Compassion Experiments. Focus.
Experiment: December 1, 2020, Sunrise. I viewed the sunrise most days from December 1, 2020 to the present day. I’ve noticed: - How I start my day has an impact on my life. - Beauty at the beginning of a day can colour the next 24 hours with ease, a perspective of understanding the larger context I’m living within.
Experiment: Writing Circle. Timeline.
February 2020: began routine of asking the question, “How do I respond?” in the middle of a blank piece of paper. Drew lines and wrote pieces of sentences and whole paragraphs, sometimes, in response.
March 2020 to August 2020: Took numerous on-line courses to learn through doing how I might lead a group of writers.
September 2020: Invited the first Writing Circle participants.
September to December 2020: Format of circle: 1. who are you? and where are you from? 2. introduction to writing theme 3. sharing writing 4. Deep Noticing from all participants. Engagement: high. Writing: risky and full of excellence. Participants submitted writing for publication. Chapbook designed by Bri Strong. Completion of chapbook scheduled for end of 2021.
January to June 2021: Circles with special focuses begin: novel/longform length, Teachers, Moms with school-aged children, a family group (private booking). Two dozen participants in writing circles.
January to June 2021: All participants agreed to allow me to record the sessions. I have reviewed session for my personal research, to gain an intimate understanding of what happens in Writing Circles. I’m still working on the why. May take me a lifetime to know it all!
June 2021: The Arbornauts idea I’ve been working with since December 2017 begins to take shape at the Writing Retreat/Guest House on Ghost Lake, Alberta. Novel begins to move from a collection of stories to an integrated novel. I begin to see how my teaching and writing life might converge.
July 2021 to September 2021: further defined an Arbornaut as one who willingly travels in liminal spaces. (in between spaces. uncertain spaces)
June 2021 to October 2021: “How do I respond?”
Developed a retreat space: physical location on Ghost Lake, Alberta, for writers to work solo or in small groups. Guided or self-guided
Considered how to respond to Indigenous realities in Canada and North America. Considered my ancestor’s role in the genocide of Indigenous peoples. Asked, “How do I respond?”
Mentoring three Writing Circle participants to lead circles for youth. (on-line, zoom)
Hosted the first writer’s/arbornauts to the retreat space in September 2021 (10 days). The experience informed us all of incredible possibilities in terms of connection, growth and development of writing and personal understandings.
Welcomed Athena, the puppy of wonder and goddess (protector of her people). Athena is integrated into the novel, The Arbornauts.
Continued my study. Exploring Quantum Theory, Jungian philosophy, Steiner philosophy, Mycelium, Tree Science, the possibility of Tarot as a way of questioning the self, relationship and the context.
Developed new website, new way of scheduling writing circles, new way of communicating through email and newsletter.
Spoke with Danii Kehler to ask her if she would give us permission to fund-raise for her Antarctica Expedition.
October 28, 2021: Final day of changes to website prior to opening up Writing Circle registration to everyone.