2022 ENDS Today: A quick summary of the year

 Wow! 

Well, 2022 just flew by...I see that my last post was in MARCH!

It's been a pretty good year. 

Here's a quick summary* for me:

Pix of most this stuff are on my FB or IG feeds!

January: 

• set a goal to spend quality time reading from a selection of daily reflection books before turning on my computer each morning
• regular Clearwater Camp work & Monument Hill Kiwanis K-News duties

February: 

• began coaching Special Olympics (again) with a new local team, the Monument Warriors...basketball this season
• helping with fundraising for the team, too! ;-)

March:

• visited & Skiing with the Trinka's in Vail

April:

• Coaching TRACK (of all things!) for Special Olympics.
• Saw the Offspring in Denver

May: 

• Clearwater Camp hired a new Camp Director, Beth Owen (took many "extras" off my plate at work!)
• Fun Memorial Day weekend camping trip in Howard, CO with the Hiss's and Peddersons
• traveled to camp for an important in-person board meeting

June: 

• traveled back to camp for the summer and helped with photography and "other duties as assigned"

July: 

• fell asleep at the wheel (literally) and ran off the road but didn't hurt anyone in the van.
• Jennifer spent many weeks at the cabin and that was fun!
• had a FUN weekend at Leslie's lake house in TN with Lori & Carolyn

August:

• traveled home after camp

September:

• traveled back to the cabin with Chris (who had a MUDDY mountain bike race)

October: 

• Zip-lined for the FIRST time with Q
• hosted a Broncos Watch Party "Girls Night" - and then proceeded to be sorely disappointed with the Broncos this season!
• Fun weekend in Ft. Collins to visit CSU (Q's future college) with Joan, Jim, Katya, Q, and Chris
• traveled back to camp for the annual board meeting

November: 

• rear-ended someone and the Toyota van (at nearly 10 years old) was totaled...bye, bye van!
• started a GREAT new project with the Kiwanis - we are going to build an all-ages, accessible play park for our 50th Anniversary (to be opened in 2024!) called the Heart of Monument Play Park << check it out!

December:

• re-certified as a CFRE
• celebrated in Dallas with Ed, Lena & Mo the wedding of our cousin, Patrick & Leah
• went to my THIRD NFL game (Broncos vs. Cardinals) with my friend, Susan, and had a GREAT TIME (they actually WON)
• Fergusons all came to Colorado for Christmas
• completed my goal of reading each morning before turning on the computer -- see my Goodreads feed.
• Celebrating tonight the coming new year with my great cove neighbors!! 

Quick Family Summary from our 2022 Holiday Cards:

Quotes/Learnings from Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and The Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown

So I had to "clean up" this beautiful book (remove all my sticky notes) that I finished reading on February 14, 2022 (it's been sitting on my desk since then and it finally drove me "mad enough" to do something). 

I typed up this below that summarizes the stickies and leaves this here so that when I have a bit more time, I can go back and work on my "book report"!

I also included a few pictures I was moved to take while reading.

It was a wonderful book and gave me so much to think about and learn!! I'm still "processing" it and wondering how I can use more of what I just learned in my personal life, as well as at Clearwater Camp for Girls (my work) where meaningful connection with our campers and one another (staff and alums) is so VERY IMPORTANT! 

Quotes/Learnings

from Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and The Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown

 

 Admiration & Reverence (p. 24)

 

“Never blow out your flame and don’t blow out others’ flame.” (p. 36)

“Point & Run”

 

Awe & Wonder ««« (p. 58)

 

“Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child.” (p. 101)

 

“near and far” enemies, near more dangerous b/c it might be confused (p. 119)

  

Theresa Wiseman’s Attributes of Empathy (p. 122)

 

Empathy Misses! (p. 126)

 

Belonging (DEI) Statement (p. 168)

 

Connection – energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.” (p. 169)

 

Cultivating Meaningful Connection (p. 249)

 

Equanimity (p. 253)

 

Story Stewardship – honoring (p. 264)

 

Emotions & Experiences are layers of

+       Biology

+       Biography

+       Behavior

+       Background (p. 272)

 

“The real gift of learning language, practicing this work, and cultivating meaningful connection is being able to go anywhere without the fear of getting lost.” (p. 272)

 

Right map = Finding our way (p. 272)

Other Resources to Review:

 Kristin Neff www.selfcompassion.org

Chris Germer “Near and Far Enemies of Fierce Compassion”

bell hooks All About Love and Teaching to Transgress

A "Placeholder" in Time and Update: 62nd Day of 2022

There are 303 days left in 2022 
or 
We are on the 62nd Day of 2022

For me personally, I am pleased with myself as I have been sticking to my 2022 plan for 61 days (today just started...) and I'm happy there are 303 more days to keep on working on transforming my mind, body and soul in a more healthy and happy way so that I can live into my 80s - MAYBE beyond!??!

