My friend Danny, in his blog, Jew Eat Yet does an annual review every year. I like that idea and so this year I want to try that myself. One part of myself says "Wait it is too late, you have already written about 2012. ", but the other part of me says "Who cares? It doesn't matter. It is your blog and you can do what you want."
Danny also mentions that people are saying blogging is as dead as a doornail, but I am totally hooked. I love it! I don't care what the word is on the street about blogging. I love being able to write about whatever I want. Even if no one reads it, it is for my pleasure.
January
I wrote about the upwelling that was happening inside of me and the goodness of exploring that inner landscape. I established a "room of my own" with a spiritual altar to use. I talked about my favorite movies and books I had read the year before including the authors of Pema Chodron and Joe Vitale who both had a profound effect on my life. I discussed my New Year's resolutions for 2011 which included losing 20 pounds, being with family more, getting rid of clutter, doing my inner work and traveling to different interesting places.
February
In February, I was having back pain and I discovered Esther Gokhale who lives and teaches in the Bay Area. She taught me through her books, videos and one live lecture how to walk, sit, and lie down properly so that I could heal my back as I went through my day. I also noticed that I was sitting in a "kiddie chair" at the elementary school where I worked so I put a stop to that and my back healed. The above picture along with many others in her book show the beauty of correct posture that has been lost in our culture.
March
In March, the firing of thousands of teachers all over California, inspired me to remember my favorite teachers growing up for myself and my children including Sherry Hicks, who established a new sign language interpreting program at Santa Rosa Junior College. I went back to school at 50 years old and was part of the first graduating class in 2009.
I also shared my joy of journal and letter writing--I have written in my journal since age ten and have kept all of my journals over the years. I took some time to appreciate the ordinary moments of life and give gratitude.
April
In April, I had the joy of spending a week at the Ashland Film Festival with my friend Dana Lee. I had never been to a film festival like that before and I loved it. We went to see films from 9 in the morning until 10 at night for five days. There were so many films that I loved, but some of my favorites were Louder Than a Bomb about teenage poetry slams and How to Die in Oregon about the right to die when you are ready. I loved being in Ashland, Oregon again. There is something magical about that town.
May
In May, we took our daughter Sarah to Maui and Kauai as a graduation gift. We had a fabulous time. She went snorkeling, scuba diving and learned how to surf all for the first time.
I also shared my commitment to time alone in silence with nature and letting myself wail in the wind.
June
In June, I spoke my mind about "Weinergate" and media's fascination with scandal and urged our society to change their priorities and focus on more important issues like how to get more monies for schools and get people working again.
July
In July, I went back to Missouri for the annual woman's tubing and canoe float in the Ozarks. This event is put on by my mother's best friend. In addition to my Mom, my sister and niece went as well. I also saw one of my favorite films of the year--Woody Allen's Midnight In Paris and focused on tidbits I had learned from Pema Chodron in her book The Fearless Heart.
August
In August, we helped move Sarah across the country to law school at the University of Michigan and I adjusted to having both my children far away. I was also very happy that they are doing what they love in their lives. I took a trip with my friend for my birthday to Esalen on the California coast and enjoyed the delicious vegetarian meals and nautral hot springs there. I also discussed the key points of Eckhart Tolle's 12 hour DVD set about how to live in the moment called The Art of Presence.
September
In September, I took some time to explore some of the beautiful nature available right in our backyard including Goat's Rock beach. September is one of the most beautiful months here in Sonoma County and I wanted to get outside and really explore the bounty. I also saw an amazing football game where the University of Michigan won at the last moment which reminded me of a college football game my freshman year at the University of Missouri in 1973. I continued to explore my inner landscape by spending time in meditation.
October
In October, I spent a glorious week at the ocean at Amelia Island, Florida. I made the commitment to write one haiku poem every day for 37 days and explored an image I discovered in meditation of a cocoon.
November
In November, I took a spontaneous trip to Harbin Hot Springs where I did a personal retreat and focused on the specialness of 11-11-11.
December
In December, I talked about the favorite books I have read in 2011 and how my kindle allowed for me to easily read so many books at the same time. This book above by Mark Nepo had an inspiring reading for every day of the year. I will miss that.
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