I’m fortunate to be on the emailing list of a friend and business coach. Her enthusiasm for helping people strive toward achieving dreams and living authentically inspires me regularly, and even if I don’t always take advantage of the opportunities she shares, the resources she tells us about are always close at hand.

This week she told us about an app called “timehop.” It looks back at where we’ve been as a touchstone to seeing where we are now. It’s also a helpful reminder of what other people were experiencing in their lives, and can serve to encourage us to reach out and touch.

For today’s Friday Five, share with us where you were and what you were up to 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 years ago! What were your dreams—did you follow them? Who was journeying with you? Feel free to keep it light (I was on vacation at the beach with my bestie!) or reflect more deeply (a call was brewing…). Have any pictures from those moments to share? We’d love to see them!
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2013 was a wonderful year! Our youngest son, Daniel, graduated from high school so our year was sprinkled with college visits, prom and parties. Then, in late August, he headed off for adventure and my husband and I began the journey of empty nesters.

 
And our oldest son, Eric got married in 2013. We spent the year planning an October wedding. Eric and Mystie had asked to be married in Va even though they live in Ca. They also invited me to officiate and then asked for the small reception to be held in our home. Our entire family was in on the planning and love was thick in the air. What a blessing when love pours out over everyone, this young married couple began their life together sharing their joy so generously, we look forward to all that lies ahead.
In 2011, our son, Ives, graduated with a BA in Art from Belmont University. He uncovered his gift for art while studying music business and his gifts continue to be revealed. He has a wonderful sense of depth which feeds his sculpture process and a sensitivity to character which impacts his portraiture.
In 2010, my mom had a stroke and our family gathered around her to support this part of her journey. My sisters, who lived locally, took amazing care of her day-to-day. It was a bittersweet good-bye with so many thanksgivings and deep sadness for her suffering. After five months, she died in July and we continue to celebrate her life every day.

Wow, 2004 is going back aways! I was in my third year of a five-year journey in seminary. I loved learning, more importantly, I loved the people who taught me, professors and students alike. I was surrounded by a special small group of women who all knew we were called in a variety of ways but had yet to understand what that would mean. These women continue to bless my journey.

In 1994, twenty years ago, my husband and I were pregnant with our fourth child and going through the unique process of building a house. We had so much fun! Our plans came together with an amazing amount of agreement. Even when it came to pick out the interior paint color, one out of about five hundred neutrals, without telling one another, we selected the same chip. Macadamia nut, for those of you who might be curious. Our son, was born in January of 1995 and we celebrated his baptism surrounded by family and friends in our new home in November. We still live in that house today, twenty years of memories have made our house a home.

For today’s FF, tell us about five calendar themes that you like to see hanging on your walls or going with you to appointments, or that you WISH existed to adorn and accompany your life.

1) Practicing silence is essential for me. So the “calendar” that keeps me straight is my big tibetan singing bowl. (for those interested you can also download a mindfulness bell at http://www.mindfulnessdc.org/bell/)

2) My favorite kitchen calendars feature bucolic farm settings with community activity. Every day, I need to remember to connect with the earth, to help something grow, or help with a harvest, and each day, I try to connect with community in meaningful ways.

3) My Celtic Daily Prayer book keeps my inner calendar aware of the power of love and mercy, the communion of saints and makes blessing a daily practice. I am beginning this year with Mark Nepo’s “Book of Awakening” along with CDP.

4) The only way I keep track of my schedule is on my calendar app on my smart phone, not very creative but it does keep me organized.

5) Ruby, our sweet aussie is my walking calendar, she takes me for long walks to inspire me and keep my body healthy. I need to remember to keep her spirit with me as I attend to meetings and appointments, she is the perfect blend of both playful and attentive work.

Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction.

Break the habit. Talk about your joys.

~Rita Schiano

1) I love color. I am a visual person and find ways to enhance the everyday with color. My business cards which are very plain get a color makeover before I hand them out. I do alot of collage using colorful layers of paper. I wear turquoise when I miss my mom. I think babies look adorable wearing light brown. Our living room has rich earthy tones, which keep us grounded in family. My office walls are painted airy blue which feels spacious and wide to me, just like God’s love. And I don’t want to forget my colorful rhinestone collection, perfect joy to add a little sparkle.

2) I love to hike. The steeper the climb the better. I grew up hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire, my parents called me a little goat because I would scramble to the top ahead of the rest. One time, I hiked the Grand Canyon, top to bottom and back up again in one day, with my Dad. I am so thankful for that memory. And in fact, this weekend, our son is taking us hiking when we visit him for parent’s weekend.

3) I love Ben Harper. He is absolutely my favorite musician. He can play a slide guitar like no one else on earth. His lyrics are full of truth. He includes amazing musicians in his work. Did I say I love Ben Harper? One of  our son’s introduced me to his music back in the late 90’s and he took me to my first Ben Harper concert; an additional reason for why Ben Harper continues to nourish my soul.

4) Fall is my favorite season, my husband and I were both born in October, we also got married in October. We love to go apple picking, enjoy small town country charm and watching the trees change color. This October, our eldest son is getting married, and I was never told how much joy that would bring me. We are enjoying adding another chair or two at our table, his bride, her family, her friends, are all becoming part of our life. This year, we are adding wedding white pumpkins to our Fall traditions.

5) Choosing a favorite book or even genre would be hard. I have memorized passages of classic literature which continue to make meaning for me. I continue to be struck with the brilliance found in The Life of Pi. I enjoy a good southern novel. Gerald May’s writing has helped me grow spiritually. I once designed a class called “Locating God in Literature,” with my dear friend, the late Mary Marshall. Mary was a fine teacher and faithful witness. Her work in my life continues to inspire me to look beyond the written page to expose new truth.