The New Year's Jar

It's the first day of the new year, the time of the year where people are scrambling to set goals and wishes, or wandering in a daze as to how the year went by so fast. I would land somewhere between the two extremes.
Regardless, the new year has a way of bringing stress along with the excitement. A reminder for the frazzled, you don't need New Year's to change your habits or set a goal to achieve. In fact depending on your lifestyle, January 1st may be the worst time of the year to add more to your plate. So cut yourself some slack and don't give up. Its never too late to improve upon yourself and learn something new. One way to help you stay focused on your goals is to stay positive.

I'm a fan of fun traditions, one of my favorite New Year's traditions that I have been following for many years now is something I like to call the New Year's jar. Its a simple mason jar, or any container that you fancy, and throughout the year you put notes in it. Small slips of paper recalling fun trips you went on, special moments, or really anything that made you happy. You can make a point to add a slip every day, week, month, or simply when it strikes you.
On New Year's, you take out all the slips one at a time, and read through the fun things that happened to you that year. I've found this is a huge mood booster to fight the stress of the new year. It's also a great memento, you can keep the papers and make a scrapbook, or you can simply cherish the memory of looking through them over the past years.

On New Years day, when I've finished looking through my papers, I empty the jar and start over for the next year. Its such a simple, yet powerful way to stay positive and remember all the good that has happened to you. Look on the bright side this year, go for your goals with all you've got, and remember you don't need to wait for New Year's to do something awesome.

Tell me, have you ever tried a New Year's Jar?

Enigma

The Values of Tiny Living

There is a growing movement going around that has been labeled tiny Living. While some consider it a passing trend, I would disagree. The research I've done and interviews I've watched of people who have ventured into this movement have shown me that it is stronger than a trend; it's a life style change, a change of mind and a change of heart. A shifting of attitude from the false belief that things will make you happy and content, to the perspective of letting go; holding onto memories and possessions that bring practical or emotional satisfaction not monetary value.

From the bit that I have dabbled in I have to say it is immensely satisfying. As a natural born collector I have a way of becoming attached to things quickly, whether they are necessary or not. The minimalist mindset has helped me to cut down on my amount of consumer waste, as well as put value to the things I really need or love. One result of this way of thinking for me has been a thinned out wardrobe, as well as cutting down on my clutter of useless doo-dads. As a newcomer and explorer to this way of living I have compiled seven things to think about when downsizing, or attempting to "live small".

1: "Tiny" is relative: There is a basic standard for a small or large space, however that standard is subjective. Downsizing can be cleaning out your garage, or selling off extra pieces of furniture. It doesn't have to be moving to a small house.

2: You don't have to get rid of everything: Part of the tiny living mindset is living purposefully, if you love your glass figurine collection more than anything and it makes you happy, keep it, just be aware of what you really value.

3: Sentimental vs practical: This has got to be the toughest one for me. Keeping things purely for sentimental reasons will leave you in a pile of useless stuff. If it doesn't have real emotional or practical value, it doesn't need to be there.

4:Breathing Room: Take the plunge, get started on something. Once you start getting rid of things you'll be able to appreciate the breathing room it leaves.

5:Be realistic: Don't try to squeeze yourself into a smaller space than you'll be happy with. At the same time give your self some credit, you may find you'll adapt quickly once your living in a small space. Balance your lifestyle with your space, but remember, the bigger space you have, the more stuff you'll find to fill it.

6: Cost: Going small can be a huge relief on the wallet. Many people have built their own tinny homes with only a few thousands dollars. While others have opted for buying a tiny home already built. Regardless of your preference, these homes are far more realistic than a regular house to pay off and own outright for the future.

7: Connecting with like minded people: The tiny living movement has grown into a national community. Going small will bring you into contact with other people who live by similar values. Connecting with others who have been or are going through a situation similar to yours can be a huge motivation for downsizing yourself.

The beauty of the Tiny Living movement is that it can be as big a change in lifestyle or as small a change as you want it to be. Downsizing can mean going through all your closets every year and preventing them from overflowing with useless things. Or it can mean selling your house and buying a tiny home, its up to you.


Enigma

Already Christmas?

