2016 Goodreads Challenge GOALS... Err... Maybe Not

First, I gotta wonder how long I’ll be able to keep this “joke” up.  Because I’m always changing my mind about something.  Secondly, of course I’ll never stop a year reading only 17 books.  I'm not that HIGH!

What’s up, visitors/friends/neighbors/etc?  I’d like to share what I set myself up for in 2016, about Goodreads' yearly book consumption challenge.  Now I know reading and keeping track of your finished books is not a big deal to some.  But, personally, I like keeping track.  It speaks to the OCD and book lover nature in me.  The Goodreads' platform containing various thumbnail images of my book conquests puts a touch of joy in my bookworm spirit.  Or something like that.  Anyway, unfortunately, I think I got a little too OCD and personal with my reading last year.  Last year what should’ve been a relaxed stroll through books turned slightly into a grind-feast.  And it had a lot to do with increased work hours and just general personal life distractions.

You know how it goes.

So I played around with the thought of just skipping out on the challenge this year.  I told myself I was going to let it go and take my time reading.  But that’s just no damn fun to me!  I love a challenge.  I love being a witness to progress.  Hell, I love books and the hours I spend soaked in them.

So I decided to soup up my favorite number–17–and stick it in the blank box as my goal.  That’s it.  17.  From 2015’s 60 to only 17.  That number will eventually morph and transform into something bigger.  But only after I’ve hit it.

Now on to fill in the goal!

So what's your 2016 Goodreads reading goals?  What number do you have in mind?

4 Ways To Start Your New Year

Let’s try to talk about New Year’s Resolutions once more.  Actually, let’s not.  Commitments, obligations, and resolutions just ain’t my thing.  Something about the three breed my tendency to over-think.  Over-strategize.  Get stuck in achieving a goal that needs a relaxed and elastic approach.  So I prefer keeping things simple.  Really, you have to sometimes.  Simplicity opens you up to many possibilities for generating the changes you seek.  And with only so many psychological burdens to get in the way when you decide to let go of the "wheel."  Or one could hope, anyway.

Personally, I think I stand in a prayer for evolving answers for each year–which a general direction in mind.  So any resolutions surround walking the new year in faith.  Coupled with taking action on inspired thoughts along the way.  And by inspired thoughts I mean those moments when an exciting idea hits you.  When the Universe/God is calling you to take some kind of action.  Some kind of execution of an idea you trust will keep you on your blossoming path.  Even the smallest of daily actions lead to big changes.  You just have to execute and let the Universe/God do the rest of the work with the space you’ve provided.  Yet, it’s important not to find ourselves stuck in the end-goal.  But still uphold the necessity of perseverance.

And that’s why I wanted to write a post on some positive ideas and tools you can use to help usher in your New Year.  It’s not necessarily a list.  It’s not necessarily an action plan.  Just… some ideas.

It's Okay to Self-Help

Don't be afraid to get to know yourself through self-help and personal transformation books.  I’ve found they can do a world of wonder for a discouraged or troubled spirit who needs a little reassurance and self-actualization.  Believe me on this.  There are moments when I open up A Course in Miracles for a quick passage, and immediately find relief in its lucidity.  Over the years, I've found many inner and outer conflicts come into perspective instantaneously through this book.  So I keep it next to my bed like some sort of cognitive-steering emergency pill.

And that's why it irritates me when people sort of disdain or rebut the validity of self-help books.  Or activate the ever present stigma how these books are “useless” or “for the pathetic soul.”  Okay, okay.  That was a bit of an exaggeration.  Nonetheless, my immediate thought for the naysayers is they just haven't found the right book for themselves yet.  Either that or lack the patience to explore any given book's methods for creating positive life changes.

Taking the time to work on yourself gives you permission to be who you long to be in this world.  The time you take to look inside to find what does and doesn't work for your life is truly a gift to yourself.  Especially when you go through life carrying baggage (we all do) or a past you can’t let go of.  We live with so many thoughts, pains, and misconceptions generated from within and through forces outside.  Why not find some relief from them?  

I’ve gotten tons of perspectives and personal realizations by traveling through various self-help books.  It's a journey that will take all my life–and yours.  Learning and working on yourself takes work after all.  Work that’s worth it through each step, but never ends.

