This weekend is such a treat because I have nothing that I absolutely have to do. I got up and did my usual morning routine of journaling, Wordle and checking my quotes for the day then spent about an hour collaging. I’m finding it so meditative and fun and I’m getting better at letting go and just seeing what happens, not putting any expectations on what I’m going to create. I hiked up to the Miwok trail, took a spur off an unmarked trail and found a bench that was only a few feet from the trail but was about 20 feet above it, so I was essentially hidden from everyone walking past. The bench was under the shade of an old pine tree covered in lichen and moss with an absolutely beautiful view of Mount Tam. That’s where I’m sitting right now recording my thoughts. There’s a good sized holly bush right next to me. It is brilliant and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. The wind is definitely a bit chilly, but a perfect winter day.
I’m excited about getting out for a hike on Mount Tam with Julie tomorrow. I didn’t work yesterday and really enjoyed the day doing a variety of things. I collaged three different times throughout the day for anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. I did a live stream for my renewing my CAE credential and later had a zoom meeting with one of the directors at the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership to discuss any transitional leadership opportunities they had. I learned a lot from him and I’m excited about the possibilities going forward.
Yesterday I also worked on my gap year guide and got reinvigorated about it because I really liked what I had written. I was going back over my experience working at the goat farm in Canada, talking about my feelings about it and what I learned. I wasn’t sure when I did the NaNoWriMo work in November if any of it would be useful for my book. I have been pleasantly surprised to see that writing seemed better than what I had done before. It was more open and vulnerable and honest, so I am excited to see what else is there. It has me thinking that I may start working like that again, getting up early in the morning and writing.
This afternoon Mom and I went to a Valentine’s concert by the Mill Valley Philharmonic (I had no idea there was such an organization! Apparently it’s been around since 2001) at the Methodist church where my sisters and I went to preschool. It was a beautiful concert, the conductor was very talented and the music was gorgeous. But the orchestra was outshone by the violin soloist for the final piece. She was incredible, I completely forgot about the rest of the orchestra while she played. What made it even more astonishing was that she is only 13 years old! Her mastery and love of the violin was very apparent from the moment she started. I hope to be able to hear her play again soon.
