Category: One Little Word

my word, continues …

Published on by Honoré16 Comments

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Over the course of the past month, I’ve been considering candidates for my 2020 word. Last week, I thought I’d settled on the word CULTIVATE – one of many candidates. Others in contention: create/creative; finish; focus; garden; grow; Yes to No!, etc. The list of candidates grew longer and yet, nothing just quite grabbed me.

Saturday, I started reading Wendy Wood’s  Good Habits, Bad Habits, a book that’s been in my TBR stack easily a month, six weeks. The  book has received favorable reviews; the more I read, the more convinced and comfortable I became that YES! Habit was going to continue to be my word in 2020.

Habit permeates all aspects of life:

  • complicates yet eliminates decision making;
  • fascinates yet eludes;
  • helps and hinders;
  • liberates and traps;
  • confounds and explains
  • etc; etc; etc.

I am really looking forwad to continuing my journey with Habit. 2019 was a year of flirtation; I just didn’t really get very involved. I plan (hope?) 2020 to be an entrely different story.

In 2019, Juliann of Chasing Stories invited us to join her, the last Tuesday of the month and share an update on our experience with our words. She isn’t going to continue hosting our sharing;  I volunteered to keep the practice going in 2020.

I hope you will share your 2020 word and join the monthly updating the last Tuesday of each month. For this month, December 2019, please leave the link to your post in the comments. The January, 28, 2020 post will  have the inLinkz (link up) active.

I look forward to our 2020 One Little Word journey.

Happy New Year!

PS. You can read  about Juliann’s 2020 word here

 

thoughts on my 2019 word …

Published on by Honoré7 Comments

 

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As I, on the cusp of closing out this year’s experience with one little word, contemplate the myriad choices that have presented themselves over these last couple months of 2019, I’m struck with the small dictionary of words I’ve amassed over the past nine, ten, (eleven?) years. Begin. Complete. Document. Chronicle. etc.

My 2019 word: habit is one that I’ve toyed with perhaps all my life. Both the making and the breaking. As is my habit – pun intended – whenever I embark on a new adventure, I do a lot of research, shopping, trying a variety of approaches and experiences. Some might describe that as being attracted to bright shiny objects and in a way, I agree – tho’ I like to think of it as experimentation. This year was no different. Always, my aim/goal is to find the path of least resistance; as a result I think I often tire sooner than I should… mainly because I’ve not quite settled in/on a path, routine, etc. I guess one could easily describe those actions as “my habit” and thus, the raison d être for my having a lot of unfinished projects lurking in my closets… Having said all that, I’m surprised I get outta bed in the mornings <smile>.

My focus on habit for 2019 results in my affirming what I have always known: ideas and possibilities have the habit of grabbing my attention. It is who I am.

Because the year is coming to an end doesn’t mean that my focus on habit will end. I shall continue to keep the word and my actions at the forefront as I embrace my 2020 word, which,  I think as I write this post, will be _ _ _ _ _ _*

Do stop over to Juliann’s post re: her 2019 word!

Cheers~

*To be revealed next week; stay tuned!

it’s wednesday | 11.27.19 …

Published on by Honoré7 Comments

 

Joining Juliann for 2019 One Little Word Update and Kat for Unraveled Wednesday.

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Both raveling and reading over the past few days have been sporadic, preempted by assorted other activities- just life! I finished Forest Bathing Retreat (shared last week)- really like that book – and have begun the lovely book, pictured, that my friend Laura gifted to me; the card is from my quilting association.

My 2019 word Habit finds me at the half-way point – still working on eliminating some, revising others and creating new ones. I think that’s the way it works. I’ve come to conclude that the hardest habits to get a firm grip on are those I most want to change-up or eliminate. Many are the result of influential (at the time) circumstances; I have no idea as to when/why and how created, evolved or simply showed up. They are just there and require my intention as well as my attention! So, as is my habit – pun intended – I seek and experiment with all sorts of tricks, novel ideas, etc  to make changes … I have been making progress, for the most part, in writing one-off notes in one place.*

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The best news of all: Today, Elias is TWO! and grown enough to fit in big brother Chris’ coat. We celebrate tomorrow!

Wishing you the best Thanksgiving ever.

