December 11 ~ reverb11 ~ Gracias (Thanks)

Appreciation and acknowledgement are corner stones to building trust and deepening relationships. Write a thank you note or poem to someone who impacted your life in 2011.

I am not a poet...never have been, never will be.  Even as an AP English student, poetry was my weakest medium, whether in writing or comprehending.  Nonetheless, this is what came to me...unedited...and not exactly what I had in mind when I read the prompt for today.  I, of course, thought I would write a thanks to my wonderful fiance or best friend...but, who am I to erase these words which seemed to type themselves.

Thank you for the lessons 

I could never learn on my own,

for the words that bit and looks that hit

so deep into my soul.

Some times it takes a moment

to reflect on long ago hurts

before we realize how much we lost

by believing in those words.

I received the gift of love

once I placed those hurts on a shelf.

Never to be given strength again

thanks to the love I found for myself.

Smith Rock...over-coming my fear of heights!  I'm awesome!!

"I must learn to love the fool in me - the one who feels too much, talks to much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hur, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool." -Theodore I. Rubin, M.D.

This post is part of #reverb11, a series of daily writing prompts to explore the year passed and manifest the year ahead. These prompts can be found here and here.

December 10 ~ reverb11 ~ Ananda (Joy)

A positive frame of mind is a habit. How have you silenced the propaganda factory of negativity with positive thought and behavior in your life in 2011? How has this changed your day-to-day being?

Half Moon Bay girl's weekend

I think it's funny when I hear people talk of their desire to "just be happy" yet surround themselves with so much negativity that it really does appear that they thrive on drama.  I spent much of my late 30's cutting out such drama...letting go of toxic friendships, relationships and even releasing myself from the guilt I placed on my soul when I decided to take a step back from certain family members who had a way of bringing out the worst in me.

This past year I've taken this a step further by stopping my magazine subscriptions (the one's that are always talking about how to be prettier, skinnier, a better lover...etc) and even unsubscribing from a few blogs that left me feeling negative.  I love sarcasm...I really do...but I caught myself almost mimicking the constant negative rants on a couple of blogs I followed.  With the desire to be funny, I found that it sounded like I hated everything (while I also came across as a judgmental b&^#$). 

Half Moon Bay...2 girls, a few hours of sunshine, a couple of bikes on the beach...a joyful memory to last a lifetime.

On a whole, I am in such a good place, able to find beauty and joy in both the simple and grand, that it has become easier to identify and silence the negativity when it tries to creep inside.  Those moments of meditation and contemplation, whether on the yoga mat, sitting in silence, listening to Sri Guru Gita or even during a long run, keep me in the present...aware of the fact that joy and happiness are a choice and it does not serve me to give that control to someone (or something) else.

Morro Bay

December 9 ~ reverb11 ~ Listo (Resourcefulness)

How resourceful were you in 2011? What new ways could you incorporate resourcefulness into 2012?

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(Special thanks to Heidi Johnson for providing today’s prompt.)

2011 has been a wonderful, yet scary, introduction to learning how to be resourceful.  Between my work hours reduction (and therefore, pay) followed by a city-wide reduction in pay that affected our household income dramatically, we have had to learn how to do more with less.  But it has also helped to prepare us for my fiance's upcoming retirement...the one where I also quit working and we hit the road in a 32 foot R.V. with our dog, 2 cats and all of our worldly possessions.

Miso, Avi and Cleo in the R.V.

Earlier this year we went through our houseful of belongings and held a huge yard sale.  We also sold several items on Craig's List and eBay.  It was amazing to see all that we had acquired and thought was important to hold on to due to sentimental reasons.  It was liberating to unload so much 'baggage'.  And, after selling of things in a rush, we've learned that we would have to be more resourceful and figure out how to make due since we can't start to accumulate more at this point.

A 32 foot R.V. may seem big, until you try to fit in everything you think you need or want.  Things now have dual purposes and storage areas are utilized based on need and not so much location...i.e. it's okay to use drawers in the 'bedroom' as a pantry.

The Mutiny...our soon-to-be full-time home.

2012 will really be the test for us and I foresee much more opportunity to be resourceful as we prepare for the ultimate road trip and seek out work trade opportunities which will allow us to travel and stay in places like Alaska and the Florida Keys.  

“What you seek, exists within you. Every resource you need is available to you.” ~Marcia Wieder

December 8 ~ Dharma (The Path)

Wandering can be good for the over-focused creative. How did you wander well this year?


Wander...something my mind seems to enjoy doing...often and to the point of becoming a distraction and causing much procrastination.  I see this in my blog as it had wandered from being about my struggles to slightly "foodie" to "all things runner" and now back to what I hope is my intention. It's all a part of my own learning curve.

But I also see this quality in other areas of my life...this desire to wander or to take the path less traveled.  Whether hiking, biking, running or driving I have happened upon some of the most beautiful scenery, best restaurants and unique individuals by simply being inquisitive and open to wandering.

