Woven into our year of organizing are some very specific projects.
2016 — a year of projects
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my new book: Pagan Leadership Anthology!
The Skinny Rules
(These are originally from Bob Harper, Oprah’s weight loss and fitness ‘guy’. Now, whatever you may think about Oprah (and she is a conflicting personality), the woman has literally made a career out of her journey into health. I think Harper is the most realistic of her gurus and his list is sensible.)
2016 Reading Challenge
I love to read, I also read for a living (thanks Facing North!). So you’d think these reading challenges would be easy. . .
Here’s how I’m doing so far in 2016:
2016 — a year of organizing
People who know me would probably use the word ‘organized’ somewhere in the first 10 describing me. I certainly wouldn’t dispute that. But there is always more to be done when it comes to being organized, especially when one tries to live a ongoing life of de-cluttering. As with so many things, being organized isn’t a static point; its more of a process and an ongoing journey.
Crafting a Personal Mission Statement
According to author Stephen Covey in his book First Things First, a personal mission statement is a way of “connecting with your own unique purpose and the profound satisfaction that comes from fulfilling it.” I see it as a personal ritual and magical spell.
Making Positive Changes
Making positive changes requires a shift in perspective as well as positive reinforcement. Setting yourself up to succeed can take multiple pathways. One way is to journal support for your self. Take a little time to go through the following exercise. I think it will make the process of your change easier on many levels.
A Reading Challenge for 2015
I found this challenge a little late in the year, but I still did pretty well.
A book with more than 500 pages: Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss
2.A classic romance: Daisy, Judith Krantz (1980)
3.A book that became a movie: Insurgent by Veronica Roth (2012)
4.A book published this year: Bon Appetempt: A Coming of Age Story (with Recipes), Amelia Morris (2015)
5.A book with a number in the title: 8 Laws of Change: How to Be an Agent of Personal and Social Transformation, Stephan Schwartz (2015)
6.A book written by someone under 30: The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, Deb Perelman (2012)
7.A book with nonhuman characters: Dead Men’s Boots, Mike Carey (2009)
8.A funny book: Eating Rome: Living the Good Life in the Eternal City, Elizabeth Helman-Minchilli (2015)
9.A book by a female author: Blood Red by Mercedes Lackey (2014)
10.A mystery or thriller: Make Me, Lee Child (2015)
11.A book with a one-word title: Gut (The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ), Giulia Enders (2015)
12.A book of short stories: Sun in Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar, Mercedes Lackey (2004)
13.A book set in a different country: A Tiger in the Kitchen: A Memoir of Food and Family, Cheryl Lu-lien Tan (2011)
14.A nonfiction book: The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating An Extraordinary Workplace, Ron Friedman (2014)
15.A popular author’s first book: In Conquest Born, C.S. Friedman
16.A book from an author you love that you haven’t read yet: From A High Tower, Mercedes Lackey (2015)
17.A book a friend recommended: Midnight Riot, Ben Aaronovitch (2011)
18.A Pulitzer Prize-winning book:
19.A book based on a true story: Blue Plate Special: An Autobiography of My Appetites, Kate Christensen (2013)
20.A book at the bottom of your to-read list: The Gastronomical Me, M.K. Fisher (1985)
21.A book your mom/family member loves: Harry Potter series
22.A book that scares you: anything by Stephan King (and no, I don’t read books that scare me)
23.A book more than 100 years old: Little Women, Luisa May Alcott (1868)
24.A book based entirely on its cover: 1602, Neil Gaiman
25.A book you were supposed to read in school but didn’t:
26.A memoir: This is Who I Am, Roseanne Olson (2008)
27.A book you can finish in a day: Shattered, Kevin Hearne (2014)
28.A book with antonyms in the title:
29.A book set somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit: Lion of Ireland, Morgan Llywelyn (2002)
30.A book that came out the year you were born: The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1(65)**
31.A book with bad reviews: Witches of America, Alex Mar (2015)
32.A trilogy: The Morgaine Saga, C.J. Cherryh (2000)
33.A book from your childhood: Foundation, Isaac Asimov
34.A book with a love triangle: Mona Lisa Darkening, Sunny
35.A book set in the future: Second Foundation, Isaac Asimov
36.A book set in high school: Skulduggery Pleasant*, Derek Landy (2007)
37.A book with a color in the title: Dress Her in Indigo, John MacDonald (1969)
38.A book that made you cry: Shattered, Kevin Hearne
39.A book with magic: On A Pale Horse, Piers Anthony
40.A graphic novel: 1602, Neil Gaiman (2004)
41.A book by an author you’ve never read before: Mr. Penumbra’s 24-hour Bookstore, Robin Sloan (2012)
42.A book you own but have never read:
43.A book that takes place in your hometown: Hunting Ground, Patricia Briggs (2011)
44.A book that was originally written in a different language:
45.A book set during Christmas:
46.A book written by an author with your same initials:
47.A play:
48.A banned book: the Harry Potter series
49.A book based on or turned into a TV show: The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Ree Drummond (2012)
50.A book you started but never finished: Annihilation, Jeff VanderMeer (2014)
* Granted this is stretching it a bit. But the protagonist does go to HS as part of the story.
** within 2 years of my birth, that’ll have to be close enough.
Ok, so I failed to accomplish only 8 of the tasks. Pretty good, if I do say so myself!
Joyous Solstice to All!
The house is quiet. The house is dark.
All of the electronics are unplugged. All of the drapes drawn over windows shut tight.
It is late, so there is no traffic on the streets outside.
My household sleeps, safe and warm.
…
Outside, the recent rain has stopped for a bit.
The clouds have parted.
Stars dot the velvet sky,
bright jewels.
The wind is so cold
while ragged fingers run
across the moon’s
pale face.
I wait.
Shivering.
I wait.
Growing numb.
. . .
Almost too slowly
the dark lightens
black becomes steel
grows rosy
All hail the return
the return of the sun!
Light returning
as the world wakes up around me
~12/22/15
A Prayer to Hygeia, pt 2
Kind Hygeia, granter of health and vigor,
daughter of skillful Asklepios whose wisdom
is the salvation of many, daughter of Epione
who soothes the sharpest of pains, defender against
all illness and disease, foe of the Nosoi,
friend of those who wish to live long and well, who wish
for a whole life. Granter of a strong body
and a strong mind, companion of grey-eyed Athena
whose wisdom upholds the mindful care of self,
your work of health and healing must be sustained by those
in need, your blessings must be borne by those who find
your favor. Hygeia, I praise and honor you.