“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Anonymous
And so the days of harvest time are here…
When I started this blog experiment 363 days ago I hoped with all my heart that I could keep up, I had ideas about what I hoped to accomplish, but as the year unfolded the only thing that mattered to me was that I show up, each and every day, no matter what, that I not “weary in doing good” but know that in the proper time, if I made it through the year, I would “reap a harvest.” And though I had a period with the hurricane of having had to delay the finishing of this project the day I had power back I started back in again and in 2 days time I will have finished this project and the harvest is so much bigger and more beautiful and more amazing than I know how to tell you. The richness, the colors, the depth of the blessings of the harvest of this first 365 days are immeasurable.
I had been drifting for years from one thing to the next. After the fire in 2014 I simply could not find my way. Big plans and dreams would well up in me but I didn’t have the wherewithal to carry through which left me feeling depressed, discouraged, and without worth or value. I felt as if my life would never amount to anything. Then in 2017 I suffered the worst depression I had had in years. I wasn’t sure I would be able to pull myself back from the brink. Finally after switching doctors and medications and getting a good system of support in place I began to look around and try to figure out what I might do. After joining in on a month long blogging project, and before that month was even up, I knew what I had to do. I had to do one thing, commit to one single thing, for one year, and see where it might be able to take me. I didn’t know what would happen but I had to do something.
It is not just those of us who have suffered from mental health issues that have trouble sticking with something. I see people all around me taking on too many things or flitting from one thing to the next never choosing one thing and going deep with it and unless and until you do you never find out who you truly are. Faced with a commitment to show up here every single day for 365 days what I learned was something that honestly I am still trying to understand. The first year I just showed up every day. This next year, along with showing up, I am going to be exploring what “the magic of 365 days” really is because there is magic here, deep magic, life-changing magic, and I don’t want to ever be without the way this makes me feel.
I am proud of myself. It feels good. And what it has given me is the knowledge that if I can show up here and do this I can also ____________. There have been a number of things I have been able to accomplish this year simply by learning that I can indeed be a person who sticks to something and gets things done. October 11, for example, I will have been on the ketogenic diet for 1 year. I have lost nearly 60 pounds and counting and feel better than I have in years. I haven’t been able to stick to any kind of diet in a very long time. I credit learning that I can show up for something and stick to it for finally gaining the confidence to take on other things I have long put off as well.
I am not going to tell people that they need to plunge into a 365 day project in order to change their life. There are many ways one can effect change, but at 64 I have not found another way that worked for me. Too, I am a writer and this is a natural avenue for me. It has worked for me because it is in my wheelhouse as the expression goes. If you feel that you too might like to explore what a 365 day blog journey can do for you I would be delighted to have you join me. We will begin this Friday. If you choose to join in with your own 365 day project you can, when commenting here on my blog, share a link to your own blog as well. You can tell us about your project, and along the way share how it is going for you. I would love for others who feel this might be a good fit for them to experience the magic too. It has been such a blessing in my life it would be wonderful to have companions on the journey in the year ahead.
For now, tonight, I am counting my blessings. It is autumn now, it is harvest time, and it is a beautiful harvest in my life despite everything else that is happening. This, too, matters. Amidst hurricane recovery and hard sad days this singular act of showing up to blog every day has changed my life and I believe will shape my future in positive ways. I am deeply grateful to have this to hold onto now. I hope, that if you feel it might be a blessing in your life, you might join me on the next year’s journey. I would love to have your company. It’s nice to not feel alone.
The Experiment ~A 365 Day Search For Truth, Beauty &
Happiness: Day 1 ~ Introduction To The Project
“Do or do not. There is no try.”
Yoda
Maitri,
I am glad to read that your next blog will be about the magic found in everyday living. As I was thinking about what I might want to read about in your blog, I thought today that I would like it if you wrote not just about survival but about what sparks you to keep going every day despite the hardships, what inspires you to carry on. Magic seems to be a good avenue to pursue and I will be pleased to follow your new blog.
Dear Joan, I’m not sure where you saw this about the magic in everyday living? I am going to go with Surviving and Thriving, both, with grace, and faith and so on. The magic of the process of writing for 365 days is what is the magical process for me. But yes there is so much magic everywhere isn’t there? I am so glad to know you will be here. I am sending you my love, always…
Dear Maitri,
With sweet Tanya’s help I hope to also start blogging. At this stage of my life a public forum like this is not just a commitment but a challenge. While you have been a writer for years, I am new to the public expressions of my feelings. It is a scary journey I want to attempt. I know the deep growth and change that are possible. I am not sticking my toes in the water, nay I am plunging in head first. Who know what will come of it. You are indeed such an inspiration and a light shining for all of us who want to to follow.
I am so happy you are able, in all that you have endured, to find magic. It is there and I too shall search for it. So happy that there will be a number of us joining you this year.
Gentle hugs,
Lauren
Oh sweet sweet Lauren I am so happy that you will be joining me and don’t look at the whole 365 days and feel overwhelmed, just look at one day at a time, that’s how I did it. I just showed up each day, and the days added up, and here I am! Tomorrow is day 364! And I will be coming into the FB group tomorrow morning to do a live so if you miss it it will be there. I have a lot to say to you all, I love you so much, I haven’t been able to be back there before now for a lot of reasons but it is time. My blog was my first step back online and it’s been hard for me to even be here. I live in a world right now where babysteps are all that is possible, but babysteps, like blogging one day at a time, gets the job done. So on we go, together. I am so happy to have you all on the journey with me with your own blogs. I think this is going to be a very special year…
Blessings on you, sweet Maitri, for inspiring the rest of us to consider our lives carefully and to share what we learn in doing so. You write so candidly and with such integrity.
Thank you so much dear Cathryn, it is so good to see you here honey. I am just off to bed. I hope you are having a wonderful summer with your family. I think of you often…
yes, you have stuck with this, day after day, thru hell and fire. and not only stuck with it, but delivered so much heartfelt wisdom and encouragement to us readers even when your life felt like it was falling apart. you are a proven sage, my friend, despite also having ups and downs and roundabouts, that’s just the crux of being human. i’m excited to see what the next 365 days will bring, smooth sailing, roller coasters, flip flops, spirals, pitter patters, angst and ecstasy. sign me up!!!
Thank you my darling Ka and it has been ever so special having you here with me on this journey and to know that you will be here with me as I continue on means the world. I love you dear sister. You are my darling friend forever…
M. xoxox
Hey dear Maitri 🙂
I know I not always comment, but I do read each and every blog post of yours.
At the moment I’m trying to get out of my setback and putting all focus on myself, but I do want you to know that I feel for you, with the hurricane aftermath and all the other things!
I started my blog on the 24th, the day (if the hurricane didn’t happen) you would have started your next year of blogging every day. So I’m trying to do the same journey, but in my own way (if that makes any sense).
Big hug to you!!
oh and the blog is http://nachtfantoompje.blogspot.com (written in English)
Much love
Mieke
Oh Mieke how wonderful to hear from you honey and thank you for your kind thoughts. I am so excited that you are blogging and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to start on the 24th as I had planned but I am delighted that you did and I can’t wait to see your blog. The very best of luck with it. Onwards and upwards on your own magical journey. It truly is magic. May you reap many rewards and find wonderful gifts along the way…
Love and a gentle hug to you…
Maitri