It really did take the wind out of my sails to discover so many other people had already taken up almost this exact endeavor though not necessarily at 52, how many have already been recording it online—but I’ve moved past my initial letdown and am now embracing the idea with a whole heart. First I had to remind myself it was indeed original thought. I wasn’t copying anyone, didn’t know yet it wasn’t new. ;-)
But then, too, I returned to the act itself, to how well it fits for me, on how many levels it seems designed to feed me. I will step away from work more often, venture out, explore the world around me on a regular basis. I will come out of myself more, engage more. I’ll go public with my writing in a way I have not yet dared. I’ll hone commitment, seek adventure, expand. And so I start now. I ask for blessings and protection. I thank the powers that be for both in this private and this public endeavor. And I thank you for stopping by to read my words. Here’s to 52 at 52. May the fun begin.
Friday, March 26
Sunday, March 7
Imagine My Surprise
I've always contemplated starting a blog. I'd been kicking around ideas for my blog for a couple of weeks. I knew I wanted to commit to it for a year and to focus in on something specific, a la Julie and Julia. I thought about chronicling my walks, my critters, my students. I was afraid to have to do something every day. I wanted this to be a stretch but not grueling. I wanted to grow in the process, but I wanted it to stay fun.
I let it roll around inside me, trusting the process. Things burbled up and were dismissed: too hokey, too hard, too boring, too shallow. Because I am going to turn 52, I honed in on the idea of doing 52 new things from one birthday to the next. I liked it because it was simple, clear---and I could aim for once a week but I'd have flexibility. I wouldn't be out there with a 102 fever trying to do my new thing for the week like the man in our valley who hiked every day for a year, even when he was sick and miserable. I liked it because it would get me out in the world more, get me to step out of working mode, serve as a commitment to engender writing and to increase my aliveness at the same time.
I decided I'd write about each new thing for 52 minutes. I debated making each posting 520 words. I went looking for blogs to begin. Imagine my surprise to discover there were already a zillion "52 new things." Gads. Do I go back to the drawing board, try to find something that resembles original thought?
I think I am going to go with the fact that I will be doing 52 new things at age 52---my one claim to fame. ;-)
I let it roll around inside me, trusting the process. Things burbled up and were dismissed: too hokey, too hard, too boring, too shallow. Because I am going to turn 52, I honed in on the idea of doing 52 new things from one birthday to the next. I liked it because it was simple, clear---and I could aim for once a week but I'd have flexibility. I wouldn't be out there with a 102 fever trying to do my new thing for the week like the man in our valley who hiked every day for a year, even when he was sick and miserable. I liked it because it would get me out in the world more, get me to step out of working mode, serve as a commitment to engender writing and to increase my aliveness at the same time.
I decided I'd write about each new thing for 52 minutes. I debated making each posting 520 words. I went looking for blogs to begin. Imagine my surprise to discover there were already a zillion "52 new things." Gads. Do I go back to the drawing board, try to find something that resembles original thought?
I think I am going to go with the fact that I will be doing 52 new things at age 52---my one claim to fame. ;-)
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