Rushing the sun

Maya Tulum, Cabana No. 26

July 2011

Veggies: Nothing super-special lately ... need to work on that.

Wine: See above.

For one week in July, DP and I had the pleasure of living by the sea, practicing yoga for three and a half hours each day, eating delicious and lovingly prepared meals, and connecting with interesting, intelligent and kind people from across the globe at Barefoot Works' annual retreat in Tulum, Mexico.  (And, I got to put a big old checkmark next to my very first Mondo Beyondo dream to come true.)

Every day was also full of reflection. I spent significant time sitting in my chair overlooking the ocean, thinking about how I want to live my life: generously, mindfully, joyfully. I also confronted some of the not-so-dreamy parts of my life, such as the energetic burdens I choose to carry on my shoulders and the way in which I demand others to conform to my schedule.

Case in point: Watching the sunrise is a must when I'm at the beach. As I was sitting in my chair one day before dawn, I began to feel distracted. I had a few things I wanted to do before the 7 am yoga class, and as I glanced back and forth between the horizon and my watch, I found myself rushing the sun. Yes, actually willing the sun to hurry up and rise so I could just get on with my day, on the schedule I imagined I needed to follow. I realized how very ridiculous this was, but I still struggled to enjoy the sun while forgetting about my to-do list. I wondered who else in the world might need to remind themselves of this when staring at a gorgeous ocean sunrise?

I held this thought during my morning yoga practice and returned to my room later to write this haiku*:

She who would rush the sun
is blind to
the unfolding beauty.

During the rest of the week, and as a goal for my back-to-the-real-world life, I decided to seek the unfolding beauty of each situation. What was I missing when I focused only on accomplishing tasks, getting from A to B, and adhering to my mostly made-up time schedule? I created a mantra -- "I delight in _____" -- to help me become more aware of what I was experiencing and noticing, and to also help me get back on track when I became caught up in the wrong things (e.g., "I delight in being angry about this traffic jam," or, from a situation today, "I delight in stepping into an ankle-deep puddle." Being able to laugh at myself and my thought process is definitely part of the unfolding beauty of any moment.

I'm far from achieving this goal (just ask DP), and it gets buried for weeks at a time (last week in particular, for some reason). Something tells me this will be a life-long challenge ... but there's unfolding beauty in that, too, right? I guess I'll need to travel to Maya Tulum every year to really remind myself.

*Once I decided to write a haiku about my experience, my mind started racing about the structure -- I couldn't remember how many syllables in each line, and I didn't have a computer or phone next to me to check. I almost gave up before I started. Then I realized that if it was my haiku, I could decide the structure. My apologies to the haiku purists.

Ten years, hundreds of memories

Veggies: Oven-roasted cherry tomatoes doused in garlic, olive oil, mint, salt and pepper may be my new favorite party dish.

Wine: In between sips of sangria, Hangtime Pinot Noir is making me very happy.

Tomorrow, if all goes well, DP and I are buying our second house. (We still own our first house, but hopefully not for much longer.) As I started packing a few boxes today in anticipation of moving later this summer, I was unexpectedly hit with a wave of sadness. For those who interact with me on a frequent basis, you know that this move is long overdue, so you and I both are surprised by this flash of nostalgia. As I wrapped wine glasses in fat quarters (who knew that my ridiculous fabric stash could be oh-so-useful?), I thought about all the memories we've created in our first house:

-I still remember walking down the stairs on the first night we moved in -- so excited that NO ONE was going to be living above us any more! I cranked up the music extra loud in celebration.
-Getting Rusty, our scavenger mutt. The first morning we had him, he woke up at 6 or so, and I took him on a walk. When we got back to the house, we sat on the deck and looked at each other. I think both of us were thinking, "Oh sh*t, it's only 7 am. What do we do now?" After 10 years, we've figured out the routine. Eat, walk, sleep, play. Shuffle. Repeat.
-Speaking of walking Rusty, I have neighborhood dog-walking friends I'll miss. We know each other by our dogs' names. I have favorite routes that I've walked at dawn, dusk, and every time in between. I've seen houses and yards transform (in both good and bad ways), I've seen children grow up, I've seen people move in and out. It's amazing what I've learned about strangers walking past their houses on a regular basis.
-DP and I learned about the spectacular successes and failures of homeownership and home improvement. We've gone days without running water ... we've created spaces we've loved ... we've had showdowns over paint colors ... we've spent many evenings watching movies on our 1977 hand-me-down avocado green couch that will soon be replaced with a new pear green couch.
-Friendsgiving! (Don't worry, though -- our version of a non-traditional Thanksgiving with friends will continue into its seventh year in our new house.)

