Some Things I’d like to Cultivate and Harvest This Year

By Jen Evans

My friend Marty wrote down some things he’d quite like to do this year and I liked his idea so much that I thought I’d do the same. I’ve never been one for resolutions. They always seemed too resolute and never last because I think I literally expected too much of myself. But cultivating and harvesting ... a slow, gradual harvest over the year, that seems reasonable.

When I think of cultivating, I think of habits that take time to build and maintain, and have to be worked on each day, or a set amount of time each week, in order for them to harvest. Here is what I’d like to cultivate and harvest this season.

1. Three times a week, I would like to write down in a journal all the things I am grateful for during that week.

2. Meditate twice a week and log it or write about the experience.

3. Cultivate a healthier me. To me this looks like a girl who makes healthier choices around food and who likes the way she looks in a mirror. I’d like to get down to 200 lbs. And if I can do that, I may be able to do more. I feel like this is my greatest challenge. I love sugar and I’ve spent a lifetime eating foods that do not nourish my brain, heart and blood, and I’m scared. I want this to be easy. I don’t want to give up my foods. I don’t want to have to work so hard and yet, if I don’t there will be physical repercussions. There already are as I type this. I have never been successful at this, so it’s hard for me to write it here and own that I want the easy road on this front.

4. Cultivate some new friendships with people who won’t leave. Hmmmmm ... I’m not so great at making friends, and lately even less great at keeping friends. I have an illness and I have done and said some things I wasn’t forgiven for. This hurt and, like my eating, I’m feeling scared and a little hopeless having this item on my list.

5. Do two selfless things this year without telling anyone what I did specifically. This could be working for charity or giving or helping a friend or someone in need. I actually have done one thing already. But that’s all I can say about it. Two more, I think, to make three altogether.

6. Take a trip. I’m hoping for New York City. This depends on a variety of factors so it may not happen, but it’s definitely something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

7. Writing. I will be writing a lot for school, so I’m not sure what I can write on the side. It’s something I want to do more of this year, however, so it’s a habit to cultivate.

8. Attend one speaking engagement this year. This one is a biggie for me, and does rely on some outside things. Still, it’s a goal.

9. Join Toastmasters and grow my public speaking skills. (This might be a good thing to do first. I have started this process; I have to pay some dues before I become a toastmaster.)

10. Read one book for fun.

As I read through this list I wonder if it is too much. Well, these are things I do want and I realize that some of them take work and commitment. I suppose anything that’s worth doing or having in this life does.

Gardens are work, but man they yield such whole-hearted, fortifying stuff. Even just a flower. It all takes time to grow beauty.