I really think we
need another month between November and December, especially this year! How can half of December be gone already? Winter Solstice is just around the corner
with Christmas a mere week away, which means 2022 is coming up fast.
2021 was quite the
year. No matter what ups and downs you
may have experienced along the way, I’m positive that you can find at least
one, if not more, things to be thankful for that happened in the past year.
I know that when I
was looking around January 1st, I had no idea what would unfold this year in my
life. A few of 2021’s highlights:
• I FINALLY got
the sidewalk edging completed in the yard (it’s been on the to-do list for
years) and I did it all by myself (which I didn’t think would ever be a
possibility) AND I mowed my lawn for the first time ever in my entire life! Thankfully, the year didn’t require constant
lawnmowing.
• I tweaked and
enhanced my garden labyrinth and had a much better harvest than last year (except
for the potatoes). I have ideas for how
I can make it even better next year (fingers crossed).
• I biked a total
of 741.5 kms and biked daily for 23 consecutive weeks, till November 15...Last
year, my first year biking in decades, totalled 274.5 kms with 18 consecutive
weeks of daily biking
• I have completed
almost 600 daily sky drawings on my ipad.
Honestly, I had no idea that the ipad would be the best artistic medium
for me, but it seems to have really made my expression easier.
• For a lark I
submitted a couple of proposals to a couple of art galleries and one was
accepted and expanded!
• I participated
in a 10-Day singing/songwriting immersion - writing 10 songs and posting videos
of me singing them online
• I published 3
new card decks and had my very first online sale
While we can always find something to grumble and complain about, there is also lots to be thankful for, if we just shift our focus around. May you all have a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2022!
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XwqdlUfYLLdFsZJTml2mHSKbnab7SDni/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 years ago, are a brand new reader, or somewhere in between, I sincerely hope that The Chautauqua has enriched your life, as much as it has enriched mine publishing it. If you would like to help ensure it continues to enrich others like yourself, I ask you to please consider making a donation to The Chautauqua. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
Your support and kindness is always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration to you with each issue. Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!
And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html
Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
I survived the
singing/songwriting 10-Day Immersion!!!! AND, I wrote 10 songs!!!!!! PLUS, I shared videos of me singing those
songs publicly online! OH MY!
I had a few very
kind souls tell me how brave they thought I was. I sure didn’t feel brave. In fact, I was so scared stiff that, on the
third day, the Immersion leader told me (very lovingly, thankfully) to stop
saying how scared I was and just have fun!
I have always been
the quiet, sit in the back of the classroom and observe person, so one thing I’ve
discovered (or rediscovered?) in the past few years, is that I need to really
show up to what I do, or participate in - it’s so very true that you get out of
something what you put in. And let me
tell you, it’s WAY easier to observe than to participate!
So, not only did I
show up each day for the Immersion, but I wrote the song each day, videoed
myself singing the song, and then shared the video each day, not only in the
supportive safety of the Immersion group, but out in the wider social media and
internet world. OH MY!
Unofficially, the
favourite, amongst friends and participants, was my spoken word song - which
was very similar in style to my Ponderings and can be viewed/experienced here:
https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/249614037234099
I then took this
whole process a giant leap further, and signed up for the follow-up 7 week
program, which will begin in January. Who
knows where this will all lead me, or what this adventure will lead to next?!
I also realized, through this journey, that you don’t need to feel brave to do anything, or even know what you are doing, you just need to show up and then take the very next step!
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bqwDpBp1toe5kbmyTNeIpxXLIwYW5KXC/view?usp=sharing
Whether you've enjoyed reading The Chautauqua from the first issue over 19 years ago, are a brand new reader, or somewhere in between, I sincerely hope that The Chautauqua has enriched your life, as much as it has enriched mine publishing it. If you would like to help ensure it continues to enrich others like yourself, I ask you to please consider making a donation to The Chautauqua. There are three methods available:
Mail a cheque or money order (made out to Beth Richardson – Chautauqua) to Box 261 Mirror, AB T0B 3C0
E-transfer to thechautauqua@gmail.com
PayPal at https://paypal.me/thechautauqua (note: you will need to sign into PayPal first, and then specify the amount)
Your support and kindness is always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to continuing to bring joy and inspiration to you with each issue. Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!
And, if you are looking for a unique gift idea, please visit: https://thechautauquanewspaper.blogspot.com/p/products-for-sale.html
Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua
