Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sunday and Goals
I got up earlier than I normally do on Sunday (need to change that habit; getting up earlier should be the normal thing) in order to write out the talk I gave in sacrament meeting today. I'd known about the talk for a month, which is somewhat unusual, but even with the extended time period I spent most of that time just thinking about how I wanted to approach my topic. I was asked to speak about Institute, and the other speaker was our current Institute teacher (and the regional Institute director) Brother Chapman. Overall I think my talk went well, though it was probably a bit short. I am pretty sure I started talking faster as I went along.
I also got a new calling this week. Previously, I had been the Institute co-chair (responsible for making sure the teacher has whatever they need, setting out hymnals, choosing the hymns, making announcements at the beginning and close of Institute, &c), but now I am the Gospel Doctrine teacher. It's a pretty big change, and a much more intensive calling as far as preparation goes. I know I am up to the challenge, but it is still a bit overwhelming to think about at times.
On the other hand . . . this new calling means I definitely need to stay on top of my focused scripture study, so it provides wonderful focus for a couple of my goals for the year. Win!
The evening was spent preparing dinner (red beans and rice, except I used a can of kidney beans and a can of black beans), cleaning up after dinner (hurrah for a clean kitchen!), and poking around on Family Search and Bible Videos. All in all a most excellent Sunday.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Startitis
Periodically I get bit by the urge to start every single project I have, right now at this very minute. Or, if not every project, at least something new. Despite having a huge pile of things already in progress.
A couple days ago my mum showed me a pattern she got, for a moebius cowl. She wanted my opinions on her gauge swatch, and also wanted to know if I had a 40” US size 8 needle. Upon seeing the pattern I, of course, immediately wanted to knit it myself. It is fancy and clever and it only has one side! (Yes, I am aware that a moebius only has one side, but that does not make this cowl any less fancy or clever) And since I spent a good day organising (albeit roughly) my yarn stash, I knew I had plenty of options to choose from in the yarn department. What is that, you say? I already have a good twenty (or more) knitting projects in progress? I should work on finishing those first, is that it?
Oh, thinking about yarn possibilities isn’t going to hurt anything. . .I have at least three skeins of Malabrigo Rios in the Archangel colourway that are not earmarked for anything in particular. One skein for a second pair of Ragtop mitts, one skein for a “matching” moebius cowl, one skein for something else (a hat, perhaps?). I should check my stash, just to see if I am remembering properly. Yes, three skeins. I can wind up two of them. Just in case, you know. And I should probably check my needles, just to see what I have in a 40” length.
No US size 8, but there is a 7. Hmmm, I wonder how a swatch would turn out with that needle. I remember what I saw of the pattern enough to swatch. It’s only curiosity. . .oh, wow! I get gauge with the needle I have. I’ll just tuck it in my bag to show Mum after stake conference. Maybe I can get another peek at her pattern. And watching the tutorial on how to do the cast-on is a good Sunday afternoon activity. . . .
And that, coupled with the fact that it is just plain fun to work on a project with someone, is how and why I started working on my own Infinity Squared cowl. Yes, even though I have a pile of works in progress. I worked on one of those today, too.
A couple days ago my mum showed me a pattern she got, for a moebius cowl. She wanted my opinions on her gauge swatch, and also wanted to know if I had a 40” US size 8 needle. Upon seeing the pattern I, of course, immediately wanted to knit it myself. It is fancy and clever and it only has one side! (Yes, I am aware that a moebius only has one side, but that does not make this cowl any less fancy or clever) And since I spent a good day organising (albeit roughly) my yarn stash, I knew I had plenty of options to choose from in the yarn department. What is that, you say? I already have a good twenty (or more) knitting projects in progress? I should work on finishing those first, is that it?
Oh, thinking about yarn possibilities isn’t going to hurt anything. . .I have at least three skeins of Malabrigo Rios in the Archangel colourway that are not earmarked for anything in particular. One skein for a second pair of Ragtop mitts, one skein for a “matching” moebius cowl, one skein for something else (a hat, perhaps?). I should check my stash, just to see if I am remembering properly. Yes, three skeins. I can wind up two of them. Just in case, you know. And I should probably check my needles, just to see what I have in a 40” length.
No US size 8, but there is a 7. Hmmm, I wonder how a swatch would turn out with that needle. I remember what I saw of the pattern enough to swatch. It’s only curiosity. . .oh, wow! I get gauge with the needle I have. I’ll just tuck it in my bag to show Mum after stake conference. Maybe I can get another peek at her pattern. And watching the tutorial on how to do the cast-on is a good Sunday afternoon activity. . . .
And that, coupled with the fact that it is just plain fun to work on a project with someone, is how and why I started working on my own Infinity Squared cowl. Yes, even though I have a pile of works in progress. I worked on one of those today, too.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Organisation and Creativity
Yesterday I spent most of the day helping my mom go through things in the house and going through papers of my own that had been stored (loose) in a bag up in the attic. The end result of the day’s work was a more organised attic and a bag less of stuff. At this point I have a much better handle on what I still need to go through and where it is.
I now know that I have seven boxes of books I still need to go through (I thought I only had three, but there were four others hiding). The bins I have gone through are arranged in order. The bins I have with other things in them are also grouped in one place, rather than scattered all over the attic. I have taken care of a bag of paperwork, and know which things need to be filed from it and which things can be recycled (or shredded).
Another side effect of organisation (for me, anyway) is an increase in creativity. I am clearing out the excess baggage in my space and giving myself some room to breathe and stretch. Having that space means I actually have room for creative processes, and that overall makes me happier.
