Photo by Pexel.
Happy Friday! My backyard at the moment is blanketed in 14-karat gold leaf (the picture is not my backyard.) It looks like a movie set. I hope life is beautiful where you are.
Pearl One
There’s a beloved how-to for writers called Bird-by-Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott.
One of many cool takeaways Anne shares is: “E.L. Doctorow once said that ‘Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.’ You don’t have to see where you’re going, you don’t have to see your destination or everything you will pass along the way. You just have to see two or three feet ahead of you.” (Pink emphasis mine.)
I love this quote so much.
As humans we seem wired to “look down the road” and if we can’t see five years into our future? Then we’re done. Losing weight at my age just won’t happen for me. No way will I be able to maintain smart eating for five years. No way on earth.”
Yes Way!
When we take a seemingly mammoth project day-by-day, hour-by-hour, heck, moment-by-moment, all of a sudden we we can bring our dream to life. ♥
Pearl Two
In another lifetime, I knew a woman who didn’t consider it a “real” manicure if the nail polish wasn’t from Chanel. (I know.)
Divas. For the longest time, I thought divas were haughty, difficult women who were incredibly talented, but super entitled.
I was wrong. Turns out, the word diva comes from Italian’s “dea” that means goddess and was initially applied to opera singers who were so talented as to seem like goddesses.
Cool, right?
“In reality, divas are just the women who know what they want and demand to get it.” – Article in CR Fashion Book (think: Vogue).
I like the definition: knowing what we want. The “demand to get it” part for our purposes could instead be about wielding massive action (that I detail here: How Massive Action Creates Serious Weight Loss).
Getting better and better and better at identifying what we need and then taking it seriously and going at it with gusto, is at the heart of being a good diva. 🙂
A few examples.
- At home: “I need sleep.”
- At a restaurant: “I need a carry-out box.”
- In grief: “I need time to cry.”
- In the kitchen: “I need more measuring cups and spoons.”
- At home: “I’m bored, I need a good book.”
- Daily: “I need a long walk.”
- The introvert: “I need time alone.”
- The extrovert: “I need people.”
- All of us: “I need beautiful comfortable sheets and an electric blanket in November.”
- In the closet: “I’m always in black and navy. I need color.”
You see where I’m going. Let’s take back the word “diva” because it never meant a talented, but difficult woman. It always meant goddess. (Sheesh.)
If the idea of going diva sounds overwhelming, commit to one day of living in diva-thought. One day too long? Try being a diva for one hour. And progress from there.
Going goddess is one of the most fun ways to bringing our dreams into reality. ♥
Pearl Three
From My Self-Sabotage Department. Readers are under the (very) wrong impression that I’m perfect re: food.
I worry that I’ve misled you.
Now keeping in mind that I’m in protection-mode (what we once called “maintenance)This morning I had two Toaster Strudels with my coffee. Two. Plural. And all that sugar and fat and preservatives tasted amazing.
That was this morning, this afternoon The Scarfer brought home a bag of my favorite hard candy (Werther’s Original in sugar free, so good). Do I eat one? Of course not. As I type six tiny ripped open bags are sprinkled across my desk. (Can I do anything in moderation??)
I know. You’re thinking, “you call two Toaster Strudels and six hard candies a binge?? You don’t get me at all, lady.”
Wrong! I know a real binge when I see one. Trust me when I say that having kept off 55 for 16 years now, my binges look different today from my heavy years (when nothing in the kitchen was safe. Nothing).
My point: don’t self-sabotage yourself into thinking that to accomplish your dreams, perfection is required.
Not only isn’t it required, but unless you’re Chris Hemsworth perfection doesn’t even really exist. ♥
Pearl Four
Food gifts. As I write, it’s mid-November. This is the moment in time when I remind friends and family, “remember, no food gifts for me! And thank you for understanding!”
This holiday season, don’t give yourself an easy exit by eating food you wouldn’t otherwise let pass your lips because “it was a gift! I had to eat it. All.”
Close all exits by letting everyone in your world know that food gifts for you are a no-go. When they ask you what you would like? Suggest the beautiful gold and pink measuring cup and spoon sets that any Inspired Eater would love. (I have four sets — not fancy — at the ready because I measure almost everything. I don’t care how good you are, “eye-balling will double your portions. Always measure.
