Author: Meredith

Your last challenge for Reverb15 is to write your manifesto for 2016.

Kat recommended Alexandra Franzen’s 5 Ways to Write a Blow-Your-Mind Manifesto, in addition to reminding us of last year’s Day 21 post. I thought it would be neat to look at what I said last year, recap how that transcended into 2-15, write another list of statements for 2016, and then take a shot at the manifesto. I have had a soft spot for manifestos for almost 10 years now, thanks to taking several classes with Dr. Gregory Ulmer.

In 2015, I am open to… changes. I am open to the possibilities that will unfold before me. I am open to ideas that may not yet be known to me. I did indeed stay open to possibilities and new ideas. Plans changed, and I stayed open to the experiences.
In 2015, I want to feel… safe, loved, and nurtured. I want to feel that life is beautiful once again and unafraid of what’s next. I have felt that life is beautiful again. I still have moments of fear about the future, but I think I’m learning better techniques to feel the fear without becoming totally unglued.
In 2015, I will say no to… living in fear. I will say no to compromising myself when I know full well I can’t nurture others unless I’ve nurtured myself. I’ve had my moments. However, I have put my needs and those of my family forward this year. I took an extended break from tutoring, and I took the summer off of blogging.
In 2015, I will know I am on the right track when… I wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Good habits will feel natural, and I will see the happiness reflected in the faces of my children. On days when I have stuck to my intentions, I’ve seen the results. Good habits still aren’t coming as naturally as I’d like…
But when I find myself veering off course, I will gently but firmly… remind myself of all I have overcome. I certainly have the strength and ability to overcome so much, and there’s no reason to revert to fear, anxiety, worry, and depression. I always remembered what I have survived. I had a terrifying panic attack in June, but I have reminded myself of who I am and what I’m capable of.
In December 2015, I want to look back and say… I have accomplished my intentions of nurturing myself and my loved ones. I want to look back and say that I followed my heart and my dreams, that I found my path once again. I’m not quite clear on things just yet, but I know that I’m finding my path once again. I’ve followed my heart and dreams. I’ve been nurturing myself and my little core family. I think I’ve had a fairly good 2015.

In 2016, I am open to… restoring good habits and traditions that didn’t come naturally the last year and a half. I’m open to more possibilities and new ideas — to the answers finding me.
In 2016, I want to feel… refreshed, recharged, revived, healed, nurtured, and restored.
In 2016, I will say no to… negative thoughts, words, and actions. Too many times I’ve allowed the negativity of others poison my days. I’m firmly saying no from now on. I want to restore myself — that requires positivity energy.
In 2016, I will know I am on the right track when… I feel healthy, strong, fit, flexible, renewed, motivated, and accomplished. I will see it reflected in my surroundings and loved ones.
But when I find myself veering off course, I will gently but firmly… practice gratitude and happiness. Somehow writing things out always makes me feel better.
In December 2016, I want to look back and say… I had another good year — in fact, I want to say I’ve had a great year. I want to look back on this post, smile fondly, and remember that I’m strong and capable. I’m a woman of great character, and I want to continue building upon that character.

And now for the manifesto: I believe in the mysterious — in fate; I don’t believe in waiting idly for what you want. I want to live in a world where my children can grow and thrive as individuals, where people smile more often, laugh a lot, and stop being so uptight. Here’s what I know for sure: you win more flies with sugar than vinegar. Always smile!

Today, I invite you to think about the great unknowns in your life right now. Say to yourself this morning: “I am open to the answers finding me”. Then stay alert with as many senses as you can throughout the course of the day. In what form did the answers find you?

I am incredibly late. It’s alright tomorrow on the other side of the world. I’ve sat with this prompt, however, and stayed open for the answers to find me. The answer always finds me: patience. One day at a time. Practice. Put forth the effort, even when it feels like two steps backwards for every one step forward. Put the thoughts out into the universe — express it to others, and what you want will find you. I see it when I read someone else’s status message or tweet. I see it in books, magazines, newspapers, and websites. I hear it in other people’s conversations. The message is always the same, though. I must be patience, work hard, and take it one day at a time.

So I invite you to consider: where could you (like me) consider turning it up a few notches in the new year?

I think when it comes to keeping my body able to grow older without losing strength or flexibility, I could turn it up. I could — and do intend to — exercise more. I stopped walking after my panic attack. This is obviously counterintuitive, but I spent more time contemplating how I got there and actively working to fix those problems. I think it’s been more than enough time for me to restore my walking habit and exercise practices. I think because I’ve been so tired all the time that I have decided to just be lazy, but that’s really not an excuse to let my muscles become weaker and more easily tired. I just need to amp up the power.

I’m also looking to amp my writing and business. Far too many things consumed my time needlessly this year. I’ve been letting other people’s dreams get in the way of mine, and at the risk of appearing “out of control,” I’m going to pursue what makes me happy. I’m going to pursue what makes me feel like I can give my children everything they need to go out into the world and pursue their own dreams.