Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit

 

As January comes to an end, the first month of 2022, I realize I already have some catching up to do on my Top 55 list. The month came in quietly, picked up in the middle, and is going out rather peacefully. I am able to cross off 3 things I have never done, I have read not just one book, but THREE and I am on my way to developing some good habits to keep checking off throughout the year.

The first book I finished is The Soul of America by Jon Meacham. Mr. Meacham is extremely adept at weaving historical events into current events and how they impact society today.  In his book, American Gospel, he does this with the topic of Church and State.  In The Soul of America, he paints a picture of America that has made great advances while at the same time experiencing many challenges, challenges related to justice, equality and more.  Reading the book can give a sense of hope that our challenges can be overcome, as long as the better angels of society step up and speak up for the common good.

"We have managed, however, to survive the crisis and vicissitudes of history. Our brightest hours are almost never as bright as we like to think; our glummest moments are rarely as irredeemable as they feel at the time.  How, then, in an hour of anxiety about the future of the country....can those with deep concerns about the nation's future enlist on the side of the angels?"

Mr. Meacham advises us to do the following:

• Enter the Arena
• Resist Tribalism
• Respect Facts and Deploy Reason
• Keep History in Mind

The second book I read is Glennon Doyle's, Untamed.  I picked this book on a recommendation from two friends who had recently completed it.  It was an extremely relevant and engrossing read on topics ranging from marriage, friendship, sexuality and anxiety.  I know there is much more to the book than those topics, however these stand out to me initially.  Often, when I am able to re-read a book, I find that other things stand out on the second read. I am both shocked that and pleasantly surprised at what I can miss on previous reads.  I am sure my state of mind and challenges around me influence what I am able to see when I am reading. Glennon Doyle artfully drops keys throughout her chapters that are like shining nuggets for everyone to discover, ingest and share with others to help live an authentic life for themselves and encourage those around them to do the same.

The final book I read is The World We Have by Thich Nhat Hanh, A Buddhist Approach to Peace and Ecology.  "Every on of us can do something to protect and care for our planet. We have to live in such a way that a future will be possible for our children and our grandchildren. Our own life has to be our message." This quote is the first thing one reads and is a fairly accurate theme throughout and reminds me of the Native American Proverb below:

In the book, Hanh teaches how to be mindful of our actions because all of our actions and choices ultimately affect our Karma and our earth. Through mindful practices, we can transform ourselves and that in turn can transform our communities and our world.

I thoroughly enjoyed a weekend adventure with my friend, Connie, and her husband.  A couple of weekend ago, we stayed at Canyon of the Eagles on Lake Buchanan and from there, we were able to visit Longhorn Caverns and then take the Vanishing Texas River Cruise the wonders across Lake Buchanan to the mouth of the Colorado River.  The weather wasn't the best for our stay, however we made the best of it to take advantage of the views and activities that we could in the time we had together.  I will write a separate post to detail our adventures that weekend, later this week.

Tomorrow begins a new month and there is an old wives tail/superstition that one should say, "Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit" aloud upon waking on the first day of the month to have good luck for the rest of it. It is not easy to pinpoint the exact origin of the practice but to some, even carrying a rabbit's foot is a sign of good luck.  After the last few years, dealing with lot of challenges professionally and personally, I will take all the luck I can get and will be sure to say those three little words before I put my feet to the floor tomorrow morning.

Completed in January:

• Canyon of the Eagles
• Vanishing Texas River Cruise
• Longhorn Canyon
• 3 books read
• French - ongoing
• Exercise - ongoing
• Healthy eating - ongoing
• Journaling - ongoing
• Cap 10K - registered, training started
• Gratitude Notes - ongoing