For the world, well, that's another story. A little over a week ago Russia invaded Ukraine. War is miserable and Putin is a disgusting, evil criminal. However, the Ukranians have such spirit and hope that they can defeat this aggression. I am praying for a quick resolution and peace and hope that the U.S.A. and other allies around the world can do MORE to help defeat Putin.

Back to me - because, YES, this blog is ALL ABOUT ME! 

So far in 2022, I have:

• steadily tracked my calories (and lost 5 pounds!)
• eaten more healthy
• drank way less (no alcohol ALL of January and only drinks about twice a week since) 
• added more exercise to my day 
• spent each morning in prayer before the computer is turned on (using 4 different "Daily Reflections" books - Christian, Native American, Hafiz, and the Wonder Book of Mr. Browne's Precepts)
• started a NEW volunteer project - coaching Special Olympics
• read 7 books (with 4 on the "Reading Now" list)
• Completed 30 days of the PPLD Adult Reading Program and collected my PRIZES!
• kept up on various work projects 
• managed to have 3 get-togethers with girlfriends
• ALMOST closed my mother's estate (she passed in 2016, but its been a big pain finalizing everything with the delays of lawyers and the pandemic)

Pretty good list! Now I will PAT MYSELF ON MY BACK!!

Thought & Quote Cube - 1984 to Present

Around 1984, when I was a sophomore in high school, I bought this cool "paper cube" at the Junk Store. It's fun b/c it was a "Mr. Pibb" notepad...and it used to be a cube, but I lost part of it along the way these past THIRTY-EIGHT (38) YEARS! ;-)

Quick rabbit-hole: The Junk Store was this neat place that Dad went to almost every weekend to look for "bargains". It was a store where other stores would "dump" their extra stock - sort of an 1980s, lower-quality version of what "Overstock.com" is today. We found so many cool things there over the years and afterwards, Dad would usually take us to Arby's or Krystal's for lunch!

ahh...a nice memory from my wonderful childhood!

BACK to this story about the "paper cube" that I anointed my "Thought & Quote Cube" where I would record cool sayings or ideas that I came across. I have added to it through the years and forgot about it some years, but it has always been on my desk wherever I have moved or worked. 

Now I have this prettier, newer version that I started in 2017. It was a gift from a friend at TRE - I think it was Sue Perez, but I can't quite remember! urgh, getting old is bad for retaining info.

The cubes made me realize that I actually started by #Search4Sagacity MANY MANY years ago, but I didn't have the words or time to "name it" until I did so on this blog in March 2009. 

Here are a few samples of entries below (along with a new one I just added to the new "cube"-- and I wish I had dated my former entries in the old one!!):

I will probably make "Digitizing the Thought & Quote Cube" one of my projects when I retire...

Pope's Monthly Intentions 2022

Many people do not realize that I am *STILL* a Roman Catholic...

...well, I don't go to church weekly, but I am very spiritual, pray daily, love Jesus & Mary & the Saints....and generally all that the RC church taught me. I'm just sorely disappointed with the hypocrisy and the "Sunday Catholics" who are only good for about an hour a week during Mass....so I don't like the "organized religion" part of it all...

...rambling on about that b/c each morning I pray the "Morning Offering" 

The Morning Offering

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 

I offer You my prayers, works, 

joys and sufferings

of this day for all the intentions

of Your Sacred Heart, 

in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

throughout the world, 

in reparation for my sins, 

and in particular for the intentions recommended this month. Amen.

THEN I realized with the new year, that I needed to look up the Pope's intentions for 2022 so that I could honestly say the part: "in particular for the intentions recommended this month"

SO I'm linking the Pope's Monthly Intentions here so that I can refer to these each month. Oh, heck, I'll just cut & paste these here:

January

True Human Fraternity
We pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution; may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family.

February

Religious Sisters and Consecrated Women
We pray for religious sisters and consecrated women; thanking them for their mission and their courage; may they continue to find new responses to the challenges of our times.

March

A Christian Response to Bioethical Challenges
We pray for Christians facing new bioethical challenges; may they continue to defend the dignity of all human life with prayer and action.

April

Health Care Workers
We pray for health care workers who serve the sick and the elderly, especially in the poorest countries; may they be adequately supported by governments and local communities.

May

Faith-Filled Young People
We pray for all young people, called to live life to the fullest; may they see in Mary’s life the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage that faith generates, and the dedication to service.

