Learned: That it was ME who was being joyless about the fact that I couldn’t put cream in my coffee, so it was ME who needed to drop it and create something else; that I could get a 32 oz. bottle of molasses on special at Whole Foods for $5.99; that a comrade in sudden turmoil will still likely make it somehow. 3.
Grateful for: the completion of projects; that completing with a person can happen even when you didn’t know there was something to complete; the season of gratitude that is upon us; joyful camaraderie, intentional transcendence in community, and the wise and loving influence of ancestors, elders, comrades, and young people. 3+.
Seems: like I have forgotten a lot of the practices that “made me what I am”; like I’m going along fine, and then BAM, something happens; like there isn’t any knowable way that “it is”; like life comes at me hard and fast, and I always need a longer break than I get; that my healthy choices still aren’t healthy for my situation; like I used to be able to eat more than I can now. 3+.
New Habit(s): black coffee for SIX weeks now and recently intentionally bringing JOY to it. Going toward plant-based information for my body’s cells, allowing for some animal proteins as we change the pantry contents. When the tum feels queasy, can have a mellow, oat-milky fluffy cafe latte. Increase capacities slowly, and they might stick. Checking messages on EC. 3+.
Accomplished: All of the things that lead to the November 21 launch of “The 2022 Kilgore Family Cookbook” (no link here – by request only!) I made multiple trips to physical and online stores, not knowing exactly what I was creating. I’ve been naturally more tired in the evenings and have gotten more sleep recently than I have for years. 3.
Thinking about: My friend Junior and his son, Nathan, back in Haiti, and the people who help them in their serious situation; my aunt Joyce and her serious situation; the impacts swallowing dairy products may have on my physical health. 3.
Watch this:
Reading: Still have not read anything bound and published since October 31st. Have also paused my Audible.com subscription, which I learned you can do up to 3 months in a one-year period. I shall resume in February.
New Section (to build rather than to update):
Ecology of Practices:
regular creation of “places to stand”
attitudes that support standing there
having a strong sense of who I am
maintaining an empowered context.
Committed to having space for it all (without having to remind myself that I am committed to having space for it all).
Being all like “I am Free to give, I receive more than I give.”
(ala good buddy Colleen S.)
I use Google calendar to guide my passing through “time”
I use Alexa to announce what is happening next (in three minutes)
If the next thing that is happening with another person, I go toward the minute it is to start willing to be clear and complete from the beginning of the conversation.
I use PillPack for prescriptions to track whether I already took my meds.
I listen for things to appear in the communication.
I listen for their greatness.
I may seem to gab and joke, but I also generate.