There Is a Hummingbird in the Room
A name change, a watercolor gathering, and the foundation being laid.
It’s 2:58am and I’m awake.
I had dental surgery yesterday, went to bed very early, just couldn’t sleep anymore, and here I am.
Birdsong is very calming to me, and because the birds aren’t even up yet, I listened to this.
Thought you might like to listen as well.
In my last newsletter, I shared that I’m working on some changes to my Substack publication. I’m in full building mode. Whether you’ve been here a while or recently subscribed to Gather & Pause, you may start to notice things changing - the structure and, more notably, the publication name.
Let’s address the hummingbird in the room first.
She's the reason for the name change, and I'll share her full story very soon. For now, I want you to know I’ve changed my name from Gather & Pause to The Hummingbird Nest.
Part of building this nest has meant finding the right guides along the way. If you’re in a season of building something of your own, building a nest might just be what you need. Lise-Lotte Design helped me build mine. You can find her workshop here. Make a Nest Video Workshop.
I’m planning a special gathering where the hummingbird story will unfold. It will take place sometime in the latter part of May. I’m excited to have Chris Vabre, a watercolor artist and owner of Octopus Connection, lead us in watercolor painting. Guess what we’ll be painting? If you guessed a hummingbird, you’re right. I’ll share plenty of advance notice, so you can save a spot on your calendar and gather your supplies.
In the meantime, part of my building process has been laying the foundation. The forms are in place, and the floor has been poured. This has been inspired by a beautiful invitation from Lucy - Press Publish to create first a directional mood board which answers the question: How do I want women to feel when they arrive in my world? Then my mood board was turned into a brand vision board.
Here’s my vision board. I would love to know how it makes you feel, and I would be thrilled if you could share in the comments.
Warmly,
Kathy
If you feel moved, I’d be grateful if you like this post with a ❤️, share a thought in the comments, buy me a coffee, or pass it along to someone who might enjoy a pause. Each small gesture helps this quiet space reach others who may need it.
Hi Kathy.
Here I am in a Pause moment. Your keen thinking has noted my pondering at the paradox. My body may be at rest but my mind is busy busy!
As I sit in my morning pause at my patio table, sometime the Anna’s hummingbird(s) fly right under the umbrella to within an arms reach. They hover, almost still, but with wings fluttering so very fast, and they look at me. No, I’m not a flower with nectar, only a bright coloured inanimate object that moves. And zip! They are gone!
For me the Pause gives me energy. It takes energy to pause. So I could think that the pause IS the energy. As fully sentient beings can it be otherwise?
(My former philosophy group gathering would have loved this conversation!)
As to what energy looks like for me right now, because my body is healing, more time pausing than physical movement seems to how energy is being used.
The colours you have chosen are quite pretty, but they make me feel sleepy. I gravitate towards the bright crayon box colours, or beautiful, clear, jewel tones. I need energy! The hummingbird has so much energy!
It’s like a reminder to pause and a reminder to be busy, and I like that.