June

Families
We pray for Christian families around the world; may they embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives

July

Elderly
We pray for the elderly, who represent the roots and memory of a people; may their experience and wisdom help young people to look towards the future with hope and responsibility.

August

Small Businesses
We pray for small and medium sized businesses; in the midst of economic and social crisis, may they find ways to continue operating, and serving their communities.

September

Abolition of the Death Penalty
We pray that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country

October

A Church Open to Everyone
We pray for the Church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the Church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.

November

Children Who Suffer
We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to education and the opportunity to experience family affection.

December

Volunteer Not-for-Profit Organizations
We pray that volunteer non-profit organizations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.

Put People First and the Rest Will Take Care of Itself

I'm not sure how this lesson was not part of my "50LessonsFr50Years" series back in 2018-19....but here goes: 

Luckily I learned early in life...

(Diversion and explanation): I know exactly when it was b/c I was in high school about 1985 praying in the chapel during lunch and decided - or maybe God told me this: that missing some of my assignments or skipping class wasn't as important as taking the time to spend with some of my friends who really needed someone to talk to)

...that if I put people first, then the rest of the "important" things would take care of themselves. 

After about 36 YEARS of testing out this theory, I can say that my personal experience and the evidence this "experiment" has provided, I know that IT TRULY WORKS! 

Some corporations have "co-opted" this philosophy and I find this annoying and disingenuous b/c they don't really "Put People First" -- it's just something they like to say to appear they care when they really only want more money and power...

But I'm here at age 53 in 2022 (with TONS of experience) to tell you that the people in your life and their happiness and health are more important than ANY (AND I MEAN IT) ANYTHING ELSE! 

That.is.all...for now!

#Search4Sagacity

UPDATE: My 2022 "Plan" - Items to Emphasize (not Resolutions)

 CANNOT BELIEVE I FORGOT "Continued Learning/Reading"!!!

... and I also updated the fonts a bit to make this a little more clear. 

This will continue to evolve as I continue to evolve! 

Spiritual "Heaven" and Physical "Grounding" - My 2022 "Plan"

 See the post right before this one today, and here is my 2022 "Plan"...maybe just the first draft, but it's a good start:

ANOTHER YEAR! 2022 starts....NOW!

2022 really started several hours ago, but I'm just now (about 2 PM MOUNTAIN TIME) thinking about and organizing myself for the coming new year...It's funny that I have been "blogging" for over 10 years and in 2021, I only made TWO entries...I feel like I have more to say, but unsure what it is and why I want to say it (publicly on this blog)!?!?!?

Where to Start with Planning 2022?

1. Maybe I should start with my personal mission statement (written in my 20s and edited over the years)? OR
2. Maybe I can just recycle the 20 Targets for 2020? OR
3. Maybe I should review my #Search4Sagacity that has helped me become a better and stronger person? OR 
4. Maybe I can just look at past blogs and the "About Sheila" section of this blog to remind myself of good things I've already discovered about myself?

Before "Jumping Off" on those previous 4 questions, I wanted to share this post to my friends on IG & FB today:

Sheila Collins Ferguson Happy 2022: An Irish Blessing to start off your new year. #Search4Sagacity #JoyfulJanuary

Back to Planning:

1. Personal Mission Statement: 

hmmm - will have to find the original b/c I thought I had posted it here on the blog years ago, but can't seem to find it now. It goes something like: 

"Help others find their happiness while making the world a better place by loving others like Jesus taught."

2. 2020 "TARGETS" 

I tried to "renew" these in 2021 since 2020 ended up going to crap starting in March. BUT 2021 was a pretty tough year TOO! So maybe I can just re-cycle those 2020 Targets again or contemplate these as I try to "renew" my resolve to be a better person (that I seem to "renew" each day as I wake up and stay in bed mentally organizing what and how I am going to accomplish things). 

3. #Search4Sagacity

So this has been my "mantra" from nearly the beginning of this blog 12 years ago! The original idea for this started on this particular entry: Sharing Serendipity and Sagacity and I have used this hashtag on social media when I want to share something that I think might be good advice or wisdom for others. A few years back, I added a section to this blog called #Search4Sagacity Images that is a collection of almost all the wisdom I have shared over the past several years.

4. About Sheila & Her Blog

Well, that section of this blog needs updating (at this moment at 2:53 PM MOUNTAIN) and it may be complete by the time one of you reads this....

2022 "PLAN" 

To be inserted after I contemplate the above 4 questions in a little more depth - may happen today - or it may be in the next few days....we shall see!?!? I think I will probably just start a new blog post for this! 

YEP-HERE IT IS!