MY 100 MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM 2022
A bonus newsletter: Giving yourself more spaciousness to consider your 2023 + my list of 100 Moments I Wanted To Remember
Hi, Friends. It seems everyone is sharing how they approach the end of the year so I wanted to share my current process and hopefully help you take a long deep breath.
I no longer make new year’s resolutions, set goals, or make plans for the year during what people are now calling “ dead week” - the days between Dec 25 and Jan 1.
I don’t know about you but I need more than a few days to recover from the holidays. I want and need room to breathe, and lots of quiet and spaciousness to be able to reflect on the past year before even considering the new year ahead. I need listening time. I need a more contemplative approach.
For the past several years, I give myself the entire month of January to ease into the new year. My new year kind of begins in February, which aligns with the Lunar Calendar, and I’m more than ok with that. This newsletter began in Feb. of last year!
I do enjoy creating a simple, flow-of-consciousness list-making at the end of the year. (Admittedly, I love making lists.) I feel no pressure. I just allow what bubbles up to come forward and show up on my list. The point here is that I don’t overthink it. Do I likely miss some key moments? Sure. and that’s ok. This isn’t an assignment. There are no grades. This is for me. It’s like a warm-up reflection for my upcoming time in January.
So off we go. Let’s see what arises from pondering 2022. In no particular order.
MY 100 THINGS LIST
I joined the Army. That’s likely the most military thing you’ll ever hear me say. ARMY is the thriving international fan base for the Korean band, BTS, which is clearly the most popular K-POP Band in the world. I blame it all on my dear friend, Phylis. Blame in the most positive way.
I became fully enamored with Korean Dramas. K-DRAMA. It started with Extraordinary Attorney Woo on Netflix, but quickly progressed to watching multiple series including Hotel Del Luna, The Guardian, Another Miss Oh!, Bride of the Water God, and more! All of those shows are not only dramatic but also include a lot of humor, warmth, and a long arc with the characters. They are an antidote to the despair we often feel in the world! Hooked for life.
Hip Hop classes and a dance recital. I started Fall classes in Hip Hop with the goal of performing in the studio showcase. I did. It was loads of fun and helped me reconnect with how much I love to dance. As one of the oldest members of the class, it puts me a smidge out of my comfort zone. This has always proven to be good land for me to inhabit - slightly outside of where I feel mastery.
Walking in the mountains and open spaces. Especially in our beloved Rocky Mountain National Park and my private walks in Pine Ridge Open Space in Fort Collins. Discovering Marianna Butte in our new neighborhood in Loveland.
The pleasure of long soaks in the bath while watching the snow fall through the window.
Purple pops of color in my hair as it continues to transition to full grey.
Write444 my 4-day writing challenge. It was a last-minute decision and ended up propelling me forward in a surprising way. Trust your gut. And Spirit’s timing.
I launched Heart’s Content in February and it’s been one of the best gifts of the year. The community and the practice of weekly writing and accountability have been so supportive.
Project 444 creation. Launched a 4-month writing program for women in June. 20 women writing, healing, and sharing their truths with each other. Pure Magic.
Living School symposium. Sitting at the feet of my teachers: Richard Rohr, Jim Finley, Mirabai Starr, Brian McLaren, and the staff of the Living School. Met my circle and my teachers in person in ABQ. Impactful. Inspiring.” Our own transformation is always in service to the healing of the world.”
Covid again. Had lots of visitors and the last crew brought Covid to our house. I didn't get out of bed for 11 days. What it taught me.
My daughter Megan moved up to Colorado in April and moved in with us. Bonus time with her! I love hearing her laugh again.
Cane River Pecans assortment. Almond Kringle from O&H Danish Bakery
Living School studies. Maybe I will begin a Top 100 moments from Living School in 2023.
Recovery relationships + meetings - 12 Step friends and fellow travelers who make a difference in my life.
Leading my first full-weekend retreat on Self Compassion in Texas for 50 women. “How utterly human of me to feel this way.” It’s never too late to love yourself more fully.
Multiple visits from friends and family <3 Move to a beautiful location - people will come!
Southwestern Mexican food in Old Town, Albuquerque.
Southern Maid Donuts in Shreveport.
Falling in love with the owls that live in my backyard. Anticipating their visits and befriending them. This is one of my favorite newsletters I wrote this year.
Ron’s annual meatballs and spaghetti. The one time I allow myself to eat meat during the year. He used to make a meatless version of the sauce for me, but they are an annual family tradition and I finally snapped out of it one year and said, I’m not missing this again.
Exploring Breckenridge, until we got “the Covid.”
Trip to see family and friends in Shreveport.
The energy of Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge in Oct.
Solitaire with real cards.
More consistent massages.
Learning a new collage process and remembering how good it is to play.
Keeping a Quote diary, Daily journal, and Logbook of my days.
Starting my work with a new Spiritual Director
Hired a Life Coach for 3 months - mostly on setting boundaries within my own family as well as what work I take on in the future.
THE ASPEN. THE ASPEN. THE ASPEN.
Enjoyed four seasons and what each season had to offer. I will never take them for granted after years of either rainy cold or blistering heat.
Poetry portals
Ron and I created our garden oasis in the backyard with birdhouses and whimsical garden sculpture
Halloween and a flood of precious trick or treaters
The drive from Loveland to Boulder. The drive from Loveland to Breckenridge. The drive to Estes. Ok, driving most anywhere near the mountains.