Fortunately, I adore our new house and know that we'll make thousands of fantastic memories there -- starting with tearing down room after room of 1960s wallpaper with my parents. I'm already envisioning morning yoga sessions on the patio, parties in the paneled basement, new dogs and dog-owners to meet, and reasonable home improvement projects (right, DP?) over the next 10+ years. Pictures to come!

Inspired by Italy to...

• make fresh pasta
• take picnics
• enjoy leisure time
• walk arm-in-arm with friends
• be more stylish ... own a few nice pieces of clothing and shoes, not a bunch of cheap things
• bake bread
• spend less time sitting at a computer
• explore Cincinnati
• travel more with DP
• find ways to connect with more international visitors in Cincinnati
• live in the moment; don't dwell
• savor meals, whether alone or with others
• eat simply; out of the garden, not from a box
• bake Roman biscotti
• wander

I had the great fortune of accompanying a group of UC students to Florence and Rome during spring break. I made this list during one of my last days in Italy, wanting to remember the ways in which I was inspired by my brief visit and knowing how difficult it would be to actually incorporate any one of these changes in my daily routine in the States.

Maybe you noticed that this is one of the only posts I've made that doesn't include a picture. There's a very specific reason for this: I didn't take a camera to Italy. DP and I have plenty of pictures from our travels in 1998, and I didn't think I could add much more to our collection. Plus, I have a love/hate relationship with cameras, especially while traveling. I often find that the need to take the perfect shot gets in my way of actually enjoying the moment, so I prefer to take mental snapshots. (Yes, there were definitely times I wished that I had a camera, but when I felt sad about it, I just bought some gelato. Problem solved!)

Final Reverb 10 posts, and Adventure 40/52: Baking for my neighbors

Veggies: Last night's dinner of black bean burgers, sweet potato fries, and delicious cheeses from Findlay Market was a veggie-rific way to end the year.

Wine: Unsurprisingly, I drank champagne last night. Surprisingly, I didn't drink too much!

With the first post of 2011, I conclude the Reverb 10 challenge and the Year of 52 Adventures.


December 28 – Achieve. What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today. (Author: Tara Sophia Mohr)

In 2011, I’d like to achieve genuine interest in greeting each new day, feeling excited and content about the opportunities that might arise. 10 things I can do to experience that feeling today:
-Laugh and smile more
-Make plans with DP and others for travel, social events, etc. that I can look forward to
-Make conversation with someone
-Practice yoga
-Continue organizing the house
-Get moving (rather than sit in front of this computer!)
-Compile a “to-try” list of intriguing recipes
-Get a massage
-Dance with abandon
-Sing

December 29 – Defining Moment. Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year. (Author: Kathryn Fitzmaurice)

After a tiring spring weekend spent writing recommendation letters for many students applying to the same national award (one of them won – hooray!), DP and I went through with our plans of attending one of Xavier’s final Ethics/Religion and Society lectures of the year: An informal conversation with Wendell Berry and Wes Jackson and Gene Logsdon. (A podcast of the lecture is available, thanks to Citybeat … please do yourself a favor and listen.) Mr. Berry lamented the “TGIF” culture and encouraged us to find work that was also our leisure. He also joked about not liking screens—as in computer, phone, TV, or movie screens. However, he made one exception: screen doors are pretty okay.


I was so inspired by his ideas that I called in “well” that Monday morning so I could eat breakfast on my back deck while reflecting in my journal on how I might attempt to live according to those ideas. Although I’m still far from embodying a balanced existence, I have become more aware of when I’m feeling especially “TGIF”-ish and I have spent many additional hours since then reflecting on how I can realign my actions, priorities and attitude to live a more integrated and satisfying life.

