One Second Every Day

Memory:  Moments, Emotions and Contexts.   Life's framework is based on memory.  My experiences with how chemo impacts memory combined with my mom having dementia force me to contemplate memory frequently.  

I recently watched a TEDTalk presentation entitled "One Second Every Day" by Cesar Kuriyama which helped move me back to blogging regularly.  Mr. Kuriyama's premise is he records a one-second video each day to help him remember the special moments of everyday life.
http://www.ted.com/talks/cesar_kuriyama_one_second_every_day.html

Bonnie Berry is another person who does an amazing job of capturing moments in time via photography to illustrate life.  Her photography inspires me because she sees and enhances the beauty of real life.  If you haven't seen her work, you must: http://www.bonnie-berry.com/ and http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/bonnie_berry_photography_blog.

I think blogging is my way of capturing some of those moments.  I love the idea of a short capture of time - whether it be in picture, video or word form - to trigger our full memory of an experience.  I've re-read parts of my CaringBridge journal and those moments come alive.  One of the cool things CaringBridge offers is converting all the journal, guestbook and picture postings into a book.  While it is a bit pricey since I wrote so much, I think that someday this will be a nice momento for each of my kids.

Yesterday, I managed to stretch my shoulder just a little closer to the ground as I lay with my arm over my head.  Thanks to Sharon for her yoga class and her wealth of knowledge she shares to help us all get a little more in touch with our bodies.  After teaching my indoor cycle class I feel energized and yoga is a great way to convert that energy into focused motion that enhances flexibility and calm.  Namaste.

What are you doing to make note of the marvelous ordinariness of everyday life?
While you're pondering that, I'm off for a bike ride.  :) 

Hope Your Journey Is a Long One

Thank you for joining me as my marvelous journey continues.  I've spent the past couple years blogging on CaringBridge (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/evalynhodges ) as I dealt with cancer treatment.  Now, it's time to move forward in this new forum.  

I'm feeling great, starting to exercise more consistently and looking forward to coaching triathlon training this Spring.  This is the 10 year anniversary of the Y-Tri training program at the NW YMCA in Austin and invite you all to join in the fun.

I take the title for my blog and the title of this journal entry from CP Cavafy's poem
"Ithaka" because it reminds me to relish every moment and not rush or discount the steps along the way.  It's the journey not the destination.

I'm not sure where the journey will take me, but I'm thrilled to venture on to new challenges.  Right now, one of my challenges is stepping back to fitness.  Reawakening core muscles, developing cardio endurance and strengthening a body that has been put through the wringer.  Baby steps are necessary where I used to be able to leap and bound.  Surprisingly enough, I'm okay with it.  For now, any way!

I welcome your comments, suggestions and insights.  I feel like I'm crawling back out of the rabbit hole that cancer took me down.  I wonder what new landscapes await.