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| Autumn (1870-90) Emile Eisman Semenowsky source ArtUK |
Since I normally post bookish-type posts, I thought I'd change it up today. Inspired by one of O's posts on Twitter, I've decided to post some goals with regard to autumn. So often we get distracted by the big picture and forget to appreciate the little things in life. Therefore, I've picked ten goals that focus on the wee, meaningful aspects of life that really are much more worthwhile than a day at a shopping mall, or painting the porch steps, or doing your taxes, or surfing the web.
1. Draw a picture of something in nature, such a leaf or tree or insect. My drawing skills are not superb so you'll just have to put up with me for this one.
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| Sketch of Countryside (c. 1890) Nicholas Roerich source Wikiart |
2. Walk barefoot in the ocean. Perhaps I'm a tiny bit crazy but I will have a chance to do this a couple of times before autumn is over.
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| The Charmer (1911) John William Waterhouse source Wikiart |
3. Do something kind for someone else. I like to think I'm a kind person but I'm not always sure it comes naturally. We all need practice, right?
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| Charity of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Frederic Leighton source Wikiart |
4. Put my feet up. I'm sure NONE of you have even guessed that I'm quite a busy person and don't often slow down. Well, I admit it. Leisure is a lost yet necessary pastime for our mental well-being. Really, I need to practice this more than once. Will someone join me?
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| Solitude (1890) Frederic Leighton source Wikiart |
5. Cloud gaze. The last time I did this was with friends, laying in the middle of a frozen pond late at night. It was so peaceful with the moon shining down ..... as if you were the only ones left in the world. The feeling we experienced was indescribable. Definitely a time to remember.
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| Ophelia (1889) John William Waterhouse source Wikiart |
6. Make a new meal. This shouldn't be difficult. A friend and I have started a new food blog called Journey to the Garden, so I'm going to be spending lots of time in the kitchen. I really love cooking yet I hope to hit on at least one meal during this time that's spectacular.
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| Prayer Before Meal (1660) Jan Steen source Wikiart |
7. Be computer-less for one day. I'm not sure this is possible, but I'm going to try. Honestly, there's very little I do on the computer other than blogging and taking a few courses, but I am on it every day. I would LOVE to have a day per week where I don't use it. Now THAT'S dreaming .....
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| What a Freedom (1903) Ilya Repin source Wikiart |
8. Read a poem slowly and REALLY think about it. Poetry is a new interest of mine, but being new at reading it, I'm not very good at drawing meaning out of it. Often good poetry can have dual meanings and symbolism, and imagery and a number of other different things. I need to read it more slowly instead of rushing.
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| Young Man Reading by Candle Light Matthais Stom source Wikiart |
9. Pet or see an animal that's not domesticated. Well, I could cheat and visit my neighbour's wolves but I'm not going to. However, they would probably fall under the "domesticated" umbrella and not count. We'll see if this one comes to fruition.
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| Dante and Virgil Meet the Wild Animals in the Forest (1800) Joseph Anton Koch source Wikiart |
10. Intentionally say something nice to someone at least 5 days out of 7 during one week. No, this is not the same as goal #3. Saying is much easier than doing ...... which is why I've challenged myself to do it 5 times during the week. We take each other too much for granted and don't often say the appreciated or kind things that we should. Time to change that.
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| Charity (1878) William-Adolphe Bourguereau source Wikiart |
As I've been listing these goals, two themes have stood out for me: KINDNESS and REST/LEISURE ..... well, perhaps three ...... NATURE is in there as well. So just by brainstorming some goals, I've learnt something about myself: I need to practice more kindness, take more time to relax and spend more time in nature. Rather than being "Cleo-specific goals", these are things we all probably need to do, so whoever wants to take a few goals from my list and see if you can accomplish them, please do! And please let me know how they turned out!
i'm a past master at nos. 4&5; the rest need a bit of attention...
ReplyDeleteoatmeal with bacon bits and blueberries with honey: yum...
A "past" master .....? Perhaps you need to try them again. Sounds like a good recipe for my food blog, minus the bacon bits .... I like adding walnuts too.
DeleteI'm never been very successful at setting goals - at least in documenting them. I tend to have them in my head, which isn't always the best place. Had a look at your food blog - loved the art illustrations! Great touch. Would be interested in your thoughts on the Elementary Greek course. I've had this for years & one boy used it for a little while but I never really tested it properly.
ReplyDeleteI usually hate setting goals because then I have something hanging over my head that I have to do. But there is a balance in everything and I'm too afraid of goals, so it's time to try some!
DeleteElementary Greek is an excellent course for young learners (on the other hand, I really dislike "Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek"). It doesn't go too fast, builds sensibly and has good review. But you've hit upon a must with learning all languages .... consistency. Even if you only study it 10 min a day, as long as you do it everyday, you'll keep progressing.
Thanks, Cleo. I haven't seen Hey Andrew. Will have to fish the Elementary Greek out & have a look although we've been really consistent with French & I'm going to tackle Latin myself - my kids have all done some but I think it's time I tried learning it alongside my daughter.
