Hello friends! July has flown by somehow. What have you filled it with?
I started the month by writing about the need for slowing down (creating room for possibility) and I’m still working on tuning in to my needs.
I am spending my time on good things. I made a few little books of our recent travels and that reminded me that I’m really behind on my daughter’s memory books. Before ordering, I have been condensing her 2012 book from 300 pages to more like 90, which will be more enjoyable to look through. Then I hope to work on 2013 and 2014. How delightful it would be to be caught up! I am also making a book of her “artwork.”
I have been actively planning the curriculum for the Sunday School class I’ll be teaching in the fall. I’ve been meeting friends for lunch to catch up. I’ve been reading a lot since I got my kindle. You’ll notice I haven’t done much art lately, but my daughter and I have been having fun in the afternoons doing little art projects. I did make a new header for my friend Renee.
Thank you to those of you who have shared your lists of what makes you happy. It’s so fun to read about what delights you!
This month of Project Light Year was about abundance as a way of being. I was reminded that my constant focus on my lack of time is my main problem. Flitting from checking e-mail to working on scrapbooks to paying bills (all while making more lists) is not that effective.
So I’ve been trying to focus on feeling relaxed and expansive as far as time goes. I spend a few moments each day envisioning my ideal day, which usually involves two main chunks of time on one or two projects, with little tasks thrown in here and there. Then, I am more focused and can plan next steps much more effectively. Most important, it has helped me celebrate how much time I actually already have.
* * * * *
This is such a fun book to read! Composers, painters, writers, philosophers, scientists… they DO have their quirks. I enjoyed this one so much. It is fascinating how these very productive and successful people shaped their days.
Filled with 52 simple and easily doable ways to find peace. All it takes is practice… “basically practice pulls weeks and plants flowers in the garden of your mind.” Our brain has a negativity bias which is really unfair… but if you compensate for it by actively looking for the good, you will feel happier, less stressed, etc. Staying connected with others and having good relationships is a vital part of our experience. Each principle comes with a “how” section. For example, for gratitude, he explains how to look around you and notice your many gifts, accept them, and recognize the benefits.
Oh yes, mine is intense! I think this book may have saved my sanity! I understand my daughter so much better now and can value and appreciate her qualities rather than be frustrated by them and resist them. I am better able to predict problems and advocate for her. I know I’m a much better mother to her now because of this book. Now I need to read her bedtime book.
Mothering and how it transforms us. I never really thought about just how many changes we go through as women once a child enters your life. It’s an enormous shift that Lerner considers phase by phase.
An intriguing story about a single mother reconstructing her teenaged daughter’s life, sifting through her emails, texts, and social media to piece together the shocking truth about the last days of her daughter’s life. I didn’t love most of the characters or the story, but I HAD to know what happened, so I read it quickly because it’s only at the very end that we get the truth about what happened in this crazy teenage world of private high school with such a high amount of pressure to fit in and be accepted.
This is a dual timeframe story about war and love; one in WW1 and one in 2001. The title refers to a painting with an unresolved past and the many lives it has touched. I thought the WW1 story was beautiful. I really felt like I was in the main character’s shoes the entire book.
Just like Do One Thing above, this book is also about shaping our neural pathways and just beginning and about how to remain stable and yet flexible, coherent and yet able to embrace complexity.
Change happens in four areas: self-observation, relating to others, stress, and personal narrative. These are areas that we can work on ourselves.
“So how do we stay sane? We can develop our faculties of self-observation so that we can have the capacity to observe even our strongest emotions, rather than being defined by them, allowing ourselves to take in the bigger picture.”
This is Southern reading at its best. The story is divided into three narratives connected by food and recipes. I enjoyed the way the stories came together in the end. The characters are tender and the writing is superb.
* * * * *
“Intimacy arises not from any attempt to take the pain away, but from a living through together; not from a working out, but from a being with. Trust and closeness deepen from holding and being held, both emotionally and physically.”
* * * * *
What have you been reading lately? And are you on Goodreads? I’d love to connect there.
Everything I’ve Ever Read (I think)
Naomi!
Catching up here! Love these monthly book posts… but first, I didn’t know you were participating in Project Light Year! Loving this month, just like every month. I read the Jojo Moyes book and absolutely loved it and the characters. The Mother Dance!!!! Love all H. Lerner’s books and heard her speak years ago! Read M. Nepo last year and could not believe the serendipity of his daily messages. I might have to re-read next year. So enjoy the gifts you share here.
debbie recently posted…Brave Hearts
I have missed you too, Debbie! Yes, I’m in PLY and enjoy reading everything Liv has to write and share. We have so many books in common, it seems. I’m not surprised! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on what I’m reading this month.
