Ann Imig's Blog, page 5
April 30, 2018
#30BrighterDays reminder for the fearful and anxious
I have a mostly sunny disposition. I think. Partly sunny with a 70% chance of scowl, says the quotation mark engraved between my eyebrows.
On the flip-side of the intense gratitude I feel for my very good life, lurks fear and anxiety. It seems almost as if I have IT’S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE tattooed on the inside of my forehead, right where my third eye can fixate (on the rare occasion it pauses the monitoring of kid Xbox minutes).
How easily I forget the brightness possible with each turn of a new page. Maybe you do, too. 
Tickets are on sale now for my new show (Thursday evening 6/21) YOU AGAIN: an evening of songs and stories to benefit MOMS DEMAND ACTION. Enjoy Broadway favorites and original stories about midlife, marriage, and motherhood–with accompanist Mark Wurzelbacher–all in support of MOMS DEMAND ACTION gun violence prevention efforts. Venue is small and seating is limited! Buy tickets here. https://youagain.brownpapertickets.com/
April 28, 2018
Brightness Falls #30BrighterDays
“Mom, you have more white hairs than ever. In the next two or three years you’re gonna go entirely grey.”
I fully agree with Thomas Nashe. I let my $8.00 root touch-up kit work it’s magic anyhow.
Tickets are on sale now for my new show (Thursday evening 6/21) YOU AGAIN: an evening of songs and stories to benefit MOMS DEMAND ACTION. Enjoy Broadway favorites and original stories about midlife, marriage, and motherhood–with accompanist Mark Wurzelbacher–all in support of MOMS DEMAND ACTION gun violence prevention efforts. Venue is small and seating is limited! Buy tickets here. https://youagain.brownpapertickets.com/
April 27, 2018
Parents Are Shuttles #30BrighterDays
***
Yesterday my son couldn’t find his school-issued pedometer. When it doesn’t get utilized for long periods, it goes to another student for a turn. He had one more day to use it again before losing the fitbit to the next kid.
He and his dad searched his room before bedtime the night before with no luck. I scanned countertops and drawers, wondering if the cat got it and buried it with his other treasures beneath our bed.
In the morning, I asked him what jacket he wore last time he had it on. He immediately knew where to find it– the pocket of his winter coat. Ta-da! Found it.
I said “jacket?” and he said “pocket,” our brains untangling the knot in the same moment.
Tickets are on sale now for my new show (Thursday evening 6/21) YOU AGAIN: an evening of songs and stories to benefit MOMS DEMAND ACTION. Enjoy Broadway favorites and original stories about midlife, marriage, and motherhood–with accompanist Mark Wurzelbacher–all in support of MOMS DEMAND ACTION gun violence prevention efforts. Venue is small and seating is limited! Buy tickets here. https://youagain.brownpapertickets.com/follow
April 26, 2018
Spring #30BrighterDays
Last night I led a #30BrighterDays workshop here in town at the DreamBank. Each attendee left with their own customized 30-day practice (and journal); practice simply for practice sake, rather than practice with an over-focus on outcomes. The goal is the process, the process is the goal. One person chose a practice of daily acceptance for her difficult circumstances, one woman plans to make dates with brightness– checking out museums and maybe learning a new dance or two on YouTube. Others decided to simply take note of brightness every day around them.
When I created #30BrighterDays in November, I found that practice helped free me from stuck feelings and opened my perspective and my life to possibility.
Even if you couldn’t join us for the workshop, you can still participate. What does brightness mean to you? Spending time outdoors? Taking photos? Knitting or crafting? Connection with others? How could you turn that in to a 30-day practice? Daily meditation (deep breathing, coloring, prayer, listening to guided meditation or music)? Physical activity (walking, dancing, stretching, swimming)? Setting up regular dates with loved ones, or plans to explore new social settings/circles? How about simply HAVE MORE FUN? I forget about fun! Your practice can be as big or small as feels doable to you, and you can follow along online and join in by searching/using the hashtag #30BrighterDays (no spaces) online.
In prepping for the event I curated a long list of quotes about brightness, which I will pull from over the next month as I return to a regular writing practice here on the blog and/or on Facebook. See you tomorrow.
Tickets are on sale now for my new show (Thursday evening 6/21) YOU AGAIN: an evening of songs and stories to benefit MOMS DEMAND ACTION. Enjoy Broadway favorites and original stories about midlife, marriage, and motherhood–with accompanist Mark Wurzelbacher–all in support of MOMS DEMAND ACTION gun violence prevention efforts. Venue is small and seating is limited! Buy tickets here. https://youagain.brownpapertickets.com/
April 24, 2018
YOU AGAIN. NEW SHOW! ONE NIGHT ONLY!! (and for a good cause)
SMALL VENUE, LIMITED SEATING, DON’T WAIT TO BUY TICKETS!
