this is my life...this is the journey...

Honoré  here:   Last Friday, I got to the Tidal Baisin to see the last of the cherry blossoms at their peak, several weeks ahead of schedule due to the fact that we've had such an early spring. The day was quite warm, 82 degrees and bright. There were crowds, perhaps moreso due to the fact that this is the Centennial Cherry Blossom Festival and that rain was scheduled (and indeed, arrived)  for the weekend.

I did a lot of walking with a sore little toe (dropped a bottle of Listerine on it the week before - don't ask) and decided I'd treat myself to a cup of iced coffee at the Starbucks in the JW Marriott Hotel. A nice place for a little R & R before I continued on my way  home. With me, I also had a paper pad with a list of  goals and aspirations I'd drafted for myself in November 2011, to accomplish, in this my 70th year before my 70th birthday. On this list are 70+ projects that I think/want/plan/hope/to complete by my 70th birthday, November 15, 2012.  (As I've blog-jogged the Internet, I've seen many similar lists: projects to complete; bucket lists; life lists; etc. And I'd thought for a long time that I'd do something similar. But I want to give a shout-out to my friend Mary who really moved me off the dime by sharing, on her blog, her own list of Fifty for 50 last November. She and I are both celebrating a major life milestone in November, just two days apart!)

Now, before we go any further, just to clarify: a project is anything that requires more than one step or action or could possibly cover an extended span of time. Some projects, such as "let hair grow," require little effort on one's part except to refrain from wielding the scissors in a moment of frustration...I can't do anything with my hair... Other projects really are multi steps/actions.

Currently, my list has more than 70 projects. For the purpose of organization, my projects fall into the nine life areas of the Baqua: Health &Family, Knowledge &  Self Cultivation, Career & Life Path, Creativity & Children, Wealth & Prosperity, Love & Marriage, Fame & Reputation and Helpful People & Travel. I am not a student of the Bagua though I  do refer to it occasionally; I like the categories it represents.  The projects run the gamut and generally fall into the categories of start/stop/finish/do: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually and for the most part are totally within my control.  

So, here it is, the end of March and just seven months remain before the big 7-0 arrives! I had my list with me and as I drank my coffee and relaxed from my walk, I took inventory: some items I scratched out and replaced with something else. The one item that really caught my attention: focus on process, reflection and outcomes. Where am I in the scheme of things and how do I feel about it? What am I doing?  What do I want to continue doing? To do more of? To stop? To begin? And that is where I am in the scheme of things.

Over my next seven (or so) blog posts, I will share my list of 70+ projects with a "where am I now" update. I'm looking forward to what I learn. Stay tuned...

Cheers~

 

 

 

Comments

[Laura]

Love this post and your reflection on 'where am I now'. I have been increasingly aware of 'process' this year instead of results or finished product. I've found myself slowing down, staying in the moment, and being unusually patient. I look forward to reading what you learn about your process as you journey through your projects. Happy trails to you!

[Mary]

you had a lovely day for cherry blossoms, and for reflecting. look forward to hearing more about your journey!

[alexa]

Thank-you for this lovely photo - my daughter spent nearly a year in Washington and spoke to us of the wonderful cherry blossom. (We did get to visit in autumn though and admired the city so much.). Looking forward to seeing your project ideas and plans unfold - and sitting in a cafe is always such a great space for thinking and reflections.

[Wendy @ the Late Start Studio]

The questions at the end of your post also occupy my thinking - perhaps times of transition are when these questions come up for me, both now and in the past.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. If you hadn't done so I might never have found yours!

[Kathy]

Dear, dear girl...as long as I've known you those questions have swirled thru your head. Now, the 70th year reflection for your 70th birthday sure adds an thick layer of deeper reflection, doesn't it? I look forward to sharing it with you.