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I'm compiling a list of things I can do for self-development. (recommendations are welcome)
1. School - I am returning fall 09 for database administration certification and then an A.S. in IT with the concentration in DBA. That will consume quite a bit of my time but until then...
2. Blogging - been good so far. I never journaled because whatever i wrote my mom would find and read and I would get in trouble. Then she would tell me to "write to get my feelings out". Jeez mom. why do you think I never did?
3. Guitar Lessons - I mentioned this before. The more I think about it the more I want to do it. I need a tangible outlet for creative energy
4. Knitting - I already crochet. Really want to learn how to knit and make cute things to wear
5. Zen Buddhism - The idea of this appeals to me. I consider myself an agnostic with some atheistic tendencies. I hold no ill will towards religion in general but it just isn't for me. This sounds like something I could get into because gawd knows I need some calm.
6. Volunteer Work - I have been considering being an escort for womens clinic patients. There are other things i have been considering but this is at the top of my list.
7. Gardening - i want to grow things but my previous experiences have resulted in death. I had a good reason though....I ended up leaving that house because of the divorce. I think maybe some hanging baskets or potted plants would be good. Maybe some tomatoes...
8. Traveling - My niece and nephew live in St Louis and I need to visit them more. I also have friends in Little Rock and Atlanta I have been neglecting. There is no excuse for me not to go since I have a place to stay.
Thats all I can think of for now.
PlaidStallions is moving! (slowly)
5 years ago
Blogging is good. My own mother can not figure it out. She knows how to read mine so I yell at her through text. She is less likely to cry that way.
ReplyDeleteI could never learn to play the guitar. I'm a drummer. My creative outlet is beating the shit out of something and hearing the guttural reply.
I still stand by Karate. I am honestly thinking of taking a course. You should too.
If you learn how to knit place me on your mailing list. My spouse washed my wool knit hat and it now fits my cat.
Volunteer work is rewarding. I love charity functions. The conversations you can catch while pretending to pick your nose in the bathroom mirror are well worth the cost of the ticket.
Gardening is one of my escapes and I love it. Try strawberries, peppers, Cilantro and Rosemary. They grow themselves and the rewards are well worth the wait. In other words they are hard to kill. Just do not store your Miracle Grow with the household cleaners and you will be ok.
Oh, and do not drink and garden. I once mutated my strawberry patch due to a bottle of Chardonnay and empty stomach. I dosed my plants with too much juice and ended up with tons of tiny evergreen berries. Fucking wine.
*making mental note* no booze and gardening. check.
ReplyDeleteOh you're geeky like me. I like that. Do you ever tire of working around the IT folk? The generally brilliant yet lacking of the social skillz types? I do. But then I remind myself, I could be working with all women. *shudders*
ReplyDeleteZen Buddhism ... did you say you were going on a retreat? I'd love to do that sometime, but I have a bit of a monkey brain. Vine to vine, busy all the time. I haven't successfully meditated without building a grocery list in my head. I love the precepts of Buddhism, but I cannot stop the killer inside. All [nasty] bugs must die.
I kill indoor plants but can harvest up a mean garden. I take my stress out there. And I can sit in silence after and wonder at the life I helped bring through the soil. Love the gardening.
I love that you've made a list for yourself. I have only a mental list and it gets lost all the time. Forge on, the accomplishment will feed your soul.
Buddhism is an excellent choice for those who are skeptical about "religion". Buddhism, as described by Pema Chodron, are not only teachings but are techniques, techniques which you can use to test the teachings and in turn finding your own inner truth. Grab a Pema Chodron book or Trungpa Rinpoche book, read up and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteGuitar takes much patience, I tried for 8 years to teach myself how and to no avail. Teaching "myself" may be the main issue with that.
Gardening is very rewarding, and yes, I feel very gay saying that. I did my first garden last year and it was a total success. I did a 12x12 raised garden, I had to bring in one ton of topsoil to do so, but the only other option was digging into compacted clay.
Blogging can be good, or bad.
Travel is excellent and school sucks ass.
I would love to add to this list but I think you nailed it.
Personally, I am looking into Buddha myself also. I will continue my garden. I will start hiking more, 13 miles tomorrow in fact. My sister is a Yogini so I might try that. I might continue blogging, if I can find my voice again. Learn about myself and accept who I am is number one of course.
Oh The Dalai Lama keeps this bitch sane. I keep telling myself, after the weekend I've had and the long treacherous road ahead (I'll be posting more about it tonight) ... “Our enemies provide us with a precious opportunity to practice patience and love. We should have gratitude toward them.” I'm not believing it yet but I'm mumbling it over a glass of wine that I wish I was having out somewhere and not in my easy chair. Bah. All my friends are in my computer!
ReplyDeleteYoga? Hiking? Where? Where?
Greta
ReplyDeleteThe studio my sis taught at has closed, the owner is currently looking for a new locale.
The millenium trail at Bernheim.
I was just mentioning trying yoga to a friend of mine the other day. Ms. Cole suggested karate but really I am a little hesitant to do that. I have a bad back and I am afraid of hurting it more. Maybe Tai Chi?
ReplyDeleteGreta - Yes I am geeky. Its funny how you described the IT guys, and well, I kind of fit that profile. Until last month I was the only "girl" on the team and kind of enjoyed that. I can hurl insults back just like one of the guys.
Billy - Keep blogging and you will find your voice. You mentioning learning about your self and accepting that self. That is my numero uno priority. Actually that is the topic of my next blog I think. I don't know if you got my email or not but what I said is sincere. This is no easy trail to hike and sometimes it helps to have a sympathetic ear who has been there.
I have the social skillz but I don't like people. It's quite the conundrum. I guess that is why I like hiding behind my computer. ;)
ReplyDeleteGwill - Tell the owner I need a Yoga studio in Fern Creek plz and thank you. I love Bikram, however, but I'll do the other stuff too. Hot yoga is not for everyone but I like to sweat. I don't feel like I'm getting a workout unless I am sweating. Don't get lost on the Millennium ... it happens.