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.