February LIFE Project
I am 10 months into my LIFE Project journey. I’ve catalogued hundreds of thousands of steps, spent over 300 hours meditating, I’ve written over 100,000 words in my journal. I have two months to go, and what a journey it’s been!
Before jumping into my activities for this month, let me share about last month.
January Recap
Steps
Y’all, I got a new phone that transferred all my data from the old one. (Yay!) The bad news is that the data from my smartwatch app didn’t transfer correctly. Basically the information did come to the new phone, but I didn’t “unlink” my smartwatch from my old phone (because, well, I didn’t think of that when transferring everything else) and my old phone was gone before I knew about that. That meant that I had to reinstall the smartwatch app on the new phone (to break the link to the old phone) and you can imagine…all the data from the year went out the window. (Boo.)
At first I was bummed, but then I thought you know, I have photos of each month of the journey and a photo of last month’s journey before I had to reinstall the app. I’m working on the whole “let that stuff go” thing.
I can say I only missed two days (even though it looks like I missed half the month – ack!) due to work and just plain not getting all the steps I needed before bed. The other days where I didn’t get 10,000 steps were when I went skiing (twice!) and worked out in other ways.
Meditation
At least I use the native app on my phone to record all those mindful minutes. I have not missed a single day of meditation (even though I occasionally forget to set the timer) since my month of sacred travel in July. Though in October and December I cut back on my formal meditation time, I would still “sit” for an hour, and do other meditative activities, such as journaling or writing poetry.
But, in January, I went back up to 60 minutes. My mind and body were calling for it and it feels amazing to meditate for this length of time. It’s what my mind needs. I am an overthinker, and if you read last week’s post, then you’ll know that meditation also helps me as an empath.
Mantras and Affirmations
I continue reciting my Sanskrit mantra using mala beads. Every day I also read over and repeat the affirmations I wrote at the beginning of this project.
Journaling
There are some days I write in my Intention journal, but there are other days when I know my brain needs to “unload,” so I write stream-of-consciousness style in my “Brain Splatter” journal. However, I write every single day. I love looking at the word counts to see how far I’ve come.
I’m starting to think that one of these days, I should run a “spiritually creative” retreat that involves journal writing, meditation, mandala-making and poetry writing. After I get certified in teaching meditation. Just saying. 🙂
Reading
I intended to read two books, but I only ended up reading “The Art of Memoir” by Mary Karr. It was a good read, and gave me a lot of food for thought about approaching my memoir. The other one just didn’t capture my attention.
In reading Karr’s book, there were some themes that made me cringe: like interviewing family members that you’d write about to make sure they’re satisfied with what you wrote so that you don’t get sued later. Not that I want to write about someone and slander them – or have them misinterpret what I wrote – but…some folks are best left not interviewed, you know?
And so I return to the perpetual question that goes on in my head: either fictionalize what I’d like to write, or pick a different topic. Which brings me back to fiction. I love it. In pure self-retrospection, perhaps I’ll take a class sometime to get over the idea that I feel like I can’t write a good fiction story.
I realize that’s not very “positive” of me. I look at it this way: more great stuff to learn!
Doing Nothing
In full disclosure, I did not do this every day. Most days I spent about five minutes just staring off into space. There were a couple days where I did this for an hour. There were also days I didn’t do “nothing” at all. Ha!
Overall, I honestly loved what my mind would do during these “moments of nothingness” – I’d let it wander, and sometimes I’d end up in a long daydream. Other times I would get a creative idea. And other times, I was just grateful for the rest that I could give my body.
On the days where I didn’t do this, I didn’t worry that much: I still had my “down time” with meditation. Still, I can see the value in doing nothing and I want to incorporate this into my life more.
The Month of Love
For this last month, I originally had intended on doing some big things: organizing a “love” drive to procure donated goods or cards to send to someone in need of these things, send out cards on love, create artwork on love, perform intentional acts of love, and love on my significant other.
Here’s another moment of disclosure: while I put forth a lot of intentions for this project, I knew that while I would strive to get to everything, there would be times when I wouldn’t. Remember how I had intended to do the walking marathon? I still intend to, but I knew that to save my sanity, I had to wait until some point after this project was done.
I’m a little burned out on my big-little project. But, eh, I’ve been at all these “tall tasks” for nearly a year. I know that after this project is finished, I’ll continue the “core” part of this project indefinitely: meditation, journaling, exercise, mantras and affirmations. But I think I’ll lay off the personal challenges for awhile and focus more on this website and creating things here.
To that end, I am looking at this month of love before me and while I don’t want to shirk the intentions I set, I also know that I cannot do everything I had intended. That’s the neat thing about intentions: the intention can be there, but it’s okay to shift.
Love Fundraiser
I had been thinking about how to pull this off. I thought about collecting money in exchange for one of my mandalas to fund a project at the school where I do their marketing. I was thinking that I would raise money to provide a bus driver for students who have a hard time getting to school and whom are there on scholarship.
But I’m not so sure I have the energy to pull that off in addition to working on everything here, working about 30 hours a week, and being present for the other activities in my life.
