[post one] February 1, 2014

Dear Ones,

It's time. Today, it begins. I am so excited! It's a lovely day here in Baltimore. Even the sun seems excited that this month is beginning! To start us off, I want to share a few things. 

First, because who can resist bright colors, post-its, expressive eyebrows, and Lorde:

Important note: if you access this video through youtube, there's an option to watch this in reverse. You should probably do it.

Next, a song that I have been using as my alarm, which has had a fantastic effect on my willingness to get out of bed:

And finally, a poem. I bought a book of Hafiz poetry in which Daniel Ladinsky shares one translation for each day of the year. I've made a practice of reading the day's poem when I wake up, and it has been a really special way to acknowledge each day of 2014 so far. This poem really held a message I needed, and I hope it can bring some meaning for you, too:

Could Be Lifted

If you knew the end of your story, nothing on 

any page - not one of your dramas, could bother 

you as much. 

If you knew of the glorious end of your journey,
at least half of your attention could be lifted 
from anything you now focus on that may 

cause you pain. 

His hand is like that, when it is realized near,
it will always, always turn your gaze in the direction 

of more light. 

Loves, it's February. Let's get this party started.

With admiration and looking forward,

Ruthie

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ps the email I sent out with details and post-dates is pasted below:

1) where, when and how to post: i am inviting each of you to be an author of OUR blog. theaddress is thefebproject.blogspot.com. if you have issues with posting, let me know! please post by 8pm eastern standard time on your assigned day and include your assigned day and date in the title of your post. 

2) if they day(s) to which you are assigned do(es) not work for you for some reason - and remember, it will just take a couple of minutes for you to post to the blog, you can even prepare it on a day on which you have more time - you can switch with someone else. i'm going to discourage it, for logistical reasons, but if you decide to switch, just send me an individual email so i can keep the schedule up-to-date. also, most people have only one day to post, but some have two. if you have two and want one, you can switch and let me know.

3) the list! 

Date	Day	Giver
2/1/2014	Sat	Ruthie
2/2/2014	Sun	Jana
2/3/2014	Mon	Allie
2/4/2014	Tues	Einat
2/5/2014	Wed	Nomi
2/6/2014	Thurs	Zoe
2/7/2014	Fri	Sam
2/8/2014	Sat	Tali
2/9/2014	Sun	Ariel
2/10/2014	Mon	Sarah
2/11/2014	Tues	Aleeza
2/12/2014	Wed	Alma
2/13/2014	Thurs	Mordechai
2/14/2014	Fri	Tricia
2/15/2014	Sat	Nat
2/16/2014	Sun	Megan
2/17/2014	Mon	Sophie
2/18/2014	Tues	Harry
2/19/2014	Wed	Jonah
2/20/2014	Thurs	Allie
2/21/2014	Fri	Eve
2/22/2014	Sat	Tali
2/23/2014	Sun	Caroline
2/24/2014	Mon	Lizzie
2/25/2014	Tues	Jana
2/26/2014	Wed	Nomi
2/27/2014	Thurs	Ruthie
2/28/2014	Fri	Einat

4) what to post: the thing is, this can really be ANYTHING. the idea here is that every day this month, each of us will know that there is something waiting for us. that something might make us laugh, might make us think... maybe it won't be something that will make us cry, since there has already been lots of crying in february, or at least...it won't be something the poster posts as a "this is so meaningful and sad you'll definitely cry" and if we're in a crying place, maybe we'll still cry. i think you all know what i'm getting at. basically, i think it really CAN be a silly youtube video, and it can also be a beautiful poem. anything any of us shares will be perfect, ya know?