Hi Neighbor!
As a writer, letters and words constantly float around in my mind. Sometimes they make sense. Sometimes they don’t. But when the letters and words come together to form sentences, I have the beginning of a story, and I will not rest until that story unfolds under the guidance of my nimble fingers on the keyboard.
Both a blessing and a curse, this phenomenon most frequently occupies my mind when I am nodding off to sleep. It is a constant game of Boggle or any number of word games floating around in the abyss of my subconscious, gnawing and nagging until I doze off.
Occasionally, a word will stick, and I will repeat it over and over in my mind, trying to make sense of it, questioning how I can understand it, or better yet, how I can utilize this word in my writing since it is not going away until I do.
Such was the case with the word rumination. At a doctor’s appointment a few months ago, I had my choice while sitting in the waiting room: select the current People magazine to find out how the Duchess of Cambridge is dealing with the new decade as she turns 40 OR challenge myself by reading Psychology Today to potentially learn something new. I thought I would be smart, google Kate’s dilemma later, and purposefully select Psychology Today.
Inside the pages of this prestigious publication was a brief snippet about rumination; what it means and how we handle it in our day-to-day life. The article was short enough that I finished it while waiting for the doctor and short enough where I could retain the information until I could rid myself of the word. Rumination; it has stuck with me ever since.
According to Dictionary.com, rumination is a noun defined as: 1. The act or pondering or musing on something, or 2. The act or process of chewing the cud, like a cow. For the purpose of this brief discussion, let’s go with meaning Number One (hee-hee). We can all relate to focusing on something perhaps too long (i.e., words in my head!) where it becomes worrisome or obsessive. Hold on. This is where psychology comes in.
In order to keep ourselves from going down the proverbial rabbit hole of turning rumination into a negative obsession, we need to channel that energy elsewhere. If we cannot get negative thoughts out of our head, take a break from ruminating and…go fly a kite! But seriously, get yourself busy with a task that will take your mind away from pondering whether your son is going to make a team at school or if your daughter is going to get into the college of her choice. No good can come from the worry we cannot control.
So…take the negative vibe and turn it into something positive. It doesn’t have to be huge, and it doesn’t have to be all-encompassing; it just needs to be distracting. Fold laundry, walk the dog, write a letter, work on a puzzle, call a friend, shop online, bake cookies, ride a bike, listen to music - whatever makes you happy and cleanses your mind. Simplify. Do not take on unnecessary worry.
Conversely, if you are stuck on rumination, make it positive. Channel images of a long-awaited family vacation or the professional proofs for your senior’s yearbook photo or the glee of Grandparents’ Day for your preschooler. If rumination makes you smile, go for it. If not, find that kite and fly it high!
Oh, and in case you are wondering what I do with rumination overload in my own life, well, you guessed it. Word games. Any and every time I need a break to recharge and refocus. I cannot get away from the words inside my head. Sigh.
Now, go fly a kite! Jackie
🎉 Follow us on Instagram 📎 Advertise with us.
|
What the Main Line is talking about! The Main Line is abuzz with a new sushi spot, an eco-friendly way to stock up on household essentials, a surprise opening (and closing) of a controversial business in Radnor and more…
READ MORE
Got a scoop for In the Loop? E-mail kate@mainlineneighbors.com.
|
CLASSIC ROCK TRIBUTES FOR THE AGES
POPS Rocks Let It Be
Friday, March 11 @ 8:00 pm; Saturday, March 12 @ 3:00 pm; Sunday, March 13 @ 3:00 pm
Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia
The Philly POPS celebrate The Fab Four’s final album Let It Be as it turns 50 this year. Join the celebration to hear the hits from this iconic album. Details
Deconstructing Bowie: Freedom in Eccentricity
Through April 3
National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia
Once again, the City of Brotherly Love honors the eclectic David Bowie with the fifth annual Philly Loves Bowie Week. The exhibit honors Bowie’s legacy through music and art and the boundaries he pushed that inspired others who followed in his footsteps. Details
Pink Floyd: The Wall
Tuesday, March 8, 7:00 pm
Bryn Mawr Film Institute, Bryn Mawr
Experience the 1982 rock opera The Wall featuring the music and vision of the iconic band Pink Floyd. Unavailable on streaming services, do not miss this cult classic as the film celebrates its 40th anniversary. Details
|
BIG EVENTS IN THE CITY
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: East Regional
Friday, March 25 @ 5:00 pm Sunday, March 27 @ 12:00 pm
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
March Madness comes to town as the Wells Fargo Center is host to the Big East portion of the tournament. Get your game face on as you won’t want to miss the excitement Details
Philadelphia Auto Show
March 5 -13, Various Hours
Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia
The Auto Show is back in town with classic and exotic vehicles on display plus an all-new indoor electric vehicle track. There is something for everyone in this jam-packed show. Details
|
CALLING ALL KIDS
Please Touch Museum
Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
If you haven’t been to the Please Touch Museum in a while, you do not know what you are missing! The newly revamped Market Exhibit is open and ready for your family to explore at double the size as before. Details
Smith Memorial Playground
Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
After a two-year renovation, the three-story, 100-year-old Smith Memorial Playground is once again open for families to visit and partake in unstructured play. Enjoy the upgrades…and the fun! Details
PECO Family Jams: Scrap-Work Tapestries
Sunday, March 13, 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Philadelphia’s Magic Garden, Philadelphia
The Magic Garden is thrilled to offer their first hands-on art-making experience in two years. Participants can rummage through piles of fabric, ribbon and buttons to create their own wall tapestry. Details
Butterfly Guy with Rick Mikula
Saturday, March 17, 2:00 pm
Radnor Library, Wayne
Join legendary Butterfly Guy Rick Mikula as he brings over 35-years of experience with these winged beauties to the library for a very special presentation. Details
Bubble Trouble
Saturday, March 26th
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Steel River Playhouse, Pottstown
A bubble extravaganza with bubble sculpture, fog filled bubbles, a kid in a bubble, featuring comedy, music, and interactive bubble-magic, Jeff Boyer’s shows are a hit at performing arts centers and festivals…anywhere there is air! Ticket purchase online. Details
|
Pee Wee Music Classes
Tuesdays (through March 15th)
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Sing-a-longs, stories, encourage singing, dancing, and playing along with the music, led by Philadelphia Folksong Society’s Wee Folk teacher Molly Hebert-Wilson. Details
Teen Orienteering Event
Sunday, April 24th
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Willows Park, Villanova
Hike through the woods using a detailed map and a compass to find points in the landscape. Intro course led by Delaware Valley Orienteering Association. Details
Candle Making Class
Saturday, March 19th
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Hawk Mountain, Kempton
Teens 12 years and up create soy and wax candles with a springtime scent. Details
|
HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?
