Eclectic is defined as “Deriving ideas, style, or tastes from a broad and diverse range of sources.” An eclectic is a person who lives by that definition, bringing together diverse ideas or items and putting them together in interesting ways.
Eclectic comes from the Greek words ek – out and legein – choose, meaning, literally to choose or pick out.
I consider myself an eclectic and as I moved through this day, that’s the word that kept coming to mind as I encountered gratitudes.
Lunch with Aubrey
Before the fall school semester ends, with Christmas break, I intend to have lunch or an early dinner with each of my grandkids. I began with granddaughter Aubrey today.
Keeping with my theme here, I have an eclectic mix of grandchildren. Each child is wonderfully unique. I love seeing them developing their perspectives and growing into their gifts and talents.
At age ten, Aubrey is currently my youngest grandchild. She has always been older than her actual years. In the last few months she’s entered a new level of maturity, as she balances on the cusp of her teen years.
We had a sweet lunch together at her school, talking about a broad range of topics that included art, fashion, the holidays and friends. I am grateful for Aubrey and her broad and deep ideas about life.
A New Idea, Reworked
After finishing online work this afternoon, I chose to stay in my studio and decorate it next for Christmas. I had one box full of dècor for this room, and I once again enjoyed the convenience of having all the items together.
Last year I implemented a change that continues this year, with modifications. In years past, as I unpacked Christmas items I used the emptied boxes as storage for my everyday pieces. It was a good idea, for many years. However, the heavy boxes got more and more difficult to hoist up onto their high storage shelves. And because I wasn’t as organized as I am this year, it was a bit chaotic finding everything when it was time to reset the rooms after Christmas. I dug through a lot of boxes, hunting.
Last year I tried something different. Rather than pack my everyday dècor in the emptied Christmas boxes, I stashed them in the room they belonged in, out of sight. So in my studio, the regular decorations, photos, art supplies, etc. went into drawers or into the closet. Empty Christmas storage containers were much easier to lift back up onto their shelves and after the holidays I knew where my regular items were. Okay…I knew where most of them were. A couple of times I had to think really hard about where I stuck something!
This year, I tweaked that idea.
Eclectic Christmas Decorating
Rather than hide away all of my everyday stuff, I incorporated as much of it as I could into the Christmas dècor, creating very eclectic vignettes. Coloring books and colored pencils partnered with a row of metal Christmas trees, as did Harry Potter books, a framed quote and a black lion. I tied the odd mix of items together with colors.
I repeated this process throughout the room and I’m extremely happy with the results! Not only did I stash less, I combined pieces in new ways that appeal to me. One of my favorite groupings is the trio of Christmas trees…with pieces from my outdoor fairy garden! It makes me smile.
I couldn’t quite figure out an appropriate place for Absolem, my caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland, and his mushroom…but I’m still thinking on it. Grateful I am for a fun and fresh way to decorate.
Eclectic Real Estate
An odd mix of styles was definitely present in the house I showed to clients this evening. My buyers would happily consider themselves eclectic as well. We had a hilarious moment as we toured a big house that has been added onto over the years.
It was cold and dark, and although electricity was on in the vacant house, as we moved deeper into the older section the light fixtures did not have lightbulbs. Mr. Buyer clicked on a small flashlight and walked ahead of the rest of us, through a series of small dark rooms until he entered a doorway into the last room.
He suddenly made a startled sound and stumbled back out, clutching his chest. Laughing he said he nearly had a heart attack and without telling us why, made the rest of the group come and look into the room.
I could see why he cried out, as I cautiously peeked around the corner. There appeared to be a man standing there in the darkened room, holding a gun! On closer inspection, it turned out to be a life sized cardboard stand up of Hans Solo. Whew.
I’m grateful for interesting showings and clients who have a sense of humor.
An Eclectic Dinner
Even my meal tonight was an eclectic mix of foods that don’t typically go together, ever. Into my dinner bowl went leftovers from Thanksgiving Day and two different lunches.
I refuse to waste food. Therefore my meal consisted of leftover vegan Thai food, a succotash made from non-GMO lima beans and corn, a spoonful of raw cranberry relish, and a big portion of raw chopped veggie salad, both from last Thursday’s meal.
You know what? It was good! The cool tangy cranberry relish perfectly countered the spicy hot Thai food. I grinned as I ate and thought about my eclectic day.
I value and appreciate diversity in my life. Combining things in new creative ways is fun for me and positively challenges me. My life is eclectic on so many different levels as I collect and embrace a mix of beliefs and entertain broad thoughts, bringing them all together in a way that works beautifully for me.
I love my eclectic life. It is, most assuredly, a lifestyle that I choose.
Start your own eclectic Christmas collection with this fun set of Starfish Christmas Trees!
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