December 30 – Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year? (Author: Holly Root)

While I do adore the Le Creuset Dutch oven that DP gave me this Christmas (it has a lifetime guarantee, he would like you all to know), I think my favorite gifts from this year have been intangible: people gifting me with their presence. As simple as DP agreeing to go on a walk with me, even when he has a ton of papers to grade; Mia and Krishna inviting me to tea at Essencha; my sister-in-law Amy inviting me to spend my birthday with her, followed by dinner with Marge and Marlene; Jaime being my yoga, surfing and Flying Pig training buddy; my parents welcoming us home for the holidays, with lots of meals over wine, walks with my Dad, and wall-paper removal; Carrie and Steve having us over for wine and great conversation on a late summer night; Colonel De schooling me on spices with great patience and joy  Those are the first few that come to mind; I know there are many more from this year, and I look forward to more gifts of time and presence in 2011.

December 31 – Core Story. What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.) (Author: Molly O’Neill)

Prior to completing Reverb 10, the script in my head was “2010 sucked. I spent a lot of it feeling unhappy, angry, and tired. Good riddance!” As I honestly contemplate my experiences and lessons learned, I realize that I am incredibly fortunate, blessed, and hopeful—even during a year that felt far from my best. My core story: My optimistic nature cannot be squelched.

And now, the last adventure of 2010….

Adventure 40/52: Baking for my neighbor.
This adventure required the most courage and motivation of any others I've completed this year. It's not coincidental that I fulfilled it during the final hours of 2010; without question, I was avoiding it. In fact, I was avoiding it so much that I couldn’t even mention it in the December 20 reverb prompt. Let’s just say that this adventure (or rather, the reason behind this adventure) forced me to acknowledge some hard-to-face truths about myself. So, with a pounding but open heart, I knocked on my neighbor’s door to deliver a plate of cookies and a loaf of cranberry bread. This is the first of many, many things I need to do to become a better neighbor and community member, but it’s a start. And, while DP was a great support to me, one of my students was the true inspiration. Without our conversation a few weeks ago, I’m certain that I would have continued to blow off this much-needed adventure. Thank you, MR, for giving me courage from afar when I needed it most.

The Year of 40 Adventures has a decent ring to it. Sure, I wish that I’d finished 52 so I could become a card-carrying member of the club, but to be honest, I completed about 37 more than I would have without inspiration from Kimberly Hula and the adventuring community she developed. My achievement comes not from the number I completed, but rather from the new, active role I’ve taken in creating a more interesting life for myself. This may be the official end of the Year of 52 Adventures, but it’s just the beginning of a lifetime of adventures for me.


Have a great start to 2011!

More Reverb 10 responses...

Another unique Christmas tree at the JL-DP household

Veggies: My parents were so kind to appreciate the Mediterranean feast I prepared while home for the holidays ... Spinach, Tomato and Feta couscous, Grape Leaves, Slow-Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Tomatoes, and Black Olive hummus.

Wine: I think we consumed more bottles of wine than we had meals this week ... is that bad?

My plans to catch up with Reverb 10 prompts in 2 days were a bit too ambitious, especially when we spent most of the past week relaxing and celebrating the holidays at my parents' house. I did keep up with the prompts in my journal, but I was enjoying spending time away from the computer, so I didn't force myself to blog. Now that I'm back to work and my usual routine, I'm back to blogging. Part two of Reverb 10 is here ...

December 11 – 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

Not in any particular order:
-More “things”
-Unnecessary doubt
-Unnecessary fear
-Unnecessary anger
-Mindlessness
-Processed foods
-Comparisons
-External evaluations and expectations
-Apathy
-Repression
-Hopelessness

The big picture answer: I will eliminate these 11 things through mindful living. Obviously, I need to think about how I will be more mindful. By eliminating these 11 things, my life will be simpler, more satisfying, and more joyful.

December 12 – Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?
(Author: Patrick Reynolds)

SURFING! Those few seconds when I paddled for the wave, felt the swell and popped up on my board to catch it was all about being alive and present.

December 13 – Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)

Holy cow, Scott Belsky – I was having a fine time dreaming and reflecting on the first 12 prompts, and now you’re telling me I have to actually DO something? You, my friend, are a genius—a cold, hard, reality-driven genius. Way to wake me up!

