Oh the things I truly hope....

• Learning: Poetry. Reading and writing Poetry---a poem a week. Reading poetry widely. Gaining new and real appreciation for poets and the power of poetry. Poetry+Activism: asking what this could mean?
• Learning: French (and French poetry :-))
• Self Care: exercise, vitamins, relaxation, conversations, prayer/spiritual practices
• Write more letters. Call people. Connect!!!
• Really engage with School, Church, Home and Neighborhood. Find connections-live in those connected spaces! Live Jubilee...
• Dance A LOT.
• Write something. Enjoy writing. Be a writer.
• Read at least 24 books.

Oh the things we do for fun....

• Go on a bike ride just for fun!
• Go on a picnic!
• Practice Tithing and Generosity
• Finish another Journal
• Plant 10 MORE catalpa trees. Plant vegetables. Harvest vegetables.Learn something about gardening and local food production. Share that knowledge.
• Train and run another 5K
• Knit a Hat, or Mittens or Socks...
• Make music with Others.
• Compose something. Write it down :-)
• Make a snow creature. Take a picture of it.
• Write a story for children. Or a play.
• Attempt to do everything (or almost everything) on the How to Build Community List!
• Take a trip. Just for fun! Anywhere. Take lots of pictures!
• Go XC Skiing at least 3 times this winter!
• Go ice-skating!
• Skinny-Dip
• Look at the starts and pick out some constellations. Read something about Astronomy.
• Memorize 3 Poems. Memorize a Shakespeare Monologue. Memorize something from the Bible (SOM, Philippians, Isaiah...), Memorize something from the Bible in Hebrew, Memorize 2 things in French, Memorize a piece of Music.
• Go see a play, or a musical!!!!! LOVE IT!
• Read "More with Less", adopt 5-10 of the practices.
• Practice Celebration and Abundance. Throw a party. Decorate something. Write congratulation cards. Dance, Dance, Dance.
• Learn and do something from a culture very different from my own.
• Submit something that I write for publication (blog, radio, book publisher...anything!).
• Laugh until I cry. Cry until I laugh.

How to Build Community:

• Turn off your TV
• Leave your house
• Know your neighbors
• Look up when you are walking
• Greet people
• Sit on your stoop
• Plant flowers
• Use your library
• Play together
• Buy from local merchants
• Share what you have
• Help a lost dog
• Take children to the park
• Garden together
• Support neighborhood schools
• Fix it even if you didn't break it
• Have pot lucks
• Honor elders
• Pick up litter
• Read stories aloud
• Dance in the street
• Talk to the mail carrier
• Listen to the birds
• Put up a swing
• Help carry something heavy
• Barter for your goods
• Start a tradition
• Ask a questions
• Hire young people for odd jobs
• Organize a block party
• Bake extra and share
• Ask for help when you need it
• Open your shades
• Sing together
• Share your skills
• Take back the night
• Turn up the music
• Turn down the music
• listen before you react to anger
• Mediate a conflict
• Seek to understand
• learn from new and uncomfortable angles
• Know that no one is silent although many are not heard.
• Work to change this.