4. Read Books

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Number four on the year of the 40 list is read books. In the time of BB (before baby) I read quite a bit of fiction and non-fiction. It suits the fact finder in me as I’m always interested in learning new information. I have missed reading and so I set out to read a book a month because, PB (post baby), it’s difficult to find the the quiet time. A book a month seemed reasonable and more importantly, doable.

To make it happen, I chose 12 books in January, and wrote them down in my planner. Being a hoarder of books I didn’t have to look beyond my own bookshelf. There are so many I’ve purchased with the intention of reading, but haven’t yet. In addition to calendar accountability I reinstated a book club I was briefly in last summer. I enjoyed the company of the neighborhood moms and now we meet once a month after the kids have gone to bed for a glass of wine and interesting book conversation. It worked and over the year I ended up reading more than I planned!

Above is a collage of the books I’ve read this year. Most of them book club selections, but several of them for my own agenda. A few of the novels I did end up listening to on Audible in order to get through them and other works of non-fiction I wanted to cover in the same month. However, I’m celebrating the fact that I have sixteen books under my belt that I didn’t have in January. My preference is to read with book in hand, but alas, one must do what they must do when they are a mother. I’m grateful to have found the habit of reading yet again, and for the technology to read on the go.

What books did you read this year that you loved? We are always needing ideas of our book club.

Put It Into Practice

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https://unsplash.com/@andrazlazic

We have entered December which means 30 Days of Gratitude and the Gratitude Tree Project have come to a close. My November was spent engaging with you to help you develop your gratitude practice and guide you toward a sense of abundance in your life. You may not know this, but all the social media interaction wears on me. While interacting more on-line, my off-line life suffers.

The other day I was talking with my friend Jill about November and the immersion of myself into gratitude month. I was lamenting about my struggle to keep up with social media and an on-line presence because I wish to engage with you all month long, however, it is not in my nature to be attached to a device. I wish to live life at my own pace and sometimes that means an indigo life looks a little quiet. ‘Tis the season of hibernation after all!

After telling her I was ready to turn inward in December and drop away from social media for awhile, she made the suggestion to tell you I was leaving for a while. What novel idea! Good ideas always come out of conversations with good friends. I suppose its the fact that they know you so well and have a perspective that you are blind to occasionally.

But she is correct, now is the time to put your practice into practice, and for me to do the same. This month provides ample opportunity to take a step back and turn inward. It is the most wonderful time of year, as the song goes, so don’t forget to stand still in that time for a while. Now that you are in the habit of practicing gratitude, I encourage you to use what you’ve learned the past month to stay in a state of joy and peace through one of the busiest, and most difficult for some, seasons. Step away from your phone, your computer or even the TV and enjoy just being in all that you have and all that you are. Instead of winding yourself tight in the vice of marketing propaganda, be still and set an intention to slow down and breathe. Put out a “gone fishing” sign on your social media and choose to LIVE your indigo life for the next month.

I will still be around on this page, but less so on Facebook and Instagram. Thank you for joining me in November!

25. Go to the movies at the theater. || 26. Go to a few concerts.

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Brandi Carlile concert, Winstar Casino, November 22, 2019

Live music and movies at the theater are two of my favorite things. Since having a kiddo it’s a bit more challenging to get out of the house and for awhile we didn’t go much. Music and movies are a form of inspiration to me so naturally they made the Year of the 40 list!

Unfortunately the only concert I made it to this year was Brandi Carlile at Winstar Casino just last weekend, but oh was it incredible! I have no idea why I ever take photos at a concert because they don’t translate, but I snapped this moment during a song that speaks particular to my heart. If you don’t know her music, I invite you to go listen.

As far as movies, I ended up going to more than I thought. As you can see, P influenced the list a bit!

What do you enjoy and find inspiration in?