DDD - month four
It never ceases to amaze me how a bit of intention and a few steady drops in the bucket results in a magnum of champagne. Yes, a magnum of champagne!
Because although I may not be the shining example of how to make the most of these double dog challenges-- YOU are, and I gain so much from all that you each share in your pursuit of these personal challenges.
And, the truth is, I may not achieve exactly what I set out to do-- but I always find that I gain more of what I want most in my life as I set these small, attainable desires out to float on the community pond for all to see.
Before I forget, I wanted to share an NPR clip about the Atheneum that I rattle on about, that I love so much. You can watch it here. So cool.
In the video above I totally forgot what I had set out for this month's dare, but of course I remembered it the moment I stopped talking (I know, there's a lesson in that for me-- talk less, listen more). Here's what I want for me: more play.
This is a bit of a continuation of last month's goal to watch more movies-- but now, I mean more specifically-- play. Perhaps engaging in sports-- perhaps getting silly with my girlfriends-- perhaps rolling around in the grass with my dogs. Not sure all the ways it will manifest, but that's what I am calling in: PLAY.
How about you? What's on the docket for this month?
If you haven't joined in before-- no better time to jump in! We'd love to see what it is you want to make happen this month of April 2012.
bisous, e
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Quite proud of you continuing with your videos...that was your first DDD wasn't it?
So, I think my DDD to myself this month will be to journal a bit more. Every day would be great. I've gotten a little away from this as of late. Been focusing more on the visual arts (which is good!) but writing and painting compliment each other so well.
So that's it...more words on paper.
I forget what my DDD for last month was. Oops! I'm sure I absolutely fulfilled it though whatever it was! *cough*
The colouring book has been put on hold because my brain is scattered these days and I'd prefer to do other things like...tackling these HUGE canvas and wood panel creations of mine! The first one I did last month was called "Me, two." and it is 30 x 36 inches on canvas. The second one, which I just finished a few days ago is 30 x 30 inches on panel and it's called "Menarche", which you can see on my website. (Actually you can see both of them on my website.) And TODAY I started ANOTHER 30 x 30 inch panel, the subject and title of which are top secret but I hope to have it finished by this time NEXT month, so I suppose that should be my DDD for this month.
I've also started making process videos of myself painting which my readers seem to enjoy so that's been an experience in and of itself. I don't like being on camera but I'm documenting the creation of the painting I'm working on now anyway. I hope no one judges me when they see me in the same clothes for a week haha I mean, I change my clothes, but I put on my same painting clothes every day so the video's going to look like I never change my clothes. Oh well.
Anyway, that's what I've been up to and that's my dare. Have a great day everyone!
I've been on the fence about joining DDD for many months now and I've come to a point in time when I need to just do it!
There are so many items on my DDD list: run more, start doing yoga again, start meditating again, take a creative writing class, play more, work less, lose my fear. I *know* I'll put off working on these items by myself and this group will help me be accountable. After all, I'm putting my intentions out there for entire world to see. And that has got to account for something, right?
My life at this point revolves around work and recovering from work. I need to get my work hours under control (50- to 60-hour work weeks over months at a time is a bit excessive). I'm burned out and have lost the passion for my job. I feel like my job is squeezing me into a box that becomes smaller every day. And that's a real joy killer.
So, here's my DDD for April: For physical play, start running trails again (road running feels like work). For creative play, make time to create things (even if it's working from a pattern and not my own designs). At the end of April, I'm taking Alena Hennessy's online workshop, Wild Abundant Life, and I'll be working with media I've never used before. That should cure me of my fear of making ugly things (which can be quite charming)(the ugly things, not the fear).
And to accomplish these goals, the only way I'll be able to do it is to cut back on my work hours.
April DDD, here I come!
This is a little spot of miracles y'all have created here. There is something so powerful about knowing everybody is working on something so hard. It's a feeling of accountability, but not a dragging-down kind, a lifting-up kind. Phew.
So, April. Three things come to mind for me, and I will number them because I am a compulsive Virgo. :)
1. I'd like to get way more comfortable with art journaling. So I need to do it more. I think it's the lack of rules that throw me. It's so undefined...
2. Way less time on the Internet. I need to set a scheduled time and stick with it. Oooh, that'll be hard.
3. I need to make a big kid-related decision by the end of the month. The decision *will* be made, so this isn't a DDD. It is more an appeal to open up and receive clarity and courage and whatever else will make this decision clear rather than muddied.
Well, hello April. You look like a bit of a doozy of a month.
I am way impressed with the all that is going on with the DDD! And, Elizabeth, I couldn't agree more--I think we each gain from our own DDDs, completed or not, and from the community of DDDers!
My DDD this month is a continuation of last month's. Two of my classes will be complete (one on the 13th, and one on the 21st), and the third, the one with the most "work", goes on into May. I have been able to stay focused in each class, despite the overload at the day job, and do not want to slack off now!
The big move happens on the 19th. Two weekends left to pack--the challenge of living in a small place is that there's nowhere to put the packed boxes! And I'm having a hard time putting things into boxes--Wait, don't I need that for something?! I'll have to pretend I'm on vacation in a hotel... My DDD for this is to stay steady and pack so that I'm not scrambling at the last minute.
Just knowing that we are connected with our individual DDDs is such a support-- I am grateful for this community!
Last month was my first time participating and I'm so glad I did. Not only because I learned a new craft but because of the community here at Squam. For April I've decided to take better care of me physically. I had a whole list I wanted to do but knowing me & the fact that if I try to do TOO many things at once nothing will get one. So I've narrowed it down to drinking more water every day, taking my vitamins every day & getting outside every day. I've been so lacking in energy lately and my body has been aching. It's because I don't move often and haven't taken care of my body as well as it needs. Maybe NEXT month I'll add in more exercise (not saying that won't happen this month though!)
Yes, April DDDs! I'm ready! Glad to see you all back! So love and appreciate this community!
1) Figure out how to describe myself & print business cards. I struggle with defining myself "professionally" while maintaining an essence of who I am. I am a gerontologist with a background in social work, public policy, advocacy and creativity. Gerontologist is a big word. I'd love to find a way to invoke knowledge, warmth and empowerment. This is my task.
2) Build awareness of when and why I want to use Facebook. I'd like to learn to have social media work for me, productively and efficiently, rather than as a distraction tool, unnecessarily looking at others lives, and sucking up my time.
I had the best intentions last month and it just didn't happen. I wanted to run several times a week, but I found it to be an added stressor; one more thing on my 'to do' list.
So....I've decided I need to change my DDD to something that is more doable and less stressful. I'm a full-time grad student: I take my certifcation exam in 2 weeks, graduate in 5 weeks, and start working on my doctorate in 8 weeks. To say I'm a wee bit overwhelmed is an understatement.
My goal is to be more present in the moment - as I walk across campus, as I spend time with friends, when I drink coffee or wine, even when I study. To allow myself to not be so worried about the future and the what-ifs, but rather to be fully present in the here-and-now. So much easier said than done :)
So i missed february and march (idk how) BUT I am joining in for April and mine is going to be PLAY as well! the two specific types of play are gonna be hooping and art journaling but also just more play time in general. can't wait!
I completed my DDD for March and posted about it in the previous DDD link. I also have a photo of my DDD completed in the flickr pool - YAHOO!!! :)
For all the newbies - welcome! I would not have finished last month's project if not for the support and an unexpected email that jolted me back on my path!
This month I am taking on something a little more "murky" than finishing a UFO ... I am recommitting to a more regular practice of free flow/moving-meditation yoga (I am trained in the Kripalu style of yoga which means I roll around on the floor like a year old!) as my body is craving that kind of movement & release. I also realize that I cycle through periods of spontaneous poetry flow/writing and am feeling that pull ... which seems to go along with what my body is asking for ... so I hope to practice and then allow time to write afterwards.
All of this means: getting up early! So maybe THAT is my DDD ... to continue to get up and gift to myself the 30 - 45 minutes for practice. (Which I've been doing since the equinox ... I just have trouble maintaining that schedule.)
I am so excited to see this wave of energy and support building! You all rock! xo Lis
Well, last month was my first time taking on a DDD - I faced my health insurance situation and promised myself, my body and my health that I would figure it out and get it sorted. And, mostly, I did. I even saw a doctor which my chronically ill body sorely needed. So, clearly, all I've been needing was a public declaration and a community of dare-takers!
For April, I DDD myself to finish my three in-progress sewn garments and make a fourth. Making my own patterns (learned from Cal Patch, the Squammer!) and sewing myself garments is a new-to-me skill that is still under development and one I want to encourage. Sewing these garments takes care of myself in more than a few ways but two important things - a sense of calm while working and a sense of accomplishment when finished. (Fortunately for me, I'm really ok with wonky--looking finishes because I really am new to this.)
Woohoo! My DDD for April is to walk everyday, to acclimatize to the altitude here, to get reacquainted with the city, and to feel better in general! The good news is that so far, since the 1st, I've walked on 4 days (and 2 were 45 mins!)! Another woohoo!
Buena suerte/good luck to all this month!
Well....I didn't lose anymore weight and I haven't been going to my Weight Watchers meetings....but I haven't gained any weight so that's a good thing. This month I want to do a cleanse.....I signed up to do it in January and chickened out......so my DDD this month is to follow through and do the cleanse. Prep week starts April 14th and the cleanse starts April 21st. It is a 10 day cleanse and you don't eat gluten, sugar, dairy, or meat (seafood is ok)....mostly caffeine free and no alcohol. The hardest part will be doing the cleanse while having to feed my family who are pickier than I am!! If any of you have done this or have any suggestions I would love to hear from you. It is an online group doing the cleanse so if any of you are interested I can give you the web address.
Good morning all! It feels so good to begin a new month! I just adore the community that is being built here :)
This month I am beginning the process of recording our family tree, documenting the information I have, putting names to old photos etc.
I have been wanting to do this for so long! I know it will be an on going project but I am committed to at least filling in the blanks I have right now to get rolling !
Wishing you all a beautiful day!!!!
xxo
Celebrating small victories today - I walked again this afternoon! That is 5 out of the last 9 days for this April DDD! Woohoo!
I hope y'all are enjoying some small victories today as well!
I'm really enjoying DDDs. Really inspiring and actually plain helpful.
Last month I did two out of the three things I wanted to but got closer to doing the other two and that is good.
So this month I'm going to finish my purple tank top which is hard to do because it's tricky to pin out and painstaking and will take ages so I've put it off for months and months. So I'm going to try to break through that.
I'm also going to try to get to bed by twelve every day to look after myself better.
Meditating three times a week didn't happen so I'm going to set the goal of meditating just once this month and really try and achieve that.
Good luck everyone x.
Hey, Jen--genealogy is a passion of mine. Let me know if you need any research help! My most exciting experience (and will prolly never happen again in a bazillion years!) was connecting two (half) sisters this past fall. Long story, but they are my second cousins-- one in England, one in the States. Some internet investigation and lot of excellent serendipity had these two meeting for the first time at ages 67 and 59.
I love the energy and support that swirls around in the DDD community. I feel like I have angels watching over me and encouraging me to work towards completing my DDD. Accomplished or not, I agree.....so much goodness comes out of just trying.
This month I am daring myself to pull together some of my work, create new work, and make a book on blurb. It is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time but never actually sat down and did. So this month I am aiming to do it.
Thanks so much for these community and the support that is here as well as lighting that spark under me that I so need.
It is already April 10th, what?! I feel like my march DDD went really well. It was to incorporate a regular yoga practice back into my life and I have been doing so! I signed up for a yoga retreat at the end of this month that will introduce more ways of incorporating practice into my daily life and I am so excited about it. (It is at a local studio and scheduled around typical work hours, yippie!)
April, I am returning to my unfinished Jan and Feb DDD to get a blog going. No, seriously, this time I mean it!
i DDD myself to STOP BITING MY NAILS. i'm embarassed to say i'm in my forties and i still haven't been able to shake the disgusting habit.
i'm on day three of no biting. so far so good.
i swear if i can do this, i can do ANYTHING... perhaps if i'm brave enough, i'll do a before and after shot... that's hoping i make it to the 'after'....
xoxo to everyone and your own DDD's...
I am late to the party this month. I've had April DDD on my mind - a lot - and have finally made here to the blog to state my self inspired challenge.
One of my goals last month was to slightly increase my exercise routine. I did complete that but as a result have had a flair up of my left hip bursitis these past 2 weeks. In my persistence to pursue I walked some hills and hills are out of the question for me as it results in the above situation. So, this month and no doubt for the next several months I am focusing on fixing the bursitis so I will be bursitis free come early June (Spring Squam). I know what I need - cortisone injection, some PT and slowing down my exercise routine which is opposite of last month's DDD and I am so bummed. Exercise is vital to my health and I am always toting a fine line.
I hope to get that 'vision board' from last months DDD going. E. sent me a link about making vision boards. I need to find that link in my email and get going. I have my yarn, needles and pattern for the arm warmers and hope to start working on my first knitting in the round project.
We gently nudged our younger son (25) out the door over the weekend. It really was not a gentle nudge but a direct shove due to inappropriate treatment of his mom - moi. It has long been coming. I am quite sad re the whole thing and struggling with mixed emotions. My two sons and hubs have aspergers. Perhaps too much info but I hope not. I see each month that sharing our lives, struggles and accomplishments here is accepted and I learn each month that we are truly all working on navigating our own courses. Pursuing internal growth is universal with Squammies so it seems to me; it is so inspiring. Goal is to continue as I have over the past few years to reinvent myself, my life and purpose with a focus on creating family in places that are open to me and fulfilling. I am working on a movie date now with a 6 year old 3rd generation cousin. Mirror Mirror is looking good.
1 - fix bursitis
2 - vision board
3 - continue to reinvent myself
4 - some knitting
5 - plant some flowers and early veggies
Sprinkling DDD fairy dust your way for the days of April DDD'ing.
Judy
LOVE seeing you in video! Yay! Hmm DDD. I have been with sick kid can't remember what mine was, but I know what I am going to set for this month....30 minutes a day to sit down and write plans for my workshop. xxoxoxo
Judy, you've had quite a lot to deal with lately -- I'm sending positive energy your way for your DDD challenges this month! I really understand the physical stuff; needing to exercise to feel better, but the exercise agravating/causing old/new pains! Much luck with the bursitis!
a little whisper to your heart today .....
you can do it.
you are worth the effort.
you are supported here.
xo
jen
One thing I love about DDD is that I find myself (daily) telling non-Squam people about what I'm working on and often that leads to helpful feedback and ideas. Then I ask them what they're working on / want to be working on, and often help them craft their goal (or rather, part of it) into a bite-sized and manageable chunk. The gift of DDD keeps on giving.
April DDDs are going well!
1) Business cards. Thanks in part to my March DDD of doing Danielle LaPorte's SPARK kit, I figured out how to describe myself to a stranger and as a tagline for my business cards! "I create ideas that make life better for elders and the people who love them." Now I need to pick out a few meaningful photos and then order the cards through MOO! I want to have this completed by the end of this weekend.
2) Social Media (making it work for me, not being a slave to FB):
- I've decided to go on hiatus from FB except posting about an art project I'm doing with my husband in Colorado in two weeks.