I’ve finally accepted the fact that the ocean isn’t going to appear in Ohio any time soon, so I need to start researching 1.) What ocean(s)/beach(es) would I like to spend significant time on? and 2.) How might I arrange my life and finances to allow for more time to spend in those places?

December 14 – Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

That I have a choice in most areas of my life, even when I feel completely stuck in a situation. If I can’t change what’s happening, then at least I can choose my perspective or attitude. I fully acknowledge the role that my privilege, my financial status, my support systems, my education, my spouse, and my mental/emotional capabilities play in giving me this choice, and I try to contribute time, money and energy to causes/organizations that assist in giving choices to others.

December 15 – 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)

My adventures. Laughing really hard (I know it was something DP said or did) and realizing it had been a long time since I’d laughed and smiled that much. Yoga for an Ocean Cure fundraisers. Surfing and time with friends/family at Carolina Beach. Road tripping to Indianapolis with DP. Talking dreams and real life with friends over tea. Discovering my back deck was a fantastic mini-yoga studio. Friendsgiving for the 6^th year. Mondo Beyondo. Seeing my HS BFF for the first time in 15 years. House for sale. Wondering about what’s next.

December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

I’ve learned so many things from friends this year, but Sharon Tessandori of Barefoot Works Yoga changed my perspective on the importance of dreaming and the ability to make dreams come true. She’s the one who introduced me to Mondo Beyondo a few years ago, and when she made some of her Mondo Beyondo dreams happen this year, I was super-thrilled and completely inspired by her hard work and her courage. She’s also so incredibly supportive of others’ dreams and personal development, and she's just as willing to admit doubt and fear as she is to celebrate the joys in her life. She continues to remind me of the need to keep things real with myself and with others. 

December 17 – Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)

More so a re-discovery than something new: I am a seeker, full of curiosity about the world when I allow myself to be unfettered by others’ expectations. I see many possibilities to carry the spirit of the seeker with me in 2011. I only need to remind myself that I’m still the same girl who, as she grew up, knew in every cell of her body that an exciting and different life was waiting to be created.

December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)

I am going to try group voice lessons, beginning in February, at CCM’s preparatory department. This will be my second attempt at voice lessons; I first took lessons in high school while I was in a show choir. (Yes, really.) My ultimate goal is for DP and me to be an acoustic duo—I have always wanted to be in a band! In 2010, I really wanted to learn how to salsa dance, or to take some type of dance lesson. That’s certainly still on the books for 2011.

December 19 – Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allan)

In July, I started walking with my dog Rusty in the mornings before work, and that quiet but active time absolutely healed me and gave me energy at a time when I was seriously lacking. Healing in 2011? Best kept in my journal :)

December 20 – Beyond Avoidance. What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickell)

I fully intended to engage in some skill-building exercises around conflict management. I dread conflict and try to avoid it at all costs ... so how surprising that I avoided dealing with this specific task all year?! I know if I learn some tools for handling conflict, both intra- and inter-personally, my  life will improve. Because this will require some significant work, I don’t anticipate starting it before 2011, but I will add it to my 2011 to-do list. Friends, please hold me accountable to this!

December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?) (Author: Jenny Blake)

This response is best left in my journal … thanks for understanding J

December 22 – Travel. How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Author: Tara Hunt)

2010 was the year of short, domestic trips for pure pleasure—Colorado with family, Indianapolis for a Jack Johnson concert with DP, and surfing with family and friend in Carolina Beach. 2011 already has international travel on the calendar (Florence and Rome, Italy, with a University Honors Program seminar), and I’d love to add an international surf trip and a Mondo Beyondo list adventure.

December 23 – New Name. Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Author: Becca Wilcott)

I have a seriously strong (and healthy, I think) attachment to my name. When I had the opportunity to change it when I married, I graciously but confidently declined. One aunt suggested that I hyphenate my first and last name (since nearly everyone calls me Jen Lile anyways) and add my husband’s last name. Maybe I’d try that, but I really can’t imagine wanting any other name than my own.

