My mum always says this: in the fullness of time. She’s a far calmer, softer, slower, gentler person than me. And over the years I’ve come to learn that…she’s right. When it comes to taking things a little slower, at least. She once sent me an embroidered place mat and suggested I use it to … Read more
Over the next week or two I’ll post some reflections for a fresh start.
This one is from DailyOm about the colour green. I’ll extract it in part.
Green is a combination of the colors yellow and blue, … Blue exudes calm and peace, while yellow radiates liveliness and high levels of energy. As a marriage between these two very different colors, green is a unifier of opposites, offering both the excitement of yellow and the tranquility of blue. It energizes blue‚s passivity and soothes yellow‚s intensity, inspiring us to be both active and peaceful at the same time.
I don’t so much like New Year resolutions. They have such a prohibitory ring. They’re about stopping and quitting and not touching. And about things in the future that you must get around to doing, as though what you’re currently doing is deficient.
I think intentions are a better flavour of crisp. Intentions are about moving forward in a good way, not an abrupt about-face. They ebb and flow, not force.
And I think intentions issued a few days shy of when you’re meant to adds a fresher twist.
So. My intentions, in no particular order, and that are kind of geared at soothing and healing my auto-immune craziness:
* frame my intentions in the positive. So, less “no more” statements. More, “OK, let’s try this instead” statements. Eg: I intend to eat more green vegetables (instead of I intend to stop eating chocolate).
* that said, I’m cutting back sugar in 2011. I’d ideally like a sugar-free life. But I’ll experiment gently. I’m starting by going for as long as I can without eating dark chocolate. Not as a test of endurance, but as a technique for getting me conscious about why I’m craving it. I’ll be doing other experiments in sugar-freeing myself. I know doing this will take me to the next level of healing. Stay tuned on this…
* Speaking of which, I intend to be gentle.
* To meditate more boldly, and more courageously… digging down deeper.
* To rest. Rest every day. I’ve started lying down for 20 mins and breathing into my stomach in the afternoons. Every day.
* To value rest. It’s not a waste of time. To be honest, I’ve worked out it’s the path to healing my AI. I know this. 2011 I intend to live it.
1. I love this post: The best reason I’ve ever found for backing the f*ck off. Yeah! Basically because of the title . But also because it talks about pacing yourself, slowing down, ‘smelling the roses’, and focusing on making choices to do life well. “The clear message: just choose to start stressing less. Be gentle. Choose wellness.” Which is something I have on my radar. I’m determined to attempt to do life well. Also, I made some key decisions around the time of this post, and applied for my job with Sarah four days later (on my brother’s 30th birthday – which is why I know the date).
2. I like spending time on my own,checking in with my inside people (I’ve never had such a fun way to describe it before). That’s why I love this post. The ocean is my favourite place to refuel. And while I’m refueling, I’m checking in on myself. My soul sorts through stuff when I create the space for it. I’ve LOVED Uge since I read this post (I think it’s been a year or so now). I recently met him and he was everything I expected him to be and more… GENUINE GOOD PERSON. Love him. Love this concept.
So I’m having a little break for a few days. Digesting Christmas lunch! In my absence, a little rundown of posts you might’ve missed, especially if you’re new to this site. They’re the posts that attracted the most comments from everyone. I’m guessing that makes them the most controversial or annoying, not necessarily the most … Read more
Dearest Readers of this Blog, A little note to say this: I’ve so appreciated all the care and engagement you’ve extended to me (virtually) over the year. I’ve loved the way we humans have found a new way to “have the chat over the back fence” our grandmothers used to have. Mostly, most of us … Read more
Bike fans, there’s a new bike mag out and it’s called Treadlie. It’s very cute and is on sale now in newsagents. It’s got a guide to building your own fixie, and features hot bike looks and other hot bike bits and pieces. Oh, and my beautiful single-speed gets its own spread. If you’re keen … Read more
Or, more to the point, how to give a charity gift, instead of something consumerable. She kindly offered to provide a bit of a guide to the gifting charities she rates… handy for any of you out there who Just Can’t Face Buying Crap In A Mall this Christmas. Or Have Left Shopping To The Last Minute. Or who Want to Care More.
I’ve also posted her ABC piece below.
1. OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA Buffaloan: $50
Help sustain the source of livelihood for a poor entrepreneur in India by investing in the buffaloan. For just $50, you can feed this valuable creature for a month, keeping a buffalo full, healthy and ready to produce the milk that provides a regular income for a number of the rural poor in India.
Peas on Earth: $96
This gift helps entrepreneurs in Indonesia plough through poverty, allowing them to start a small vegetable farm – be it cabbage or carrots, beans or broccoli. Once it’s harvest season, they can collect their crop and sell the fresh produce at their own market stall for a profit, using the money to provide the basics for their families. Makes you wonder about money not growing on trees…
This is worth a read: Jaclyn Friedman v Naomi Wolf, feminists debate the Assange rape allegations, on Democracy Now. The preamble transcript gives a good overview of the facts, if you’re a little in the dark still (and confirms no charges have been pressed, they’re allegations only). Jaclyn Friedman argues the sexual assault allegations shouldn’t … Read more
