The Chautauqua: January 2017

I have a small confession to make...while I am a voracious reader of books and magazines, and while I know there is a wealth of interesting information published on newsprint, I am not really a newspaper reader or fan. I will skim though the headlines of the Red Deer Advocate, and breeze through the Bashaw Star, and occasionally I will even read an article, but by and large, if there is something of interest, usually someone else has to point it out to me before I’ll read it.

So, in a way it is not only ironic that I have published a newspaper for 15 years, but that I was even given the opportunity in the first place, AND that I accepted it!

In December of 2001, as I had some free time opening up in my life, I offered to help Linda Van Ringen - editor of the newspaper which was then called Chautauqua News. She countered with the offer for me to take over the newspaper. Definitely NOT what I had in mind at all. She gave me a week to think about it, and I hung up the phone and started dancing around the room in excitement. I had no idea why the idea appealed to me, how I was going to accomplish it, or what the future had in store, and I had a short deadline to get my first issue of The Chautauqua out in mid-January 2002.

Fifteen years later I still can’t really say why the paper appeals to me so much, only that it is a not only a unique creative outlet, but also a creative challenge as I strive to make it something that even I would enjoy reading, and I hope that you enjoy too.

And to add to the challenge there are still some days when I have no idea how I will accomplish getting an issue together and distributed - whether it’s been due to technological troubles, quickly learning a new skill, or my health situation, I could not have managed without my friends and various helpers through the years.

Lastly, I don’t know what the future has in store, but I hope to be around as long as I can. I sincerely thank you all for your support - without your submissions, and willingness to continue reading The Chautauqua ,I wouldn’t be able to keep doing this. Thank you so much!

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://sites.google.com/site/thechautauqua21/home/January%2020%2C%202017%20Chautauqua.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

Dance

I will dare to do just what I do,

be just what I am,

and dance whenever I want to.

- Beverly Williams

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Monday, 16 January 2017

Stuck

Often, we feel stuck

not because we don't know what to do next

but because we do know what to do next –

we just don't feel like doing it.

- Julia Cameron

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Friday, 13 January 2017

Forever

Face the fear of today

instead of the regret of forever.

- Jon Acuff

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Wednesday, 11 January 2017

Winding

You are always on your soul's path

even if you can't see where you are going

or recall why you travelled on such a winding road.

Energy always moves forward

and will carry you where you want to go.

- Colette Baron-Reid

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Monday, 9 January 2017

Lines

You can waste your lives drawing lines,

or you can live your life crossing them.

- Shonda Rhimes

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Friday, 6 January 2017

January 6, 2017 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

We have recently experienced the Winter Solstice with the longest night of the year, then Christmas, and New Year’s, and today (January 6) is traditionally known as Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the Magi to the Holy family.

Epiphany signifies an illumination.

But in our lives today what illumination do we need?

In a way, we have too much illumination of different varieties.

We are surrounded by too many artificial lights which blur the line between day and night, extending our waking hours.

We have too much information coming at us from all sides and in multiple formats, that attempts to enlighten us on anything and everything under the sun (and beyond the sun!).

If anything, we need less illumination and more darkness.

Humans used to live closer to nature and its cycles, and unfortunately, particularly with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and subsequent discoveries and technological advances, we’ve lost touch with that vital aspect of our lives.

We want to go-go-go and be constantly on like the sun, never resting, never pausing, never slowing down. We try working longer and longerhours without breaks for meals, movement or just to rest. We cram so much into our days to try to extend them as long as we can. If it was possible, some would like the day to last longer than a mere 24 hours.

But we’re not designed to race around endlessly like the Energizer Bunny. We’re designed to wax and wane like the phases of the moon, and cycle like our day/night and the seasons.

Our bodies are more energetic at certain times of the day, and we naturally require rest at other times. We function best on cycles of 30 - 90 minutes. We naturally want to slow down when the weather gets colder and the days get darker, and be more energetic when the sun is shining.

This new year, instead of doing more, decide to do less and give yourself a chance to rest. The greatest growth and activity in nature always follows the darkness and rest of winter, and so it is with us too.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://sites.google.com/site/thechautauqua21/home/January%206%2C%202017%20Chautauqua.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua