San Jose -n- Stuff

I spent much of last week in San Jose for a conference.  I'm relieved to say it was successful overall and that I had a good time to boot. 

I hosted a women's meetup on Wednesday evening. That went well. I also hosted some networking at tables at lunch the following two days that went very well, even better than usual, some interesting discussions. Those kinds of activities are very gratifying for me.

I got up early the next morning and went for a run with some of my colleagues as part of one of the conference activities. I admit, I didn't get very far, but it was mostly the doing that made me happy. That day was my 15th anniversary of being hired at O'Reilly. It's amazing how time flies, and how things change...yet also remain familiar. I don't take my work for granted and am really grateful that the last few years in particular have become so rewarding for me. 

The view from my room at the Hilton.

The Presidents Day weekend was before the San Jose trip and M and I were both pleasantly surprised at how productive we were with our various projects around the house. I think the good weather and lengthening days help.

I got together with friends Rachel and Katrin earlier this month. We had a fine time chatting as usual. Katch had recently been to New Mexico and brought back some lovely hand-spun yarn that she passed on to me. It felts up beautifully.

 

I'm enjoying having a knitted project. Though I'm done with the knitting part and now have to find a fun lining and zipper. I have most of the blue yarn left so need to think of a new project to start soon.

*****

Another wonderful experience to report thanks to a gift: Mom and Don couldn't use their season tickets, so today M and I went to the City to hear some chamber music at Davies Symphony Hall. It was a beautiful day, crystal blue sky, warm. We had a pleasant lunch at Absinthe then wandered few a few blocks of Hayes Valley before hearing the music.  It was our first time there and we really enjoyed it.

*****

While I was in San Jose I shopped at Muji, a petit, pared down Japanese department store. I bought a couple of notebooks and used one to start a happiness journal - every day I write down one thing that happened that day that made me happy. As I go through the day, it's nice to think about what I'll choose to jot down in the notebook. So far I mostly have a hard time picking just one or two things to record. I think that's a pretty good sign.

Forgiveness: The Greatest Healer of All

I've been going to the Center for Spiritual Living for just over a year now, usually a couple of times a month. I started taking notes during the services in June to help me reflect and hopefully take actions for leading a more meaningful life.  

In 2014, the Center's monthly topics focused on a different "Power of..." - Intention, Meditation, You, Humor, Awareness, etc. June's topic was forgiveness. The affirmation, which the congregation recites together near the beginning of each service, was: I live in the spirit of that which I wish to become. I focus on my spiritual heritage. I feel myself to be whole, happy, and well. I'm not really sure what that middle sentence is all about, but I really like this affirmation overall.

These are my notes from June 29 - Removing Obstacles to Forgiveness

We are on our own path and timing for forgiveness, not anyone else's.

The nature of force is to be met with resistance, so how can I create an environment for forgiveness to enter and to exist since it can't be forced? Nurture the inner space so forgiveness can enter.

I am AFRAID that forgiveness will:

- make me seem weak

- mean that it is/was OK and allow the resentful-making activity to continue

- reduce my power over the other < THIS

Remove the fears of forgiving to remove/get at the real problems. Do the "gentle work" to undo blocks and barriers to forgiveness.

Control what is yours to control.

I have a couple areas in my past where I don't feel I possess the power to forgive. But the service gave me some insight. It was good yet also a little uncomfortable and humbling to realize there are a couple of people (notably, my ex...sigh, there's some baggage I should drop, but hey, I'm on my own schedule, right?) whom  I hold a grudge against because I think it somehow gives me power over them. I felt the lack of forgiveness glacier melting a scoche that day.

*****

At the end of January, I went down to the City for our first conference of the year. It was on bitcoin and other crypto currencies. It was quite interesting. Luckily, it was only one day. And a beautiful day it was - thank you, drought.

Our next conference is coming up on the 17th, in San Jose. It's a big one, so I think many of us will be very relieved when it's over.