January 2017 // Field Notes

 

It’s been a slow start to the new year for me, which is mostly intentional and certainly welcome. As I’ve stated before, I don’t do resolutions or the craziness that sometimes accompanies the new year for some. I like to practice silence a bit (took a few weeks off of social media) and reflect on the last year.

Returning to the format of categorically making my notes:

Scrapbooking // Admittedly, I’ve been in a transition with how I traditionally scrapbook. There wasn’t much activity here for the latter part of 2016. I am getting a bit re-acclimated to it now. I attended a beloved crop which always helps get me inspired again. I did a massive cleaning and sorting in the studio, and was able to assess where projects are at.  I continue to keep a list of layout ideas in my bullet journal.

I was finding even though I like traditional scrapping of events and daily life, I wasm’t getting enough of my thoughts into my album as I wanted. I want something a little more flexible and personal, so I started a traveler’s notebook style for 2017. I’ve used this style for trips and like it. This way I can incorporate almost an art journaling style to my memory keeping and storytelling adventure.

Bullet Journal // Yes I am still using the bullet journal, but have modified it a bit. I am happy to have utilized this system in 2016 and was able to start in a new notebook for 2017. This time I am able to lay it out a little more beneficially after having experienced it for a year. I will share more on that set up soon, and also try to post a flip thru of 2016, to share how it has evolved. I can’t emphasize enough how customizing my own “planner”, versus buying into someone else’s shell, makes listing much easier. I am not a big rule follower, so the freedom of bullet journaling is priceless to me.

Ancestry // I am so excited that the DNA test was one of my Christmas presents this year. (Thanks Mom!) I am eagerly awaiting results. I had a few breakthroughs in 2016, which is huge to me since I have had very little help from relatives. I have great stories and perspectives from them, which will go into a book (still working out those ideas). But I finally found the name of a Great Great Grandfather in census records on a side I know very little about. I have a notebook designated to keep a written record. My online tree is orderly, but I tend to write things in too many different places. Assembling these notes will help. I have learned about some resources I can check out and am hoping to get to that this year. Along with visiting a cemetery to try to find the grave of my Great Grandmother, who little is very known.

Yoga // Asana practice has also waned for me a bit. In some ways, the revelation is that I need more exploration into the other limbs. At different times I’ve focused on different parts, but a true yoga experience requires attention to all eight limbs. I’ve been reading Meditations from the Mat by Rolf Gates as a guide. My teacher often discussed karma yoga which I’ve practiced more intensely at times. I think the current state of affairs in the external world (for me) are a calling to devote to this practice.

Right action, or right living, is really the core of my spiritual practice. I’m not overly concerned with my salvation. I think everyone is entitled to feel respected, and included, and like they matter here on earth. I take the common sense approach to most things. All of those personality assessments always result in my strong sense of logic. On my quest for what matters, I prefer to consult a variety of divine sources and literary legends. So much always comes back to the golden rule, which I learned at a very young age. In the past, I’ve shied away from being particularly political in social media and on this platform, mostly because I am not. I consider myself educated, I read a lot, but I certainly do not want a seat at the so-called table, if you know what I mean. At the same time, being informed means not being ignorant and I would like to think I am capable, maybe sometimes moreso than others, of being a positive voice in a sea of noise. So maybe this will come out a bit this year? Which leads me to…

My One Little Word // Expression, or Express yourself. This has a few meanings for me (as most words I choose usually do). For one I tend to be introverted. I will probably stay this way, but I want to be an introvert who isn’t afraid to speak or express my opinion. Not only my opinion, but my feelings. My feelings towards others. Lack of communication is the center point to a lot of anguish. I want people to know that I love them. Expression is also the word that correlates with the energy in the throat chakra, or vishuddha, which I need to work on opening. I’m continuing my study of the chakras this year, and want to incorporate this more into my asana practice as well. Also continuing the same sub-words as last year: focus & be light. The light part comes easier to me than the focus! 😉

So these are just a few things swirling in my mind on a chilly Friday in January. Looking forward to sharing more here as I get back into it.

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