On moving forward & Week 1 of 52
a prompt, an invitation, and a lot of resolve
“My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
I was recently elected President of a nonprofit women’s organization affiliated with my college. This is a huge commitment and one I wasn’t sure I wanted due to the political climate in my state (and in general). A strong voice is required for this role (and not just on paper). But, terrified as I am, I’ve resolved that it is the challenge and opportunity I need to explore the value of what’s possible to CREATE and set in motion, despite obstacles.
Every year, the president picks a word/theme. You can probably guess what mine will be (see paragraph above).
So why did I take this on, especially weeks after writing about burnout?
Well, friends, this brings me to the challenge.
I’m rereading A Year to Live by Stephen Levine. I like to reread this slim exploration every few years and work through its challenge for 365 days/52 weeks. In the book, Levine proposes that we a.) confront and explore our mortality b.) leverage that exploration to help realize/remember how beautiful life is and c.) attempt to live this year as though it were the last.
What’s remarkable about this book, which I’ve written about before, is that it highlights how diverse responses are to terminal illnesses and how much we can change our perspective quickly by remembering the ephemeral nature of life. Some people slow down, others speed up; some travel more, and others spend more time at home gardening. Some gain spiritual practices, and others leave them behind.
I remind myself of this because it flies in the face of the idea that to cherish life or get the most out of each day means to live by a particular playbook.
For me, this year is about choosing wisely and choosing what will help me grow. It is about releasing expectations and welcoming what comes. Even the tough stuff, even the impossible stuff. But it’s also about refining my ability to listen within. If you’d like to explore this creatively, check out the writing prompt below. More holistically? Hey, join me!
Across time and space, this can be your Week 1 of 52. The goal is to live this year as though it were your last. This week, let’s write a few sentences at the beginning and end of each day to remind ourselves of this project and to self-assess. How is the idea of this project sitting with you? What would you do if this was your last year to live? How did you live today? How will you live tomorrow?
Writing Prompt: If you had a year to live, what changes would you make? If you’re writing fiction, how would your character’s perspective change?
Oh Jen, this challenge speaks to me right now, just two weeks after my dad's passing, as it feels like the walls are closing in on this country of ours, as I work to get my novel into the copy editing phase. Two sentences. One in the morning and another in the evening. I can do that. We can do this, together!
Jen- Thanks for sharing this. Admittedly I'm unfamiliar with Levine's work, which I'll definitely add to my growing list of books I need to review and read. But anything that addresses meaning and mortality is usually worth the visit. Hope you're well this week, Jen-