DeleteThis is a great list! I may copy a thing or two form it for my own list in the winter -- just posted my autumn to-do list earlier today, and am now wishing I'd read your post first. I love some of your ideas! Especially about practicing kindness.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hamlette! I'll be interested to see your list. As I mentioned above, I don't usually do things like this but now seemed like a good time and I'm very happy with my list! All the goals seem manageable except possibly for #7. We'll see ...
DeleteWhat a good idea, to have some goals. (And of course you should put your toes in the ocean, if you are close! I guess in Canada it's colder, though your average CA beach above the point is dang chilly too--the water comes straight from you guys.) I've been mulling over a post about how life is changing for me now that both my kids are in public school...
ReplyDeleteI actually put my feet in the ocean yesterday and the water is lovely .... or at least lovely for those of us who are used to non-balmy ocean temperatures. Later on though, it will definitely get colder. Oh, please don't thank us for our freezing water .... we're happy to share! ;-)
DeleteEek! Both your children in public school? Why? It's it an experiment or permanent? I'm sure they'll both do fine but it must be a big change for you. My sympathies!
Well, they're 17 and 14. The older one started as a junior last year, and the younger one just started public school as a freshman. My rule was that at 14 they could choose for themselves, and really I think it was time. I've been doing this for 12 years and I'm pretty tired! They are both doing well and I'm pleased. (I do miss them...but I'm so tired!)
DeleteYes, homeschooling takes alot out of you that you don't necessarily notice. Best wishes on your new (or perhaps, altered) path :-) ! I'm sure you'll keep busy!
DeleteI love your goals!! Simply love them!#3 while we always want to be like that, is dependent on so many factors and practice is truly what makes it better! I did my walking on the ocean barefoot earlier this year but cloud gazing should be a good idea!! Amazing amazing list....all the very best!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes please cloud-gaze and then we can compare clouds and see if Indian clouds are different than Canadian ones! ;-) Thanks for cheering me on .... can't wait to get started!
DeleteWhat a wonderful, inspiring post. We all need to remind ourselves to slow down, see/experience the word, practice kindness. Good for you to actually make these things into goals. My only caution is about touching a non-domesticated animal--I think I would settle for seeing for that one!
ReplyDeleteGood luck and best wishes meeting your goals.
Thanks, Jane! You'll laugh when you hear that I saw a mouse yesterday --- I don't know what type but it had huge beady eyes staring up at me from under some fallen branches. I certainly was NOT going to touch it, lol! :-D
DeleteI absolutely love this!
ReplyDeleteI would like to see what you do draw. Do you plan to share??
Leisure is so important--I think most of us are so go-go-go that we do forget to actually *enjoy* life along the way. Not that we don't enjoy it at all...but there's a lot that we miss. I need to focus on *seeing* what's in front of me more often...that yes, I *can* be bothered to notice that beautiful little flower that just bloomed located right outside of my office as I walk in. It really is only an additional few seconds, after all. If one can't be bothered for that... :-/
May I suggest a sleep-related goal? Sleep is SO important!!
I'm going to share as much as I can. It's those wild animals that are so elusive; I wonder if I'll be able to get a photo of one of them.
DeleteYou'll be happy to know that I at least have the bedtime function on my IPhone set. Tonight I've completely failed at it, but I am trying. Trying counts, right? ;-)
3-4-5-6-7 done
ReplyDeleteLooking for poem
Looking for undomesticated animal...do snails in the garden count?
Looking for 5 people to be kind to next week (...hmm does the green grocer and hairdresser count?)
I can't draw...but I'll try.
Walk in the ocean? There's been so much rain here the last few days, the ocean has come to me! :)
Congratulations on #7; that's my bête noire! Hmmm .... snails ....? Well you have until then end of autumn so try for something wilder but if you can't find anything else, they are certainly wild .... if slow .... ;-) Yes, the grocer and the hairdresser count.
DeleteWe've had unusually hot temperatures, however I'm in Calgary right now and it's -1C this morning! Eeeks! Can't wait to get back to the west coast where the temperatures are more temperate!
#7 ...was difficult. My WIFI 'died' and had to wait 24 hrs to get online again. Only then did I realize how dependent I am on interne. I couldn't even check a train timetable ! It is rather scary to think how isolated one is without Wifi! ...and no online French English dictionaries, ouch! All kidding aside..these are great challanges nr 1-10. Hope to see another set of winter things to try! :)
DeleteWe'll see how I do with the autumn list first. You know me and lists ..... ai ya! *** rolls eyes *** ;-)
DeleteLove every one of your autumn goals! Many of them I ought to focus on as well. I use an app called "Loop Habit Tracker," and one of the items I track is similar to #3, "Did you help someone today?" Sometimes work feels like it drains everything out of you, so rest is, like you say, also important, and helps enable you to do those kind things. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the app tip. I'm going to check it out.
DeleteI like my goals because many of them MAKE you slow down in order to accomplish them! :-)