#SmallSuccess: Quietly Working

Lots of people think I'm an extrovert, but that's not really true.
I talk a lot in public, but it's a facade for nervousness.
Actually, I crave the quiet.

This week I have been working quietly at home following my thyroid surgery.

No, really. I'm being quiet. ish.

Actually, I've been trying to be quiet, but I keep getting excited about stuff and try to talk too much, which hurts my neck, so then I have to be extra quiet. But, I am healing well and things are getting back to what passes for normal around here.

Things that have surprised me this week:
- I can talk. I wasn't expecting this.
- I can sing/hum a very little bit and only in about a four note range. I'm not pushing it, though.
- I can whistle really well. A welcome replacement for singing to myself which I apparently do a lot.
- Homemade white corn meal mush with real butter is delicious. Especially when prepared by my husband.

Since I've been at home with not much to do, I've been working on a few new projects for the Spring and I'm really excited about them. Taking some time to step back and look at the resources and skills I have developed over the past couple of years has helped me set some goals, and I've determined a little more clearly where I'm headed and how to get there.

So, my small successes this week look a little preliminary, but they're a start.

1. I started work on a new set of posts at The Beautiful Music Challenge that talk about the physiology and science behind music and how it helps us pray.

Yep. Science. We are wonderfully made.

You can check out "What Is It About Music?" here.

2. I began my second semester as a junior in college with a request to present a research paper in early May for a collegiate competition. I was thrilled, honored and flattered.

3. I learned that prayer can be just offering up your inability to pray.
Pain (and the meds that control it,) sleep, a hospital roommate watching a marathon of "Say Yes To The Dress" are all great distractions.

4. Started work on a new series for CatholicMom.com that will spotlight visual and performing artists, whether their art is specifically religious in nature or not. We'll be exploring the intimate link between faith and art and meeting lots of new artists in the process. More on the series when we get it rolling! By way of introduction, I'll be writing about the link between Faith and the Artist coming up next week.



So, what are your small successes this week? Following the holidays are you taking stock and laying groundwork like I am? Is just breathing in and out enough of a challenge? (Hey, that's a success! Not breathing has some dire consequences...)
Share your successes in the combox or head over to CatholicMom.com to link up to your blog.