December 24  – Everything’s OK. What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? (Author: Kate Inglis)

One late summer evening, amid all kinds of neighborhood chaos and a desperate desire to move asap, I decided to say goodbye to the back deck. I’d stopped spending time there because I wanted to distance myself from my (now gone) neighbors, but that night I drowned out reality by listening to my favorite tunes on my iPod while I journaled and sipped wine by candlelight. The anger that I’d been feeling was replaced by an appreciation for this beautiful moment in this beautiful space. A month earlier, I never would have imagined feeling a sense of peace and appreciation as I sat on my deck, and I realized that those feelings had been waiting for me, covered by the anger, all along. One of my aspirational values—meaning, I value the concept but I don’t live by it right now—is to maintain “eye of the hurricane calm” in my life. I want to keep the memory of that night in mind as I head into 2011, a year that promises to be full of change and uncertainty.

December 25 – Photo – a present to yourself. Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.
(Author: Tracey Clark)

DP took this photo of me (right) and my surfing and yoga  pal Jaime after my first Yoga for an Ocean Cure workshop in the Norwood Community Center gymnasium. What it reveals: confidence, strength, and pure bliss about sharing yoga and Ocean Cure with others. Two more fundraising workshops followed. I fell 90% short of my very lofty goal … but I had no idea how fulfilling and amazing reaching 10% could be.

December 26 – Soul Food. What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul? (Author: Elise Marie Collins)

For someone who loves food so very much, I find myself at an embarrassing loss with this prompt. I’m searching my memory, trying to conjure up the one taste that rocked my world, and I’m completely drawing a blank. (In previous years, I’m positive it would have been a meal or dessert by my friend Mia.)

December 27 – Ordinary Joy. Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year? (Author: Brené Brown)

I like to be active, but I do love sitting on the couch with DP and watching a movie (or Glee, or Grey’s Anatomy, or Top Chef). Bonus when our dog Rusty climbs up to join us.

Final four reflections coming soon…

Adventure 39/52: Joining #reverb10

Vintage tinsel tree fabulousness at the JL- DP household.

Wine: Dry spell!!! LeaderShape is an alcohol-free zone for students AND faculty.
Veggies: Made a big pot of Moroccan stew to clean out the fridge before leaving town for the holidays.

What does one do on a Sunday afternoon when suffering from a cold and dreading last minute holiday shopping? Join Reverb 10 to reflect on this year and manifest what's next, of course! I've been in an especially reflective mood lately, so playing catch up on the past 19 days of writing prompts is actually quite fun. Each day's prompt is posed by a different person and focuses on a particular theme (e.g., Community, Wonder, Party). Keep reading for Part I of Reverb 10 catch-up ...

Prompt 1 - One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

(Author: Gwen Bell)

2010: UNSETTLED

Personally and professionally, many things just didn't feel right to me this year. I was often mentally and emotionally drained, unsafe, distracted and angry ... quite a change from my typical optimistic and buoyant self.

2011: ADVENTURE

Although 2010 was technically the Year of 52 Adventures, I think it was my year of waking up to possibility. 2011 is when I will truly explore the boundaries of my comfort zone and begin building an adventurous life based on my beliefs and expectations. I will take some major leaps of faith, most of which will lead to positive changes in all areas of my life. I will start to see my entire life as an adventure, rather than lead a series of adventures within my life. 

Prompt 2 - Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?


(Author: Leo Babauta)

I spend way too much time at home sitting in front of a computer, just like I've done all day at work. I check out some favorite blogs, then mindlessly look through Facebook and other sites and links I stumble upon. The blogs I read are about food, so I might be inspired to make something fun for dinner, but I'm not usually inspired to write my own posts. I don't want to eliminate reading blogs I enjoy, but I would like to cut down on the mindless browsing. I'll just need to set some specific time limits to ensure that I keep on task. The more time I allow myself to actively reflect (e.g. meditating after yoga, walking, cooking), the more likely I am to write. Maybe I engage in one of those activities immediately after work rather than falling into the trap of sitting down at my computer?

Prompt 3 - Moment


Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).

(Author: Ali Edwards)

Practicing yoga at sunrise on the rooftop deck of Mary Cottage in Carolina Beach. No mat, just the weathered boards underneath my bare feet. It was breezy, but warm enough to wear a tank-top and my pajama pants. The soundtrack was a mixture of squawking seagulls, breaking waves, and my ujjayi breathing. I felt so focused, content and grounded that I flowed effortlessly through a long series of standing balance poses. I gazed mostly at the horizon, where the orange-pink sky met the deep blue-black ocean, but I noticed the beach walkers, sunrise watchers, and surfers, especially as I sat in the Adirondack chair in meditation/appreciation after the asanas and got excited (or should I say stoked?!) about surfing later in the morning. I wondered if I could ever tire of starting off every day of my life like this, and I hoped that I'd someday get the chance to try.