I would like to do this, but for the moment, I think I need to hold off.
Sending Out Cards On Love
In my mind, I had thought that I would randomly send out cards to people spreading love when I created the project last year. But who to mail these to? Random people in the White Pages?
So, I thought of another idea. What if I create 28 (for the number of days in February) little cards with a loving message on them and leave them on people’s cars, on their desk, etc. They can be for family, friends, coworkers, and more.
I can either create them in the morning, and write one of my haikus on them, or think of some other message of love. Honestly, I get a thrill thinking about leaving these strewn about randomly – on people’s doorsteps, in mailboxes and folks having no idea who did it.
So that’s what I’m going to do. I figure I’ll just create them after I’ve created my daily haiku.
One challenge here: to walk up to a stranger, smile, and give them one of these cards. I’ll have to report back on how that goes.
I’ve already created 4 of them.
Create Artwork on Love
At the time I started this project, the mere thought of a YouTube channel did exist in my mind, but I didn’t know what that looked like.
Now, as the channel has evolved, I’m creating mandalas each week. I’ll still create other things here and there, but I personally love how meditative they are to create, and also to watch.
To that end, I’m going to consider this new challenge of creating weekly mandalas part of the idea of creating artwork on love. Did I mention that I intend to send these beautiful creations to people on my email list?
Here’s the most recent mandala I’ve created:
Perform Intentional Acts of Love
In fulfilling this intention, I just want to remember to be mindful of sending loving thoughts to everyone I meet – even if that person is someone I don’t always see eye to eye with. Humans in general flourish with an abundance of love.
In addition, the cards I’m creating and sharing are part of this intention.
Love on my Significant Other
He might be reading this, so I don’t want to give too much away. Let’s just say that I intend to have him feel appreciated for all the loving things he does for and with me.
We are a team, he and I. I intend to make sure he knows this.
Book of the Month
The Art and Practice of Loving by Frank Andrews, PhD (this is not an affiliate link – just a helpful one should you be interested in this book as well).
This is a guidebook for loving and bringing more of it to others. I found this book a couple years ago and haven’t read it yet. I was strolling along at a little bookstore on Edisto Island in South Carolina. It was originally written in 1991.
It includes exercises to help the spiritual journey, to bring more love into our lives, and even meditations.
The Core Part of the LIFE Project
To be sure, I am continuing with the core part of the project: 60 minutes of meditation, mantras, journaling, steps, affirmations. These things have become such a routine part of my life that I already know that even after this project is long over, I will continue to do these things – maybe not every single one of them every day, but often.
Aw, the perfect theme for the month of love ahead and you truly made me smile with all your awesome and loving intentions here. I have no doubt you will rock this in the upcoming month. So many hugs and Happy Monday now, my friend xoxo <3
Sweet Janine! Sending you LOTS OF LOVE! <3 <3 <3 I am just feeling all the warm fuzzies (and love!) at how much you’ve just encouraged and supported my work over these years. I’m intentionally sending you warm hugs and wishes for a wonderful week! I also hope your valentine showers you with sweet gifts that remind you of how appreciated and loved you are! <3 <3 <3
If ever there was a month (of LOVE) custom-made for you, it would be February, dear Cynthia.
I especially love your idea of random ‘love notes’ – certainly ‘what the world needs now’… you have me thinking on
how I can incorporate this practice as well.
Love you lots and big hugs too, Maria
Sweet Mar – hehe, sending YOU lots of love and hugs and wishes for a wonderful week. I’m thinking of you and Zoey and Andy and all the hurts and happies that I know you’re experiencing. So, here’s an extra infusion of love. I’ve been leaving love notes for folks and…it’s been fun! The mystery and looks on folks’ faces is just totally worth it. Thank you for your thoughts about the month of February. It is a short, fun month, no? Hehe.
Look at you, Miss Overachiever! 🙂 Lil Sis, you make me want to work harder and be a better person.
Thank you for that!
Hugs,
bro
Big Bro, lol…yeah, I’m like a little Hermione. Haha! But as far as you working harder and all that jazz? I’m honored that I inspire this in you, but know that you inspire the same in me. 🙂 Thank YOU! Sending you big hugs!
I loved watching you create the mandala Cynthia. And great idea to make love the focus for February. I’m glad to hear you might let up a little, focusing on the core practices like meditation, and have more time for your website and other things. I trust you to do what is best for you. hugs and blessings…
Brad – thank you! 🙂 As for love, I should say that this month includes a bit of “love” for myself and letting up a bit on the project. I might end up delivering a bunch of cards one day because I didn’t get them passed out on another. But well..hehe. All in good time. And while I’m glad I’ve pushed myself to be more intentional in the past year, I’m feeling a wee bit tired – I will admit. It’s 7:14pm…I may have to be in bed by 8pm! Haha. Sending you hugs, smiles and blessings. Thank you also for the feedback on the mandala stuff. I’m having a lot of fun with that. I hope you have a fantastic week, friend!