Tickets are on sale for YOU AGAIN, the new show I created and will perform Thursday evening June 21 at 7pm at Oakwood Theater as a benefit for MOMS DEMAND ACTION – WISCONSIN (a grass-roots bipartisan anti-gun violence organization)!!
From Ann Imig, award-winning writer, performer, and founder of LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER comes an evening of songs and stories to benefit MOMS DEMAND ACTION. Enjoy Broadway favorites and original stories about midlife, marriage, and motherhood–with accompanist Mark Wurzelbacher–all in support of MOMS DEMAND ACTION gun violence prevention efforts.
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February 28, 2018
Do What’s a Blast
The HerStories Project serves as a writing community for women, rich in resources and opportunities (and they pay their writers). The founders–powerhouse talents Stephanie Sprenger and Jessica Smock–asked me to write a post for their site relaunch that explores what it means to be a woman at midlife. I wrote about my re-acquaintance with FUN and the essay also gives you a teaser about a brand new show I’m developing! More on that to come, but save the evening of Thursday June 21st, locals.
In the meantime, maybe you need a little reminder to do what’s a blast. I know I did.
In childhood, fun is a primary motivation. By midlife I’d completely erased it from the equation. Fun doesn’t look for external validation. Fun needs no permission. Fun holds no barometer for success. (Fun IS the reason you guys). Read more here.
February 13, 2018
Hmong “Galentines”
As much as I appreciate the romantic notions of Valentine’s Day, I most welcome the opportunity to celebrate family and friendship. Last night Takeyla (of We Write Too) and I got to participate in a uniquely fun and meaningful Valentine’s Day party at Kajsiab House. In 2017 our Madison LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER show supported Kajsiab House women’s support group– a place where multi-generational Hmong women come together for peer socializing and support**
With the LTYM funds raised and a matching grant, this past summer the women took a three-day weekend trip to the Wisconsin Dells. They rented cabins, went swimming, played mini-golf, went shopping and enjoyed what served for most of them as the first girlfriends trip they’ve ever taken.
We knew the women wanted to give us a small thank you, but there was nothing small about it. We joined them for a Hmong feast (complete with rice and noodles leftovers my kids gobbled up–the ultimate gift for a busy parent). They shared stories of meaningful Valentine’s moments- a step-mom whose kids celebrated her as a mother for the first time, a woman who helped a family member out of an abusive situation. We did a speed-dating style activity in pairs, taking turns delivering kind and loving words to our partners. Some of the women knew the English words for “welcome” and “thank you,” and I repeated after them the Hmong words for “smile,” “laugh,” and “beautiful hat”–whatever struck me about the human facing me.
Thankfully, hugging needs no translator. We took full advantage.
Whenever I sit with this group I become keenly aware of how hard it would be at this point in my life–as a middle-aged mother– to learn a vastly different language and acclimate to a foreign culture. It requires extra energy and attention to stay present with a group when you don’t fit-in or understand, and it affects your confidence and sense of self– even with translators, even in a welcoming social situation (versus, say, fleeing violence and war as a grieving widow and trying to find safety, then create a life for your family).
The women gave roses to each other and practiced what they might like to say to their loved one. Singing and hilarity co-mingled with the recognition that this American holiday stretches a people not accustomed to this type of open display of affection. The exercise served a function, and these ladies were definitely game.
For privacy reasons I cannot share photos of the women, but look at these gifts!! The handmade tapestry and needle work brought me to tears as did the many acts of kindness. How do you say thank you for such a thank you? I think sometimes the most gracious thank you includes receiving–openly, fully present, and with love.
This post is not sponsored, except by profound gratitude. If you feel inspired, you can donate to Kajsiab House here and designate the funds for the Kajisab House Women’s Support group.
**A high percentage of Hmong elders live with severe health problems, such as depression, post- traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain that were caused by their war and refugee experiences. These experiences impact the family as well– children born as refugees became the first English speakers and their children became first-generation Americans.
January 16, 2018
9 women singing the same song (bust open any notion of creative scarcity)
Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, Katie Finneran, Beth Howland (aka Vera on the 1980s sitcom Alice) Madeline Kahn, Patti LuPone, Jayma Mays, Jane Shaw, Sophie Thompson — nine dazzling different women– sing Stephen’s Sondheim’s “I’m Not Getting Married Today” from the musical Company in the compilation below.
