i believe that grasping selflessly and selfishly to each other can shake the world.
i aspire to bring renewal to the earth, solitude to my spirit, and peace to humanity through the conscious decisions regarding my daily living.
my hope is for your inspiration through my journey toward a family-nuturing home, vegetarian diet, handmade living, and a low-impact environmental existence.
let's enter into this walk together ♥
in the tiny pockets of quiet in this hectic life, I've been giving in to very personal questions over the past week or so. on my heart is this pressing beat of who I am, who I want to be, and when will I begin to take time to nurture that transition and let it happen. I've been exploring this not-so-revelational thought in therapy and in conversations with those close to me -- every moment of every day, I spend working toward something, working for something, working on something, but at day's end, I've spent no time working on myself physically or mentally or emotionally. I have failed to prioritize myself, my personal, inner, wonderful being under the guise of "but I enjoy the work I do so it's for me." But it's not for me and it's not allowing me to become the person I want to be.
I'd be lying if I said that I've made any grand changes and can suddenly afford to spend a few hours per day working on personal nourishment. But I have been giving it a lot of thought which I think is equally important in the beginning. Last week, I took myself on a brisk walk each day and allowed myself that short window of time to think and be rejuvenated through nature, through movement, through solitude.
This week, I've been fighting a cold (probably as a result of those walks in the cold!) and spent all last evening and most of today trying to sleep off this bug. But I laid here sniffling on the couch and tried to think back pre-business to the activities that I enjoyed that were all me.
Quickly, I remembered collaging.
I picked up collaging in college when I attended spiritual life retreats over the years. It was always my favorite creative outlet because of it's meditative qualities. I actually led a little collaging activity for our Urban Folk Circuit retreat on Sunday and Jimmyredhed walked through the dining room to comment, "Shouldn't you be listening to Tracy Chapman?"
And it's true. I spent countless hours over the years, collaging and listening to Tracy Chapman. All was right in the world and I'd come out of that exercise inspired by justice, by the life desires I could now visualize thanks to my collage, by the time spent nourishing my creative flow. I need time like this back in my life. Time that doesn't need end results or other people or a structured environment or a price tag. Just old magazines, glue or mod podge, and a salvaged piece of cardboard.
Ah, and yes, a cup of fresh sage tea with honey and Tracy Chapman on the radio.
Hunger only for a taste of justice Hunger only for a world of truth 'Cause all that you have is your soul
It's no secret that I'm in love with living in Chicago for the life, energy, and world connections I make each day. One reason that never ceases to amaze me is the ability to connect with nature even in the winter months. I adore visiting farmers markets, the beach, and parks all throughout our cold months. That's not something I ever did before moving here -- when it got cold, we bundled indoors for the season.
My mom came to visit last weekend and we made a point to get out of the house and try something we've never done before. Jimmyredhed, Kevin, my mom, and I ate brunch at Cafe Con Leche in Logan Square then headed to the Garfield Park Conservatory which is free to tour independently. How stunning it was, indeed. The greenery and fresh air were much needed to tide us over until spring!
On a daily basis, I tote a lot of stuff to and from work and to class once a week ::
a lap top, power cord, several notebooks, a camera, battery charger, isb cord, ipod, charger, headphones, pens, pencils, highlighters, two wallets, business cards, umbrella, whatever I'm reading book-wise or magazine-wise or class-wise, whatever I'm making or organizing or attending to.
So my bag needs vary by the week and I have an small arsenal that serve me well. But recently, I've needed a stronger bag that commutes well. I was on the verge of buying a messenger bag when somewhere in the deep recesses of my memory I remembered my bag from my first year of college. A sentimental bag, my 18-year-old self sewed a ton of patches on it back in 2003 in my radical 18-year-old goodness. I haven't used it since then, but I've held on to because really, who would toss out a bag like this? A statement piece if you will.
I dug it out of storage and I must say ... it suits my needs perfectly despite it being nearly 10 years old. And brings me back just a little! Most of the patches were scored from my favorite little Monmouth thrift shop where we used to volunteer each week -- The Strom Center. The "Cuba" patch is from my 8th grade cheerleading uniform and the circular ribbon patch in the bottom right is from my days as a Girl Scout.
Do you have any sentimental items you've hung onto that have served a purpose later on?