Thanks Cynthia. I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself too.
Brad – hehe, here’s to self-love and self-care so we can keep spreading the light. 🙂
I am sorry about your phone app, but happy you are letting it go, You know what you have achieved and that is what counts.
And skiing now, well in my book that is exercising lol..
I don’t know how you find time to do all of those steps lol..
Journal writing I relate to A LOT.. Though my journal sits on my dressing table in my bedroom and I reach over to write with pen in hand.. LOVE your Brain Splatter and Intention journal.
Also agree with you on this
“I’m starting to think that one of these days, I should run a “spiritually creative” retreat that involves journal writing, meditation, mandala-making and poetry writing. After I get certified in teaching meditation. Just saying.”.. Oh if only I lived closer Cynthia.. I would most definitely attend.. 🙂
And I would not worry about the Walk Marathon.. To me you walk a marathon every day with those 10,000 steps.. LOL.. Now that made you smile..
Love your Cards of love Creative idea Cynthia.. Who wouldn’t wish to find a lovely card with your creative poems upon them to inspire and uplift them in their day.
Now I am going to savour looking at your latest creative Mandala . And will savour watching you work on it..
Have a beautiful Creative and most LOVING February Cynthia..
Love and Hugs..
Sue <3 xxx
Sue – Yeah, you know…just letting it go is a wonderful practice. Perhaps it was all meant to be. 😉 And yes, I’m only trying to push my own self…I’ve wanted to stay accountable to the folks here, but yeah…and skiing. Whew! Yes, it’s exercise. I grew up skiing and it’s a great leg workout doing short turns down the ski slope. Hehe. And the steps. I get up (on days I go into the city for work) too early and jog in place at home. Wheweee!
As for journal writing: I can’t live without it. Though mine is currently digital, I do have one that I write in by hand and so many others that I have filled with my hand-written muses. There’s something to be said for writing it all out by hand. Something so tangible and incredible…and yes…brain splatter is so fun because it’s stream-of-consciousness. No judging myself, just rolling with it. 🙂
And I’ve thought about retreats for a long time and I’ve been thinking about getting certified to teach meditation in a “secular” way – pulling from multiple traditions. It’s a bit expensive, so I’m trying to save up for it. 🙂
As for the marathon, ha! You make me smile! I do get a lot of steps and by now after a year doing this, I probably have well over a million, but still…the allure of walking an entire marathon at once is palpable if only for the intention of following through on such a huge project. But if you lived closer, I would be having tea with you all the time and contemplating…everything called life. 🙂
I’ve delivered a few cards to colleagues and it’s been really fun! I get a lot of smiles and thank yous and it’s really fun to see the looks on people’s faces. I got some of those Hershey’s kisses and I’m going to start leaving those in people’s workspaces, too. Ha!
As for the mandala, thank you, THANK YOU for not only watching, but for commenting. This means so much to me. Just seeing that makes me want to keep going, keep creating and keep making more. <3
Have a beautiful week and day, dear friend. You’re an incredible light in my life and I appreciate you so, so much. You make my heart smile so, as well. Sending you lots of hugs and love, xoxo
Thank you Cynthia.. You bring me so much light also, and I am often in Awe of your commitment to self.. 🙂 And Oh if only we lived closer. 🙂 Sending huge hugs back.. <3
Sue – thank you, thank you, sweet friend! You make me smile so. I definitely am on an “inner-self” journey, with the ultimate goal of looking at the world and reacting to it calmly and “zen-ly” <– is that a word? Hehe. I am challenged in that regard, but it’s a worthy challenge, no? Sending you big hugs and one day in the not-too-distant future, we WILL meet. <3
YES, yes, yes to doing nothing! I need more of this in my life. Even just lying down for 5 minutes is bliss. But, it’s hard when your brain is constantly thinking of a gazillion things 5-10 years into the future lol. Guess I need to work some more meditation into my day, hey? Loved this post friend! Feels good to be back here and get my fill of I&S, I missed this! It’s so inspiring reading about your life project, because I always get so many ideas of things I want to shift and add into my daily routine that you’re doing, so thank you!!
P.S. I love your mantra drawing videos – they’re so soothing and beautiful. And I really love your intro video! What an awesome welcome to your site, great idea! Looking forward to our chat on Sunday. x
Melanie – Aww, friend! Yes. Doing nothing. Bliss. I’ve done that a bit today and haven’t even started my “real” work, yet and it’s nearly 3pm. YIKES. But, it IS hard, huh? I’m going and buzzing and going and buzzing and going…
That’s so awesome that you’re doing some meditation, too, though. I remember you saying that recently. So glad you’re back, I’ve missed you so. 🙂 As for the videos, I’m definitely not a professional (yet), but I’ma tryin’ ta learn. 🙂 And the intro video? Oh lawd, I cringe slightly – it was unrehearsed and I just wanted to get something up there. I’ll eventually have to change it to something else that’s not so…I dunno. Haha!
Looking forward to our power chat, as well! Sending you big hugs and wishes for a wonderful weekend! xoxo