Introspection

Seems I need this… I’ve been in dark, wintry, sleepy, depressed hibernation mode lately.

Check out the project blog for more info on this–the goal is to write 100 lists of 100 things.

1. Meditate.
2. Call good friends.
3. Really share myself with friends.
4. Take a long, hot bath.
5. Go to the sauna.
6. Do some fun exercise like racquetball or swimming.
7. Pet the kitties.
8. Go for a long walk.
9. Take leisurely photographs, without worry about the outcome.
10. Do Soul Collage. So nurturing!

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See the lists of 100 blog I co-host for more details on this project.

YOU are strongly encouraged to write your own gratitude lists, of whatever length, and as frequently as possible. They can change your life. Seriously.

1. Food, in all its variety and colorfulness, which sustains and nourishes us.
2. My apartment, a safe, cozy haven to share with my husband and kitties.
3. My family, for being there for me as much as they are able to be.
4. My husband, Jeff, for four years of marriage, ups and downs, and for his unwavering solidity and faithfulness.
5. Two years off working at a “job” — this sabbatial has been a great time for me to grow and to explore my creativity and values.
6. Counseling, without which I would have caved long ago to the dark side.
7. Cats — for raising me and training me.
8. Pillow fights as play!
9. My nieces, who taught me to be in the moment. I had forgotten about that!
10. Meditation practice which grounds me and uplifts me.

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Jennifer Louden, author of the Woman’s Comfort Book and other comfort classics, declared today Freedom from Self-Improvement Day. So today, accept yourself!

You are okay just the way you are.

You are enough.

You are beautiful!

It is estimated that a week’s worth of New York Times contains more information than a person was likely to come across in a lifetime in the 18th century.

So no wonder we get information overload, which information-guru Wikipedia says “refers to the state of having too much information to make a decision or remain informed about a topic.” Add to that the fact that our culture is overflowing with information pollution, and it makes the situation even worse.

Lately I had been feeling guilty for my lack of current events knowledge, for not staying on top of the late-breaking news… But the statistic about how much info a week’s worth of NYT contains confirmed my suspicions about it being too damn much information. In fact, I think it isn’ even healthy to ingest that much media. Our brains aren’t adapted to this constant barrage–at least mine doesn’t seem to be. How can we take in all the information, when so recently in human history we only had to deal with our neighbors’ news and occasional rumors of distant events?

In light of the Virginia Tech shootings, I know about them and am listening periodically to news about them, but I don’t think it’s healthy to station yourself in front of the TV or internet all day long listening to updates on the case. It’s just masochistic. Taking in all that negative energy isn’t about staying informed, that’s for sure. Same with Iraq War news…

I haven’t read the newspaper regularly in years, and now I don’t even listen to NPR much anymore, or at least not every day. (I can always count on Jeff to fill me in when something big happens.) Last year, when I was thinking about becoming a translator and so was avidly working on my French language skills, I was trying to listen regularly to French radio like RFI and Europe 1 and even watching French news online a lot. This year, it’s a good week when I listen to Wait Wait or watch a Daily Show with Jeff! And I am the first to admit those are not actually news shows, but entertainment.

The technology we’re developing doesn’t help. See a great illustration of this over at Mim’s blog!

I decided I’m going to stop worrying about not staying on top of the information barrage! My information overload doesn’t help me or anyone else. If events stand to effect me, I’ll find out. I don’t mean to bury my head in the sand - I do listen to the news sometimes still; enough, it appears, to keep me informed of what I need to know.

P.S. I still read the Voter’s Pamphlets and articles related to what I need to vote on. I’m informed enough as a citizen… I think.

—
Jeff was explaining to me the full meaning of the expression tin foil hat and we found this hilarious mock-scientific study: On the Effectiveness of Aluminium Foil Helmets: An Empirical Study

My last post was reflecting back on 2006. Now, let’s turn to goals, hopes, resolutions, call them what you will. I like to call them intentions, placing these out into the universe to make them more real and to call help to my side.

1. Walk 100 miles by April 1. Thanks for the inspiration, Yarn-a-Go-Go. I’ll mostly be walking. It’s three miles, three times per week. For me, it means walking around Greenlake three times per week, or doing part of the Discovery Park loop trail. I can do that, certainly! I’d like to add some swimming miles in there too, and possibly some biking.
2. Continue my lifework/career search. It feels like a slog right now. I want to [must] figure something out during this year.
3. I seek to add more honesty and depth to my relationships with myself, with others, and with my higher power. I voiced this intention at a gathering on New Year’s day, and it felt very alive to me.
4. Continue learning about my approach to money, how to be more frugal and align my spending to my values.
5. Continue learning how to align my choices with my values, in particular with environmental principles. Walk more, carpool more, take a reusable bag or cup to the store or coffeeshop, etc. The small choices can make a difference.
6. Knitting. Learn some new techniques, challenge myself, teach my nieces to knit, and start earlier on gifts!

The new year has begun well — yesterday I found out I won some sock yarn from Chawne’s sock contest! She knitted 54 whole socks last year, plus 8 half-socks… That’s a lotsa socksas.