I really cant believe its already December. It feels like yesterday I was psyching myself up for Thanksgiving. I'm blessed to eat apple pie twice in two months.
But besides the food, the looming arrival of Christmas got me thinking. As someone who doesn't personally celebrate Christmas, watching my friends and family panic about getting enough gifts, baking and travel; well it got me wanting to put out a reminder to enjoy the holidays. Instead of frantically buying gifts and stuffing stockings, remember to just be. Spend time with your family, laugh, focus on relaxing. Maybe even pass up gifts all together and plan a trip somewhere. Collect memories, not stuff. Sometimes the two go hand and hand, but keep it balanced. Take pictures, this year will only happen once. I doubt you will regret laughing with your loved ones, however I'm sure at least some of you have regretted gifts you've bought, or the debt that often comes with them.

Christmas is significant to many people and families, and I think its wonderful to celebrate what you believe, however its important to remember what the purpose of your celebration is. In recent times Christmas has become more commercial, revolving around buying gifts, gifts, and more gifts. While the spur to give in December is a beautiful thing, if the gift is bought because of obligation, its hardly a gifts at all. In so many things, less is more. Expressing appreciation and love is an invaluable gift, and one  that doesn't have to be given just for Christmas.

So take a minute to think this Christmas before rushing in for all the "great deals". Remember that time and love have more value than any gift.

Enigma

Equine Affair

Every year in November a huge horse exposition is held in Massachusetts. And for the past seven years I have attended. This year as tradition I spent two days at the Equine Affair, and it was incredibly memorable.
 I have been a horse lover since I was six,  their ability to speak without words and their strong sense of freedom captured me, and never let go. Growing up I was blessed to be able to interact with horses from various places, even taking lessons for a few years. My passion has not wavered and I attend the Equine Affair every year as a strong horse enthusiast.




Equine Affair is the largest horse related trade fair in North America, it holds hundreds of demonstrations and clinics, in every discipline you can imagine; dressage, western, jumping, driving, and beyond. The show horses seen in these demos and their farm representatives are stalled in barns open for the public to walk through and greet.
Besides the horses themselves, there are also three massive buildings full of vendors selling every horse related product and more. Tack, brushes, saddles, clothes, toys, barns, and chocolate just scratches the surface. The shopping alone easily eats up the first day of my two day stay.
Once the heavy shopping is out of the way, I head for the breed pavilion. This barn has a stall for top horse breeds and obscure ones as well. Dozens of horses laid out in rows of stalls, with information and resources about each breed. You can visit with the horses and talk to the people passionate about their breed. Its truly a horse lovers dream.

Horses from the Breed Pavilion

                  




Sprinkled throughout the day I attend numerous clinics hosted by various trainers or experienced horsemen and women. This broad group of horse people come together at Equine Affair and  share their techniques and philosophy. My personal interest is natural horsemanship. I managed to find a few demos that piqued my interest this year, they were very informative and fascinating to watch.

On Saturday I attended the Beyond the Stick clinic hosted by Sylvia Zerbini. Sylvia Zerbini is a liberty horse trainer who came from Europe. Her work has awed thousands, with her ability to herd up to sixteen horses free at liberty; twelve of them stallions.
On Sunday I attended the Be the Horse You Want to See clinic hosted by Chris Irwin. His work with a young foal was fascinating to observe as he used simple body language with the horse to ask for space and movement. It was truly an awing experience!


To top the night off Equine Affair hosts a spectacular show, the Fantasia. The Fantasia show is a collection of extraordinary horse performances, from liberty work, to comedy skits, packed into one place. Held in a collision, hoards of people fill the stands humming with excitement. It is an unexplainable experience. The show ends at 10:oo pm, then the crowd surges out, some heading home, others heading to local hotels.
 In past years I've spent the night in a hotel and resume my agenda the next day. However this year I had the ability to stay over on the grounds in a camper van. This allowed me to take advantage of the whole fair day on Sunday, while also avoiding entering the gates a second time.

By Sunday afternoon the fair grounds are quietening down. The crowds wane and by late afternoon I head home. The ride back always feels long, but full of fun and contentment.

