February - Arwen's Month

 🌹✨ Embracing Arwen's Essence ✨🌹

As February winds down, I've been doing some serious thinking. This month hasn't been the easiest for me on a personal level. But you know what? Arwen had some challenges in her story too so maybe it's all fitting. Here are highlights of my month.

1. Love Notes: Focusing on Arwen's unwavering love and devotion in The Lord of the Rings films, I decided to spread some encouragement. In the movies, Arwen builds up others with her words of encouragement and hope, so I decided to take some time to write love notes to my husband, parents, and my kiddo, René. There are still more folks on my list so I plan to continue this in the upcoming months.
💌💕

2. Evenstar Necklace: My original plan was to craft jewelry and do a wire bending project. But I was not satisfied with the materials I could afford, so instead I found a necklace that captured the essence of Arwen's beauty and grace for me. It's a sterling silver Evenstar-inspired pendant and I've been wearing it throughout the month as a reminder of my journey and to connect with Arwen's timeless spirit. ✨

In the midst of a busy month, focusing on Arwen allowed me moments to pause, reflect, and celebrate my meaningful connections with others. As I wave goodbye to February 2024, I hope to carry her essence with me—graceful, loving, and always radiant. 

Next month is my birthday month, so it seems fitting that it is my Bilbo Baggins/Hobbit month! Here's to keeping our hearts filled with the light of love and the magic of Middle-earth. #Arwen #MiddleEarth #Evenstar

Curate Your Life

"Your gallery of memories starts with the brush strokes of today." -Me

 

 

While immersed in a recent virtual museum tour, my mind drifted to the role of a curator and their process for designing an exhibit. It struck me suddenly that much like selecting artwork, I too am curating a "gallery of memories" for myself—choosing the right pieces, crafting the flow, and cultivating the ambiance. This concept resonated once more the evening I joined a new women's travel group in town. As I listened to these women share their experiences, hopes, and future plans, I couldn't help but admire how they, too, curate their lives with such intentionality.

Every day, month, and year, we select and arrange elements of our lives, whether we are conscious of it or not. For me, curating involves living purposely so I can craft experiences that embody the life, adventures, and memories I want to hold dear.

In the spirit of Henry David Thoreau, taking actionable steps ensures we don't reach the end of our life and discover we didn't truly live.

Below are 3 Practical Questions to begin asking yourself:

1. What do I genuinely value, and how do these values influence my life's path?

Actionable Step: Dedicate a moment to compile a values list for your "gallery of memories." Think of at least 2 values that matter most to you. If you were able to look to the end of your days, what gallery do you want to see? Common examples of a life value could be: adventure, serving others, seeking truth, carpe diem, or "sucking the marrow out of life." [DPS-Mr. Keating ❤️] Look at these values and see if your daily decisions match up. If not, figure out where you can make changes to make sure you're staying true to what's important to you.

2. Am I creating clear, achievable experiences that align with my values?
Actionable Step: Take some time to decide on which experiences you want that will match the values from above. To illustrate, if you value entrepreneurship, and that's led to the dream of having a coffee shop/bookstore, then make a simple plan to work towards this goal step by step. If instead you value slow-living, identify things you need to remove from your life to slow down the pace.

3. Do I let finances get in the way of curating my life?
Actionable Step: Sometimes we make finances the scapegoat for why we're not living a full life when actually we need to get more creative. So check your money situation but also think about adjusting your plans a bit or finding new ways to make things work. For example, if adventure is your value and Paris your dream, but you can't pay for a trip yourself, look for volunteer options or a part-time work vacation to off set the cost. If your value is to "connect with nature" and that leads you to... I don't know, have a secret garden at your house, then ask garden friends to gift you seeds or ask for plants on holidays.

 

When I view my decisions as though I'm curating my life's gallery, I get inspired! I hope something in this post inspires you too. May every decision and proverbial brushstroke in your upcoming days be a careful curation of your wondrous legacy onto the canvas of time, ensuring that your final gallery of memories reflect your strongest values.

 
 #CurateYourLife #IntentionalLiving"

January - Galadriel Month

🌿✨ January Recap - Embracing the Elven Essence ✨🌿

Hello, fellow adventurers! As I conclude the first chapter of my LOTR-inspired New Year's journey, the "Galadriel/Elven Month," I wanted to share the magical moments that unfolded.

1. Nature Immersion: January beckoned me with the crisp breath of winter, as I took some brisk walks and  had a lakeside retreat during one of the sunny days. The frozen edges of the lake whispered, "be still," while the wintry breeze made me imagine what the elves do in the winter at the Lothlórien forest. 🍃❄️

 Practical Task: Spend time in nature, appreciating its beauty.

 

2. Calligraphy Adventure: In the pursuit of some Galadriel elegance, I decided on trying calligraphy. Siting down with my fine-tip pens (which, as it turned out, were not ideal), I adapted, choosing instead to research how to inscribe my name in Elvish. Each stroke became a dance, a connection to the graceful lines of Tolkien's world.

Practical Task: Try calligraphy.📜

 

3. Enchanting Screen Transformations & videos:The magic extended to the digital realm, as my phone transformed into a portal to Middle-earth. I cannot share those because I cannot find the original artist to give credit to however it's been a nice reminder of my focus this month!

