31 Comments
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Allegra Huston's avatar

could not agree more! Expectations are the root of misery. It's not easy to tamp them down, but I try to think, when I'm disappointed, whether my expectations were the problem and almost always they were. So at least I have some agency, I'm not powerless! Bless you Joyce, your pieces are so wise.

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Thanks, Allegra, and I look forward to getting back to Saturday "storming" after the 1st!

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robbin pearce's avatar

I hear you loud and clear. And I LOVE your idea of a gap year. It will allow you to look and listen at a pace that is comfortable. Better to be thankful what what you experienced rather than wished you would have. Here’s to the next trip around the sun filled with adventures ❤️

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Thanks, Robbin ...even just the idea energizes me ... hope your new year is filled with joy.

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Louise Haynes's avatar

Congrats on another revolution around the sun! May you have a healthy and fascinating year ahead, Joyce.

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Thank you so much, Louise.

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Anita Perez Ferguson's avatar

Consider this; the Solstice is tugging at the universe this week. You may find that you are in it's emergent grasp - not a bad place to be. 🎆

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

I love Solstice ... that mysterious time of balance. I'm putting a special thing out on that day.

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Russell C. Smith's avatar

Something tells me the project you're seeking is seeking you, as they say. Here's wishing you an amazing year, Joyce!

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Thanks, Russell ... I have a few hints we may be bumping into each other. Hope 2024 is the best for you, too.

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

Sounds great! I hope you’ll drop into our neck of the woods! Our door is open!

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Sue ... like the sounds of that. I have something coming out Weds that also might interest you. Finally think I'm finding a way to get a support group off the ground.

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

Can’t wait to read about your idea!

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

Happy Birthday, Joyce. What a gift to yourself... a gap year! You have health and resources - it sounds wonderful!

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

It is pretty intriguing ... thanks.

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Aussie Jo's avatar

Just drop by to say hi and have a look around as this is the close to travel I get at the moment

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Travel does stimulate the mind and also our desires. Your gap year of seeing what happens sounds like a good choice. Buen suerte, amiga!

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Jeanine ... thanks ... it's a possibility that makes me laugh. My fantasy, before I headed off to college, was to take a tramp steamer to Switzerland ... there was a gap or two in that plan. Let's hope I'm wiser now.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Joyce, After college I wanted to move to Australia and got my passport w/ that in mind. Moved to SoCal where there was an Australian Consulate. But fell in love w/ CA, and eventually left SoCal behind for San Francisco. Fun to have goals and dreams, no?

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Love that story ... especially since I didn't even know what a passport was until much later in life. My tramp steamer idea never included a passport. ;-)

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Asacker's avatar

“Not only do I need a project, I need to wander around in a world that wakes up my senses with its strangeness and beauty which send me tingling into wonder and awe.”

I agree, Joyce. And projects are simply means to relationship

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Tom ... "projects are simply means to relationship" is a new thought. I definitely haven't thought about them from that angle, but I think it's a rather brilliant way to look at them.

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Asacker's avatar

Thank you, Joyce. Upon long and deep reflection, it has just recently been revealed to me. :)

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Thanks for sharing it ... it deserves more thought ... would love to hear you expand on it.

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Asacker's avatar

I’ve been struggling to convey the insight in a new book, “Unwinding Want,” and a new philosophy/psychology that I refer to as want consciousness. I’m getting closer and will definitely keep you posted. :)

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

looking forward to both!

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Joyce, I can so relate to this post. I am longing to travel, as you said, "I need to wander around in a world that wakes up my senses with its strangeness and beauty which send me tingling into wonder and awe." Wanderlust has never been so strong for me as it is now.

But there is something larger at play for you today... Wishing you a wonderful new year around the sun! May you find your project, travels to strange and beautiful places, always, no matter where you are, tingle with wonder and awe!

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Thank you so much, Pamela. A new idea has occurred to me ... to make this year a "gap year," doing the things I didn't give myself permission to do when I was younger. It means spending a bit more of my limited resources (energy and money) than I might otherwise do, but knowing that either or both might not be there later. It's an exciting time and I love trying to figure out what it might mean to create a "gap year." May all of your wanderlust lead you to joy in 2024.

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Joyce, I think that is a marvelous plan. I have promised myself something similar for 2024. My wandering and doing things we didn't do when we were younger, bring us both many riches, despite our limited resources! 💫

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Pamela ... I'm putting out a possibility on my Wed post that actually might interest you. Even if it's not the right fit, I hope you find joy on your journey.

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Wonderful Joyce, I look forward to your Wednesday post!

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