Riding off into the sunset of the year

I have celebrated 9 New Years here on the Waffle, the first one shortly after creating the blog. It is only fitting that I turn off the lights just as the sun is going down on another year.

Nine (and some change) years are like as many decades in the ever-changing world of the internet. It’s been a good run, but everything ends sooner or later. A lot has changed since 2008, and my heart is no longer in the kind of sharing I’ve been doing on here. It’s time to let go.

I’m not going to delete the Waffle; there will be no more content updates, but do feel free to browse around and enjoy what I have shared over time as you need. I’m not disappearing from WP either; I have a couple different projects in the works that are not ready for unveiling yet, so check the Side Projects tab from time to time, if you are so inclined.

Cheers to you all, and see you around!

Music Monday: December roundup

Extra-Christmasy edition!

1. Trans-Siberian Orchestra (402)
2. Anonymous 4 (313)
3. Mediaeval Baebes (120)

Solace in Service

When we feel bad, often our first instinct is to isolate ourselves and focus on what’s upsetting us. Sometimes we really do need some downtime, but many times the best way to get out of the blues quickly is to turn our attention to other people. In being of service to others, paradoxically, we often find answers to our own questions and solutions to our own problems. We also end up feeling more connected to the people around us, as well as empowered by the experience of helping someone.

When we reach out to people we can help, we confirm that we are not alone in our own need for support and inspiration, and we also remind ourselves that we are powerful and capable in certain ways. Even as our own problems or moods get the better of us sometimes, there is always someone else who can use our particular gifts and energy to help them out. They, in turn, remind us that we are not the only people in the world with difficulties or issues. We all struggle with the problems of life, and we all feel overwhelmed from time to time, but we can almost always find solace in service.

In the most ideal situation, the person we are helping sheds light on our own dilemma, sometimes with a direct piece of advice, and sometimes without saying anything at all. Sometimes just the act of getting our minds out of the obsessive mode of trying to figure out what to do about our own life does the trick. Many great inventors and artists have found that the inspiration they need to get to the next level in their work comes not when they’re working but when they’re walking around the block or doing dishes. We do ourselves and everyone else a great service when we take a break from our sorrows and extend ourselves to someone in need.

DailyOM

Wordless Wednesday: The Tor in Winter

Storytime: The Troublesome Tooth Fairy

Year: 2000
Author: Sandi Toksvig
Illustrator: Georgien Overwater

Jessica’s granny wasn’t like other grannies. She never wore a shawl or a flowery dress or sensible shoes to help bad feet. In fact, the day Jessica went to see Granny about her tooth, Granny was wearing a cowboy outfit. Granny was in her kitchen but she wasn’t doing granny things like knitting or cooking. She was dancing. It was a Tuesday and Granny went line dancing on Tuesdays.

‘Granny,’ said Jessica, a bit excited, ‘it’s happened!’

‘That’s wonderful,’ exclaimed Granny. Then she leant forward and whispered, ‘What has?’

Jessica smiled at her. Right in the middle of her mouth was a large gap.

‘My tooth has come out!’

Jessica felt in her pocket and pulled out a small piece of tissue paper. Inside was a small but perfect white tooth, which, that morning, had been helping Jessica to eat an apple.

‘That’s marvellous,’ declared Granny, doing a short tap dance in her cowboy boots. ‘I think this calls for champagne, don’t you?’

Jessica nodded. She knew it wasn’t real champagne but they had the drink in champagne glasses anyway.