- I'm spending time this week on email organization and learning about Gmail labels, filters and multiple inboxes. I'm really excited about this and already am feeling less cluttered and overwhelmed by my inbox!
Much love and encouragement to all!
Hi all. Ok....I'm coming here in a HUGE need of some support. I am changing my DDD....I'm not doing the cleanse.....it's just not something I will be able to follow. I am proud of myself for changing to drinking water instead of sweet tea all day.....but now I HAVE to get back on the Weight Watchers wagon. I am so mad at myself and beating myself up for not doing the program and wasting so much time.....all this time that I could have lost more weight. I really need some encouragement.....
Dear Celia,
It is SO good that you can acknowledge what will work and what won't. I am very proud of you for drinking more water! That is such a wonderful change. This getting healthy business is hard work!
How can we specifically be supportive in a way that would be helpful?
Sending you so much love!!!!!!!!!!
xo
jen
Hi Celia! Don't fret or beat yourself up. In the grand scheme of things, it's no big deal. Why? Because you can do it now. Apparently, as some people say (whoever they are) "All we have is now." My DDD this month was to put more words to paper...primarily with journaling. BUT I am also on a personal challenge to myself (that I haven't really told anyone about) to be where I should be with my weight. I recently started doing the Weight Watchers program online and have so far lost 7 pounds in the first few weeks. I'm sure doing a cleanse can be beneficial but I've haven't ever done one and am not sure that it would be for me either. No matter. I will totally encourage you! :)
Sending encouraging vibes your way, Celia! I'm proud of you for drinking more water! And thanks for the reminder! Just filled my water bottle up and am going to drink it all right now.
Yay, Celia for drinking more water but most importantly giving up the sweet tea. I have no problem with tea it is the 'sweet' part that gets us in the wrong direction. I hardly ever drink fruit juice now and by that I don't mean those concoctions sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (by the way corn sugar is NOT the same as reg sugar! as stated in TV ads) but real fruit juice. Those few occasions I try some it is horribly sweet to me now. So, what I do is put about 1" of juice in my cup and fill the rest with water and ice. The flavor is enough for me for a treat. Something to thing about is drinking lemon juice straight up w/ water. Get a citrus juicer thingy and fresh lemons. Drink the juice of one half lemon a day in cold water and it will be a cleanse, digestive aid and lots of vitamin C!! If you put ice into your beverages you burn up more calories as your body works to melt that ice. Easy peasy - lemon juice mixed in water or just plain ice water. You could also go to plain old psyllium for a cleanse if you feel you need it. I buy the unflavored at wholefoods and mix it in water. Works well and is good for cholesterol as well.
My own DDD is lagging as not a thing done on it yet but I am busy with other stuff.
hidey hoe!
Judy
Hey Celia! I feel your pain -- the process of weight loss can be so frustrating. A year ago, I was eating well and exercising and then sometime in the fall it was easier to order pizza than cook the veggies in the fridge and I gained back all that I lost! I am trying to get back on track now, but all the "could ofs" and "should ofs" of the last year do bring me down -- so I am going to pass along one of the best pieces of advice I've ever been given: "stop shoulding all over yourself!" It isn't easy, but we have to let go of everything we should have done (or do) and make peace with moving ahead with taking care of ourselves! It is a daily process of letting go, so when I put too much pressure on myself, I remember that advice and rethink just what I need rather than what I should do!
well, i have known what my DDD for this month would be since last month...and yet i've not put it into words. fear? yes, i think. but here it is: get some color on that canvas i primed last month for my DDD...
I've walked three days in a row! It was of course after a three-day hiatus, but I'm really happy! I'm doing much better with my DDD this month - change is good for me! Makes me think I'll need to challenge myself a bit more next month! But, before then, I have a whole lot of writing and walking to do!
Happy mid-April DDD to all! I'm sending positive vibes from south of the border!
Celia, more water is a good thing, a very good thing. I like Judy's suggestions for drinks, too.
