Family History in a Plant and Learning about the Journey...

Last night my mom gave me this root of her jade plant.  It's been hacked back (we say a 'hair cut' in my family) and it rather awkward looking at the moment.  I've potted it and set it in a corner of my room hoping it will get enough sunlight to grow.

This jade plant, a member of the cactus family, has been a member of my family since before me.  It was a root my mom got from Grandma Ming around the time she was first married.  This plant has seen it all.  Through several houses, the births of my sister and I, a number of pets - this little jade plant has survived.  There's something about knowing that, that makes it extra special for me.  Perhaps it's a bit silly or oddly sentimental, but I feel like that plant should have a special place.  

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Last night I was having a conversation with someone about the introspective questions I've been answering, the self-discovery I've been going through.  She was saying that had hopped that I was learning that the journey and process is more important than the end result, because of all the things I'm learning about myself and how I am in the world.

2 months ago I would have agreed but not actually felt that way.  I was still in a place where I needed to make a decision and stick with it.  Now I'm realizing that this really is true and that this journey that I'm on to learn about me, to learn who I am and who I am not, is really quite fantastic.

Have you been on a journey that ended up being more important than the end result?

Karen

Inside Karen's Box Pt 3...

As part of a recurring series, each Monday I will post an introspective series on myself.  As part of my year of doing, I'm trying to find out more about me.  I've been reading Pamela Slim's Escape from Cubicle Nation.  In her book she poses a number of questions to her readers.  As part of my self discovery, I'm working my way through these questions.  I would encourage you to work through them with me.  If for nothing else, but to know yourself a bit better.  I think you'd be amazed at what you will learn.

What environments make me feel open and relaxed?

• calm
• comfy, soft furniture I can sink into
• warm
• country decor (creams, browns, greens)
• lots of wood
• very little clutter, no knick knacks

What environments make my skin crawl?

• loud
• lots of concrete/metal
• too many colours & busy patterns
• no sense of privacy
• clutter, knick knacks
• nowhere to sit or get comfortable
• cold
• formal, stuffy

If I could design my ultimate any-space, I see big chairs that I can tuck my legs up into and sink down in, lots of calming colours.  I love wood and clean lines - give the frou frou stuff to someone else, please.  And no knick knacks and clutter!

Ok, anyone who knows me will find that last statement hilarious.  I hate clutter but looking around my room right now, you would hardly think of it that way.  The truth is that I do hate clutter, but I get easily overwhelmed by stuff.  At the moment I'm stuffed into a room and I can't think of much else to toss.  I'm sure if I looked much harder I would be able to give something away, but for the moment, it remains and I try to tidy up the clutter.

The more your space suits you and you feel comfortable in it, the more productive and at ease you feel.  I find my creativity flows so much easier when the space I'm in doesn't distract and take away from my inner thoughts and processes.  

It would appear that I have no immediate use for this information - no rooms to paint or homes to decorate, but I will file this away for the next time I am feeling on edge or at peace and take note again if my surroundings are helping or hindering my ability to create and think.

What kind of environments make your psyche smile or frown?

Karen

Cancer and Army update...

Part of my story here on this website begins with my mom's battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma.  It was part of the catalyst for my year of doing and in general wanting to make the most out of my life.  She finished up with her chemo just after Christmas.  We all took it as a great sign and that even though we assumed she'd end up having her spleen out (it's been enlarged for some time now), it would come out and we'd be done with it.  Turns out there's more to this than we thought.

From what I understand, mom will have to have her spleen out, then have her bone marrow taken out, be blasted with high doses of chemotherapy, then possibly have her bone marrow put back in.  Essentially it's a bone marrow transplant from herself.  Apparently the bone marrow becomes damaged with such high doses of chemotherapy.

On one hand, this is a horrible thing to have to go through - pain, suffering, surgeries... you name it - but I am grateful that there is a way to combat this.  I think of 100 yrs ago when cancer was a death sentence, if it was ever found or understood.  I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, but I am grateful that our healthcare system has advanced to the point of being able to deal with this, and to providing good service.  My mother is the strongest person I knew before this, she is undoubtedly the title holder now.  She will win this battle and it might be hell going through, but she will come out the other side a winner.

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On a less unhappy note... I went to talk to an Army recruiter about the reserves last night.  Interesting, that's for sure.  But I don't think for me.  Firstly I was stunned to find out that although they are within the same building, the different branches within the army don't even talk to one another.  Secondly, the time dedication is more than I think I can commit to.  With most or all of my weekends booked in the spring months, this doesn't seem to be something I can commit to with any kind of seriousness.

I loved the idea of it, but I'm not sure that the reality is something that I can get on board with.  I'll take a few days to think it over but this was never intended to be a lifelong commitment, rather, just a temporary job, so I'm not so sure this is really where it's at for me.

It was rather cool being there and it's better to have checked it out than to have not.  I learned some things I never would have before!  (PS. Downtown Hamilton is SCARY after dark!)

Karen

Will We Live Online in the Future?

I was reading Gwen Bell's del.icio.us bookmarks this morning and saw this article.  It's a summary of the statistics of social media.  It focuses predominitely on the major players - Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  The ending statement is was intrigued me.

"Mind-blogging statistics uhh…. Think how they will change in next 2-3 years ! We will literally be living our lives online rather than offline !"

Will we really be living online?  To me that means little or no social interactions face-to-face.  No human contact.  I suppose 2 to 3 years is a bit accelerated, but is that what we're heading towards?

With the advent of the internet and email alone, businesses are able to set up anywhere and connect with others in mere moments.  Now you can move across the world from you family and friends and with a click of Skype, you are there on the screen!  I'm a big proponent of using the internet and social media is most or all facets of life.  In my opinion it enhances many experiences.

But that's just it - enhances.  I think that as much as we will conduct business and many social interactions online, as humans we will still always crave the close-up social interactions.  I know for me, that online social interactions can take the place of the up-close and personal for only so long, then I need to see, touch and hear a person.  Emails, Twitter, Facebook and phone calls are great, but at some point I usually realize I'm still sitting all alone in a room and I need to not be alone.

So while I think that this statement certainly has some ring of truth around it, we will never be an online society.  How about you?  What do you think?

Karen

Mindful: Last...

If today were your last, what would you do right now? What would go straight to first place on your to do list? What would the quality of your attention be?

If today were my last day on earth I would leave work, call each of my close friends and tell them how much they mean to me.  I would spend most of the day with my family, just being with them.  For me, that's the best place to be.  I would spend quiet time in the barn reflecting back on how much I have been given in this life, how fortunate I have been to have the family, friends and love that I have had.

If given a little bit more time, I would travel to a few of the places that I have never seen (top of the list: Greece, France).  But if I only had today, I would spend it with family.

If today were your last day, how would you spend it?

Karen