The six books in the image are ones I revisit (besides my favorite Louise Hay books) off and on over the years.  Nathaniel Branden’s Honoring the Self speaks about how self-esteem plays with our behavior and character.  Furthermore, how the two elements come about in our decision-making.  Wayne Dyer’s The Shift is about leaving the demands of the ego aside to reach our ambitions.  Something extremely difficult to do in world where everyone wants to feel present and accounted for.  Write It Down, Make It Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser needs more attention from me these days.  As the title suggests, writing your aspirations is the first step to achieving them.  And she’ll show you how.  The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer has been on my bedside for years.  I love the book because it’s about releasing limiting thoughts and inner aggravations.  Julia Cameron’s Walking in This World speaks about accessing creativity and, in turn, our life purpose.

I would throw a couple of Tony Robbins and Dale Carnegie in there as well.  Do you have a favorite self-help/transformation book you tote around or sleep next to?  Which is it and why do you love it?

Create a Vision Board

In August of 2011 I was watching The Secret for the umpteenth time when John Assaraf shared his vision board story.  Before I knew it I'd gathered my writing, lifestyle, traveling, and gaming magazines.  It took me no time to clip out images left and right.  Whichever image spoke to my vision, I glued them onto my own vision board then stuck the thing on the back of my door.

Now let’s be real, since then I’ve spent more time flying out the door with a glance at it.  And no, I can’t say anything from it has manifested.  But that’s all right.  It all takes time and, fact is, I’m on the road to each as closely as I write this sentence.  Nonetheless, at the end of the day, it’s a visual tool.  A reminder of two things: what I need and how far I’ve come along since its creation.

So that’s the next idea for the New Year.  Create yourself a vision board.  You don’t have to burden yourself studying it every day with a potato-fist’ed prayer.  Actually, I would suggest not doing that.  But instead put it somewhere out in the open for a simple glance here or there.  Or a minute or two lingering over it before taking an inspired action–which would get you closer to those desires.  Let your board act as a beacon.  A whistle.  A target.  A reset button after a long day in the world outside of your vision.  Or see it as a playground for the Universe/God to play in.  Because you don't always know how your vision will come to pass, only that it's coming and will often be a surprise.

Record Yourself!

Familiar with your computer’s Sound Recorder program?  Well, get familiar with it for a moment.  

My next idea is to suggest recording yourself speaking your desires, aspirations and wishes.  It’s sort of like the audio vision board–if you will.  However, record your message as if your vision has already happened.  I have about two recordings of myself doing such.  I keep them on my computer and cell phone.  I would listen to a recording at least once a day, usually on my way to work at five in the morning.  Before dawn, driving down the highway trying to get my mind prepped for the chaos I know I’ll escape one day.

You don’t need a fancy recording mic or anything.  Speak into your computer’s speakers.  Make one recording short for a burst of inspiration.  Make one long and meditative.  Just remind yourself through yourself of who you are and where you want to take this life you're given.

Record Life With a Journal

My last idea is to lead the New Year with a journal.  And yes, I’m showing a picture of one of my journals from my Zazzle shop.  It’s only right, considering I started blogging because I wanted to start a business selling journals.  Right?  Right?  (^_^)  Anyway, the idea to create journals hit me years ago when I was struggling to find a journal I liked, and would move me to write.  I didn’t want the usual Siamese or Pug journal cover.  Or the roses and wild flowers.  Seascapes and meadows–definitely a no.  So I created my own journals featuring my cast of cute (but crazy) imaginary friends.

I’ll freely admit blogging has gotten in the way of my journaling.  But just a touch.  Yet, hear me when I say it's one in itself.  Nevertheless, I can’t express the importance of journaling as a daily activity.  I’ve been journaling since the second semester of my senior year in high school.  So I have about six or seven notebooks filled with material and stories from my life.  Just imagine that for yourself for a moment.  Books.  Pages.  Filled with your life.  Your story.  Your character.  Your identity.  Your triumphs and mistakes.  All expressed, documented and accessible without conjuring up memories which one day may not be conjurable.

Give yourself life-long access to your journey.  Start 2016 writing your life down. 

_________________________________________

And that, ladies and gentleman, are my ideas for starting off the New Year.  Of course in whatever direction you wish to take the twelve months given.  There’s more out there to share, but four from me will suffice.  If you have any more to add, please place them in the comments section below.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Year Reflections | A Walking Child

I was thinking about New Year's resolutions when I realized I have a small aversion to space-less tasks and obligations.  Especially those ridged and timed, as opposed to flexible.  I think it has a lot to do with my mother trying to raise me.  To mold me into a strung and responsible person (her own secreted concerns included).  However, I grew responsible at the cost of keeping everything–including my feelings/emotions–walled to myself.  And responsible in the sense that during my 20's, I had a hard time saying no to unwanted commitments.  

