Reflections (Part 3)

OK. This is the last of the reflections. Thanks for bearing with me as I think through these topics.

I have finished the list of interests that are current in my life, and I have discovered that some have become less important to me, star-gazing, bird-watching, shooting, and genealogy. I will still engage in them and may find ways to learn more about each, but as far as being something I actively advance in my life…not so much – at least not now.

That leaves camping, gardening, and photography as primary interest foci. (Notice I am not listing reading. It is there and always will be there. It is part of breathing for me.)

So…interests completed (for now). Moving onto the next goal of life ~ diet/exercise (health).

I don’t mean diet as in “to lose or gain weight”. I mean diet in the matter of what I eat and consume.

My usual diet is full of carbs. I know. All the MDs recommend limiting carbs. My primary carbs are bread (usually consumed as toast in AM or sandwiches occasionally), potatoes (in any form), and cereal.

I also know that sugary foods are now too sweet for my palate (love that word) and kinda make me feel sluggish and queasy. So no more glazed doughnuts. Cake doughnuts seem fine on a limited basis. So do most cookies. My only issue is that I crave sweet. Daily. After meals, especially. I have found that a graham cracker works or pudding. So there are some work a rounds for me that do not make me feel ill.

I like fish and vegetables. That’s the good news. But, sometimes I want meat. Beef. I eat a lot of chicken instead. But, sometimes that steak or burger really calls me. So as vegan as I may try to be, I am still a carnivore.

I want to eat more healthy. To take care of the fuel I put in my body. But I also want to enjoy eating. I want to learn better how to prepare my own food rather than rely on packaged and fast food style eating.

So all that is wrapped up in the word diet. What I eat, how I eat, preparation of food. Gardening and cooking skills are included. Making changes in choices…also included. Also included is health of body…and that means exercise.

Exercise is not something I stick with for long. There was a time that I studied Karate and made it as far as the brown belt. That was a long time and two hip replacements ago.

I have tried the gym, but membership is not something that I have maintained. I have tried walking the neighborhood and lasted about a month doing it daily. It got boring.

Mostly I sit…and read…and watch TV…and read. My exercise is primarily working in the yard and garden during spring, summer and fall.

Lately (well, this morning to be truthful) I have been thinking about alternatives to just walking. I found a few challenges on FB. Most of them are hiking challenges but one was a waterfall chasing challenge. Now that appeals to me. Also appealing is the idea of putting money down to keep me going. I am such a miser at times.

The final goal: spiritual.

Like reading, this part of my life is just there. A part of breathing for me. I have always been drawn to the divine, although that particular definition as varied. I have belonged to various Christian groups, going so far as becoming a novice nun in the Episcopal church. I am now of the Judaic faith.

Currently I attend no group. I do miss communal worship, but I do not miss the hierarchical portion of religion. I miss sharing my worship. I miss community.

So I am still trying to find ways to make that part of my life. Or at least I want to find a way. Not very actively searching at present.

Yet I have an active prayer life. I see the creator all around me in the skies and the nature of my backyard. I am a thinker and contemplative person by nature. I believe in the power of the unseen and in messages in dreams. I am a spiritual person. I look for the divine in my life. I expect to see the blessings of life around me. To me, life is magical.

So the goal is always how do I deepen that in my life. Yet…maybe…it should be worded how do I continue to walk in the divine life I have. Because I am not standing still and looking for something to happen to me. Rather I want to take a more active role in my life. I want to grow and deepen and become. It’s just that I have no idea what I am aiming for.

I am a single woman on an unknown life path trying to find her way.

OK…that finishes the reflections. Maybe in a day or so I will be back to at least give voice and put out into the universe my intentions for this next year. I welcome your input on this life journey. I never know just where the sparking idea will come from. Blessed be.