A Little Spark

My dear blogging buddy Deb wrote a fabulous post this week about courage and singing.  It was enchanting and enjoyable and reminded me of a silly chanteuse moment, years ago where I embarrassed myself but lived through it.  Here’s the post: Falling in Avignon.  If you read, promise you won’t think less of me.  And if you do, don’t tell me.  Deal?  Delusions are okay and today I’m thinking I’m okay.  Let’s not mess with my vibe. 

But ya know what? If you DO think less of me, I’m not sure I’ll care.  At least not as much as I might’ve a few years ago.  I’m learning that my ‘little spark of madness’ is one of my…umm….’gifts’ and I find myself leaning into being ME. Sometimes quirky without trying to offend, I think of it as putting a premium on joy so I can silence my inner critic.  Robin Williams encouraged me, so maybe he’s a beyond-the-grave co-conspirator?

That noisy voice in my head still chirps about who I may…or may not…have offended, ignored, slighted, irked, annoyed.  You get the idea.  But I’ve learned to turn down the volume and make peace with myself.  Said another way, I think I’m coming to terms with my very own brand of joie de vivre.

Thank you, Merriam-Webster. “Vitalizing energy and zest”?  Yes. More please!

Have you done something recently (or in your past) that you’d classify as stupid silly? Maybe a mistake or a moment that you regret…but the further you get from it the more you can dismiss the transgression and give yourself a little grace? I did something like that this week…and apologized straight away but I’m still shoulder shrugging and chalking it up to me being me. Silly without intent to harm. I should come with a warning label:

“Mistakes will happen. No offense intended. It’s just my joie de vivre.”

You’ll understand when you read about my latest whoops on Heart of the Matter.

-Vicki 🥰



48 responses to “A Little Spark”

  1. Well, Vicki, if you come with a warning label, the next question is, exactly where is it located? 😉 Some number of offenses are inevitable. My guess is that your friends find you delightful in part because you are offbeat. Cheers to you and your sense of humor!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Aren’t you the funny one, right out of the gate this morning! Hmm…great question. Where…indeed?? Thanks for the giggle to start my day. 😉🥰😉

      Liked by 1 person

  2. […] and trying to make peace with myself.  If you’re up for another chuckle, take a peek at Victoria Ponders.  Avignon embarrassment, wisdom from Robin Williams…just a click […]

    Liked by 1 person

  3. This one earns the Post of the Year award! Who can’t relate to doing something embarrassingly stupid simple and feeling like a fool? You give us all permission to go thou and do likewise, and rise up from the cringies with head held high in spite of ourselves. God bless you Vicki for your courage and humor! 👏🌹💕

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Oh, Jules! Thank you for being one of those “Voices in My Head” cheering me on. Never was there a better title for a book. You’re my hero! 😉❤️😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I just reread your Falling in Avignon piece and it had me hysterics. It reminded me of the embarrassing story that my daughter loves to tell of my klutz-worthy moment in Disney World. I stumbled and there was nothing to grab ahold of except the shoulders of a small stranger walking directly in front of me. I steered the poor little guy every which way until I finally regained my balance, let go, and apologized to him and his horrified mother. My daughter the onlooker waffled between horror and hysterics.

        Like

  4. It just irks me when people are constantly feigning false modesty, false vulnerability, false anything to win people over. Just be yourself.
    It’s impossible to like everything about any person. That’s the beautiful thing about love and friendships, people may not agree with you or what you’re doing and you still like them or love them.
    People who get mad over one stupid thing and then hate someone are assholes. Life isn’t about walking on eggshells.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Cheers to THAT, Maryanne! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I am pretty sure my Ancestry DNA says something about a klutz gene as it is alive and well in our family. My children have often threatened to wrap me in bubble wrap so I definitely got a chuckle out of your post. I have fallen in public more often than I care to remember but I blame it on my feet. They always get in the way of where I want to go and the speed in which I want to get there.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. That’s a beautiful way of giving yourself a little grace, Maggie! Your feet simply can’t keep up with you, LOL. I’m gonna borrow that thought. xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I’ve said many stupid silly things… and my family members roll their eyes at me 🙂 And I like your idea of a warning label of “Silly without intent to harm.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Dave. Yep…warning labels — that way if we forget to apologize in advance, we’re covered by a disclaimer. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Huh, I don’t think that’s a warning label – it’s an advertisement!! And “Silly without intent to harm.” A delightful sentence that makes the point perfectly! Love you and your incredible wisdom to turn down the volume on those external judgments!! You are incredible, dear Vicki!! ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Look at you…always so endearing and supportive. Advertisement instead of a warning?! That’s a quintessential “Wynne-spin” and I LOVE it. xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Love your graphic, that is exactly what I to myself -glad I’m not alone.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ah…thanks, Renee! Nice to meet you. 😊😊😊

      Like

  9. Well thanks for the shout out, and for not asking me to come on the podcast and redo my audition song for you and Wynne 😉 That would shut down the operation for sure!