So as a child I suffered a little; unable to just be me because of someone else’s idea of how I should be.  And the same came true as I grew and became angry at myself, people, and my stifling environment.  I’ve gotten better at being who I am and sharing it.  Especially in the past three years.  I came from a wearer place, so the second I hit thirty, I didn’t have emotional space for the baggage from myself and most certainly others.  There were things I needed to do and express.  Things I needed to achieve for myself.  Things I needed to reach in others.  No more emotional drainage.

Extraordinary Means Book Tag (Video)

Partner, Let Me Update You | 2015 Books & Thank You (VIDEO)

Scratchy Doodles From the 9-5

 Well, I had every intention of doing another drawing project before the end of the year.  Unfortunately, I never gave myself the right time to get my ass in order to actually make it happen.  But I have to share one more set of drawings before the year ends.  And here lies my sketchy doodles.  Since I loathe my 9-5, this is what I do to relax myself in its chaotic and mind-numbing soul-sucking environment.  Here's to more projects in 2016.  And hopefully, a little less doodles. 

2015's 6 FINAL READS ~ PART 2

All right, friends.  I’m back with the second half of my 2015’s 6 FINAL READS.

4.     Young Miss Holmes, Casebook 3-4 by Kaoru Shintani

I finally, after over a year, sat my ass down to finish reading this volume of the Young Miss Holmes manga series.  And it was fantastic.  I believe I stalled for so long because of the eight-part The Hound of Baskervilles case Christie investigated.  Somewhere in the middle, I lost interest in the case.  Only to find myself enthralled by it during my re-introduction.

But let me back up a little, for those who aren’t familiar with Kaoru Shintani’s Young Miss Holmes.  It’s quite simple: ten-year-old Christie is the protege of her uncle, Sherlock Holmes.  Endowed with his sense of chief intelligence (how theatrical of a description?) as her uncle, Christie spends her time running around England solving murder mysteries.  And a variety of murders she encounters–almost freely.  You see her parents are in India, so she’s aided by a pistol-toting maid named Ann Marie.  Likewise, her servant, Nora, tags along on Christie's adventures.  Though mostly unassuming, Nora stashed a forked tongue whip underneath her petticoats.  

Ann Marie & Nora DON'T PLAY
when it comes to Christie!

Christie’s curious and precocious nature aside, I find these characters bring much of the action and humor.  I perk up whenever Anne Marie or Nora unleashes her respective attacks, in the face of protecting her charge.  It’s equally entertaining watching Christie’s sneaky shenanigans and off-color comments aimed at her "protectorates."  But don't get Christie wrong.  She does bring her guardians trouble, both from her willful behavior and slick mouth.  However, Christie cares deeply for the two.  She's as protective and loyal to them as they are to her.  And this is further shown in the two chapters dedicated to sharing the history of Nora and Ann Marie.

And it’s these two chapters I felt highlighted this volume.  Nora’s chapter follows her life as a gypsy-slave, before finding solace under the care of Christie’s parents.  As for Ann Marie’s story, we get a glimpse into her tragic childhood growing up in America.  Shintani takes us all the way to post-Civil War Georgia, and on into the racial strife during the time.  And you wouldn’t believe what he came up with.  Then again, it may not come as a surprise given the context.

So the list goes for teenage sleuths:

1.  Martha Grimes' pre-teen amateur sleuth, Emma Graham.

2.  Alan Bradley’s sharp-thinking ten-year-old sleuth, Flavia de Luce

3.  And Kaoru Shintani’s ten-year-old Crystal "Christie" Margaret Hope.

It's interesting how each series is historical–in a sense.  Graham takes part in the 60s, whereas de Luce's a full decade ahead.  As for Christie, she's a 19th century girl.  And I can't wait to get into the third and final volume.  I just love this kind of shit.  Smart girls solving mysteries and kicking grown men ass!  Or at least getting them locked up by the law.

5.  Hunger of Memory: The Education of Richard Rodriguez

Here’s another book I wish to dedicate an entire blog post toward.  But I’m sticking to my year-end wrap up here, as much as it pains me to hold back my thoughts.  You see, I want to write more on the book for a variety of reasons.  More so from the conversations generated by Rodriguez.  

