02/01/2022
January 1, 2022
So, in looking back at my pages, (Guitar Yoga, as well as Y in the World, I see I have not posted since Dec. 20th. There are reasons. I am back.
I keep speaking of how reflective this year has been for me, since Thanksgiving especially, but the entire year in general as well. So many lessons. So many gifts. I had not intended on a year long reflection, but…
I left New York City in mid-December 2020 and arrived in Grass Valley New Years Eve 2020. I spent that night sleeping 14 hours. I soon learned that the opportunity I had left for no longer existed. OK, might want to take a little time on that one, later.
My trip cross country was a series of adventures (as is most of my life) that had many lessons and the joy of arriving at my intended destination, safe and sound. But there was much uncertainty as well. Reinvention requires that, I suppose. Game on!
I managed to obtain office space to work out of and created an opportunity for myself doing a number of things that I believed would help move me forward on the path I have chosen for reinvention. I met some great people, and got exposure in media that I didn’t have before.
I developed the concept for my podcast and reinventing my book and consulting practice. And, an idea on how to make them all work together to become greater than the sum of their parts. That alone made this a successful and productive year. But there was more.
In Early March I suffered a stroke and ended up in the hospital’s COVID Ward for 4 days, as I had tested positive while in the emergency room. They kept me there doing tests to see what might have caused my stroke. We never did discover that piece of information. Some tests were to see if COVID might have caused my stroke. But ultimately, I was tested again 3 days later and tested negative and was finally sent home.
That stroke was a wake-up call and got me on the reflective year consciously. I remember getting home from the hospital and after sleeping for a day or so, enjoyed my first conscious sunset with a Hazelnut Porter and some plant medicine, taking in the sunset and thoughts on life, context and perspective. And what I wanted to do with what I consider a new chance.
I had intended to take a few days over the Christmas weekend to complete the experience of gratitude and joy I had been experiencing as the year came to close. I would start Monday creating my new daily work flow routine to get me hitting the ground running for starting the new year. I was excited.
Christmas was peaceful for me. I spent it gladly rearranging my living room to take advantage of window space for my indoor garden. One of my gifts was a bakers rack which I am using as garden maintenance central. Along with the neat set of garden tools that arrived at my apartment. It was such a great process that I completed more than I thought I would. I now have more room to perform Guitar Yoga comfortably without banging into anything. What a joyful Christmas Day for me. And it started snowing.
It snowed all night. I measured a foot of snow on the terrace and surrounding roofs. And the power was out. So was the Wifi. And the internet. I couldn’t even get phone service. And it was a tad chilly. I smiled. One of the things I know as fact, is who you are snowed in with, matters. I consider myself one of the better people to be snowed in with.
I was fairly well prepared (Although I wish I had the right companion to be snowed in with). I had just gone to my storage to get my winter gear, so I had coats, boots and extra blankets. I had candles. I had ordered some extra emergency supplies and while some did arrive in time (tea light candles and garden stuff) some has not yet. I had plenty of food and water for an emergency in my apartment. (Hey, you do what you can!) I had my guitars and books. While I didn’t have heat, or electric power, I had running water, hot water, and was able to light the stove burners. The oven was more problematic as its electric pilot was kinda inaccessible. I was able to keep my two large pots on the stove with water to add heat to the space. Cast iron covered pots are awesome for this.
I had two large plastic crates which I had gotten my winter gear and bedding from. These I took out on my terrace and filled with snow to harvest water for my plants. My attitude was good. During the days I would go out to see if I could help neighbors. My cell phone had died and I realized I didn’t have a solar charger. I put that at the top of the new list I started creating for additional emergency supplies. I also couldn’t find my emergency radio/light so I ordered another. And some rechargeable batteries for a lantern I had found in storage. I will continue to evaluate and prioritize emergency supplies and see how to work them into my already stretched budget. Isn’t this something we all have to do?
After three and a half days of no heat, I, along with most of the people in the surrounding area had had enough of this. My apartment was down to 49 degrees. I’m sure having the right companion with me would have improved my demeanor somewhat.
Right at that time, an incident occurred that allowed me to make a difference for a neighbor. I did, without hesitation. Of course not long after that, power came back on. I was planning a dinner with a friend, as I had food I was not going to waste in the freezer. That dinner was part of my New Years celebration. The next night was New Years Eve and I went out to celebrate my arrival here a year ago. I met some new friends (shocking, I know) and had a peaceful evening.
Here’s wishing the best for a new year filled with joy, adventure, discovery, good health, and successful endeavors in whatever you choose to take on this year.
