I dropped off the face of the earth in Aug. It is a special brand of academic cruelty to backload a term with multiple very important large papers. Grateful for wifey putting up with me and my need to disappear for literal days to actually get these papers written and this program finished.

I forced myself to steal hours of chill time at the beginning of Sept, for my own sanity, and because I am heading into this final year of my program. I managed to disappear into No Man's Sky for a considerable amount of time -- which was delicious -- and devoured some film/tv shows. I assumed I would have most of this month at a slower pace; however, as of this week, things have gone from 0 to 60 in no time flat.

A unique feature, not only of this term, but of this final year, is the degree of deep reflection I need to do. This isn't unexpected per se, but it is a considerable deal more than I anticipated. Part of my final capstone thesis involves a massive integrative paper that weaves together not only my learning journey, but also my capstone journey, and applicable areas of my life journey. Additionally, two of my courses involve reflections throughout them, which I need to present at the end of the term. I've always been a "contemplative" and have journaled -- with varying degrees of regularity -- since I was a pre-teen, but like any habit, it's the consistency, not the quantity, that matters most.

"Knowledge of the soul admittedly contributes greatly to the advance of truth, and above all to our understanding of nature.”
(Aristotle, De Anima, Book I, Ch. 1)

Contemplation is no easy task, and that is what has me stewing about it now, 1.5 weeks into term. I have learned through life experiences that when I am not actively engaging in reflection, contemplation, and deep thought, I will not be able to make the kind of deeper connections I want and need for the tasks ahead of me. And so it all begins now, layer by layer, brick by brick, building my practice back up again as best I can.

If you have stumbled onto these words and made it this far, I truly hope that whatever habit, process, or journey you are on, rebuilding, or starting anew, you find some encouragement along the way. You are not alone, and take heart, because building a practice is hard solo work. I'm proud of you for the work you've done.