January 2014 Archives

The last row of the grid starts with knowledge and wisdom (blue) on the left; I am already studying a certification, so that's an obvious action for 2014. In the middle is career (black); I have been having circus fantasies so I drew myself as a ringmaster. To the right is a big area for me - travel and helpful people (grey); I need collaborators and I hope to travel with circus-y ideas to India later this year thoughtprobably not by balloon.

You may have noticed that there are colored discs surrounding the star. They connect with dotted lines to the drawings and to each other to create a map of how each area will support the others this year.

Jason told us about a study of two groups of people; one group spent five minutes a day imagining their goals; the other group imagined themselves working to accomplish their goals. The group that imagined the actions rather than the end result got closer to their desires than the ones who focussed on the goal. Interesting. I will make sure I envision the path rather than the goals in order to make my 2014 a productive and good year.

The weather was so beautiful today that once I left home, I could not stop walking. From my planned errand in Iidabashi, I decided to stroll through Kitanomaru Park,. When I ended up down by the Imperial East Gardens I walked through them, too. Then the Imperial Outer Gardens to Hibiya Park, where I called UltraBob away from his desk to join me in a turn around the grounds while we chatted. 

Then I set myself a goal. I'd walk across the Rainbow Bridge! I've wanted to for a long time and today seemed ideal for a little adventure. I said goodbye to Bob and kept going south past Shiba Koen to the seaside area. I found the entrance to the bridge at Shibaura with not too much trouble and caught the elevator 7 stories up. I paced the north side of the bridge towards Daiba, where I shot the photo above. Before I reached the very end of the bridge, I ducked underneath and back across to Shibaura on the south side of the promenade. Back on terra firms, I meandered over to Mita station and caught the subway home. 

Total distance, 19.2km. 25,876 steps.

Being in a band is fun and it is scary. It is definitely worthwhile. We'll never stop learning. More stage experiences for us, please.

I have a few on my fridge right now. I wrote them down yesterday in a fit of "help you help yourself" thinking. There's a morning list and an evening list. I'd really like to get myself back into a more healthy, productive schedule and I think the lists will help remind me to do so. They aren't unreasonable. Probably every person I know already does these things. Even with such good intention, I saw them this morning and pushed back. Who am I to tell myself what to do?! Ridiculous.

If I reframe the resolutions as goals then things get a little easier for me. I have GOALS! Goals are fun challenges. They have an end. They do not drag on like putting away the laundry every night forever. They are more meaningful, yet also dreamy. Reach the goal, make a new one. Wheeee. Visible progress. 

What are some of my goals for 2014?

Wishing you a lucky 2014. 明けましておめでとう！