Music

Someone suggested that as part of connecting with mind and intellect I spend some time focusing on music. I thought this was a great idea and immediately started by directing my attention to what type of music I currently listen to, the lyrics, the mood it sets and how it generally makes me feel. I quickly began to realize that while music certainly opens my mind, often it does much more than that. I can feel it burying itself deep in my chest, vibrating the very core of my being. Touching, coaxing, molding my soul. Perhaps this would have been a more fitting addition to next month's project, but I am currently using it to enhance my experience of poetry.

The list must be longer, but right now this is what I can think of when I think of music that resonates deep within me, music that leaves me changed every time I hear it. I'll keep adding as I rediscover artists and songs that move me.

Cosmic Love - Florence + the Machine
Undo - Bjork
All is Full of Love - Bjork

What music touches your soul?

Me, Myself & I

Act One is all about me.

The idea is that if I want to reconnect with the outside world, I need to first connect with myself.

I will start with the most basic, but one of the most vital elements: my body. Especially after a recent serious back injury (which I am still recovering from) I am very aware of the role of physical health in the larger scheme of general well-being. I plan on working on building good habits and taking care of body/health related tasks. A healthy body means a clear mind. Which leads to...

The second month will focus on cultivating my mind and intellect. I will work on emotions and reactions and how to better control my relationship with stress. I will delve into cultural awareness, meditation and reflection, literature and poetry, as well as any other general learned topic I see fit.

During the third month I will discuss things related to the soul and spirit. I will search for what others define as sacred and try to define some ritual in my own life. It is always good to have something to believe in.

The last month of this act will deal with all that is serious in life. The least fun month of the entire project, I will tackle organization, work, chores, money, fears and my future. I already have an overwhelming sense of dread just thinking about this theme, but some small part of me is convinced that this is part of the grunt work necessary for enlightenment further down the road.

As they say, in order to truly help others you must first help yourself. Act one is about just that. I long to strengthen my connections to the outside world, but I first must become truly acquainted with myself.