Cheers~

 

*This requires concerted effort but I sense it is on the verge of becoming a desired new habit! However, looking at my desk, currently, one might question…I do! The name of the game: If you don’t succeed, try, try again!

unraveled wednesday| 10.30.2019 …

Published on by Honoré7 Comments

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~me, 2009~

I made the witch’s hat in 2009 for Kayla, who was then 9.  Fun to see my  then state-of-the-art smart phone. Obviously, I hadn’t (and still haven’t) perfected taking  state-of-the-art selfies…

So, here we are at the end of October…just 62 days left in this year! Where does the time go? How did 303 days unravel so fast in what seems like the blink of an eye? I know this month has almost whizzed by, partly because the last LOAD layout a day challenge for 2019 ends tomorrow. The prompts, based on Tom Hanks’ movies and career, have been not only fun but also informative. I have learned as well as enjoyed the stimulation. Over this calendar year, thanks to LOAD challenges in February, May, August and July, I’ve made a minimum of 97 scrapbook pages: stories of me, people (family & friends), places and things. I am not necessarily (at least I don’t think I am) moved by time-bound challenges: our layouts have to be posted by 3 AM, Pacific Standard Time (I’ve never been up at that hour) to qualify. I generally finish and post by 7 pm EST…however, I do think the accountability metric helps move me to completion. I wonder how I might translate that into other areas of my life?

The next 62 days are going to be busy, busy with birthdays: Norman’s is Friday, mine two weeks after that, two weeks later, Elias will be two, and then two weeks into December, my sister’s! That doesn’t even take into account Thanksgiving and Christmas preparation and celebrations! Nor the 1001 other activities: eye/dental and medical appointments, concerts and events, dates due, general life items, and projects on my calendar/planner.

Clearly, if ever, the time is here for me to call upon my better habits and say out LOUD: YES to NO! No, I won’t add a single solitary bright shiny new activity or project to an already packed list…and to that effect, I am not undertaking NABLOPOMO (even tho’ I don’t think it’s still in existence, I did post daily last November);  I am going to make a gratitude journal but it won’t be time bound, i.e, required to be completed within a 24 hour period! Saying YES to NO! will be a huge contribution to days filled with those activities that light my life and fill me up.

I’m continuing to practice the Continental knit stitch; am reading Just Mercy  and Stillness is the Key; started The Water Dancer and have several books on my phone that accompany me on my walks. I just remembered I (still ) have a Christmas stocking with a few/some rows to finish; guess I’ll resurrect and get movin’ on it again.

Joining Kat and friends for Unraveled Wednesday and Juliann for One Little Word monthly update.

Happy Halloween, y’all!

Cheers~

 

olw: habit| 8.27.19 …

Published on by Honoré2 Comments

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Google’s definition of habit: “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up”  – to which I add: especially one that is hard to create and sustain … ’cause as Robert Burns says (and I frequently quote) :

“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft agley“

This day, I planned to focus my time and energy – before 12 noon – on these things:

  • post office – to mail 2 packages ~ accomplished …
  • write today’s blog post ~ it is now 3:30 pm and in process …
  • stitch on something: don’t just walk into my sewing studio, fondle the fabric or fiddle with a project and then leave ~ hah! I’ve walked past the open door dozens of times but not gone in…so, I guess that counts for somewhat accomplished? 

There are still 4 items on my agenda and the clock steadily ticks… I think I’ll go for a walk and return to my agenda with a clear head, new perspective and hopefully renewed energy.

In case you’re wondering what happened today: I tried to sign up for a new online class and couldn’t log into my account to process the registration. I finally wound up having to create another account.

Joining Juliann and friends for another One Little Word (olw) update!

Cheers~

olw: habit| 7.30.19 …

Published on by Honoré9 Comments

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Last month I wrote that I was working on the habit of dressing in “street clothes” before I went downstairs in the mornings for MSQT (morning solitude and quiet time). I did  most mornings – primarily motivated by my aim to walk before the temperature climbed above 90°F, which, unfortunately, happened at least 21 days this month!

Several side benefits of my morning walks:

  • a few more mornings at Zeke’s (coffee shop) …
  • chance to enjoy more of the season’s colors displayed by the flowers …
  • more audible books read…
  • several when I get roun tuit items on my “to do” lists are now “ta da done!”

I think this habit is a good one to continue. Joining Juliann and friends for this month’s One Little Word share.