The whole letting go thing is still going to take some getting used to, I think, but I’m liking the results (and I haven’t missed any of the stuff I’ve gotten rid of). It’s easier to find books on my shelves; things aren’t as crowded. I have a better handle on where my important papers are, and the stuff that needs shredding is getting shredded. My yarn is (roughly) organised by weight, so I have a better idea of what I own there. I’m making progress on the less visible things, the out of sight spaces that may not have an immediate impact on visual organisation but which are absolutely crucial for long-term success.
I just need to keep moving forward, and things will continue to improve. Mindful organisation decisions lead to greater peace of mind, increased creativity, and a more balanced life overall. Definitely something to work towards.
I now know that I have seven boxes of books I still need to go through (I thought I only had three, but there were four others hiding). The bins I have gone through are arranged in order. The bins I have with other things in them are also grouped in one place, rather than scattered all over the attic. I have taken care of a bag of paperwork, and know which things need to be filed from it and which things can be recycled (or shredded).
Another side effect of organisation (for me, anyway) is an increase in creativity. I am clearing out the excess baggage in my space and giving myself some room to breathe and stretch. Having that space means I actually have room for creative processes, and that overall makes me happier.
The whole letting go thing is still going to take some getting used to, I think, but I’m liking the results (and I haven’t missed any of the stuff I’ve gotten rid of). It’s easier to find books on my shelves; things aren’t as crowded. I have a better handle on where my important papers are, and the stuff that needs shredding is getting shredded. My yarn is (roughly) organised by weight, so I have a better idea of what I own there. I’m making progress on the less visible things, the out of sight spaces that may not have an immediate impact on visual organisation but which are absolutely crucial for long-term success.
I just need to keep moving forward, and things will continue to improve. Mindful organisation decisions lead to greater peace of mind, increased creativity, and a more balanced life overall. Definitely something to work towards.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Goals
I haven’t normally been one for much official goal-setting, at least not of the "New Year's Resolution" variety. It always seemed a little artificial to me, and there are also all the jokes and comments about how New Year’s resolutions seem to inevitably fail or be forgotten. Since I don’t like the idea of setting myself up for failure and ridicule, setting New Year’s resolutions hasn’t really been high on my list of priorities.
It just so happens that this year I found myself wanting to make changes in my life and set goals right at the turn of the new year, so I’m going to be setting goals that could be viewed as New Year’s resolutions. These goals fall into several broad categories, and I’m working to make them specific and attainable while still being things that inspire growth and personal improvement.
Physical
I want to improve my overall physical fitness, with a focus on strengthening my core muscles and bringing my diet more in line with the principles found in the Word of Wisdom. I’ll be using the Core Program and body weight training in addition to my week-day walks, at least for a start.
A second, related physical fitness goal is bringing my sleep schedule around so I am waking up by 06:00 each morning while still getting at least seven hours of sleep. The net result of this will be me getting in to work earlier, which means I will be able to leave at an earlier hour and still have a goodly amount of time to do things in the evening. I know this will be a challenge for me--bedtime always has been--but I also know that I will be much better off by doing this.
Spiritual
I want to read (again) the Book of Mormon in 2012. Since the course of study for Sunday School this year is the Book of Mormon, as long as I keep up with reading each week I will read the entire book by the end of the year. I also want to read the George Albert Smith manual (Relief Society course of study) and Daughters in My Kingdom.
On the non-reading front, I again want to attend the temple at least once a month, and I want to do better at my visiting teaching. I know that both of these are very important things, and that I can do them.
Social
Hold game nights at least once a month. I have loads of board and card games, and they need to see more play time.
Write and post at least one blog entry a week. Need to stop half writing and never posting them. I also need to make sure my blog is laid out the way I want it to be.
Literary
Read 120 books this year, and have most of them be books that I already own (instead of books bought new that year) or books I’ve borrowed. A corollary goal is to only buy books in 2012 that I know I want to devote the shelf space to.
All of these are completely doable. They will provide challenges, but not overwhelming ones, and the overall result should be a more balanced life. I really desire that.
It just so happens that this year I found myself wanting to make changes in my life and set goals right at the turn of the new year, so I’m going to be setting goals that could be viewed as New Year’s resolutions. These goals fall into several broad categories, and I’m working to make them specific and attainable while still being things that inspire growth and personal improvement.
Physical
I want to improve my overall physical fitness, with a focus on strengthening my core muscles and bringing my diet more in line with the principles found in the Word of Wisdom. I’ll be using the Core Program and body weight training in addition to my week-day walks, at least for a start.
A second, related physical fitness goal is bringing my sleep schedule around so I am waking up by 06:00 each morning while still getting at least seven hours of sleep. The net result of this will be me getting in to work earlier, which means I will be able to leave at an earlier hour and still have a goodly amount of time to do things in the evening. I know this will be a challenge for me--bedtime always has been--but I also know that I will be much better off by doing this.
Spiritual
I want to read (again) the Book of Mormon in 2012. Since the course of study for Sunday School this year is the Book of Mormon, as long as I keep up with reading each week I will read the entire book by the end of the year. I also want to read the George Albert Smith manual (Relief Society course of study) and Daughters in My Kingdom.
On the non-reading front, I again want to attend the temple at least once a month, and I want to do better at my visiting teaching. I know that both of these are very important things, and that I can do them.
Social
Hold game nights at least once a month. I have loads of board and card games, and they need to see more play time.
Write and post at least one blog entry a week. Need to stop half writing and never posting them. I also need to make sure my blog is laid out the way I want it to be.
Literary
Read 120 books this year, and have most of them be books that I already own (instead of books bought new that year) or books I’ve borrowed. A corollary goal is to only buy books in 2012 that I know I want to devote the shelf space to.
All of these are completely doable. They will provide challenges, but not overwhelming ones, and the overall result should be a more balanced life. I really desire that.
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