Day Sixty-nine

Halloween!

What emotional pangs did I notice today?

Worried about my Godmother and some friends who live in the path of destruction of super storm "Sandy".
Frustration at some rather poorly designed language course material.
 
What feelings about differences did I notice?

none. Other students felt exactly the same.

What went well today?
Managed to get myself ready for my phone tutorial, and managed to get a few other things sorted in time; even did some laundry.
Was "trick-or-treated" by a friend's kids and had a treat ready for them.

How can I make it happen more regularly?

Focus. Stay in touch.

What strengths have I focused on today?

Focus

At what point did I feel most authentically myself?
Dunno.



What did not go so well?
Felt really frustrated at one point and upset.

Day Sixty-eight

Lochgilphead today.
Third consultation with my specialist, Dr. Sheard. Reported on subtle changes, will be phasing Concerta out and observe any differences.

What emotional pangs did I notice today?

None. Good day, by and large.

What went well today?
Good drive south and back again. Felt confident and relaxed. I know this road well now, better for having driven it just recently in much worse conditions. But some professional drivers go much too fast.
Had a lovely e-mail from one of my longest-standing friends.
Sent of an e-mail requesting assistance from the local Time Bank, where I've "deposited" dozens if not hundreds of hours of volunteering in the past three years or so. Time to get something back.

How can I make it happen more regularly?

What?

At what point did I feel most authentically myself?
Driving? Sitting by Bellanoch Bridge listening to the rain and watching the submerged land?



What did not go so well?
Have still not touched my accounting stuff. But have made a step in the right direction.

Day Sixty-seven

A busy, fractured day; lots of work done.
What emotional pangs did I notice today?


Didn't have time.

What feelings about differences did I notice?

?

What went well today?
Got lots done, happy clients. Good choir meeting in the evening, too.

How can I make it happen more regularly?

keep on keeping on.

What strengths have I focused on today?

The usual

At what point did I feel most authentically myself?
Dunno. I've been too busy really.



What did not go so well?
My bum hurts from sitting down all the time. Really sore.

Day Sixty-six

Ah, Sunday. Taking it as easy as I can but feeling so much better after a really good night's sleep. Started reading a cracking book last night and am going to finish it.

What emotional pangs did I notice today?

None
 
What feelings about differences did I notice?

Few

What went well today?
My friends called to check up on me. Another friend called. Another one e-mailed.
I got my winter tyres fitted and filled up my screenwash with anti-freeze – now I feel ready for almost anything that may come my way in the weeks ahead. One final trip to the garage next week, to sort out my brake pads (still well within the legal limits).

How can I make it happen more regularly?

Keep in touch with the world.

What strengths have I focused on today?

I'm learning to be more of my own person, less dependent on others but not a recluse, either.

At what point did I feel most authentically myself?
Reading a fascinating historic novel about Scotland in the late 17th century.



What did not go so well?
Ach, I've still not touched my accounts. How many weeks? I dread to think of it.

Day Sixty-five

Interesting day. Long conversation with a virtual stranger; cleaned my car windows inside and out; ventured south on a bad, very wet, leaf-strewn road with a knackered front tyre. Felt bad and turned around without sharing a meal with friends. Got home, treated myself to some delicious, home-cooked food and a glass of lovely rosé. Now I'm off to an early night.

What emotional pangs did I notice today?

Feeling completely out of place among early Halloween revellers.

What feelings about differences did I notice?

Ditto

What went well today?
Got most things done I had planned to do; didn't have an accident on a dangerous road and in nasty conditions.

How can I make it happen more regularly?

Wouldn't really want to.

What strengths have I focused on today?

Ability to focus, flexibility.

At what point did I feel most authentically myself?
Dunno.



What did not go so well?
The sudden feeling of being completely out of place, way beyond my comfort zone, exposed and vulnerable.

Day Sixty-four

A decent day. Lots of sunshine. Freezing, though!

What emotional pangs did I notice today?

I don't seem to be able to find anyone who would go to enjoy a meal and some (loud) live music with me tomorrow night. It'd be so nice not to be no. 5 but part of a two-some in the company of two other two-somes.

What feelings about differences did I notice?

I can think really fast when I have to.
I have an amazing level of enthusiasm.

What went well today?
Good one-to-one Gaelic class, topped off by a chat over a lovely cup of mocha accompanied by excellent chocolate, 70% cocoa, no sugar added. The flavour is just amazing.
Good feedback from happy client.
Workload feels manageable just now, but house is in a mess.
Picked a wee handful of wood-strawberries, pale but oh so sweet!

How can I make it happen more regularly?

Keep on keeping on. 
Stay focused.
Stay organised.

What strengths have I focused on today?

Focusing. Musicality.

At what point did I feel most authentically myself?
Listening to our choir on the BBC iPlayer – the applause at the end of our performance is just amazing! Shame it's no longer available.



What did not go so well?
Didn't sleep all that great. Woke up a few times, feeling hot, then chilly. So tedious.
The floor underfoot feels really cold despite a woolen carpet in the sitting-room.

Day Sixty-three

A glorious autumn day, mild in the sun and at midday; got suddenly a lot colder towards evening.

What emotional pangs did I notice today?


Too busy to notice.

What feelings about differences did I notice?

I'm such a stickler for details.

What went well today?
Kept good time for my various appointments and commitments.
Shipped off a translation in good time; kept up with other ones.
Encouraging dental appointment to see whether my recurrent mouth sores can be sorted.
Good walk right across town and back again.
Typed up my TO DO list, and also typed up a HAVE DONE list! 
I get a lot done in a day, even if I don't get to some of the things that I should.
Booked hair appointment for next week.
At last caught up with plumber who has not been very forthcoming re new taps in kitchen and bathroom. 
Took phone calls from ACHA people re water ingress from ACHA flat into mine.

How can I make it happen more regularly?

Keep on keeping on. Keep checking up on clients, workmen – but why should I have to do that?

What strengths have I focused on today?

Ability to juggle quite a few things at the same time.

At what point did I feel most authentically myself?

In meditation during Tai chi class.
Walking to hospital and back again in glorious sunshine.

Chatting to some friends I ran into along the way.

What did not go so well?
Have not touched my accounting at all, at all. 
Watched TV late into the night.