[Heidi]

The focus for this challenge is to BELIEVE in myself and my place in the universe enough to take risks, and to embark on new journeys that previously may have appeared daunting. Not to be impulsive in my actions, to look before I leap, but also not be afraid of the gap.

 

Relationships require flexibility, and I have the opportunity to use the balance insights from last challenge to increase my flexibility--of expectations and of myself-- and be more flexible with my relationships, letting them deepen by going wherever they need to go.

 

The universe seeks to resolve anything that is in tension, because tension creates imbalance. Through being flexible and having faith, I can help release tension in body and in the relationships around me. How tensions find an outlet for expression often reveal hidden truths, like gold in a mine, treasures to be discovered from deep digging.

 

I often feel pulled in different directions internally, and sometimes I struggle with what choices to make. There is also a stew of external conflict, competition, and often these conflicts mirror my inner dichotomies.

Conflict is inevitable. Combat is a choice, and I have the opportunity to see what is being expressed in the tension, to mine for the gold of the universe and let the treasure come forth.

 

Spring is often heralded as a time if new life, but the path I have walked so far leaves this autumn feeling potent for new beginnings. There is treasure in the short days, the deepening of darkness that reveals the subtle shimmer of the universe all around us. When I am flexible and balanced, I lay claim to my place in the universe.

Truth can be uncomfortable. It requires courage and compassion to sit with discomfort and uncertainty. When I meet the universe where it is, with an open heart from where I am, insights are possible.

 

Mind

*Writing. The dissertation is at 15,726 words as the challenge opens. We’ll see how much gets written. 

*Classes and papers continue. I have a document analysis due in mid November, and it’s one of my favorite types of assignments. I then lead the class discussion, which I also usually like.

*Statistics are real, despite what Mark Twain said about them. I have three quizzes and an exam this round.

 

Body

*Make something and eat it every day.

*Supplements daily until November 11, review with acupuncturist

*B12 shot 11/10

*Saturday vegetable pickup

*Milk

*Acupuncture or Massage

*Maybe the gym especially for the sauna and the hot tub. Sometimes swimming.

 

Heart 

*Time with Vivian

*Outings with a friends

*Virtual visits

*Pinball

 

Soul 

*Meditation. Five minutes? Fifty minutes? Whatever, it’s All good. Focus on #reasonsnottoquit and #HeidiKoans

*Sleep. My Spirit requires a lot of rest.

*Still water float October, November

 

Significant dates:

Stats Unit 3 (3 quizzes, 1 exam) due 11/5

Court 11/9

B12 11/10

Paper 4 due 11/11

History of Higher education discussion leader 11/15-22

 

Insights from last challenge:

I am stronger than I know. My real strength comes from trusting myself and trusting the universe. There is nothing that I can't handle when I focus on being present and allow myself to breathe.

 

As we head into the waning light of the year, I am learning to lean into uncertainty with faith, to be able to look at challenges with open mindedness, and to focus on the future instead of the past.

 

Also, random #reasonsnottoquit, because I need them. Possible drops of a #HeidiKoan here and there, because I need to remember them.

 

[Heidi]

I just realized my Nerdversary is this challenge.

In so many ways it feels like I have always been here.

Thank you to the companions along the Way.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Proud to walk with you.

[Scaly Freak]

9 hours ago, Heidi said:

Spring is often heralded as a time if new life, but the path I have walked so far leaves this autumn feeling potent for new beginnings. There is treasure in the short days, the deepening of darkness that reveals the subtle shimmer of the universe all around us. When I am flexible and balanced, I lay claim to my place in the universe.

 

Fall is when ever seed that sprouts in spring is planted. Fall is when it all begins.

[Heidi]

5 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Proud to walk with you.

Ubuntu: I am because we are.

 

15 minutes ago, Scaly Freak said:

 

Fall is when ever seed that sprouts in spring is planted. Fall is when it all begins.

It really is.

 

Also, It's that time of year when I put on fuzzy socks, a sweatshirt, and cover my lap in a blanket instead of turning on the heat and then promptly fall asleep with a book in my lap.

[fearless 2.0]

*clicks follow and waves*

[Heidi]

9 minutes ago, fearless 2.0 said:

*clicks follow and waves*

Hey there! Good to have you along!

[Heidi]

So there’s this thing in my stats textbook where the instructor links to a how-to video. That would be all well and good, but she uses it *instead of* text and I hate video generally, and I just want the formula listed in the actual text, and on top of that the graduate student in the video is a mathematician and so far the first five minutes are explaining that there’s a video and yes I’m being a total infant about this, and I’ve been ranting for over a week now, delaying watching the video because I am uncomfortable with the format, and I just should watch the vide so that I can voice my reasonable complaints about it while also having the actual formula. I mean, how hard is it to  write “Use the factorial, here, X!” See how to do that at (video link). Just a short note of the formula would go a long way for me.