January's journey has been Galadriel's ethereal world. 🌈✨ Here's to more enchanting adventures in the months to come! 🗓️🌟 #LOTRNewYear #GaladrielMonth #ElvenEssence #MiddleEarthMagic

Take a Break & Read with Me

 

I enjoy going on YouTube and finding "Read with me" videos. To be creative, I attempted to make one myself with just my phone and a tripod. I know it's bad! ha. However, for my friends and family across the country, I still hope they will enjoy spending this time together. So grab your book and something refreshing to drink then sit with me and let's read! Run time is only 24 minutes. 

"...judge tenderly of me" ~ Emily Dickinson

 YouTube uploaded it in 240p so select the gear ⚙️ to adjust the video quality higher size to match your phone or computer.

 

New Year's for Men: Carpe Diem 2.0

For the gentlemen embarking on a year-long adventure, behold "Carpe Diem 2.0" — a meticulously crafted 12-month plan that weaves together the enduring allure of action and sports with a dash of refinement. Catering specifically to the more discerning tastes of mature individuals, each month unfolds a thoughtfully curated fusion of physical and mental engagement. I hope the more masculine among us will enjoy immersing themselves in these activities tailored to provide a year rich in more meaningful experiences and personal evolution. For this list, the adventurer should grab a simple photo album booklet that has at least 12 slots and take one picture representing accomplishing each month's task.

January: Tenets of Martial Arts - Jump into the New Year and get inspired by learning the philosophy and discipline of a martial art. Consider Tai Chi (study out monk Zhang Sanfeng) or Aikido (research founder Morihei Ueshiba) for a mindful approach. The Core Objective of this Month: to cultivate inner strength and resilience. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal.

 

February: Holistic Health Kickstart - Establish a balanced fitness routine to invigorate your body type. Explore nutritious recipes and embrace mindful eating habits. In 2024, we stop neglecting our health. ❤️ You could also take up gentle yoga or meditation to add to your holistic health approach. The Core Objective of this Month: laying the foundation for a healthier and more energized lifestyle. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal.

March: Tactical Mindset - Explore strategic thinking through chess, Risk or other mind sports. Attend a lecture on strategy or read a book like "The Art of War" or Bear Woznick's, "12 Rules for Manliness: Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?" The Core Objective of this Month: to sharpen your strategic thinking skills. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal.

 

April: Outdoor Explorations - Engage in some type of new outdoor activities you’ve never tried before. Need ideas? How about: Frisbee golf, pickle ball, paddle boarding. For a more relaxed outdoor experience try nature walks or bird watching. The Core Objective of this Month: to step out of your comfort zone and foster a sense of adventure and resilience while getting some fresh air. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal.

 

May: Aquatic Serenity - Enjoy calming water activities like fishing or sailing. If those are not readily available, then watch movies with serene aquatic scenes. Another option could be to watch YouTube videos with ocean relaxation sounds and explore praying-meditation. The Core Objective of this Month: to find some tranquility, relaxation, and develop a more peaceful state of mind amidst life's demands. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal.

 

June: Tech Detox - schedule in a tech detox this month; maybe a whole day/weekend. Take up a non-tech hobby like building a model, woodcarving, or whittling. The Core Objective of this Month: to disconnect from tech and allow more space for introspection and imagination so you can have a better balance between the virtual and real worlds. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal.

 

July: Legendary Athletes - The 2024 Summer Olympics take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024! Now's a great time to study out legendary athletes that inspire you or even research a current athlete that will be attending the summer events. Bonus idea: Organize your own friendly sport-themed gathering with friends. The Core Objective of this Month: to draw inspiration from athletes that apply determination and discipline to their goals and challenges. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal.

 

August: Retro Gaming Retreat- Have a classic board game or retro video game night at your home or a local facility. Build new gaming memories with your kids, or share gaming fun with friends and family. The Core Objective of this Month: to build connections through shared nostalgia, creating memories and embracing a simpler time. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal.

 

September: Mentorship Discovery - Dedicate this month to exploring some mentorship opportunities or seeking therapeutic support. Whether you connect with a mentor in your field of interest or embark on a journey of self-discovery through therapy, prioritize personal growth and learning. The Core Objective of this Month: to gain new and valuable insights, guidance, and a deeper understanding of oneself while fostering positive development and well-being. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal.

 

October: Resilience Revisited - Use this ChatGPT prompt, "Will you write a quick summary about how I was resilient in my life during ______. input your personal example. Soak in that encouragement! The Core Objective of this Month: to reflect on your own personal resilience and recognize in a concrete way the strength you've gained from overcoming adversity. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal or print off what ChatGPT wrote.

 

November: Cultural Immersion - Immerse yourself in a new culture/study out a new culture. Try cooking a dish from a different culture or attend a cultural event in your community. The Core Objective of this Month: to broaden your perspectives and understanding for those different than you. Take a picture to represent you accomplishing this goal.

 

December: Reflective Lens - A Visual Chronicle of the Year - Reflect on the year's experiences. Cap off the year by embarking on a photojournalism project. Take your captured moments from each month and create a visual diary. Write a short description and what you learned with the images as you compile them. The Core Objective of this Month: to celebrate the year you've had and all the different, unique things you tried. 

I hope that you've found this monthly breakdown enjoyable, well-paced, and a diverse journey! Happy new year.