The Mayan Calendar, 2012, and what next?

The Mayan calendar ends in 2012. Somehow, I find that more compelling than talk of an Armageddon, or the Rapture, or a nuclear holocaust. I think it must be due to the fact that this ancient civilization was one of (or maybe the) first to create a calendar for marking time, and the fact they created it so far into the future and then marked it with "an end"; well that just arrests my attention, i find I can't let it go.

So, for discussion sake, What if the world ends in 2012? That is 3 years and a few months, or possibly up to 4 years and a couple of months. What next?

I've been thinking on this questions for days now. It is hard to imagine living any differently, how weird is that? I guess I had a notion that if I knew exactly how long i had to live, I would maybe do things differently. But right now, there are only a few things.

One, I'd stop making my 13 year old go to school. If we wanted to go, fine, but if he'd rather learn about things through exploration of his environment, fine too.

I'd really like to show my kids certain parts of the world, so I'd probably take our meager savings, and an equity loan, and tour the world. I'd like to go to Africa and see Mt. Kilimanjaro, zebras, giraffes, and those really cool Trees. I'd like to visit the Chilean coast, The Fjords of both Norway and New Zealand, and swim with Dolphins.

As for the rest, I have a wonderful husband and four great boys, and we own a business that I enjoy 9 days out of 10. We have a decent house and mostly I am content. Interestingly enough though, I can't say I am overwhelmed with happiness. This puzzles me.

The only thing I can pinpoint is I hate worrying about money. I wonder, if my husband and I owned outright our three acres, and had enough savings to finish the updates to our home (door trim, new windows, etc.) were able to raise a few sheep, a few chickens, grow a garden, keep our orchard thriving, canned our fresh fruits and veggies, would I be happier than I am now?

Maybe, but I also know that I like to have some lazy days, and I can't imagine that would be the case if we were subsistence living. Maybe I am a slight worrier, and that surprises me too. I'll have to think more on that.

What next? I wish I knew.

Pondering the blues

I love September. Maybe because it is the month I was born, maybe I just love all the Fall colors. Something about the daylight, still warm but filtered in its intensity, the smells, and the sounds, invigorates me, it even has a taste, one i find myself craving. I think there is also a touch of intensity in wanting to savor these last remaining bits of Summer/Fall because all too soon it will be muted into the quiet calm and cold of winter.





I have been pondering this morning on why when it is my favorite time of the year, I have felt bluesy and disenchanted.





I think it is because I have not taken a small moment to eat lunch outside, or walk through the leaves, or chase my children and hear them laugh.





With that revelation...I think I'll take a walk and leave my head and all of its worries to seek a moment in the afternoon sun!


Ciao!








P.S. A Thank you to Gleeful, the Happiness Project, and Awake at the Wheel for inspiring this blog journey.