Re-reading our family’s re-written renditions of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. A time capsule of hilarity.
The Cloud of Unknowing and Jim Finley’s contemplative study practice.
Having a new pup in the house for our two to play with. Meg’s dog Regina is Queen.
Learning new plant-based recipes.
Moving into our house in Loveland and beginning to make it our own.
Buying new dining room chairs. Why did this make the list? It’s the first time I bought furniture that wasn't on sale. Wait… they were, but I love them and they are slightly impractical for my family. And I bought them anyway.
Joined a local women’s book club which provided new friends and at least one non-studious book a month.
Joy walks- looking for pops of joy.
Winter snow and the iced trees
Praying my way through the war in Ukraine by collaging
The elder Ukrainian woman who offered a Russian soldier sunflower seeds to put in his pockets so flowers would grow when they put him in the ground.
Watching Ron play virtual ping-pong on his Occulus.
Listening to Ron and Aiyana golf together virtually when she is in Austin and he is in Colorado. The wonder of technology.
The news that Aiyana, Jordan, and their dog Benji are planning to move to Colorado this summer! All my babes will be nearby.
Attending Megan’s Hip Hop Fitness class as her student!
Watching Ron and Meg create a Tik -Tok sensation. Ron’s videos of talking to Meg in her bedroom reached millions of views. The pups are the famous guest stars.”
Falling in love with my new town, Loveland.
Learning from Mirabai Starr about other women mystics from other faith traditions.
Acknowledging that I no longer have a secret desire to be an academic in theology or philosophy or to become a great spiritual teacher. I’m just learning what it means to be human and finding my way like everyone else.
Speaking of finding my way, I no longer need my GPS to get around town anymore.
The Benson Sculpture Garden walks.
Wandering Pearl Street in Boulder. Trident Coffee Shop. Boulder Bookstore. Peppertree. Pasta Jay’s. Avanti.
Christmas Lights against the snow.
We found our three favorite local restaurants in Loveland: Taste Local, Henry’s Pub, and Door 222.
Learning how clarity is kindness in family discussions ( or any relationship.)
Asking for the specific support I needed this holiday season and my family responded.
Finding myself smiling often for no apparent reason.
Not rushing
Letting myself cry and move anger through my body when needed. The anger piece is key for me since tears come easily.
Letting go more and more in all areas of life. Life is more easeful.
Taking a Spiritual Memoir course
Ron’s milestone birthday celebration. Friends sent videos from all over the world.
Collaborations with other creatives and contemplatives.
Time spent with my sister, Shari.
Playfulness as a liberating lens and my theme of the year
Created an altar for my writing work. Wrote many new stories.
This spoken word poem: Catalog Of Unabashed Gratitude. You’ll need 14 minutes and your full, relaxed attention. Get comfy and listen.
Jim Gaffigan came to Loveland and we surprised Meg for her birthday. We laughed ridiculously loud and long that evening.
Learning that “the head is the first to speak and the last to know.”
Hangul ( Hanguk- mal) I started learning Korean via the Pimsleur method. I’m considering an in-person class in 2023.
“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse” book by Charles Macksey.
It's another Golden Age for Television. I’d rather watch a series than a movie these days. I get more time with the characters. Here are a few that stood out for me this year: Slow Horses, Reservation Dogs, Hacks, Severance, Somebody Somewhere, What We Do in the Shadows, The Bear, The Old Man, Better Call Saul, Yellowstone, 1883, After Life, Life of Beth, Never Have I Ever. I’m sure I’ve missed a few.
Any and every chance I get to see my daughter, Aiyana.
The loss of too many friends. A few deaths cut especially deep.
Creating new rituals and practices that are meaningful to me. Releasing those which no longer hold meaning. Honoring our ancestors and our stories.
Noticing that I am prioritizing those relationships who also prioritize being in a relationship with me.
Discovering Trevor Hall’s music
Let the work guide you. By showing up, you will find clues.
Learning to offer full engagement while holding the readiness to fully let go.
There is nowhere I can be outside of God’s love.
The bunnies and deer that show up outside our backyard fence
Foot massages and the candy they give me afterward
“Wisdom is the capacity to skillfully select our narratives” -Mary Pipher
Listening to The Art of Memoir, Braiding Sweetgrass, and A Brief History of Everything
Discovering Spaulding Gray’s work and The Criterion Channel.
“Only Love has the authority to name who you are. “- Jim Finley
Mystical Sobriety course with Jim Finley
Have I mentioned Almond Kringle? Ok, yes I did. Then….Colorado Cherry Company Coffee and popcorn!
Being in community with you via this newsletter! THANK YOU!
Breath in my lungs.
Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.—Mary Oliver
xoxo Mary
A portion of December’s paid subscriptions goes to The Murphy Center For Hope. It is both a container and direct provider of services, partnering with dozens of agencies so that people who face homelessness are welcomed, safe, and supported in Northern Colorado.
Thank you for reading! Did this piece resonate with you? Take a moment to share it!
If you enjoyed this piece, please let me know by tapping the heart to like, comment with your thoughts, share with someone you think will enjoy it, and subscribe to get instant access to my future work right to your inbox.
I loved this idea of a 100 things list for the year! So fun to read :)
Wow, what a great list! This is documentation of a year in life well lived!