The Groundhog Forgot to Deliver the News

This is PART 2 in a 12 part series for the Year of Sagely Living project, entitled 12.12.12: A journey of self-discovery for a lopsided soul.
To learn more: click here.

Alas, even the simplest rule that I provide for myself gets broken. Did I mention that I am difficult to coerce? I did? Then it should be no surprise that my February rendition of Sagely Living comes in on the timely date of March 8th, 2008. I would like to point out the fact that today is dedicated to empowering women, or that’s at least what my calendar told me, and because of my foundation in the whimsical, this seems like an auspicious sign. Thus, I give to you a collection of nonsense flavored with spicy adjectives, sautéed to perfection, exemplary of a lopsided soul dedicated to manifesting unconformity and creativity in her life as well as providing framework for the revolution of health care. Here was the homework:

February - Liver, Chou 丑 (Ox): Strategy/Business: This category will contain practices in the realm of business development and strategic planning in the professional world. Why this pairing? The Liver is the general of the body, so has a natural affinity for this kind of activity.

Professional pursuits? Ha! Anyone who knows me, knows I prefer to wear blue collars and blue socks to board meetings, representing the underdog and barefooted, grassrooted pursuits. Ergo, and not surprisingly, the question got revamped and directed towards my desire for more creative freedom, sprinkling a bit of will-nilly into the equation so that the end result meant that I would ultimately feel like I’m getting away with something. This may sound silly to my readership, but I have to trick my psyche into thinking that business of business can be fun, and if it really isn’t, then I find a way to make it so. Ultimately, I can achieve whatever the goal, be it business or be it funny business, yet at the same time my focus steadfastly remains on growing emotionally, intellectually, and physically as a human being. I’ve only got so much time here on planet Earth; I may as well make it worth my while.

The question for me: How can I introduce creative strategy for my professional pursuits: outline and put into play those ideas that get sidelined when the deadlines from work mount up? To make myself take this proposition seriously, I decided to write it down and in a fashion that would keep my attention. So I did just that on a sunny afternoon with a bazillion other things I needed to do. I sat filling my head with emptiness and nothingness, letting my physical body fade away, the rhythm of my breath and heart beat slowing the tempo of my day. A good length of time passed before I was able to achieve this initial step, all the worldly responsibilities kept popping into consciousness, playing lead actor on an empty stage. Knowing all to well that pressure placed upon this step would prove an ineffectual tactic I patiently persisted, letting the strings of my being loosen, allowing the experience of nothingness to happen. Slowly the syrupy blackness stuck, its viscosity vacuumed me inwards towards my southern core. Out of the darkness, my inner child stepped forward, took the microphone timidly into her hands, cleared her throat and quipped her message to me. Yes, I thought delightfully to myself, what a novel idea.

Onto a woven sheet of Howard Linen, I sculpted my ideas clearly, feeling the nib of my pen cut through the delicate undulations of fibers, my thoughts neatly unfolded for plain view. These words appeared in respective order, evenly spaced, to give each its just due, what I was to pursue in order to put into play this year’s sagely exercise:

Publish literary masterpieces
Cultivate through plants
Revolutionize health care

Admittedly, I was not expecting three items to formulate themselves from my effervescent ether, but when the tablets are handed down, you don’t ask any more questions, rather it’s best put those thoughts into action. Dwelling on why and why me are not useful for planning, the greatness that resides deep within each of us has the power and potential to accomplish anything, it’s simply a matter of laying the groundwork for making that dream a reality. Time is but a human construct that we allow to limit our imaginations. However, this fell wayside to my predominating train of thought: three items? There must be more gusto and get up and go sticking to my ribs that I was aware of; no wonder my inner light appeared apprehensive, sparking thoughts quickly, then bowing silently into the curtained backdrop. I couldn’t help but think that this was a rather tall order. Would my beloved boss and devoted boyfriend understand that I had a tri-mission? Well, the times I doubted that inner light, I struggled, so I mine as well crusade in a heart-felt direction… right?

Strategic planning is a something I delight doing, especially when the planning involves fun, imagination, and a little splash of non-conformist thinking. Out of the box, I say, put it on display, make the creation something worth talking about, something that’ll change perspective and more importantly empower individuals. Last year about this time, Operation Oprah: Project 61 was planned and quickly implemented so if that was possible, imagine what could manifest if I simply tried my triad.

Examining the threesome closer, a harmonious chord struck within my core because a golden thread neatly sewed the ideas together into a central theme: me. Every idea on the list appealed to me, moreover, developing any one of those items would be a perfect ideal for the narration of my earthly existence. Why not have three items of focus? This combination would allow me to switch it up a bit, keep things interesting, and ultimately remain on track towards achieving my aspirations. Each facet of my triangle could take lead role and use the other two as supporting actors, ultimately resulting in a single promotion of the paradigm. Allow me to explain….

Both writing and playing in the dirt are my ways of experiencing and processing. Sometimes I think when I do them… and sometimes I don’t, either way the endeavors are fruitful. These activities support and cultivate me, delicately shaping me in an organic and natural way. My writing flourishes when I pursue it, likewise, my garden of Eden provides taproots and tapestry to my external world. Both writing and planting are about are about focusing my awareness upon a task, and by dint of sheer persistence, patience, and continued cultivation a visible development can occur. Watching the immaterial and material grow is just the right timeline to give me a perspective on change. Moreover, through these introspective processes and outwards expressions, the terrain of my brain remains fertile, and the vegetative fields of my labor provide symphonic explosions of colorful interludes throughout the cycling of my life. In simple speak: these tasks please me.

Revolutionizing health care is a natural offshoot to these two pursuits, if my mind’s at ease and my foundation strong, then I have the time and energy to devote to my chosen direction, promoting optimum health for those that seek it. Moreover, the bully pulpit of the Helfgottblog allows others and myself to voice our concerns and perspectives for our evolving health care system and the politics therein. Before where frustration reigned, now resides a persistent plea for humanity amplified through an electronic megaphone, reaching into the minds of others out there in search of truthful and useful health information. If I simply keep at it, then this outlet will continue to foster both my writing and my passion for a benevolent revolution of our ailing health care system.

And lastly, to interpret the triad from the remaining angle, how can my gardening skills be put to use with promoting health? Here’s where that creative spark came in: this year, my work with NCNM’s thoughtful group, the Environmental Action Committee, adopted the Spider Plant Campaign. By the propagation of spider plants and its touted ability to purify our indoor air, we are able to promote health into the homes and offices of millions through a useful and interactive way. At least that’s what I’ve convinced myself is possible. I guess only the construct of time will tell, in the meantime, the promotion of cleaner indoor air keeps my hands dirty with Mother Earth’s goodness and poised for whatever the possibilities composed at my finger’s tips may be.

Robert Browning, sums it up nicely with this quote: “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s heaven for?” Browning happened to exit this world, stage left, on the 12th of December, 1889, which just so happens to be my birthday. Another auspicious sign? Yes, my quirky coincidental inner delight concedes. Perhaps there’s still hope for my obstinate nature; this dogged diehard determination just might be the justification and a means to the end.