Assignment 1 - Ruth

I am the "silent one" in our WOW class! Due to a time-restricted project I'm currently involved with, I told David I wouldn't be able to participate fully during the dates the class was scheduled to meet. Rather than withdraw altogether, I asked if I could "audit" the class without the responsibility of completing assignments. What I most want to "glean" from this class is precisely it's title: The WAY of the writer. I want to learn the habits that will enable me to (finally) start JOURNALING. For my entire adult life (now 77 years long) I have been primarily involved in "outwardly" rather than "inwardly" focused activities...boards, committees, projects, non-profits, school, studies, Ph.D., teaching, family, daily life, fund-raising, etc. etc. Too much busy-ness...not enough reflection time. And now I am acutely aware of the scarcity of time left to me. I feel like I'm always rushing on to the next thing on my "to do" list. Too much mental, physical, emotional "clutter" in the way of simply sitting with myself and observing. Indeed, this is the very reason I am currently embroiled in a service-oriented task with a deadline that prevents me from fully participating in THIS CLASS. I want to learn the habits and discipline that will help me overcome the (obviously) psychological block I have about spending time with just me. It's way past time.