So if someone forgets and gives me a box of chocolates or a plate of cookies, I’ll likely re-gift without guilt because everyone had been forewarned. ♥
Pearl Five
“All women are goddesses, and it’s just a matter of letting that goddess-power shine and if you don’t try to be the biggest and baddest damn goddess you can be, you are selling yourself short.” – Kimora Lee Simmons ♥
Happy mid-November everyone. Just wanted to share: if you’re in need of a super sweet show, try Love on the Spectrum. Netflix. Start with season two.
So, so sweet.
♥, Wendy
P.s. Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!
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31 Comments
Yaay to No-Food-Gifts! That’s brilliant Wendy – so easy I’ve never thought of it before! THANKS once again!
You are such a supportive friend. Thank you! I hope you’re feeling good. If anyone deserves it: it’s you.
Hugs,
Wendy
What a fun way of looking at the word diva! All too often we women think we don’t matter and must meet everyone’s needs before our own. But cars don’t go anywhere with no fuel! Thank you for the reminder that we need to take time to refuel—no apologies needed.
I was so happy to learn that diva isn’t derogatory. Your blog is really good!
Wendy
Already told my good husband: no goodies in my stocking, please!
You’re awesome!!
W.
I love pearl 2 especially.
Thank you!
W.
It is great to know the origin of the word Diva and what it means.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Isn’t a cool word? 🙂
W.
Thank you so much for sharing your post at our Senior Salon Pit Stop.
Pinned to Senior Salon Pit Stop InLinkz Linkup Shares board and tweeted @EsmeSalon #SeniorSalonPitStop
Love your beautiful site!
W.
I like the idea of identifying what it is that I need. It’s not usually food, but long years of habits take my mind first to the kitchen. Stopping to THINK: What do I really need? That is helpful! I’m going to try that more often this week.
I bet you’re doing so well! You have such an amazing attitude!
Wendy
Thanks so much for sharing your blog with #chicandstylish me. It’s so nice to hear from you and learn about your life. Please do join again Wendy. xx Jacqui
Thank you Jacqui! I love #chicandstylish!!
Wendy
Love this post Wendy! And yes, diva is a goddess and an opera singer…that’s where it came from! I’m Italian and grew up with the women always complementing each other this way: You look like a Diva, was a huge compliment. It also derives from “divine”:) Love this!! Have a great weekend!
Wow! Lucy thanks for verifying. My grandparents were Italian. My Gram never called me a Diva. I wish she was here so I could ask her about it.
Your style sense is off-the-chart!
Wendy
That is a great idea to ask for no food gifts; my biggest downfall is definitely chocolate and we always have so much of it hanging around after the holidays!
Beautiful chocolate is hard to resist. Saying no food gifts helps the other person and ourselves. Win-Win!!
W.
These are fabulous tips, Wendy! I especially like Pearl #1 about not needing to see the whole trip to accomplish it. Interesting history of the word “diva” too.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you Michelle!
Wendy
I will less guilty about being a diva now, certainly nicer to think of yourself as a goddess who knows what she wants from life! Sim x #TrafficJamWeekend
I’m so glad.Goddess sounds so much better! 🙂
W.
These are great tips. Thanks for sharing your post at the Top of the World Style linkup party.
Thank you Nicole. I love the Top of the World linkup party!
Wendy
I am so a diva in both senses. Love the car light analogy. I’m a believer in taking things bit by bit. And yes, if there is food in my house, I will eat it, if it’s not there, I won’t go out looking for it.
Thanks for linking with #pocolo
Thank you for hosting #pocolo!!
W.
Thank you for linking up with the Ageless Style gals and link up so that I could find you!! I may have been by before but this post spoke straight to my heart, my hips, my brain. Measuring cups!! I need more. Pretty measuring cups?? Who knew. And 2 toaster strudels. I usually have one..7 points on Weight Watchers with a piece of fruit. But there are days when 2 would be right up my alley. Especially the chocolate ones that I am struggling to find after enjoying my first box.
Appreciated the quote about divas and writing. And your tips for loving ourselves and getting what we want. I need a good book, a nap and a walk.
Wow, Leslie, it sounds like you are slaying it! Let me know if you want book titles!
Wendy
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