Post your slice, or the link to your blogged slice, on schoology.com by Friday each week.
I’m hanging on to the desire to write by my fingertips. The inspiration to slice had taken shape. I was composing in my mind, eagerly awaiting the white expanse of a new Word document in front of me, when the Microsoft Auto Update window stuck its nosey self into my thoughts and process. Two updates later, having avoided a motivation-squashing reboot, I can see the parallel paths of keeping my writing juices flowing and holding on to commitments I have and will make to myself in regards to my physical wellbeing. It’s a ‘carpe momento’ kind of thing in the same way the desire to get up and move – walk, do Pilates, run, ride my bike, etc – hits me in a surge, like a match being struck; I either do or the spark festers out.
Both options have their distinct residual effects: sloth is sullen, cumulative, regrettable self-defeat, while action fuels a clean-slate endorphin high with sprinkles of pride.
My intent at least half an hour ago was to slice about new habits, New Year’s resolutions, and giving the gift of self-control to myself particularly over the next two weeks when I will be visiting the talented, abundant cooks of my family. Following the distressing events last week, I found myself s-a-d and anxious at the recurring thought of something that should never happen. But, instead of using food as a distraction to try to make myself feel better, time connecting with people and reflecting are what provide me with strength and comfort, not ‘comfort food’; eating too much, eating too fast, eating things I don’t actually like, but that are rich and available will not fill me up in the same simple buoyant way a balloon climbs to the ceiling, seeming to gain speed on its self-guided ascent.
As I hear tonight’s sustained wind huff louder now behind the clang of the wind-chimes, I consider perhaps the gift for this season and new year could be phrases like “sustainment,” “try,” or “do”. Some folks in recent years have selected more abstract or altruistic-sounding mantras or words, but I see “sustainment,” the idea of being as good, if not better than I was before, to be a movement in the right direction, because as Abe Lincoln said, “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad.” Moreover, if I am choosing to see the positive in various situations, to de-stress in healthy ways, to take a moment to think rather than responding in anger, annoyance, or frustration, I will feel better myself and be opening up those around me to positive spaces and support I can offer. Another word of 2013 could be “Try,” but it sounds too “iffy” and passive. But, finally, “do,” is the kind of take-action attitude that is a spark of excitement, energy, and enthusiasm, which fills me with thoughts of running, starting social justice projects and neat community connections with Creative Writing class, family time, and living life.
Here's to 2013, a year to do for peace, for health, for others.