Where I live, there is trash build up three years in the making. it's a mess. I hate that it's to be burned, but I also don't want it sitting on the ground outside anymore. It's not even my trash, but trash that my parents have been building up. But there's never any "time" or "energy" to deal with any of it. So I'm making "time" and I'm making "energy" and doing what they haven't had "time" or "energy" to do in three years. The yard already looks much nicer. I have some before and after photos that I'm going to upload at some point in the future (probably once I actually finish the work I want to accomplish). It will take a while since this is three years of trash, but once it's gone, things will be so much better.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Been a long time again
But I have been working on my DP still, just in a notebook instead of on my computer. I actually got started with meditation last night, and hopefully I'll be able to keep on doing it regularly for the five month requirement. Most of my DP work has been the reading of books (currently reading Drawing Down the Moon) and connecting with the land where I live. I don't know if I mentioned this earlier, and I'm way too lazy to go look at my blog posts now, but I live in a highly wooded area. It's cut off from pretty much everything, trees and lakes all around. Man-made lakes, though, not natural. My road is a dirt road, not asphalt, and the entire property is encased by trees; mainly tall pine trees, but I have also identified some that could be maple trees of some sort and there is also one magnolia tree. There are many others, but I have had trouble identifying them. Anyway, because of the location, we have no waste disposal (that I know of). Trash all gets burned. I do not even know just how much this is harming the air around here, but that is how everyone does it and I have never seen a garbage truck around here. Forget about recycling, only recycling possibilities are in the town ten miles away, and that's for scrap metal. there's also dropping off plastic shopping bags at the local wal-mart that I work at. I have not noticed any sort of recycling program for plastics, glass, paper, etc. And that truly saddens me. I do have plans to ask some of the locals if they know of any place I can drop of recyclables, however, as my online research attempts have yielded no results.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Let things get away from me again
So it's been a while since I posted. I do have some entries to input here, but things have happened and I just didn't have the energy or time. One of the most major things that has happened was a few days ago, when my cat Sherlock died. Now, I didn't see anything myself. But it's just the lack of seeing that lets me know that yes, it was my Sherlock. My mom came into my room three mornings ago to let me know that she and my step dad had seen some guy come out of a truck and pick a dead cat up off the road; one that looked like Sherlock from far away. the followed him and he dumped the body somewhere in the woods. my step dad was unable to locate the body. they later saw the same guy going to opposite direction and asked where he dumped it. he gave a general location, but my step dad was still unable to locate the dead cat. but My Sherlock is a spoiled glutton, and the last time I saw him was the night before that terrible morning. So deep inside, I know it was him, though I wish it wasn't. and this whole situation has been very hard on me. While I still have his two sibling, Whiskers and Rugrat, I won't lie: Sherlock was my favorite. I'm the one who named him. my mom gave the other two cats their names. Sherlock was a kind kitty, he loved to give kisses. he was very playful. He was also as I said before, a totally spoiled glutton. He could eat and eat so many times a day it's quite ridiculous. but he wasn't a very fat cat or anything. he got plenty of exercise to make up for it. I miss him so much, and just picturing him gets me very depressed. it's weird that this is the first time I've had to deal with the passing of someone close to me in all my twenty some odd years of living. I've had death happen in my biological family. the most recent passing was my grandpa back when I was in high school, but even his death didn't have any great impact on me. I have never been especially close to any of my relatives. I can understand it's sad for others and feel sorry for their loss, I know there are plenty of people who did like the relatives of mine who have died. but I can't really feel sad personally. And due to not having many close friends or family, I'm not sure how to deal with this. I have no support. My cats ARE my family, and really the only ones I can truly count as family in an emotional sense.
But anyway, I do have some back entries to post. I haven't done all the weekly things for the DP Through the Wheel of the Year book. I did do the week for the nature awareness. I had taken two walks around my town in the woods, and made entries on my thoughts and observations in my journal. I should be posting those sometime this week, along with the second week homework for the DP Through the Wheel of the Year book as well.
But anyway, I do have some back entries to post. I haven't done all the weekly things for the DP Through the Wheel of the Year book. I did do the week for the nature awareness. I had taken two walks around my town in the woods, and made entries on my thoughts and observations in my journal. I should be posting those sometime this week, along with the second week homework for the DP Through the Wheel of the Year book as well.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Week 1 homework
Why have you chosen to take the first steps on the dedicant path?
