Thanks to everybody who commented on day 1. What will really make this exciting is if you let your friends know about it. Just because we’ve already started doesn’t mean anything: people can start at any time and have their own 30 days. Just send them the link so they can get started, too.
Today’s assignment is to decide what you want to accomplish in this 30-day period. It’s good to have a combination of things, i.e., one or two habits to change (add a good one, put a bad one to rest), several delightful experiences to enjoy, something to learn, some project to tackle perhaps. Then, every day when you do something toward this end, you can make note of it in your journal. Here’s part of my list by way of example. Some of it just looks like a to-do list, but every entry has something underlying it, i.e.,, to create a healthier, more welcoming home, to enrich my life as I get started on my next book, or get around to something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but haven’t.
(1) Get scads of houseplants
(2) Hire a handyperson and get the fluorescents out of our kitchen and bathrooms
(3) Work on punctuality
(4) Lots of yoga
(5) Do tourist things
(6) See friends
(7) Do a cleanse
(8) Sign up for courses at the Mac store
(9) Get reflexology
(10) Find a nail salon that used nontoxic polish
(11) Explore the raw-food resources of NYC
(12) Read every spare minute
The list should be flexible and inviting, not onerous at all.
My day was subdued, as Sundays tend to be. In the afternoon I went to the Museum of the City of New York (#5 — a tourist thing) and this evening I had dinner with a young friend (#6 — see friends), Sarah Williams, and her boyfriend, Sky (who is a total keeper: he gave her his jacket tonight since she didn’t have one), for dinner at Caravan of Dreams. And tonight after some Bobby time (Boddy’s my cat), I’ll be in bed and get ready for charming tomorrow.
Thanks for telling people about this blog. We may as well get everybody charmed.
posted October 12, 2009 at 1:05 am
Day 2: Victoria, you have a wonderful list. Mine will be a bit shorter: write a Reflection Paper on Boundaries (due this Friday), read a book on Discernment, rewrite a Verbatim (due this Friday), practice on piano: Chopin Waltz in C#minor, return to daily journal entries, I DO have scads of houseplants that need a home (too bad you aren’t closer); clean living rm & dining rm.
posted October 12, 2009 at 3:37 am
Here’s mine!
finish reading the Iliad
1) Date night dinner at the Yabba Pot, a local Baltimore vegan restaurant, with my husband
2) Do a one day juice fast
3) Get a mani/pedi
4) take a class at Charm City Yoga
5) eliminate white sugar and flour
6) get a massage
7) see a few movies at the theater
9) explore coffeehouse down the street
10) watch the first “Universe” DVD to help me at work
11) at the end of the 30 days, be prepared to go vegan
posted October 12, 2009 at 7:54 am
If you need some inspiration on increasing houseplants, check out the video on this link: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/kamal_meattle_on_how_to_grow_your_own_fresh_air.html
This guy shows how 3 kinds of houseplants can increase the purity of the air in your home.
My goal this month will be to try a few raw days. I’m inspired by your post on raw food and curious to give it a try. I want to write a new post for my blogsite at least once a week (if not more). Right now family life is going well, so I would just encourage myself to keep up the good work there. Thanks for this 30-day plan!
posted October 12, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I’m loving this and looking forward to making my list. Today I did a big thing, said NO, yeah!!!!! Way too much on my plate…thanks for inspiring me! L*
posted October 12, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Here are a few items from my list. I love this assignment!
1) schedule alternative brain wave treatment for migraines
2) develop a consistent at home yoga routine
3) schedule a potluck for my vegan/vegetarian friends to exchange recipes and discussion
4) continue to clear clutter from our newly “empty nest” – which is energizing and freeing
5) make visible progress on my fabulous knitting project
Thanks for the motivation!
posted October 13, 2009 at 11:01 am
Hi Victoria,
I like this assignment! Here’s my list:
-Invited friends to do things with me.
-Exercise 3-4 days a week.
-Make myself a fun Halloween costume.
-Get advice from psychologists and counselors about degree programs.
-Go roller skating with the roller derby girls; see if that’s something I’d like to do myself.
-Be intentionally friendly and open with men (especially the cute, single variety.)
-Write letters.
-Read some novels.
posted October 13, 2009 at 1:45 pm
*let go of/release at least one stressor/worry that I cannot control
*attend at least two fun field trip type of activities with my son
*attend at least two fun adult social activities
*make time for a spiritual/soul enriching activity everyday
*finish collecting the data for my dissertation
*increase veggies and fruit in my meals
*increase my activity/walking/exercise level everyday
*make an effort to meet and greet one new person everyday
posted October 13, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Thank you for the inspiration!. I have 13 accomplish! I live in Cabo, México, English is not my native language so one of them is improve it. There aren´t here places with row, so I have to do. I just read “365 days….”, very good translation in Spanish. I read many times, but I am afraid not apply all, just a bit. But it works!
We run a Spanish School here in Cabo, so I sent the web if someone wants to learn a new Language or improve one: http://www.spanishincabo.com
We cite you in our last Newsletter, about rejuvenation and studying a new language.
¡Gracias Victoria!
Malena from México
posted October 13, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Lots of yoga – good idea!
Caravan of Dreams is delicious.
posted October 13, 2009 at 7:10 pm
This month I will commit to learning more about teaching 14 year olds, being gentle with myself, enjoying my time with my children, making everyone of my running goals, connecting with my coworkers by having lunch with them twice a week, and planting my 90 bulbs.
posted October 14, 2009 at 12:14 am
Everyday,i do my best to set driving practice as my focus,everything else beside work are secondary.i’ve been living here in this city for 7 years not driving even i have my own car,i have been dependent to people and this time,i need to help myself learn to be fully independent,by God’s grace,anything is possible for the glory of His name.hallelujah!
posted October 14, 2009 at 7:47 pm
What I want to accomplish:
~~ Continue to declutter my home which in turn declutters my mind, body and spirit.
~~ Take more time for myself; to journal, write poetry and stories.
~~ Spend more time with my grandson who is two….what a joy!
~~ Do something – anything – at least once a day – for someone else. If it is unexpected and can be done secretly, all the better.
~~ Take more pictures!
~~ Learn something new every day.
~~ Pray more.
posted November 1, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Hi Malena,
You are doing really well with English. I admire your courage, determination, and practice. Buen trabajo!
Camille
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