Where's the Excellence?

I’ve tried three times to write this post, and I’ve failed every time. I think I’m trying to bring too much together in a small space.

In a nutshell, I’ve seen some of the worst aspects of our modern society in the past weeks, and- I’ve also seen absolutely amazing things. One of the worst aspects was (and still is) dealing with an issue with my phone that the phone company can’t seem to fix. Suddenly, I can’t receive calls. And no one can tell me why. And no one can fix it. I’ve dealt with zombies in a fluorescent big box store for so many hours these past days…. it almost made me go crazy. After this week, I really understand why someone would want to live off the grid.

But then. I was back in my own home- with my two daughters, making food and tea, laughing and sewing and knitting and drawing…

I always seem to come back to simple things. Ancient arts. A salad with lettuce from the garden. Listening to good music in which there is stunning poetry and melody (hard to find, but once in a while, it is out there.) I’m hard to please and easy to please.

Quite frankly, I’m not sure what to do with this world. But I know that I will continue on with this great quote from the movie Nyad: “Where’s the excellence?” It’s my mantra for 2026! Where’s the excellence? ( I can tell you for sure it’s not in the channels of my phone company.)

Can we find excellence in ourselves in the face of crappy things? Can we seek excellence in the small and big things we do? I watch my youngest daughter make a beautiful salad because life is beautiful. Life is beautiful and in response we should strive for excellence in everything we do.

Anyway. Look! We adopted a young man that we named Marvin. He is excellent. Someone dropped him in a dirt yard and left him scared. He was skinny and turned into a pancake when you approached him- all legs out and chin to the ground. He is the sweetest guy we’ve ever met and we love him to pieces! I don’t think he’d ever seen grass before. He thinks grass is the most amazing thing in the world!! He loves our senior Lab and snuggling is his favorite pastime. He doesn’t let his hurtful past drag him down. Marvin manifested us and the universe gave us Marvin. Poof!

There is good and richness and beauty around us. I hope you can feel and see all the magic in yourself and in the world this holiday.

XO

C.