I wander a lot and I wander well because,for me, it all leads to learning about and experiencing things I may never have had a chance to should I have played it safe.  


“Never did I think so much, exist so vividly, and experience so much, never have I been so much myself - if I may use that expression – as in the journeys I have taken alone and on foot.” ~ JEAN-JACQUESROUSSEAU

December 7 – reverb11 – Tranquilo (Calm)

Sometimes the most beautiful, memorable moments are also the quietest. What quiet, beautiful moment do you recall?

(Special thanks to Jeffrey Davis of Tracking Wonder for providing today’s question.)

This question makes me take pause because, as an introvert, I often find myself in quiet contemplation.  One of the best memories about my late father is that we could go on 1000+ miles road trips together, uttering very few words, yet having the time of our lives.  I would recline the passenger's seat in the Camaro and watch through the sunroof as the clouds passed by, perfectly content and entertained.  This past year I've had many similar moments, finding beauty in the small things...

A banana slug stirring from it's slumber while we camped in the redwoods...

 The power of the ocean as I gazed upon Morro Rock during an early morning walk along the beach...

 and again as I gazed in amazement at Natural Bridges...

 The smells that brought back memories of my childhood so vividly I could feel my dad's presence as I hiked  through part of the Bay Trail...

How my morning commute can bring visual surprises that can make even a crazy day seem peaceful...

And how a simple gesture can mean so much more than what it appears to be...

“Live simply and take life more easily. Happiness lies in giving yourself time to think and to introspect. Be alone once in a while, and remain more in silence.” ~Yogananda

December 6 ~ reverb11 ~Salud (Health)

What did you do for your body’s benefit this year?

Special thanks to Jeffrey Davis of Tracking Wonder for providing today’s prompt.

"Our bodies are our temples.

How were you mindful of your physical health throughout 2011? Did you change your diet or exercise routine? Did you practice yoga or meditation? How well did you take care of your body this year?" 

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.” ~Buddha

In January of this year I began training for my first marathon. It had been a dream of mine for several years but I often suffer from "analysis paralysis" which results in a whole lot of thinking about things and not enough doing.  Since 2011 was my year of Awakening, of actually taking the steps towards achieving my goals rather than just thinking about them, I joined Team in Training and became a marathoner on June 5, 2011.

Me: at the top of Monument Ridge at Squaw Valley 9/17/2011

Although I have always been very critical of my body image (and never satisfied), I took such good care of it that it carried me through a full marathon, 2 half-marathons and my first trail 10K this year.  It also proved to be strong and dependable during the 12+ mile course on top of Squaw Valley during Tough Mudder...tackling a multitude of military style obstacles. And it reveled in a new endeavor...Hot Yoga.

I rewarded it with clean, mostly vegetarian, eating (I occasionally eat fish) and by cutting way back on alcohol consumption.  I dry brush my body most mornings, exfoliate my face and actually use moisturizer (finally). I have one body to carry me through my entire life...I figure I should at least treat it better than I do my car.  I'm healthier at 40 years old then I've ever been in my life...and I think I may surpass that at 41!

Reverb11~ December 5 – Sueño (Dream)

What was your dream come true in 2011? What is your wildest dream for 2012?



I have been extremely blessed this past year. Many things have occurred in my life which has allowed me to not only change my beliefs and expectations (resulting in much more happiness and contentment and much less drama), but have spurred me into actually moving towards my dreams (as opposed to just talking about them). As I mentioned before, I ran my very first marathon in June. It was a dream come true and a pivotal point in 'proving' to myself that I am capable of over-coming my self-imposed doubts and limitations. I was surrounded by friends and loved ones and I was fortunate enough to run it with a wonderful friend, truly a blessed event.



But something else occurred which I never thought would happen. My boyfriend of 2 and 1/2 years proposed. I was shocked and amazed and certain that he was just kidding. When we first started dating we had discussed marriage and his utter disdain for it, basically letting me know up front that if I ever wanted to get married we shouldn't date. Having been married before, I had no desire to do it again...at least not any time soon. Fast forward two fantastic years later, to the banks of Lake Michigan, while we were on vacation visiting his brothers, that man got down on his knee, held up a beautiful ring and asked me to be his wife. And he wasn't joking. I might not have led on that I had been secretly hoping and dreaming of to be his wife, but this is hands-down my dream come true for 2011.

I said "yes"!

My wildest dream for next year?? To climb Mt. Shasta (finally), to "retire" from my regular job at the end of 2012 when my fiance retires so we can hit the road in our RV and travel the country (poor but happy) and to find a source of income to help fund the great RV adventure. I am frightened and thrilled about the future, trying to find a healthy balance of planning yet living in the now. But one thing is for sure, I will have my best-friend by my side and, with him, anything is possible.



Mt Shasta
Photo Credit: The Enneagram Center