Prompt 4 – Wonder.

How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? 

(Author: Jeffrey Davis)

I joined the Year of 52 Adventures in January to breathe some life into what had begun to feel like a seriously boring existence. While I haven't completed an adventure every week, I have noticed a shift in how I approach most days ... wondering how I might say "yes" to an adventurous opportunity or invite more adventure into my life. Even when I have been frustrated and overwhelmed, I've been able to focus on the possibility and excitement of the next adventure.

Prompt 5 – Let Go.

What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?

(Author: Alice Bradley)

Since receiving my 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2006, I've taught at least one class a week, but in April I let go of teaching completely. Because my full-time job was taking so much time and energy, I didn't have much left to prepare for my class. I often felt stressed getting to class, and afterwards I often felt guilty that I wasn't giving my best to the students. When it was time to return after summer break, I listened to the resistance I was feeling about starting the class again and decided that I needed to create a clearing in this area of my life. I think in many ways my life feels better when I'm teaching, and I imagine that I'll get back to it at some point, but it feels right at this time to not teach.

Prompt 6 – Make.

What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

(Author: Gretchen Rubin)

I made a Focaccia for a party last night. Main ingredients were purchased at Findlay Market on Friday ... organic Bosc pears and Vidalia onions from Madison's, Point Reyes's blue cheese from Silverglade's. All but a few pieces were devoured--success!

I have an idea for DP's handmade Christmas gift but I need some creativity and energy to make it happen. I also would like to sew a slipcover for a chair I inherited from my grandmother. I've had the fabric and the chair for years; now I just need the confidence and motivation to create the pattern and get started. 

Prompt 7 – Community.

Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

(Author: Cali Harris)

Here’s the honest and painful truth: 2010 was a community-less year for me. The yoga family to which I'd belonged didn't feel like a great fit anymore, DP and I spent most evenings and weekends on our own, and we couldn't find any places where we felt at home. 2011 must--and will--be better! I'm intrigued by the possibility of starting a dinner/idea-sharing community that a fellow Mondo Beyondo participant described. I'd like to build relationships with my neighbors, even though we may be moving soon. Last week I connected with a group of colleagues (all of us were serving as cluster facilitators at a campus-based LeaderShape session), and I'd like to continue the good conversations we started around concepts of integrity, inclusiveness, and positive change. I don't know that I'm interested in working on virtual/online community-building ... I feel a pull toward in-person community building.

Prompt 8 – Beautifully Different.

Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

(Author: Karen Walrond)

This is a tough one for me ...

I have two vintage tinsel trees and could easily buy 10 more if given the opportunity.

I'm a landlocked Ohioan who is obsessed with surfing.

I like to pay overdue fines to the public library.

I send New Year's or Valentine's Day postcards rather than holiday cards.

I haven't read the Harry Potter or Twilight series.

I don't have a Twitter account or a smart phone.

I can be easily talked into doing something silly, random or adventurous if you catch me at the right moment.

I enjoy doing cartwheels and headstands at random moments.

I don't think that any of those things make me beautiful, but who's to say? I do think I have a gift for listening to, encouraging and supporting others in a way that makes them light up. If you're reading this and you know me, I hope you agree.

Prompt 9 – Party.

What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

(Author: Shauna Reid)

A four-day vacation in Colorado with my husband and 8 of my in-laws rocked my socks off. After days of skiing and playing in the snow, we enjoyed our casual evenings around the kitchen island. Mixed drinks, games, conversations, shenanigans and laughter were abundant. To protect the guilty, I can't divulge much more than this, but the silliness and the camaraderie was exactly what I needed at this point of the year.

Prompt 10 – Wisdom.

What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

(Author: Susannah Conway)

In a work situation, I decided to share how I was really feeling rather than pretend everything was okay, per my usual style. The response was empathy, concern and support, and I felt released from a huge and unnecessary burden I had been carrying. Enough said. 

Stay tuned for Part II of the Reverb 10 catch-up tomorrow!