the mundane middle + week reflection

the past week was pretty mundane, which I don’t mean negatively but more in the sense of normal, every day, just moving along. that’s not to say there weren’t events that took place, progress made and good times had, but as I reflect on the past seven days the thought that comes to my mind is, “okay, so this is my life.”

weeks like the past one serve as a reminder that life isn’t all about ups and downs, sometimes it’s just about that space in the middle, which happens to be the place where I struggle most. when I land here, I want out — immediately. even if “out” means dealing with a crisis or another negative experience because at least there will be a goal (get the fuck out of this) and I will be focusing on getting there. and, even if I fail, I’m focusing my attention and time on doing that thing, getting to X.

in the middle, there’s no grand objective or experience happening. there’s no desire to hold onto a good feeling or get through a bad. there’s just you, getting through. and, hopefully, you’re taking the time to really be there — in the middle — when you’re there.  it’s something I’m working on because I think the middle deserves more.

the middle is not just a place to pass on by while we’re running to the happy moments or attempting to dig ourselves out of the undesirable. the middle is where the little things take place. it’s where pleasant happens. eye contact with a stranger. the smell of dirt. a walk with your dog. that first sip of warm coffee on a cold winter morning. a sunset while you’re sitting in traffic. it’s where the moments of our life take place. notice these moments. appreciate them for their ordinariness. live them free from the desire to hurry past. provide them the attention and credit they deserve. live them. and when you have difficulty in doing so, know that there are others out there with the same struggles. we all spend some time in the middle. we’re all in it together. let’s just be here and be okay.

“All that is important is this one moment in movement. Make the moment important, vital, and worth living. Do not let it slip away unnoticed and unused.” ~ Martha Graham

week in review
last week’s gratitude: acceptance
this week’s intention: progress over perfection
what I’m reading: Books for Living + 10% Human + Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own
read The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo
wrote letters to members of congress + pres (pic 5)
coffee date + long walk with friend (pic 3)
enjoyed the weekend’s warm temps with lots of outdoors time
attended MBSR class #3
attempted to see Hidden Figures – sold out 😦
saw Patriots Day
multiple presentations at work
kicked off role of leading volunteer subcommittee (work)
yummy dinner + catching up with friends
completed 2016 taxes
survived first performance convo with my boss (good stuff!)
continued removal of items that don’t bring me joy by making big Goodwill donation
completed MBSR homework + readings
worked a lot
signed up to lead weekly meditation session (work)
continued Foundations of Well-Being program
meditation + self-reflection
posted the journey
wrote + posted much ado about doing nothing + week reflection

weekend happenings + intentions
host Denver Creates + celebrate one year!
begin travel planning for upcoming Scandanavia trip
MBSR homework
classic-movie day (Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Gone with the Wind)
finish 2017 travel wishlist (holdover from last week)
coffee + walk with friend
move
January reflection + set goals for February
maybe go on a first date
continue to make progress in The Foundations of Well-Being course
board games + super bowl with one of my favorites