These nine brilliant actors bust wide open and lay bare for me the fallacy of creative scarcity. These quirky showstoppers take my perfectionist tendencies to task all the while smoking these difficult Sondheim lyrics.
They remind me:
Any notion of “best” is irrelevant and limiting.
Who could possibly choose “best” between Madeline Kahn and Carol Burnett? Oh DEAR how I have underestimated “Dingy” TV waitress Beth Howland, who originated this role on Broadway! Even if you can choose one single “best” rendition, the world would sorely lack the others–especially because your best invariably means someone else’s no thank you.
FORGET about your “competition.”
Someone will always do whatever I seek to do and often with more skill, talent, or success. GOOD NEWS: no end of inspiring moving work exists, even when people literally say the same words of the same score.
Plenty of room exists for everyone.
I loved something about each one of these nine portrayals. Countless other actors have and will perform this role, bringing exponential potential for awe and delight.
WE ourselves are the secret ingredient. Every time.
Each rendition proved captivating for the very fact of each singer bringing their very own, very bold, very unique, inimitable self to the role. Instead of asking myself how I can do it best (or why I cannot), these masters remind me to ask myself how I can do it Ann.
Thank you leading ladies.
If you don’t feel like watching 11 minutes, try scrolling along to watch a few seconds from each performance. I found this compilation after watching many of the full versions. I could watch 111 minutes of this. If you can’t see a video below, click here and enjoy!
December 27, 2017
Most goals require assists (What were yours in 2017?)
If you play or watch soccer, you know that most goals require an assist; the pass that places the ball in an optimal position for the kicker to shoot on goal. Yes, I used a sportsy analogy and no you did not click over to the wrong blog.
As the new year approaches, many people consider making goals. I don’t feel ready to make goals, and I think that’s because I need to think small–or more detailed– before I can think big. In detailing and itemizing some of my assists from 2017, I might notice where I made progress, where I found my stride, who or what got a bit neglected, who or what pulled my energy and focus, etc… and therefore what I might like to bolster, strengthen and attempt in 2018.
Maybe you’d like to take stock with me. How did you get yourself better situated to shoot for your own goals in 2017 (regardless of whether you hit or missed)? Maybe you got outside and walked every week, recommitted to a friendship, or read a book a week. Did you open your field of vision by learning skills to improve your strategy or find new opportunities? Perhaps you took a class, attended a networking event, or tried out the dating scene. Maybe this year you spent more time assisting someone else in attaining their goals (hello people we love who have lots of needs!). Did you receive some great assists thanks to the encouragement or expertise of others?
Over the next few days I plan to get out my favorite magic markers and consider my assists. I wrote myself some prompts below. Tag me on Facebook or comment below if you’d like to play along.
December 14, 2017
The Hanukkah Tradition That Comes from My Non-Jewish Mother In Law
Sometimes we create our own traditions, sometimes we carry on a tradition we inherit, and sometimes a tradition can come from unexpected places.
It began with the larger of the two cut-crystal dreidels (top left). My mother-in-law Sue gave it to me the first time I went home with my then-boyfriend for their family Christmas. My Jewish upbringing didn’t include holiday decor of any sort, beyond lighting the Menorah or weekly Shabbat candles. Our traditions comprised mainly of food, presents, food, family, observance, and food. Mmmmmmm fooooooood. I received the crystal driedel in the spirit intended; a loving and thoughtful gesture, as well as a recognition of my heritage.
I had no idea in 1996 that what Sue actually handed me was a family tradition, especially because in 1996 I did not yet know we would become family. I suspect Sue had an inkling.
Despite our best intentions, not all of our traditions take hold. On Tuesday night– the first night of Hanukkah– we unwrapped each driedel. Our display numbers nineteen and counting, one for each year of our union. As we marveled over the artistry of each one, I told my 11 year old that someday when he and his brother live in their own spaces, they could divide up the collection. Of course he began staking his claim immediately, and arguing about who would get first pick. I don’t tend to brag about my children’s developmental milestones, but this one seems advanced in arguing with siblings over heirlooms. May it serve him well.
My favorite part about our dreidel collection is that it comes from the non-Jewish side of our family, and that Sue (aka “Grandma”) takes time every year looking in galleries and museum shops to find yet another unique Hanukkah gem to add to our collection. From the inside of a culture it’s easy to take it for granted. Sue has not only given us a new tradition, but has helped us elevate the Hanukkah spirit in our home.
This year Grandma gave each boy a dreidel fidget-spinner. Toby approves.
Thank you, Grandma.
Happy Holidays, everyone!!