Go Michelle! Get those paints out. Have fun. :)
I'm muddling along. I've done a bit of art journaling but not regularly. I want to make drawing/journaling a more regular practice because I think it primes the creativity pump, but when I finally get some time in the evening it's more comforting/comfortable to sit and embroider or knit. I'm right-this-minute breaking my rule of no computer during the day (or at least not before 3 or 4), but I *have* been doing better with that. And that kid decision is still hanging over my head, but I think I'm doing better with staying open/recognizing signs from the universe about it.
And I will mention--I have been struggling emotionally for a bit, I think it's the after-effects of Lyme over the winter. I feel like it took so much out of me to just get the bare minimum done while I was feeling so poorly, now that I'm (mostly) physically better I'm just psychically exhausted. After a couple of not-good meltdowns/anxiety attacks, I did some research and am now taking Bach's Olive flower essence, which is for mental and physical exhaustion, often after an illness. Bingo! I also started sepia, a homeopathic remedy. And I feel a difference. Whatever the reason, what a relief.
Whoa, it's already the last week in April! Did not get business cards printed before I left for Colorado, so now this will have to wait till the first week in May, and that's okay. Had a friend compliment me on my "Facebook marketing skills" regarding my sculpture project I'm doing in CO this week! This made me really happy as it's directly tied to my DDD to figure out ways to have social media and internet tools work for me instead of the other way around. I'll be otherwise occupied for the rest of the month with LATTICE \ WORK. If you're curious or near Boulder, CO: http://communikey.us/festival2012/festival/installations/#!/installation/199 See you in May!
Hey all, just sending out some big love and support to each of you....
I'm totally hooked on the genealogy project, possibly obsessed. It's been so interesting! And my plans for the attic to be transformed into an art studio are really coming along, just needing to put some serious muscle to a few items that need to be moved out...
In the mean time, I am working on something special for all you D.D.D.
participants!
Have a great day!
xo jen
Not too much to post about. My list of what I had hoped to do this month is still 'a list' for the most part. I have made two appts that were on the list - one for bursitis pt and it turns out to be the Iliotibial band and the therapy for it is suppose to be painful. You roll on the floor on top of a cylindrical shaped high dense plastic material and wreak havoc with that muscle.It is suppose to work. I'll let you know come Squam days. Fortunately the orthopedic doc has let me continue on with my running in the water routine and walking on land - yippee as this is a good thing. The PT starts 2nd wk of May due to busy PT therapists. I also have an appt for an ENT for ringing in my ears tomorrow. I did sew an apron for a big giveaway blitz on the Etsy Team I am a leader on. I used half of a white eyelet skirt for the bottom, some tulle, fabric, more tulle, bits of some cheap yarn (not the good stuff you folks use, but stuff from Ocean State Job Lot!) It is cute! I will get a photo in the DDD album. I am also selling some of my vast lot of fabrics on a newly found Fabric Destash group on Facebook - thank heavens. On the other hand I am contemplating putting in a wholesale order for the newest line of fabrics by Jennifer Pagenelli - Super Fly (!!!!) - and I am having a go round in my brain about that one. Should one purchase more fabric to sell when they have a mother lode of it already in their dwelling. Everyone that enters my space well those that don't live here cannot understand my absorption with fabric. They even gasp. I have done some gardening or rather I have bought the flowers and seeds for hubs to put into the ground for me. I do assist really I do.
I have not begun the board - vision board - it eludes me. I believe someone stated you had to be in the right frame of mind. I am not there at present and that is okay. I hope to at the very least purchase the dang bulletin board and post a grand photo of it unadorned!! Really, all in all it has been a productive month.
Still so-so on the art journaling, but the day after I posted that Squam announced the pages & paint online workshop, so clearly that was the universe speaking to me, no? (Happy Mother's Day to me--I will be registering!) Still so-so on the computer time--have made much progress, but could do better. However, am making great strides in the kid-related decision, for which I am truly grateful. (I'm listening to my intuition, which is sick of being ignored.)
