What makes me happier?
8:30 AM. Friday, January 27, on my to-do list : “write blog post.” I’ve not started it yet -tho’ I am in Writers’ Hour… *8:50 AM. My watch tells me: “Time to stand and replenish my tea. “ Ah, the wonders of technology!
I spent Thursday afternoon, after Daily Pages (certainly the hi-light of my day and the subject for another post) organizing monthly paper work and getting ready for “tax season.” I am not at all like my father who a) was meticulous in keeping financial records and b) could make sense out of bits-n-pieces of paper, receipts, all gathered in a brown paper bag or a shoebox brought to him by small entrepreneurs. Asking myself: Could that be my answer – a brown paper bag and/or a shoebox? – to a task I don’t especially like? T’would that make me happier? Doubtful…
For sure, one thing I KNOW: my mostly morning – daily walk, at least 23 -30 min per outing – makes me happier. I clock using my Apple Watch. My daily walk is just restorative and exciting to see what I discover as the seasons change. A fave sight is that of preschoolers, tethered by a walking chain, out on their morning walk, too … Several often wave at me; we’ve seen each other before. Tho’today was indeed brisk – frigid – their waves warmed my heart and made me happier.
One of the “things” I often write during morning journaling is the phrase: “birds flocking…” Generally, in the Fall and Winter months, I see any number- 5 to who knows how many – birds flocking and I write myself a note: Answer question: “Why do birds flock?” Yesterday I finally answered the question watching stunning visuals via YouTube and a new word – Murmurations – that somehow escaped my lexicon. Check out this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/DLuEwFblaN4 for more info. I think this is what I like best about the Internet – answers and information about the obscure, mysterious, everyday, wonderment question. Reminds me of the pleasure I got just reading a print dictionary or encyclopedia article that caught my eye as I was looking up something else. In today’s world, I can highlight a word, e.g., wonderment, and in DayONE -the program I use for digital journaling – look up the word’s meaning…
Tiago Forte’s book/concept of a “second brain” appeals to me, to an extent. My preference is to use my own brain – for its better or worse storage/retrieval capabilities. I’ve come to the conclusion that I really don’t want to learn how someone else thinks – I’m having enough challenge figuring out how (if ?) I think… Guess that’s why I’m not much of an app advocate. A pencil/pen and piece of paper or sticky note (Yes! I know there are apps for them, too!) make me happier… On the other hand, my 8.5 years’ old great grand nephew is a whiz with “second brain” tools and toys. I remember once complaining to my mother about all the graffiti gracing the buildings and street signs and sidewalks and billboards and, and, and… Her response to me: “Remember the cave man!” Perspective! Thinking about that conversation makes me smile, happier…
The questions I’m allegedly answering in 2023 with my One Little Word: “ What indeed makes me happpier? Will doing X, Y or Z make me Happier?” I do know it isn’t ‘French Fries … And of course, the answer is: I won’t know until I do!
What is making you happer these days? TBC… to be continued!
Cheers~
Fun: This colorful chair sits outside the library. I believe it’s made of concrete. The next time I walk by, (the library is open on a limited basis and I always manage to go there when closed ) I’ll touch to see …
Morning Glory Studio 