 

Anyway, I’m going to be watching TheStupidVideo this morning before meeting with a philosopher friend (used to be in Kentucky, now is in Massachusetts). Then this afternoon I work in the pharmacy until 7. I might or might not get around to some training modules for the pharmacy and some stats homework, depending on how the stats video goes. Also, the reading for the history of higher ed class includes a viewing of episode 2 of Eyes on the Prize, a 1987 look at the civil rights movement in the United States, and I am digging this unit vey much. I have thoughts on the matter, which should make participating in the discussions pretty simple.

 

May you have peace this day, dear Reader.

[DarK_RaideR]

I can't BELIEVE nobody posted this already

 

[Heidi]

16 minutes ago, DarK_RaideR said:

I can't BELIEVE nobody posted this already

 

YES!

 

Open invitation for all songs about believing!

❤️ 

[Heidi]

22 minutes ago, DarK_RaideR said:

I can't BELIEVE nobody posted this already

 

Also, extra bonus points for bringing Cher into my world today.

Because a day that starts with Cher can never be bad.

 

[DarK_RaideR]

Well, this just popped up in my head

 

[Heidi]

33 minutes ago, DarK_RaideR said:

Well, this just popped up in my head

 

Nobody knows

What's going to happen tomorrow

So you've got to believe

It'll be all right in the end

It'll be all right again

It'll be all right my friend

❣️

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

3 hours ago, Heidi said:

Open invitation for all songs about believing!

 

[Scaly Freak]

9 hours ago, Heidi said:

Open invitation for all songs about believing!

 

Well, now you've done it....  

 

 

[Heidi]

19 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

 

This was the perfect song to find after a long shift in the pharmacy.

 

I'm tired.

I might be too tired to eat, and I might be too tired to sleep, but none of that matters because I have a stats meeting in less than an hour, so I'm listening to this, swaying a bit to the tune as I brew tea.

🎶

I believe in love

I believe in music

I believe in magic

And I believe in you

🎶

Thank you, Friend.

[Heidi]

58 minutes ago, Scaly Freak said:

 

Well, now you've done it....  

 

 

Definitely saving this one for after the stats meeting!! Excellent selection. You guys are the best.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

58 minutes ago, Heidi said:

This was the perfect song to find after a long shift in the pharmacy.

 

I'm tired.

I might be too tired to eat, and I might be too tired to sleep, but none of that matters because I have a starts meeting in less than an hour, so I'm listening to this, swaying a bit to the tune as I brew tea.

🎶

I believe in love

I believe in music

I believe in magic

And I believe in you

🎶

Thank you, Friend.

It's always time for the Gentle Giant.

[Heidi]

Holy cannoli, guess who just aced the section on stats?!?!

 

I had to do a check-in to make sure I wasn't way off the rails and it turns out that I actually knew what I was talking about?!? How cool is that.

 

Second half of this week's chapter comes later, and then the quiz, but Thank You, Universe for the belief in myself enough to try and risk getting it wrong.

 

 

[fearless 2.0]

your thread sparks a lot of joy, sister!  

[Heidi]

3 hours ago, fearless 2.0 said:

your thread sparks a lot of joy, sister!  

Thank you!

Sharing it Sparks joy for me 🙂

[Heidi]

Having a very slow morning, with tea.

About to start the stats Lab for the week and maybe do a load of laundry.

 

[Heidi]

Had a real comfort zone with stats Lab, so I took the quiz and made an A. Go me! 

 

I have a two hour block with nothing tugging at my sleeve, and the laundry is tumbling dry.

 

Might rewatch X-Men First class.

The conversations between Eric and Charles inspired me when I was a kid. Ethics in Public Policy, you say? Who could have seen that coming?

[Heidi]

Six hours before tonight's (rescheduled from two weeks ago) communication session, I got an email that it would need to be rescheduled. Cool, cool.

 

I ended up booking my first still water float during the time I had set aside for the session (which came directly after the massage). Friends, it was amazing. No claustrophobia issues and I'm all in for adding this to the wellness regimen, especially since the hours at the pharmacy are really picking up. I work again tomorrow, and I plan on getting better work shoes. The Keds are great, but my feet ache horribly by the end of my shift.

 

After the massage and float, I texted a friend and we went to dinner together. I had never been to corelife, and I had a bed of greens (kale and spinach I think?) with cranberries, blue cheese, a few other things I don't remember, and steak on top, with cranberry vinaigrette dressing. A side of roasted brussel sprouts with bacon, and this is one happy Druid.

 

Goodnight, friends.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

28 minutes ago, Heidi said:

Six hours before tonight's (rescheduled from two weeks ago) communication session, I got an email that it would need to be rescheduled. Cool, cool.

 

The other thinks this is some sort of power play, when all it really means is you don't have to waist your time in pointless sessions.