    This is perfect: “If you DO think less of me, I’m not sure I’ll care. At least not as much as I might’ve a few years ago.” Embrace who you are at this stage in life and OWN IT lady! We’ve all had those klutz moments and they do become fodder for residual teasing, but when you laugh along there’s the acknowledgment of human-ness and acceptance being shouted to the world. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re welcome…and thank you! I love that you like this ‘resting place’ I’ve found. Took me a while…LOL. But it feels good. And….are you giving Wynne and I an opening to gently coax you into a podcast if you DO NOT need to sing? Oh…we can think of many other topics. No singing required — but you’d need to put up with the giggles that invariably arrive. 🤣😎🤣

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh my…I did sort of crack open that podcast door in a way… 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Oh…Oh…Oh! Adding it to my list of meeting topics when Wynne and I chat this week! Yay! Stay tuned for more developments…
          🥰😎🥰

          Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! 😉❤️😉

      Like

  10. I loved this post and the one you linked too. I don’t think less of you. I’ve had plenty of my own spills and embarrassments. Today, getting ready for houseguests, I was rushing through the kitchen door and slammed it on my own finger. How did I manage that? Having my back turned and my other hand in the doorway. Ugh!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Ouch and yikes! So easy to do when we’re not moving “body and mind” at the same time. Take care of yourself and enjoy your houseguests! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m getting ready early and post about it tomorrow. It may be the bride and groom!

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Ohhhhh! Can’t wait to hear more! Hugs—big hugs!
          🥰🥰🥰

          Liked by 1 person

  11. Stupid silly. You’ve captured my life right there Vicki. You can find me just about anywhere being stupid or silly but I know there’s no way I can be both and pull it off as adorably as you.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Aren’t you kind. See? You’re pointing out that I have multi-tasking talents! Woohoo! Stupid and silly just go together. 😜

      Liked by 1 person

      1. The best kind of multi-tasking!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Yes, Victoria I love this about you – “I think I’m coming to terms with my very own brand of joie de vivre.” 💖💖💖

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, sweet Mary. What I love about you? You see me and we share these little moments of awareness and giggles. The stuff of life, I say. Thanks for being YOU. 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Ooh, joie de vivre is a new-to-me phrase, and it’s great! My life is a series of stupid silly moments, and I’ve learned to laugh at myself and embrace ’em. That’s seems to switch life almost instantaneously from “hard” to “easy” mode, no matter what’s going on. Not minding other’s opinion is a pro life tip!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Well, first — I can’t believe the phrase “joie de vivre” is new to you. Second…learn early, dear one. You don’t want to be wrestling with this stuff decades later, re: ignoring the opinions of others. Go, Erin! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

    2. At first I was going to focus in on the “My life is a series of stupid silly moments” sentence. Then I finished reading the full comment and, well? Now I’m going with: Ditto, especially just the last week or so! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  14. I read all your posts and oh my! Falling off the risers and taking everyone with you… was not your fault because of the darn gap. And then you were so happy to see James! Once again… not your fault to be thrilled to see him.
    Now for witchy woman and mums… sounds like something I would do as well. We have our moments and we have been forgiven. Because everyone who knows us… knows we are loving and kind! Right?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, Nancy! Thank you so much for taking the time to read all of my silly stuff. Means a lot! And I love that you can relate and laugh along with me. Happy Monday, friend! 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  15. When you say “don’t think less of me, but if you do, don’t tell me”- curiosity goes to 100% 😁 I’ll read the post…. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. LOL! Report back! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Yup, turn down the volume and make peace with yourself. Which means for the rest of us, we get a great look at life and a laugh of understanding to boot! Thank you!!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh gosh…thank YOU for reading! 😜😉😜

      Liked by 1 person

  17. I have the same joie de vivre as you do. I mean no harm, but people, especially sullen ones, do not like some things I do. Oh well, says I.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I hear you about that. Cranky folks…those sullen ones. It does a body good to crack a smile, I say. Thanks for feeling the same! xo, Ally! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  18. We might as well laugh at ourselves, or somebody else will.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh….truer words never spoken! 🥰❤️🥰

      Like

Leave a reply to Dave Williams Cancel reply

“Surviving Sue”, a special story about resiliency and love: Eckhartz Press (paperback) and eBook on Amazon.

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue

Visit Resources on Atkinson Group Solutions for more.

Podcasts

Listen to the “Sharing the Heart of the Matter” podcast.

You can find our podcast on Apple, Amazon, Spotify and Pocket Casts.  Please subscribe!

Workshops

Chicago Writers Association Speakers BureauWriting for Wellness; Navigating Elder Care with Grace & Humor; How to Create a Writing Platform; AI for Caregivers

About Me

Learn about five books that inspired and supported my writing journey by visiting my personalized book review page on Shepherd.

BLOG ARCHIVES

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!