Friday 31 December 2021

You are on the path exactly where you are meant to be right now.
 And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story 
into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, of beauty,
 of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love. 
  – Caroline Adams

Wednesday 29 December 2021

Sometimes I'm doing things considered crazy by others, 
but then my heart giggles. 
That's when I know I am doing the right thing. 
  ~ Dodinsky

Monday 27 December 2021

Friday 24 December 2021

Wednesday 22 December 2021

Monday 20 December 2021

Friday 17 December 2021

December 17, 2021 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   I really think we need another month between November and December, especially this year!  How can half of December be gone already?  Winter Solstice is just around the corner with Christmas a mere week away, which means 2022 is coming up fast.

   2021 was quite the year.  No matter what ups and downs you may have experienced along the way, I’m positive that you can find at least one, if not more, things to be thankful for that happened in the past year.

   I know that when I was looking around January 1st, I had no idea what would unfold this year in my life.  A few of 2021’s highlights:

    • I FINALLY got the sidewalk edging completed in the yard (it’s been on the to-do list for years) and I did it all by myself (which I didn’t think would ever be a possibility) AND I mowed my lawn for the first time ever in my entire life!  Thankfully, the year didn’t require constant lawnmowing.

    • I tweaked and enhanced my garden labyrinth and had a much better harvest than last year (except for the potatoes).  I have ideas for how I can make it even better next year (fingers crossed).

    • I biked a total of 741.5 kms and biked daily for 23 consecutive weeks, till November 15...Last year, my first year biking in decades, totalled 274.5 kms with 18 consecutive weeks of daily biking

    • I have completed almost 600 daily sky drawings on my ipad.  Honestly, I had no idea that the ipad would be the best artistic medium for me, but it seems to have really made my expression easier.

    • For a lark I submitted a couple of proposals to a couple of art galleries and one was accepted and expanded!

    • I participated in a 10-Day singing/songwriting immersion - writing 10 songs and posting videos of me singing them online

    • I published 3 new card decks and had my very first online sale

   While we can always find something to grumble and complain about, there is also lots to be thankful for, if we just shift our focus around.  May you all have a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2022!

Beth 

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XwqdlUfYLLdFsZJTml2mHSKbnab7SDni/view?usp=sharing

   Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 years ago, are a brand new reader, or somewhere in between, I sincerely hope that The Chautauqua has enriched your life, as much as it has enriched mine publishing it.  If you would like to help ensure it continues to enrich others like yourself, I ask you to please consider making a donation to The Chautauqua. There are three methods available: 

Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0 

E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com 

PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount) 

   Your support and kindness is always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration to you with each issue. Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!

And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html

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

Wednesday 15 December 2021

People rarely succeed
unless they have fun in what they are doing.  
~ Dale Carnegie

Monday 13 December 2021

Friday 10 December 2021

A good speech has a beginning, a middle and an end, 
the best example being, "I love you." 
 ~ Robert Brault

Wednesday 8 December 2021

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. 
 ~ Native American Saying

Monday 6 December 2021

Friday 3 December 2021

December 3, 2021 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

  I survived the singing/songwriting 10-Day Immersion!!!! AND, I wrote 10 songs!!!!!!  PLUS, I shared videos of me singing those songs publicly online! OH MY!

  I had a few very kind souls tell me how brave they thought I was.  I sure didn’t feel brave.  In fact, I was so scared stiff that, on the third day, the Immersion leader told me (very lovingly, thankfully) to stop saying how scared I was and just have fun!

   I have always been the quiet, sit in the back of the classroom and observe person, so one thing I’ve discovered (or rediscovered?) in the past few years, is that I need to really show up to what I do, or participate in - it’s so very true that you get out of something what you put in.  And let me tell you, it’s WAY easier to observe than to participate!

   So, not only did I show up each day for the Immersion, but I wrote the song each day, videoed myself singing the song, and then shared the video each day, not only in the supportive safety of the Immersion group, but out in the wider social media and internet world.  OH MY!    

   Unofficially, the favourite, amongst friends and participants, was my spoken word song - which was very similar in style to my Ponderings and can be viewed/experienced here:

https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/249614037234099

   I then took this whole process a giant leap further, and signed up for the follow-up 7 week program, which will begin in January.  Who knows where this will all lead me, or what this adventure will lead to next?!

   I also realized, through this journey, that you don’t need to feel brave to do anything, or even know what you are doing, you just need to show up and then take the very next step!

Beth 

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bqwDpBp1toe5kbmyTNeIpxXLIwYW5KXC/view?usp=sharing

   Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 years ago, are a brand new reader, or somewhere in between, I sincerely hope that The Chautauqua has enriched your life, as much as it has enriched mine publishing it.  If you would like to help ensure it continues to enrich others like yourself, I ask you to please consider making a donation to The Chautauqua. There are three methods available: 

Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0 

E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com 

PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount) 

   Your support and kindness is always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration to you with each issue. Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!

And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html

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

 

Wednesday 1 December 2021

All our progress is an unfolding, like a vegetable bud. 
You have first an instinct, then an opinion, 
then a knowledge as the plant has root, bud, and fruit. 
Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.
  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson