I took a break from the blog yesterday. I stayed at home and took the day off mentally, so there wasn’t really anything to write about. The quiet day gave me an opportunity to do the homework assignment for my DBT group this week, which is to practise the “what” and “how” mindfulness skills. The “what” skills are observing, describing, and participating. This can be done during everyday activities such as washing dishes (e.g., observing the weight of each item, the temperature of the water, etc.), taking a shower (smelling the soap/shampoo, the sensation the water against the skin), or just sitting (the feeling of your feet on the floor, your clothes against your body, the breath in and out of your nostrils, etc.). The “how” skills are nonjudgmentally, one-mindfully, and effectively. These are less straightforward than the “what” skills, because they require more mental discipline and awareness. To consider a thought or idea nonjudgmentally, it’s not about evaluating it as “good” or “bad” (or what you “should” do), but instead as helpful or harmful. Doing something one-mindfully is to focus on just doing that one thing instead of multi-tasking. And doing something effectively is to focus on what works, which may require letting go of one’s own willfulness or the desire to be “right” (which is especially important in relationships). All these skills help one to be present and centered, so that your actions are better aligned with yours goals and values.
This morning I wake up early and shower before starting my usual routine of breakfast and reading/watching the news on my iPad. My SuperValu grocery delivery is scheduled from 10:30-12:30, and it arrives a little after 11:00am. It’s not the usual Irish guy Ciaran, but the other repeat delivery person who I think may be Polish based on his accent. Nothing is missing this week, and there were only a few inconsequential substitutions (as usual they called in advance about these). After putting everything away, I immediately start a new order for Friday of next week, since the delivery slots seem to be booking up faster now. To lock in a slot, I have to check out with at least €50 worth of groceries, although changes can be made until 6pm the night before delivery is scheduled so I have plenty of time to add or make changes to the order. SuperValu then processes a €0.01 transaction against my debit card to validate that it works; the final charge goes through when the groceries are actually prepared for delivery.
A couple of months ago, an additional step was added to the payment authorization… basically I have to enter a code sent via text to my phone from my bank (TransferWise) to authorize the transaction. This came about as result of the EU’s strong customer authorization (SCA) requirement for multi-factor authorization of online payments that went into effect in September 2019; implementation was delayed with a final deadline set for December 31, 2020. SCA is basically the online equivalent of the “chip and PIN” authorization protocol for in-person transactions that has been in place in Europe for many years, but only went into effect in the U.S. in 2015. There still doesn’t seem to be multi-factor authorization required for “contactless” payments — where you basically just hold your credit card up again a payment terminal — but perhaps this is coming? Also I don’t believe there has been a multi-factor authorization step when placing orders on Amazon UK, but I do believe the UK has implemented the same protocols. SCA falls under the EU’s Revised Directive on Payment Services (aka PSD2) — and yes P2D2 sounds like a Star Wars droid. P2D2 addresses more than just multi-factor authorizations, and apparently is supposed to encourage competition by supporting “open banking.”
In the afternoon I catch up on the steady stream of job postings arriving to my inbox and submit an application for the next one on my list. Like most of the positions that have caught my eye, it’s been posted through a recruiter so I don’t know exactly where it would be. Based on my past experience, I’ve only been looking at openings in the public, nonprofit, or higher education sectors. Currently there are another 4-6 postings on my list that I’m planning to pursue. Gotta keep up the grind!
Later on in the day I meet up with my friend D for coffee at a cafe at the end of Crow Street at the corner. It’s raining fairly steadily again, but thankfully the cafe has an awning so we’re able to stand under it and chat for awhile. As we finish our coffees, the rain lightens up again and we go for a short walk across the Liffey up to Marys Street where the shops are dark and lifeless — a much different scene than before Christmas. It’s a good to get out for some fresh air even if it’s not an extended walk.
