tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post228165098033087440..comments2024-03-27T21:38:39.214-05:00Comments on Horizon 51: Tuesday Slice: I thought I was okayChris Margocshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18261261993571716230noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-52924511041195090372020-07-17T08:57:02.789-05:002020-07-17T08:57:02.789-05:00Thank you, Fran, for your re-visiting and sharing ...Thank you, Fran, for your re-visiting and sharing your own struggles. I hesitated before posting--will this affect how others perceive me, make me less than in their eyes? But I've had positive responses, all around. There are so many people, especially educators, feeling this way right now. There are some lucky (and brave) folks in my circle who have gone on vacation, but I worry about those of us who have been stuck at home, spending our summer days waiting for updates and doing our usual summer learning with thoughts of "how would I implement this remotely?" always lurking in the backs of our minds. It is draining, in all sorts of ways. I hope we both find ways to refill our spirit before tackling the challenges ahead!Chris Margocshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261261993571716230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-3371462740811665962020-07-15T09:16:00.159-05:002020-07-15T09:16:00.159-05:00Chris, one thing I've always admired about you...Chris, one thing I've always admired about your writing is your searing honesty. Today I read and slowly absorbed each word ... recognizing similarities in myself: the distractedness, the drifting like a ghost ... I attribute part to coping with the abrupt changes in our lives, our world. A great part of this is grief. Our brains are tired of processing. I attribute more to biological changes in myself, a time in my life that strangely coincides with all the rest of the upheaval. One of these things alone would call for unique means of coping and readjusting, but there are many, many layers and levels - not to mention you have a new job! I have found it harder to read lately, too. I will not get through my stack (How to Be an Antiracist is one, and I've started it. I have started many books. I did finish one for sheer enjoyment - a needed diversion). I have also found it much harder to write these past couple of months, but that's getting better (I want to finish "Sick Ada" before I return to school). Know how helpful your words are, that your cognizance and decision to give yourself grace, that taking real steps toward feeling better, are deeply encouraging to me personally as your always-kindred spirit! Strive on, my friend, each day, claiming rest and peace and clarity awaiting in the sanctuary of nature and in your physical self. As my grandmother used to say: "Take care of your precious self." Thank you for your courage in voicing these concerns and addressing them - with the implicit message to take care of ourselves, too. Fran Haleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05295033583781089018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-86374130565354341592020-07-15T06:36:36.378-05:002020-07-15T06:36:36.378-05:00I sat out in the hot sun twice yesterday! And I&#...I sat out in the hot sun twice yesterday! And I've returned to short meditations in the morning. Too soon to see if it's helping, but I start the day feeling better, to be sure. Thanks for the kind comment!Chris Margocshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261261993571716230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-44661453790436276722020-07-15T06:35:27.112-05:002020-07-15T06:35:27.112-05:00Then I am in good company, Diane. Not how we woul...Then I am in good company, Diane. Not how we would like to spend our summer, eh?Chris Margocshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261261993571716230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-7231981744209280282020-07-15T06:34:54.923-05:002020-07-15T06:34:54.923-05:00There was an article early on, shared by a librari...There was an article early on, shared by a librarian, from a psychologist explaining how underlying anxiety can wreak havoc on our concentration. It has been the biggest disappointment of my summer--all this time to finally read my ginormous stacks of books, and I can barely do more than a few pages at a time. Thankfully, the book study I'm in has extended their deadline until July 31st...it may take me that long to finish How to Be An Antiracist (heavy topics are the hardest to focus on right now!).Chris Margocshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261261993571716230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-90472631054060041682020-07-15T06:31:51.965-05:002020-07-15T06:31:51.965-05:00Thank you for stopping by my blog! We read so man...Thank you for stopping by my blog! We read so many posts of productivity, but not many about the opposite. I have found that I am in good company.Chris Margocshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261261993571716230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-27001694459947916242020-07-15T06:31:03.986-05:002020-07-15T06:31:03.986-05:00Yes, the frying pan was the final straw. It was s...Yes, the frying pan was the final straw. It was scary and freeing when I announced to my husband, out loud, that I was not well. I still have a way to go--I ate two smores yesterday to avoid dreaded/difficult projects--but I'm getting better.Chris Margocshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261261993571716230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-20566545735839388622020-07-15T06:28:43.795-05:002020-07-15T06:28:43.795-05:00It's odd, isn't it--all this time to do so...It's odd, isn't it--all this time to do something we normally love to do, and mysteriously, we can't. I did pick up the crochet hook again--it felt good. Thanks for the inspiration to do so, Adrienne.Chris Margocshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261261993571716230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-44198353202329292292020-07-15T06:27:45.822-05:002020-07-15T06:27:45.822-05:00Thank you for your kind comment, Sally. To be hon...Thank you for your kind comment, Sally. To be honest, I was feeling like a failure, reading how productive so many people have been during this pandemic. I finally had to jump off the comparison wheel and breathe.Chris Margocshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261261993571716230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-9665338122282360852020-07-14T18:23:30.082-05:002020-07-14T18:23:30.082-05:00Thank you for sharing this, Chris. It is good to k...Thank you for sharing this, Chris. It is good to know. It is good to relate. Your post reminded me of a quote by Austin Kleon, "demons hate fresh air." So, like you, I'm spending more time outside and take the time to nurture myself. I think it is what we all need. Thank you for the reminder.<br />-MarinaMrodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00675061909167446723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-23876898002584113452020-07-14T10:06:12.439-05:002020-07-14T10:06:12.439-05:00It all sounds familiar...It all sounds familiar...Diane Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16902966404302255893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-83834500537819453602020-07-14T09:58:00.567-05:002020-07-14T09:58:00.567-05:00It’s interesting to rad that others who love to re...It’s interesting to rad that others who love to read, find they can’t concentrate to do that, right now. And the 1-2-not even getting to a list of 3... me too! Also too much time on stupid online games. I like how your planner also gives you a clue. I expected you to say it was hard to find things to write in it. But we have ideas of things to do, but lack the concentration. For me, many efforts seem meaningless, as I feel in suspended animation. So, so many readers can relate to your I’m fine/I’m not really ok reflection.Franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08093868039798031083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-9816629177662972662020-07-14T09:54:43.196-05:002020-07-14T09:54:43.196-05:00Thanks Chris. You summed it up perfectly. Thanks Chris. You summed it up perfectly. Mamatrckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006500438916198516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-46573466204641114392020-07-14T09:49:53.854-05:002020-07-14T09:49:53.854-05:00So often we don't see our changes in behavior ...So often we don't see our changes in behavior and the signals that there could be a problem. Recognizing that there is an issue and then making a concerted effort to change that pattern of behavior is a step in the right direction. All of us are facing issues at this time and learning how to deal with them. It's scary.arjehahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17793113101077660894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-40200144883551066892020-07-14T09:47:32.021-05:002020-07-14T09:47:32.021-05:00Thanks for sharing this. I can't read right no...Thanks for sharing this. I can't read right now. I have piles of books and I try, but I can't concentrate enough to get past a page. Fortunately, knitting has been my savior. It's about the only thing I can do these days.Adrienne G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02632115230775039900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260969528787608869.post-77372757620146502662020-07-14T08:23:27.842-05:002020-07-14T08:23:27.842-05:00Thanks for writing and sharing. I truly believe we...Thanks for writing and sharing. I truly believe we figure out how to live by reading and writing and thinking. My best thinking occurs in the shower and on daily walks to see the sky. I also think it helps to acknowledge, this isn't a normal time so of course, I am not okay. Thanks for reminding me to give ourself grace.Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00153099581092525610noreply@blogger.com