I've been interested in druidry for some time now, and as I was searching for ideas about what I was going to do for Imbolc, I discovered ADF. I read through some articles on the site and found the section talking about the various training, and it called to me. It is one of the main reasons I decided to join ADF, along with the hope that I will meet some interesting and like-minded people.
Is this a step on your path, or will it become the path itself?
Both. This is but the first step and I do plan on going farther than the DP, but the things I learn and experience during the DP will become part of my overall path.
What do you expect to learn?
Many things: how to show greater respect for the Earth, ancient lore and history, understand myself better, just whatever I can learn. I'm an information sponge, ready and willing to learn whatever lessons the universe has in store for me.
What would you like to get out of this journey?
A lot of it is the same as above, with more emphasis on the part about understanding myself. I hope to utilize the knowledge I gain to successfully have an impact on the health of the earth around me, and to become more mature as a person, able to understand and express my ideas and feelings to those around me. As I stand now, I'm not good at expressing things. I also wish to be more pious, and look forward to studying piety for the nine virtues essay.
Do you know where the path will take you?
I hope that it will take me to a place as mentioned above, where my life is like that. And also to a point where I can be open about my beliefs and not scared to talk about it. But other than that, I can't say I can know for sure where it will take me. As long as I keep my goals in mind and work toward them, it should be in the realm of possibility, but sometimes unexpected things come up, not necessarily negative things, but even positive things that could have an impact on the way I see things and those things may make me feel like redefining my goals.
If you have just joined ADF, why have you chosen to work on this immediately?
I've chosen to work on it (almost) immediately because it was one of my primary intentions upon joining ADF. I want to make sure I get to work, and don't procrastinate. Otherwise, I may never begin. Taking the first step is very important.
(skip a question, as it doesn't apply. I haven't been in ADF a long time)
Does it look hard or easy?
I think it is something that will be challenging for me. I'm not good at writing, and this entire thing is based upon doing a lot of writing of essays, and journals, etc. Book reports are a bit of a weak point for me, especially. I'm good at reading and understanding the information, but I/m not good at summarizing. But in the end, I want it to be a challenge to overcome. If it's just some easy thing to breeze through, I wouldn't learn anything or grow as an individual.
Which requirements appear to be difficult to you now, and which appear to be easy?
As mentioned, the book report essays appear to be the most difficult things for me. Also, the essay or journal covering 5 months of regular meditation practice. I find it hard to make time to relax, and to attempt to do that on a regular basis... but it is something important and I want to find the time.I think the essay for my understanding of the ancestors may be difficult as well. I don't really know any of my ancestors related through family. and I have no connection with relatives who may be able to tell me about our family's history. I think the part that will take the least amount of time and present the least amount of challenge will be the requirement do describe my home shrine and the essays on the nine virtues.
Do you have doubts, questions, or concerns that you need to ask about?
At this time, no. At least as far as needing to ask about things. Do I have doubts/worries? sometimes. I worry if I'll be able to finish everything and pass. I have low confidence in myself and my abilities due to situations in my life (ending up with terrible teachers at a young age, peers bullying, etc) but that is something that I am trying to work past, and part of the whole thing about how I hope this journey helps me mature and grow as an individual.
I've been interested in druidry for some time now, and as I was searching for ideas about what I was going to do for Imbolc, I discovered ADF. I read through some articles on the site and found the section talking about the various training, and it called to me. It is one of the main reasons I decided to join ADF, along with the hope that I will meet some interesting and like-minded people.
Is this a step on your path, or will it become the path itself?
Both. This is but the first step and I do plan on going farther than the DP, but the things I learn and experience during the DP will become part of my overall path.
What do you expect to learn?
Many things: how to show greater respect for the Earth, ancient lore and history, understand myself better, just whatever I can learn. I'm an information sponge, ready and willing to learn whatever lessons the universe has in store for me.
What would you like to get out of this journey?
A lot of it is the same as above, with more emphasis on the part about understanding myself. I hope to utilize the knowledge I gain to successfully have an impact on the health of the earth around me, and to become more mature as a person, able to understand and express my ideas and feelings to those around me. As I stand now, I'm not good at expressing things. I also wish to be more pious, and look forward to studying piety for the nine virtues essay.