He uses a stream of socially-conscious and opinionated essays to piece together his autobiography.  Some of his opinions may appear debatable, but I lean a little toward thought-provoking.  I’ll break down the subjects he addresses later.  But for the sake of holding myself back, I’ll drop a quick summary of the man.

Rodriguez’s Hunger of Memory recounts life as a Mexican-American living in Sacramento during the 60s to 80s.  His story unfolds life as a child understanding a total of 50 English words.  This leads him to a Roman Catholic school for his early education, where his teachers have concern for his inability to grasp English.  Their suggestion is for his parents to speak more English around him, and so they do.  

However, this early circumstance stirs the beginning of Rodriguez's life story.  As a child, he begins to differentiate language and cultural differences between himself and his white classmates (as well as neighbors).  Which language and culture was more acceptable?  Which was correct for him?  His questioning leads to trouble, and a doubtful perspective of his Mexican parents.  Determined to control his future he learns to assimilate to American life.  Of course via its academic system.  This, in turn, causes Rodriguez to find himself distant from his Mexican roots.  To further his troubles, he relays the strife he faces by not finding acceptance in the exchange.  Instead of appearing as a successful middle-class American, he’s haunted by the “minority” label.  A label he rejects as the use of affirmative action grants him professional opportunities.  This troubles Rodriguez–and for obvious reasons.  Still, he never manages to escape his label.

There’s plenty to consider from Rodriguez’s commentary, expressions, and opinions on his inner grapples.  Or more so the Mexican heritage he bypassed in the divide between his aspirations.  Furthermore, he takes apart his religion during the "Credo" essay.  And I kind of recognized his salty view in that arena.  

Nonetheless, it wasn’t until the final two essays that I truly woke to his voice.  When he falls into the subject of his complexion and “minority” labels, I started to connect with his anguish.  Though I smirked as well, seeing how he was the one who denied much of his heritage/culture in the chase for a middle-class "seat."  Which he gained successfully, only to find himself alienated in the processes.  The final essay on his profession ties up his story, and the isolating conclusion of his struggles.  Closing the book comes his epilogue, featuring the silence he endures from his now disconnected parents.

Moving and kind of whiny in all the right areas, I have to give credit how Hunger of Memory drew me into the deep complexities of immigrant children struggling with assimilation and ambition.  And I honestly have to say–I get it.  Not one to toss aside my own background, I do understand what its like to ache for better.  Or to long for a life beyond your parents' road.  But like many things of that nature, it comes with a cost.

6.  A Mind to Murder by P. D. James (Adam Dalgliesh #2)

All right.  All right.  I can’t say too, too much about this book for a very important reason: I skipped toward the end.  Don’t judge.  Don’t laugh.  Just hear me out when I say I started the book in the spring of 2014 and only now decided to finish it up.  Now I managed to get through 100 pages–back then.  And the book is only 240-or-so pages.  So I figured my new, determined and focused attitude would sail me right through this.  Besides, I enjoyed James’ first Dalgliesh book enough to come this far.  With the expectation of moving further into the series.  So I came pumped and ready to go.  Then almost instantaneously, I got that familiar dry and dull buzz from over a year ago.  James is so meticulous of a crime fiction writer that I found myself soaked too deep into her time frames and mathematics.  I say that as opposed to her crime and character.  So.  I skimmed lightly toward the final 40 pages and tread on to the finish line.  And that’s just the way the damn cookie crumbles.  Judge those who may, but after a year, I consider this a FINISHED READ.

With the intentions of getting the third book somewhere in the unforeseen future.  Cross all fingers.

Nonetheless, since I’m finished whining, I’ll “remind” everyone what happens in this books.

Via Goodreads!

BHAM…

"On the surface, the Steen Psychiatric Clinic is one of the most reputable institutions in London. But when the administrative head is found dead with a chisel in her heart, that distinguished facade begins to crumble as the truth emerges. Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate and quickly finds himself caught in a whirlwind of psychiatry, drugs, and deceit. Now he must analyze the deep-seated anxieties and thwarted desires of patients and staff alike to determine which of their unresolved conflicts has resulted in murder and stop a cunning killer before the next blow."

And that's it my friends!  My 6 FINAL READS of 2015.  But remember to please leave your comments on your 6 FINAL READS OF 2015 down below.  I'm currently powering my way through Haruki Murakami's monster, 1Q84.  I'm tackling this one a year later, with the intent of going after my large books this year.  And there are plenty to keep me company.  

In case this is the last post before New Years: HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!  Keep READING, DRAWING, AND LIFE'ING.  

Wait.  I think I have another post in me.