Wednesdays (or thereabouts) I’ve been recording a Curiosity Journal to recap the previous week using these tag words: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing. Sometimes I mix up the order, just to keep you on your toes.
Care to join me?
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Reading
This week’s reading is limited to blog posts and Facebook updates, though I did read The Wall Street Journal twice and checked news summaries via The Week app on my phone. Next week is devoted to reviewing composition class papers.
Writing
Even as some friends and acquaintances feel that they should post less frequently on their blogs, I’m wanting to do more. I yearn to share ideas, interview people, explore topics and develop themes. Though time is limited by family and teaching obligations, I long to sit at the table with you and sip some tea together. I’ll set out spoons and honey, and we can swap stories. That, for me, would make for a rich, full life.
I just made pie. Perhaps we can share a slice in the days ahead?
Learning
Always, I strive for a level of organization that frees me to make time for what matters most…but I never quite arrive.
Instead, I revisit systems and rearrange shelves; I set up a method for managing appointments or papers and trash it when it fizzles or fails.
Why can’t I arrive at a smooth and fluid way of living that frees me to focus on my top interests?
I live in tension created by the clash between my craving for order and my slovenly tendencies. I also share a home with five other easily sidetracked people who tend toward disorder. It’s not easy to arrive at an ideal and freeing level of organization.
This ongoing struggle discourages me some days and inspires me on others, but the biggest thing I’ve learned about myself is to keep experimenting and tweaking. Every day, do something: Install another shelf. Give away another sweater. Throw out another container of leftovers.
And so I do just that, day after day. Today, I clear my desk. Again. However, thanks to my husband’s help installing a system for holding my hanging files, I can slip these papers into folders for easy access. The desk is clear in record time.
Every day, a little more progress…and with that steady progress, I find that life is a little more fluid, a little more freeing, and when I clear the desk in record time, I’m living a little more fully.
Playing
I like to bake, so preparing some pies for Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for play. My son baked a pumpkin pie while I tried throwing together a gluten- and dairy-free pumpkin dessert. I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to taste it.
Reacting
Today’s post at The High Calling, a reprint from Ann Voskamp’s blog, reminds me to practice thanksgiving in practical ways.
One of the ways Ann Voskamp suggested is to model it, so here I am, modeling gratitude, and I send this out to every reader who takes time out of his or her life to stop by and read these words. You are such an important part of my life as we share this space together. I can’t tell you how much you mean to me.
Thank you for being here. Merci.
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Hazel Moon says
I like the longer posts too, just not too long. I try to fill one page on my Word program. For me that is just about right. I can get my story across and a life message too. May you all enjoy a lovely Thanksgiving including the pumpkin desert and pie.
Laura says
I would accept that invitation for honeyed tea. Sounds like a lovely dream :). Happiest of Thanksgivings to you and your family, Ann. Enjoy that pie.
Sandra Harriette says
I am more than happy to be a reader of your blog, Ann. I always get so lost in your words and quite truly my problems melt away if only for a moment. I can imagine where things take place. I can resonate so much with your experience although not a mom myself…not yet anyways.
Speaking of order, I also feel very similar. Something about a feng shui space is very impacting and for good reasons. When I am in that space both internally and environmentally I feel at my best so it only makes sense why you would feel progress.
Megan Willome says
Aww, what a sweet photo of you! To your “merci,” I say “de nada.”