I am working through the first week’s assignments for the Yesterday and Today class with Ali Edwards with my typical determination and focus. As I listen to the first video message, I am struck by the initial assignment to let go of baggage that is holding you back from telling your story.

I think it is serendipity and I am having trouble getting past it. There’s a word of the year thing we “connected” scrappers like to do. My word is Release, and now I find that word speaking to me from a different perspective.

I focus on Ali’s anticipation of our baggage with a list that is bound to speak to each of us in a different way. “Circle the things that are holding you back,” she says. I can do that, and many of statements ring very true to me.Some more than others.

• Thinking I need to have a clean, organized space – and supplies – before I begin
• Thinking – HA! – knowing that there are more important things I should be doing.

It really hadn’t occurred to me that these thoughts were holding me back, and I appreciate the permission to say goodbye to them..

• Thinking way too much.

Oh yeah. Story of my life. And, it’s not just scrapping, or art – it’s everything. I know this is a lifetime quest for me. And, I’m ok with that. It’s part of what makes me who I am.

I have inherently known and struggle with several other things on the list. It’s all good. I can do this. So I just dive in.

Next up? Burn it. The ultimate symbolism of saying goodbye. I’ve done this a time or two in my life, and I know its power.

I also know the power of sharing the experience. I am taking this class with Bec and Cynthia. The tuition was a birthday gift from Cynthia. Bec and I are in constant communication. Discussing it last night, Bec and I decide to do this together in the morning. Virtually, as we do everything else.

Up early this morning, we are waking up and gearing up for the burn. She’s gone to dress, and I’m running the last of the trash out to the curb. I am struck by the symbolism of this being trash day, and I am driven to capture it.

I feel a twinge of apprehension when I realize that there is no way to take this pic of the can being dumped without the trashmen wondering what kind of nut case I am. You know, that really doesn’t bother me. I grin at them and shrug as I raise my camera and get the shot.

I head out back and fill the fire pit with crumpled paper. A test fire. Of course. I want to know that as cold and damp as everything feels, and as windy as it is, this is going to work and I am going to get a decent shot.

Then it strikes me. I am staging. I wonder if this is baggage that I need to think about. That thought may nag at me a bit, and I can live with that.

I run back to check the Instant Messages. Bec is ready.

She in San Antonio, me in Berryville, our minds and actions are joined for a moment in time. I think about the wonder of it as I watch the list burn. And burn it does. The symbolism in the moment and the sharing is powerful.

Like the other classes I have taken, I am going to enjoy this – both the creativity and the process. I will work to release this baggage, and I will complete the project. It will be the start of my story of my Yesterday and Today.