Volunteer: Seasonal Gardening
Thursday, March 10, 9:30 – 11:00 am
Stoneleigh, Villanova
Volunteers can join staff members to prep the gardens at Stoneleigh by weeding, planting, and mulching for a few hours on this glorious morning. Bring your gardening gloves! Details
Dueling Crops: A Virtual Discussion on Vegetables
Wednesday, March 23, 1:00 pm, Virtual
Chanticleer, Wayne
Join fellow gardeners for a lively discussion on individual approaches to planting fruits, vegetables, and herbs in time for the upcoming spring season. This virtual program will be led by Aaron Bertelsen and David Mattern. Details
|
SEARCHING FOR A POT OF GOLD
Ninth Annual Shake Your Shamrock Run
Sunday, March 13, 10:45 am
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska
This fun run has entry levels for all types of runners from an 8K to a Little Leprechaun half mile run for kids. Sign up now to join in the fun and fresh air! Details
St. Paddy’s unWINEd Weekend
Friday, March 11 – Sunday, March 13
Shadybrook Farm, Yardley
Participate in the fun and festivities all weekend long as Shadybrook Farm delivers with everything Irish: music, dancing, food and drinks. Don’t miss the celebration that comes ‘round once a year! Details
Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 12, 12:00 pm
Springfield, Delaware County
It has been a long two-year wait, but the best parade in DelCo is back, bigger and better than ever! Wear your green and may the luck of the Irish be with you! Details
Conshohocken St. Patrick’s Parade
Saturday, March 12, 2:00 pm
Fayette Street, Conshohocken
Montgomery County will shine in green as this annual tradition is slated to be held this year. Thousands flock for the fun, so be sure to secure your place on the parade route. Details
|
ARTISTS SHOW & TELL
Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition
Deadline for entries: Monday, April 4th
Main Line Center of the Arts, Haverford
2nd Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Believe in Tomorrow invites all adult sculptors to apply with 1-3 pieces of work. Details
Enter Juried Art Exhibition
Deadline: April 30th
Cerulean Arts, Philadelphia
Area artists are invited to enter Cerulean’s 10th annual juried exhibition with cash prize awards. All works will be for sale. Details
Gallery Talk
Thursday, March 10th
7:30 PM, Virtual
Center for Art in Wood
Winter Residency Fellow, Philadelphian Robert Aiosa, exhibits his work created over the two months of the program. Details
|
DON’T MISS EVENTS
Author Erik Larson Event
Wednesday, March 9th
8:00 PM, Virtual
Tredyffrin Library
Best selling author Erik Larson is featured in this online fund-raising event. Premium packages available until February 28th and include a signed copy of “The Splendid and the Vile”, library branded tea tin and chocolates. Proceeds from the event benefit the Library. Details
Run for the Horses
Saturday, April 9, 1:00 PM
Ryerss Farm, Pottstown
A run and walk at Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines to benefit the 80 retired and rescued horse residents. 10K run, 5K run and 1 mile walk. Details
|
SHOWTIME!
Radnor High School presents MAMA MIA!
March 3rd - March 5th
Radnor High School, Radnor
ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. Details
|
|
The Baldwin School develops bright, talented girls into confident, accomplished women with vision, global understanding and the determination to make enduring contributions to the world.
baldwinschool.org
|
Colorectal cancer can be prevented. Screening tests like colonoscopy can find and remove precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) before they turn into cancer.
Main Line Health
|
This lecture, titled How Cities Affect Weather-Climate Systems, is free and open to the public but registration is required.
Register at friendscentral.org.
|
RCA provides evidence-based treatment led by an expert, caring team of medical professionals who will help you begin, and maintain, a life in recovery.
TheDevonDifference.com
RCA provides evidence-based treatment led by an expert, caring team of medical professionals who will help you begin, and maintain, a life in recovery.
TheDevonDifference.com
|
Malvern Prep is an independent Augustinian school for young men in grades 6 through 12, defined by the Augustinian values of Truth, Unity, and Love.
malvernprep.org/learnmore
|
At Cathedral Village – a life plan community – you can expect a supportive community of new friends, hobbies and more.
Learn More
|
🙋 WHO WE ARE! MainLine Neighbors, a women-owned company, has been delivering local information to the community for over 15 years.
Want to partner with us? Email us for packages!
|
|