Fourth Day of Christmas

This is the fourth day of Christmas and the third day of Kwanzaa. Today I will enjoy the peace of a day at home with my hubby, doing home projects and sewing, and maybe venture out into the snow for a short walk. Being a retired person is sometimes pretty sweet!

Agenda today:
1. Kwanzaa principles

2. Christmas retreat

3. Sanctuary Reading

4. Sanctuary goals for 2021

5. House of Belief

1. Kwanzaa principles:

The third day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of ujima (oo-JEE-mah), which is collective work and responsibility. Ujima is teamwork, working together for others and helping your neighbors.

2. Christmas retreat:

My tradition is to make the 12 Days of Christmas into a mini-retreat for myself. I'm doing some reading and writing every day, focusing on my priorities and what I'm called to do (or not do) next in my life. My plan for the 12 Days:

• Start each morning with meditation, prayer, and reading
• Think about, and set goals for 2022.
• Contemplate, honor, and practice a different one of my life priorities on each of the 12 days.

Today I am contemplating the sanctuary of my home, and balance at the center. My home (in a perfect world) is the calm center of the storm. Our home is cozy and fairly clean and tidy, but it has room for improvement: Our peace is upset by cluttered storage spaces and a few too many sharp words. I want to consider how to improve both my home space and my mental state.

What rooms and outdoor spaces in our home and garden need the most work to become a true sanctuary? How can I put my creativity into form to serve my sanctuary?

 

What physical clutter am I more than ready to let go of? What clutter am I clinging to? How do I balance simplicity and order in my home with abundance and creativity?

 

How grounded do I feel? Am I able to set aside obsessions and fears, and return to equanimity?

 

Am I balanced in the gestalt? Consider all the aspects of my life, all at once... Take a deep breath and listen deeply: What could I do next year to bring my life into greater balance?

3. Sanctuary reading:

Today I'm again reading from "House of Belief" by Kelee Katillac. In the chapter "The Look of Belief" she writes:

 

"Emotions are the inner structure keeping a belief intact. When we cease to experience the emotions associated with a belief, that belief is at risk of crumbling. ... We can consciously use the look of a thing to evoke the feelings we want to affirm, comfort, or motivate us. In this manner we intentionally use the elements of our homes - architecture, furniture, fabrics, colors, souvenirs, heirlooms, handcrafts, and more - to infuse our lives with empowering symbolism."

 

4. Sanctuary goals for 2022:

I'm just beginning the work of setting goals and resolutions for the New Year. My theme for today is Sanctuary and Balance; the "earthen courtyard" where chi is always available, where energy is replenished and then moves on. 

My home is a sanctuary for my body and my soul. My life flows around this solid base. A sanctuary is a sanctum, a sacred and protected place of beauty, grace and refuge; it embraces us and brings us back to center. When we take sanctuary, even for brief moments, we are re-created, recharged, healed, soothed, comforted and at peace.

Sanctuary goals might have to do with physically making my home a safe and comfortable space, making changes in my behaviors to create a greater feeling of safety for others, and also things like grounded-ness, and finding clarity in chaos.

My ideas so far for sanctuary goals next year:

• Continue to recycle possessions I no longer need. Find the balance of simplicity and abundance that I want.
• Re-order and simplify my studio space, and create a safe and empowering toddler art studio.
• Re-design the backyard duck area, garden, and lawn (after we remove the apple tree).
• Create a sheltered sanctuary garden in the front yard for sitting with friends, and observing birds.
• Work on patience and equanimity; keep an equanimity journal, and vow to reduce sharp words.

5. House of Belief:

My home is filled with visual stimulation: My own paintings, photographs, candles, pillows, blankets, toys, and baskets of useful items. Right now, a lot of our decor is geared towards the safety and interests of a toddler. This year I'd like to consider how to better illustrate my values and beliefs visually in my home. Some ideas:

1. Nature tray: We have a nature tray at a low table for our grandson. I want to add some wooden animal figures and a simple word that goes with each season (Winter = Resting).
2. Family photos: It's time to find a wall for framed family photos, and a permanent spot for my little ancestor shelf.
3. Words of belief: Paint more chunky wooden signs, and sew more banners for display.
4. Reduce: Simplicity is an ethical concern for me. I still have too much stuff, too much furniture, too many books.