2018.04.12 - Day 29

Not done here, not in summation mode. Not patting on back, good job done. Going to go on a bit. Perhaps the last one to post can turn off the lights on the way out.

Did review the Zero day long (todo) list of personalities to cover. The private list of topics...
In busy teacher mode, graded each outline point with a covered or not mentioned. Gave this pupil a C. Should have been lower, but raise it to passing so that it would Ok if this student was never in this class again.
Day 29 of 30 was to be this day. Ha, and it is.

BTW - Bookstore yesterday. Saw "Flatland" on the shelf. Remembered that house library has not had a copy for some years. Have given 3 copies away to others that needed to read it. Bought it. Will try to re-read it again. Hopefully before giving it to somebody.

Hooray, more days added.

I attended a meeting on social justice last night and have been overwhelmed at how much there is to do ever since. Things have gotten out of hand.

I find it's not necessary to meditate often or for a long time. It is necessary to do it regularly and to let go of the outcome.
Breathe. Let go. See. See wider. Open up.

I'm often out ahead of myself. Just by making the next pages today, I clicked into a headspace of the next phase. Would I like to continue with what I've been doing, wobbly as it may be, or shall I start with something new? Conveniently, there is connection between everything, and so shifting will actually not be unrelated to the first intention. I'm nearly settled on **Savoring**. Which may an indulgent form of Step 2.

Pulling this word from a Yale course (on Coursera) I signed up to audit in the middle of the night (my sleeping patterns are not yet settled). The course is a positive psychology course that has been super popular, focusing on well-being, which promises to impart some nifty tools. Savoring is (in this context) "the act of stepping outside of an experience to review and appreciate it." So I think Step 2, taken this way, will enable me to go deeper, incorporate more.

As for today, there is the temptation to write off the day, but I won't. I'll reset and settle. My intention is that tomorrow will be a more relaxing day.

My intention was to set aside some time to read every day, and I have pretty much been able to do that over these 30 days. While it was perhaps not a very challenging goal to set for myself, doing this has made me aware of how necessary a clear intention is for making even small changes in my daily patterns, and of how valuable the support of a group is for maintaining an intention over time.

I believe I will switch my focus to something different for the next 20 days. Haven't decided just what yet.

Savor! Isn't that a wonderful word and plan. Riddle, wow he is one tough grader, I am glad he's not my teacher. I might get an "F". I am a tough grader on myself too. It's not easy to be both fair/honest and accepting of one's limits. I hope he can loosen up a bit because other people can see what a great person he is, even if he doesn't feel so hot about himself often. Isn't it interesting that people who are cool never think of themselves that way, and those who do think of themselves as cool are absolutely dreadful! haha. so true. I am glad Alma stuck to her determination to read cause she mentioned two books of her choice, that I didn't know about and at least one is going on my reading list. I hope she keeps up the reading when she switches to something different. What will she choose? A real estate mentor used to say "don't invest in the outcome" as Wester mentioned--it's advice that works in a wide range of situations. Social justice--seems to come close to an oxymoron. I attach "fair" to the concept of justice and social as in society. Societies of all kinds seem rarely to fit into the "fair" box. I wonder how Adams sees social justice? I am too cynical maybe. It is good to know we will continue forward.

Spent the whole day organizing the 4 days trip to Quebec City to attend the Book Fair where I have signatures of my latest novel. Leaving early tomorrow morning. Still hesitating: boots or walking shoes? Impending snowstorm. Going North is going a few weeks back in time.

Haven't been in Quebec City for a while: love the moment of walking on the Diamond Cape terrace overlooking the majestic Saint-Lawrence river and feeling the cold wind, taking in the view and remembering the French explorers who funded this city in 1608.

@Riddle, thank you so much for the Wired article on AI. That sounds very interesting. Will read!

Wishing everyone great PaB 10th anniversary celebrations over the week end! <3

Have a wonderful weekend in Quebec City, Eden! We'll miss you at the parties! <3