Cheers~

 

 

olw : habit | 6.25.2019 …

Published on by Honoré9 Comments

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… a tiny calendar update: Christmas is exactly six months away! will you be ready? that is, if you celebrate the date? and no, I’m not trying to rush the season despite the fact that we’re entering into our first summer heat wave…’t’was just a thought that flipped through my mind as I changed the block calendar this morning and again, just minutes ago, when I sat down to pen this post…

so, the question is: what do I have to share about my progress – or not – with my word? As they say in the ol’ country: fair to middlin’ 

I chose my word because I wanted to make better use of my time on a daily basis… one habit I especially wanted to create: getting dressed in the morning before I went downstairs for MSQT. For most of my nearly 10 retirement years, my day begins in my jammies. Why? I just don’t  a) like to “dress” and b) see much need if I ‘m not leaving the house before 10-11 am. The downside: tho’ I’m totally relaxed and enjoying whatever I’m doing, I also am postponing the doing of other things that are of importance and value —so, I think. And I’ve found that I stay in a state of mental quandary: this? that?  maybe the the other? …well, maybe no…maybe yes… and so it goes… A broken record that gets on one’s my nerves! Resulting in not-a-thing happening, getting done, etc. Even Scarlett (Gone With the Wind) ran out of tomorrows…

This past month, I decided to make a tiny change-up: most days I actually began the morning dressed! Even I am impressed! Am I checking off more things on my “get it done!” list? Dubious but then, it may be too early to tell … perhaps if I found the list?

tbc…joining Juliann and others here…

Cheers~

FLASH! FLASH! My Apple Watch just reported: Today is my 81st consecutive day of meeting/exceeding my daily Move goal! I like the accountability feature the watch provides. Hmmm: Wonder if I can get it/an app to work for a few other things/habits?!

 

my word |4.30.19 …

Published on by Honoré6 Comments

 

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(Dogwood @ Franciscan Monastery, 4. 24.19)

Spring 2019 has been exceptionally lovely, albeit a tad cool, but colorful and delightful, nevertheless. My April was filled with lots of lovely time spent outdoors…

Habits are interesting: hard to both make and break. Habits challenge and reward. I am the sum total of my habits :

  • I am creating and/or refining habits, activities that contribute to a healthier and  happpier ME – happier is not to say that I am unhappy ’cause I definitely am not;
  • I am creating a new daily groove…spending my time and energy engaged in activities and habits that spark joy, fill me up, and move me closer to reaching my  creative goals;
  • I am creating habits that contribute to a happier/better life for me, family, friends, and those who I encounter on any given day.

I am ready to continue my journey. But now,  @ 2:30 pm, I’m going to take a lovely walk outside on this 81°F day!

Joining Juliann and others for a One Little Word update.

my word| 3.26.19 …

Published on by Honoré10 Comments

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T’is the last Tuesday of the month – joining Juliann and others for  a “My Word” update.

In the overall scheme of things, I’m trying to establish some new, different habits and break familiar, sooo comfortable old ones. On some fronts, I’ve been right on track, making progress, implementing small yet steady changes and others, I fall into the “try a little harder” camp. On a scale of 1 – 10, I’ll give myself an overall 6.9 of 10 score…

Specifically, I am focusing on these areas:

  • Blog: I’ve decided that I’m going for a M, W, and F  – 3 times a week publication schedule, fitting in other days as an occasion or topic warrants, e.g; the last Tuesday of the month is update on my 2019 word… I think this best schedule, providing  flexibility in not only writing posts but also replying to comments in a more timely  manner. Since I moved to WordPress I’ve been “reply challenged,” trying to get the hang of a different and more timely system. I think I know what I need to do…and I shall give it a try; staying on top of communicating on a more timely basic with the wonderful blog community. Thanks everyone for being here and encouraging me and one another on!
  • Life: We all have daily to do items, places to go, people to see, things to buy and /or make, household chores, etc. These can easily mushroom and so I’m trying to cultivate the habit of  the “Power Hour” ~ a daily/weekly time to attend to : @ the computer; chores: calls; cleaning; döstädning; errands; etc. It’s so easy to let these things slide and then there’s a big build up, especially in the @computer/tally on-going-expenses areas…Some things I aim to do daily and others, weekly – or X-# times in a week as with blog posts. Perhaps these categories are not HABITS as much as they are FOCUS ACTION  areas ~ things that grab my attention at least once a week…
  • Creating/Creativity: My list expands and contracts, sometimes, oft times because of a deadline that suddenly looms large ’cause I am easily, inspired, wooed. Thus, I find myself having to give my undivided attention to the deadline…The habit I am changing is that of saying NO to brighter, shinier objects so I can and do, indeed say YES! to engaging in, exploring, experiencing my own creativity…and most importantly to stop writing a thousand notes on a thousand random pieces of paper. When I master that, I know I will  have arrived!

So, there t’is: a brief snapshot of my thinking and evaluation of month 3 living with my word: habit!  Do visit Juliann to see how she and others are fairing with their words. How is yours thriving in your life?

Cheers~