I'm moved! This is the first I've had the big computer on in a week--I've been using the iPad mostly, and the laptop for some class work. I'm sore, and tarred (that's Texas talk for tired!) but I'm in.
On my DDD, I have managed to complete two of the classes--not as strongly as I would have liked due to the move, but I didn't give up by using moving as an excuse, which without the DDD I most probably would have. Working on my last class and it is definitely paying off.
I am looking forward to being settled and getting back to some sort of routine. (I don't know why I think I'll have a routine here when I didn't at the old place!)
Holding good thoughts for all the DDDers in this home stretch!
Yay, on the move, completing classes, and enjoying your routine Scamp!! Your excitement is infectious - I can feel it way over here on the east coast. We have vibes you know us DDD'ers!!
Judy
Hello my friends! Kudos to all of you for working on your DDD. You have no idea how thoughts of you have comforted me.
As I slide in under the wire for April, my DDD was to begin to crawl out from my black hole and post on this board. And I did it! Yay me!
I have been working very hard with my therapist and talking about/dealing with subjects that I never have. The mental and emotional energy I have expended is tremendous but I believe it will help in the long run.
Positive thoughts and love to you all!
Dear Sharyn, It is hard work, but Im so glad you are taking the time to help heal and grow. You will surely experience blessings from doing this.
Im really proud of you...
I have loved reading everyone's updates, they encourage me so much.
The genealogy project is going strong, (and I'm loving it) and my continuing DDD of cleaning out the attic and transforming it into an art room has been going really well. I did a massive clearing this weekend, and it feels so good to be getting rid of things I know longer need.
Wish you all a wonderful day !
xo
jen
yay for all DDD'ers - in any and all stages of DDD!
i completed my DDD which was to get color on a canvas. still more work to be done, but i have begun... :)
Here's to everyone, for goals met and begun! I've had middling success, this month. I think I'll continue on this month's DDD more next month (art journaling and a better computer schedule). But truly, I think in May I need to focus on all the front-end prep that needs to go on for me to leave for five days in June...
Well...my DDD goals for April were a bit of a wash. I didn't run trails (I didn't even manage to run!) and for yoga, I managed to get in a couple of Half Sun Salutations one morning. I did knit and finished two wee baby jackets for coworkers' new babies, made progress on a shawl, and started a knit-along with my 10-year old niece. Note, however, that I did *visualize* running trails and doing yoga, in an attempt to capture, however briefly, the feelings of exhilaration and peace those activities bring. And most sadly, I did not cut back on my work hours. As I sat with the not-doing, I confirmed that I criticize myself too much for what I perceive as short-comings or failures. I would like to get to a place where I accept not doing something as just that...not-doing. No more, no less, nothing attached to it.
Thank you so much for sharing Teri. ... I can relate and so appreciate your honesty.
There are some dares we can come at with gusto and bust out an accomplishment within a few weeks time ..there are other dares that start out with a thought, and slowly come about in their own time, in their own way. There are just some things we cannot put a time line on, but one thing we can do is renew our commitment each month. That seemingly small act carries great strength. I have found that each of the dares I have put forth here, are still carrying on, whether in a state of completion of not, the consciousness of my intent still is impacting me. This is why I am still trying to take a walk daily, write thank you notes to my community, learn basic italian words, and continue with the massive re-do of the old attic... No perfection lies here, not by a long shot, but movement has been made in the right direction.
Today I hope we can take a moment to celebrate the tiniest moves, the smallest steps - whether by thought or action...
I honor that we are all trying to do our best.
love,
jen
Hey all! Now that this month has come to an end, be sure to contact Lauren if you have finished your Double Dog Dare! (Lauren@squamartworkshops.com)
She has a little treat to send you! And as always, please feel free to share your story with us!
Tomorrow starts a brand new month for D.D.D!
Start thinking about a new dare or recommitting to a current one.
Thanks for all the support this past April!
xo
jen