Life Lessons Archives - Elin Stebbins Waldal

Make a Splash

Jan 10, 2016 By elinwaldal 29 Comments

The alarm sounds, the mind wakes up, and unless we are on vacation, our to-do list unfurls itself in our head. We roll out of bed and think, what do I have to do today? The unfurled list follows us to the bathroom. Joins us in the shower and then rides shotgun as we make our way through […]

Empty Bowls

Nov 8, 2015 By elinwaldal 3 Comments

Too old to climb stairs, mornings begin with a welcome sigh of relief from our dog, Chinook; she sleeps at the base of them on her bed, and although I pretend her eager tail wag is a euphoric response to my arrival downstairs, the truth is, she is all about her empty bowls. The first order […]

Pictures of You, Pictures of Me

Mar 13, 2015 By elinwaldal 22 Comments

The Kodak paper envelope with its signature yellow color is as familiar as my reflection once was. And I feel my heart sink just a little when I realize there is not one picture of me in the 36 images from the developed role. It was 17 years ago. Other than I was the one […]

When Failure is the Solution

Jan 9, 2015 By elinwaldal 5 Comments

It’s been a long 5 weeks. Now, with the clarity that only comes from getting through a rough patch, I feel relieved to be in a quiet room alone with my thoughts and my computer. Had you asked me on December 1, 2014, if some of the goals I set for myself for the final month […]

4 Ways to Shift Internal Chatter

Dec 6, 2014 By Elin Stebbins Waldal 15 Comments

I have found 4 ways to shift what I think of as “my internal chatter,” for the better. In keeping with the theme of “joy” in this months NaBloPoMo challenge, I thought I would share them with you today. Because sharing stuff that works brings me joy. We all have it — that little voice inside our head — […]

Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Nov 28, 2014 By elinwaldal 15 Comments

Yesterday I posted an essay called, Grandma’s Sweet Rolls, which really was more a story about Grandma than her rolls. Today I am giving you her potato cinnamon rolls recipe. Word of warning: this is not a recipe for calorie counters, health fanatics or sugar busters. Nor is it a recipe for individuals who possess zero […]

Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.

Nov 26, 2014 By elinwaldal 24 Comments

This short film, Nature. Beauty. Gratitude., created by Louie Schwartzberg, encapsulates gratitude in such an extraordinary way. I am grateful for your presence here and wish you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!