with my family.  I love the special music and services that celebrate Jesus' birth and all that it means for us.  I love the lights and the ornaments.  And, honestly, we don't go all out for Christmas commercialization.  We buy gifts and put up a tree but we're tempered folk.  Nothing is extravagant or flashy or overly expensive.  But the one thing that really wears on me is the expectation to be involved in every social event going on!

Since the beginning of the month we have been in two performances of a Christmas drama, participated in numerous choral and musicians practices, performed at a Christmas community night and a Christmas service, helped with a Ladies' Christmas party, gone to homes for cider and sweets, exchanged gifts in our home, traveled to exchange gifts with other family members, and after the holiday was over, attended a church Christmas party last night.

I don't know how people find so much to talk about at Christmas parties (or parties in general) but there always seems to be a continuous din of chatter. I get lost in it.  I certainly don't feel the need to add to it.  But being the only person at a social event that isn't socializing makes you stand out.  And standing out isn't what I have in mind.

I usually try to find a quiet corner (quiet being relative in this statement). And if I can find a book to go with my corner, that's more ideal.  At least then I'm engaged in an activity and wards off attempts to drag me into the cacophony.  But it's better to go prepared, so I bring my own book.

Introvert problem #1 - Finding enough room in your purse to tuck a book... 
Or two.

Bringing a book to a party causes another dilemma.  Someone might ask what I'm reading.  For someone like me, it's not a conversation I enter into lightly.  I tend to read non-fiction.  Mostly psychology, self-improvement, and finance.  So, really, unless you're willing to go into a deep theological or theoretical conversation, I'd prefer you don't ask.  I choose books with boring titles for this very reason.

I have to say that at last night's festivities, I was saved from having to retrieve my book.  In a far corner of the farthest room was a small table with a puzzle in the works.  There was enough room for 3 or 4 people to gather around.  Ahhh! My refuge!  When I took a seat, a few others gathered around.  We concentrated on finding the right match, we helped locate elusive pieces, we celebrated every success.  There was no call for small talk.  When the noise around us got louder, we huddled closer.  Others thought we all liked the same hobby, little did they know we were really just introverting.

That puzzle table was the most exciting part of the party for me.  I enjoyed every moment.  So here's a plea to all you extroverts and party-throwers.  PLEASE provide a puzzle table at all social events!  It makes it so much more comfortable for quiet people.  It attracts those who shy away from small talk.  And it's a lot less awkward than pulling a book out of my purse.