Do you know where the path will take you?
I hope that it will take me to a place as mentioned above, where my life is like that. And also to a point where I can be open about my beliefs and not scared to talk about it. But other than that, I can't say I can know for sure where it will take me. As long as I keep my goals in mind and work toward them, it should be in the realm of possibility, but sometimes unexpected things come up, not necessarily negative things, but even positive things that could have an impact on the way I see things and those things may make me feel like redefining my goals.
If you have just joined ADF, why have you chosen to work on this immediately?
I've chosen to work on it (almost) immediately because it was one of my primary intentions upon joining ADF. I want to make sure I get to work, and don't procrastinate. Otherwise, I may never begin. Taking the first step is very important.
(skip a question, as it doesn't apply. I haven't been in ADF a long time)
Does it look hard or easy?
I think it is something that will be challenging for me. I'm not good at writing, and this entire thing is based upon doing a lot of writing of essays, and journals, etc. Book reports are a bit of a weak point for me, especially. I'm good at reading and understanding the information, but I/m not good at summarizing. But in the end, I want it to be a challenge to overcome. If it's just some easy thing to breeze through, I wouldn't learn anything or grow as an individual.
Which requirements appear to be difficult to you now, and which appear to be easy?
As mentioned, the book report essays appear to be the most difficult things for me. Also, the essay or journal covering 5 months of regular meditation practice. I find it hard to make time to relax, and to attempt to do that on a regular basis... but it is something important and I want to find the time.I think the essay for my understanding of the ancestors may be difficult as well. I don't really know any of my ancestors related through family. and I have no connection with relatives who may be able to tell me about our family's history. I think the part that will take the least amount of time and present the least amount of challenge will be the requirement do describe my home shrine and the essays on the nine virtues.
Do you have doubts, questions, or concerns that you need to ask about?
At this time, no. At least as far as needing to ask about things. Do I have doubts/worries? sometimes. I worry if I'll be able to finish everything and pass. I have low confidence in myself and my abilities due to situations in my life (ending up with terrible teachers at a young age, peers bullying, etc) but that is something that I am trying to work past, and part of the whole thing about how I hope this journey helps me mature and grow as an individual.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
The Start of the Journey
This is just an introductory post to my blog. I'm Sara, a 22 year-old girl living in south-east Texas. This blog is to store my work for the ADF Dedicant Path. I joined ADF back in February, after gaining a high interest in the group after perusing some of the articles on the website and my interest rose even greater after reading about the Dedicant Path. Though honestly, with vague goals in my mind I fell out of my work. I started reading one of the books to write a book report on, and then stopped on the second chapter. I let my mind become overwhelmed with the work and stopped functioning. I had vague ideas for my Spring Equinox ritual, and then let to slide to the last minute in which I realized I hadn't prepared at all and let it slip past me. I plan to use this blog to follow along with The ADF Dedicant Path Through the Wheel of the Year, and keep myself more accountable.
On the blog's name: I actually got inspired in a sort-of lame way: a name generator. One of the names that popped up was QuietNatureSinging because I had listed in the generator that I was quiet, liked nature and singing is my hobby. And the idea struck me: When I'm outside, and just let the silence surround me, the music of nature becomes audible. When you're in the city, or just letting yourself be caught up with being busy and not taking time to appreciate what is around you, you can't hear it: those noises of the leaves rustling in the breeze, squirrels chirping and hopping from tree to tree, the sound of the flowing water in the lake, etc. But if you just be silent and listen to the music of nature, it has such a calming effect.
On the blog's name: I actually got inspired in a sort-of lame way: a name generator. One of the names that popped up was QuietNatureSinging because I had listed in the generator that I was quiet, liked nature and singing is my hobby. And the idea struck me: When I'm outside, and just let the silence surround me, the music of nature becomes audible. When you're in the city, or just letting yourself be caught up with being busy and not taking time to appreciate what is around you, you can't hear it: those noises of the leaves rustling in the breeze, squirrels chirping and hopping from tree to tree, the sound of the flowing water in the lake, etc. But if you just be silent and listen to the music of nature, it has such a calming effect.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)