Enigma



For those interested in next years Equine Affair:

http://equineaffaire.com/

https://www.facebook.com/equineaffaire/

Information on Sylvia Zerbini:

http://sylviazerbini.com/

Picnic in the Cemetery

 

 

                                   Picnic in the Cemetery

In the next town over about fifteen minutes from my house there is an old cemetery that covers a long stretch of field. Its full, yet sparse. The feeling is different from upscale cemeteries in heavily populated areas. This one is old and spacious, not cramped in neat rows like city cemeteries. This one is speckled with tomb stones, and the ground rolls up and down in waves.
Catching one of the last sunny days in November I decided to pack a lunch and camera and head over. I had passed the cemetery many times, but I had never been in it. Even though the cemetery is touching the road, there is a strong sense of otherness. A distinct feeling that your in another location, a separate place. The sound of cars seem heavily muted, and it feels quieter than it should being so close to the road. Getting past the initial feeling of unease, the atmosphere was calming. It was still, pondering, a surprisingly good place to be alone with your thoughts.

Outside of my exotic picnic cemeteries in general have always fascinated me. The amount of human history preserved is amazing to see and feel up close. Tragedy and joy stand side by side in remembrance. The feeling is subtle but intense. I walked down the paths, wondering how these people lived back in 1904. Their lives must have been so different from those of today. Whole families were placed together each labeled with their life span, some terribly short. All of these people were preserved, there for anyone to come and remember. It made me stop and appreciate others, to ponder their lives and what they went through.

Their seems to be a stigma around cemeteries, in the sense that most people don't go their without a clear purpose. But I think its the opposite, going without a purpose leaves you open to thought and feeling. It leaves you free to wander, and appreciate the pain some families are still struggling through. I think their is a lot the living can learn from spending time in a cemetery. It is a place of remembrance, a place of stillness, and a place that can have a surprising impact on the heart.

Enigma

Halloween

So I know its a bit late to talk about Halloween, but I wanted to take a step back and savor it before the plunge into the holidays. I have to say Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Its the one day out of the year you can dress as outrageous or ridiculous as you want. Towns turn into weird supernatural dimensions filled with zombies, vampires, and adult sized elmos.  And besides the excellent motivation of receiving mounds of candy, it encourages creativity.  One thing I look forward to every year is seeing the unique costumes others put together. The Halloween mood is just the right blend of fun and spooky.

As a child, my family never did Halloween, there was no costumes, candy or decorations. Regardless, I loved the holiday. My friends would go out trick or treating and I wished I had a way to join. I lived out in the boonies, so there wasn't much of a neighborhood set up for trick or treating. I remember being so excited, admiring all the spooky things that popped up around that time of year. Probably because of my Halloween deprived childhood, I now throw myself into  Halloween with a fever passion to make up for all the time I missed. Trick or treating, costumes, and pumpkin carving, I do it all. This year I carved a record of four pumpkins. Not to mention binge watched my favorite Halloween Tim Burton movies, and put together  a costume. I think its safe to say I went all out.

The point is, make sure to savor those moments. Were often so busy with daily life we don't take the time to appreciate simple, and even childish fun. Were so worried about being ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we forget about the fun family moments Halloween  can bring. Stay spooky!


Enigma

Paraeducator

Paraeducator-One who works alongside an educator

In the beginning of November I received an amazing opportunity to become a paraeducator at a local school. With an interest in teaching and working with kids, I quickly accepted. I was placed in the preschool as a one on one with two special needs children. One in the morning preschool class, and one in the afternoon. Outside of the preschool,  my duties range from watching the upper grades during recess, to tutoring kids who need a little extra practice.

My daily focus however is on these two specific children. Working with and being able to interact with the kids has been a life changing experience. It has made me humble, and optimistic. children have such a unique way of viewing the world, and being able to glimpse that is truly a joy.

Working one on one with the special needs children has been even more rewarding. Though they express things in a similar manor, they are highly individual. They require a quiet listening ear, and an open understanding heart. But if you allow them the opportunity, they will show you their brilliance and creativity. They are kind without fail, and they're intellect is quick to absorb every bite of information they can attain.

I am a strong believer in acceptance and inclusion, however this ongoing privilege to be able assist these kids has really shown me what it means to be human.


For those who want to learn more about children on the spectrum or with special needs:

Special needs - Wikipedia

Special Needs Resources | Resources for Children with Special ...

What It Means When a Child Has "Special Needs" - Verywell

Autism Spectrum Information:

Autism spectrum - Wikipedia

What is Autism? - Autism Science Foundation

10 Tips on How to Communicate with Autistic People | Autismum