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Jan

8

Overdrawn?

Filed Under lil things, new things, plans

You know that feeling when you strongly suspect that you are, like, ten cents from being overdrawn on your checking account, but you’re not really sure because you haven’t balanced your checkbook in a few months … and every time you swipe your card for that slice of pizza or those groceries you repeatedly shift all your weight from one foot to the other, anticipating the cashier will say to you, “Sorry, your card’s been declined?”

No? Okay, maybe that was just me (six years ago).

But I’m kind of having that feeling about my time commitments in January. I don’t think I’m overdrawn, but if I don’t make some deposits I’m going to be. I have to take stock. Yesterday was first day of school, and I have four classes, as I already mentioned. I’m doing a youth chaplain training at the end of January, and yesterday agreed to fill in for a friend as a trainer at a Groundwork anti-racism 101 training in Chicago - in two weeks! And then, I have piano class once a week (and I haven’t been practicing like I should), plus an art class this weekend. Then there’s writing group once a week; Real Wealth of Portland meets once a week - in addition to a monthly meeting. And my women’s group meets twice this month. I’ve also got to send minutes for the last HOA meeting (I volunteered to be secretary).

On Friday there’s an Impeach Bush event I said I’d go to (he really does need to be impeached; it’s more than ridiculous that it hasn’t happened yet). And I’m supposed to be reading at least seven books right now, plus my school texts. Two upcoming baby showers, hosting a young adult potluck this Sunday at my house; four lunches with friends; an unpleasant medical procedure; church-run young adult service project cleaning up a park; reviewing budget and policy stuff for the district young adult coordinator role I now hold. On a personal note, I committed to going to the community center six days a week for the indoor track and the pool time (to stay in the habit); and I just agreed to run for Nominating Committee at my church.

And - I’m very happy to report this - my brother, his wife, their kids, and my grandmother are moving into the house across the street from me - on Monday! While I’m thrilled about this - we’ve got to get my grandmother packed and moved in a few weeks, so we can find renters for her current house!

This is a typical January, isn’t it? Luckily, all of these things I want to do, but I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed. I need to remember: take a deep breath, write it all out, and, Increments!

Comments

2 Responses to “Overdrawn?”

Dan on January 8th, 2008 8:13 pm

To follow a tangent here… What’s Groundwork anti-racism training? Who’s it aimed at? Strengths & weaknesses?

Oh, and I really hope you find some time to do nothing….
hafidha sofia on January 9th, 2008 3:31 am

Dan - Groundwork is a collective of UU youth and young adult (with some adults over 35) trainers and organizers, who conduct anti oppression trainings for (mostly) UU church and district groups. I say “mostly” because I led one at a midwifery school in the Pacific NW; this was anomalous.

Groundwork was put together by various folks, with support from some UUA youth and young adult staff, but it is largely a volunteer effort. All of the trainers are volunteers (though they receive a stipend for the trainings, paid for by the groups that request the trainings).

It’s aimed at youth and young adults - but also at adults. Strengths and weaknesses? Well, it depends. It doesn’t have a lot of institutional support right now (as most, if not all, of the UUA staff who nurtured it are no longer working there), so bringing new trainers up to speed and giving them the support they need to be effective trainers is going to take more effort - especially given that they are spread out all over the US and Canada.

As a trainer, I’ve learned a lot myself through the process, and have apprenticed with some amazing facilitators and people active in racial, economic, and gender justice work. It’s a good training ground, and builds leadership. It’s also good to get out to congregations, youth groups, etc. and share these ideas and help them have conversations within a safe, spiritual space about subjects that can be touchy and emotional.

The link to the Groundwork website is here.