Naomi, I’m just amazed at how much you are able to fit into your day! Where do you get the energy? It’s been so long since I’ve read a book for pleasure. Most of my reading is for self-education for artistic projects or computer/social projects. I’ve made note though of some of your suggestions- I’ll need to squeeze in some time!!
Sue recently posted…Comment on What’s on your easel? by Sue
Partly I think I have unreasonable expectations for what I “should” be getting done. Seeing it from your perspective is helpful because I’m focusing on how much I accomplished rather than what did not get crossed off the list… so thank you! I must stop comparing myself to my ideal self.
I just went over and got A Place At The Table for my Kindle. Sounds like a good one. I keep looking at Daily Rituals but haven’t got it yet. Good for you for spending time with your daughter creating. That’s where her memories will be.
Linda Watson recently posted…Lammas Harvest Ritual
Linda, you would LOVE Daily Rituals since you have some of your own! Sitting peacefully in your chair and looking out to nature is my favorite of yours.
How fun you’ve been enjoying creative time with your daughter. No doubt those will be memories she cherishes.
I hadn’t thought of that, Deborah. You’re probably right! I will try to think about what she will remember as we play.
Naomi, Your reading lists constantly inspire me! I have such aspirations of reading my stacks of books. Are the end of my time I want to be known for being a reader…not just a collector of books!
Shhhh! We won’t mention how many unfinished scrapbooks I am in the middle of. Our adult children have completed volumes but my ancestry memory books scream for attention!
Ruth Packard recently posted…On the Street Where We Live
It’s difficult to scrapbook and keep up with our busy lives… like living in two different dimensions or something. The benefit of being so behind is that it lets me view life a second time, this time with a smile on my face the entire time. I always end up wondering why I didn’t enjoy it more the first time!
Oh Naomi I am years behind in my children’s memory books. I shudder to think how far behind I am. I love scrapbooking and really must get back to it. As for reading – I find that I pick up a book whenever I’ve had a spate of busy, busy days. Reading helps me shut out the “I simply must clean the … I simply must mow the … I simply must write a blog about …” Am currently reading Gregory D Roberts’ Shantaram. A friend gave it to me years ago and I only just now made the time to start it. Amazing book about life in Bombay. Love it.
Kelly L McKenzie recently posted…Top Ten Degrees of Authentic Mommy Fury
I know what you mean about reading as an escape from our busy days. That’s why we write too!
I refer to Daily Rituals periodically – I just suggested it for my art book club. I made a vow in July to read no more than ONE BOOK A WEEK! I was spending too much time there! I’m cleaning out books – rereading those I kept to rereads – getting rid of the ones I kept that are in the libary anyway. I have read A Place at the Table – and the beginning of the book takes places in the next neighborhood over – in Oakhurst. This is based loosely on a local chef – Scott Peacock. I’m glad you liked it – that means I didn’t enjoy it because some of it rang so true to me with a sense of place and Southern Food! I’m going to check out the Buddha brain book – Atlanta has a huge connection with the Dalai Lama – I have gone to see him 2x here (actually – a connection with Emory University – which teaches the Tibetan language) – I want to learn more about Buddhism! Thanks!
How cool that the book was set near you! I enjoyed it and thought it was unique. I too want to learn more about Buddhism… it seems that I am wanting to incorporate more of a calm, peaceful mind and apply it to my everyday life. Right now I am in the middle of Paul Fleischman’s “Cultivating Inner Peace,” a dense read but a good one.
Trimming down a memory book sounds like hard work. It’s so easy to just stuff everything in! I wonder if your daughter will consider what’s in there the memories that she wants to focus on.
SKJAM! recently posted…Book Review: Tigerman
Oh yes, I completely agree, but when it’s being printed it’s far harder to justify cramming it all in. 🙂
Lovely list! I particularly appreciate what you wrote about visualizing your ideal day. That seems certain to improve the days you create for yourself. I also like the idea of observing yourself (and others) and realizing what your issues are. Once you’ve done this, you can be more empathetic and gently encourage the changes you’d like to see. I am trying to do this too.
Excellent point! Why focus on our issues with anything but compassion? Hmm.