Journal Brainstorm Week

Next week, at the new moon I will transition from one focus to another, and a whole new field of opportunity. This week I'll take time to write down my goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for the next 30-days, including at least a few crazy, improbable notions. 

-Start with a list of seasonal themes and celebrations, vacations, and other events.

-Write about my biggest priorities this month, how they might fit into my life, and how they connect to my values and principles.

-Write about possible obstacles and factors such as the weather, upcoming schedule changes, or money problems.

-Write about the parts that excite me and the parts that might be hard to find motivation for.

-This month I will also review the brainstorming I did in December, for the new year.

  

Agenda:

1. Read "The Spirited Walker"
2. Walking script

3. Self-care brainstorm
4. Sanctuary brainstorm

1. Read "The Spirited Walker":

I'm reading this little book by Carolyn Scott Kortge (1998), with the subtitle, Fitness walking for clarity, balance, and spiritual connection. She equates walking to a regular meditation or mindfulness practice. " ... walking has many parallels to life. Walkers move forward, take steps, go toward something. ...the action changes your perspective. It offers a fresh point of view."

Chapter 4 is Imagery for Walkers. 

She writes about the image of a tiger walking beside her, that spurs her on, and also an image of a graceful race walker she wants to emulate. "Just as positive words have the power to reverse negative self-talk, visualization can reframe a warped self -portrait."

My walking is more than physical exercise; it's also awareness exercise: I need a powerful visualization to regain a soul connection with the earth, and to heal the earth. I think I'd like to emulate my ancestor who walked on the earth with authority, knowing her world and her neighbor creatures.

I see her as a shaman, dressed for the weather, carrying a basket and a knife. She says a prayer before stepping onto the earth, and sends her healing energy into the path as she walks. She moves quietly and with care, harming no creation, and asks permission before harvesting. She is alert for dangers and discoveries, balanced on her feet and rooted in the earth even as she moves with grace and strength. She soaks in the energy from the rain and the sun like the plants do, and sends out her own healing energy with her breath.

2. Walking script:

So far, a daily walk has not become a solid habit. I'm still not grabbing on to my Walking Script to get myself out the door more than a few times a week.

Last fall I read The Sweet Spot by Christine Carter (2015), which lined out a way to write a script for building a new habit, so let's review and see what else I can add: 

Tip #9 is fight self-sabotage. Never allow myself to say, "I'm being so good, I can take a day off." This is called the licensing effect, a common entitlement behavior. To avoid this, think about my goals rather than my accomplishments, and stay analytical rather than moral: My goal is to connect with the earth every day.

Tip #10 is Build your willpower muscle.  I know that willpower is finite, and can be depleted during a day - it takes a great deal of willpower to be the calm, persistent, wise woman I want to be. The good news is that when I exercise my willpower muscle for a new skill, I'll benefit all the other efforts I'm trying to maintain.

 

Tip #11 is pre-decide as much as possible. Make a plan and commit to it in advance - where willI go, and what I will do when a challenge arises. And structure my environment to support me - my shoes in their place, my phone and cash at the ready. 

Tip #12 is comfort yourself. I know that stress is going to push me away from walking, so find ways to comfort myself in advance. That might be eating breakfast and playing games for a half-hour before walking, and picking up a donut on the way home.

Tip #13 is get enough sleep. Make sure I've had at least 7-hours of sleep to shore up my willpower: Low energy equals low willpower. 

My updated Walking Script:

9:30 - Make my second cup of coffee; drink this while I finish up my art project of the day. When it's gone, set the visual timer to go off at 10. 

10:00 - Alarm beeps: Put on walking shoes, put on coat, grab my phone, and some cash. Say, "I'm walking to honor the Earth", and picture my ancestor setting off to explore her world.

10:05 - Out the door - After a brief warm up, begin to chant "I am walking for the earth"; walk at least to NF every day (for a donut).

3. Self-care brainstorm:

Today I am brainstorming some goals and resolutions for my self-renewal practices for February and March - how I nurture the physical, mental, and spiritual parts of myself. I know I'd better start with small steps that I can easily maintain. My ideas so far:

• Continue the habit of morning chair yoga stretches.
• Take a daily walk - rain or shine - with a focus on awareness of nature.
• Continue to try out new veggie recipes, and cook healthier meals. Plan my breakfasts and lunches better.
• Continue to study Perspective and keep a "new narrative" journal, as a tool for creative shifts in awareness.
• Cultivate the spiritual quality of Order, practicing habits of self-control and creative energy, instead of acting on impulse.

4. Sanctuary brainstorm:

Today I am also brainstorming some goals and resolutions for my sanctuary for February and March. My ideas so far:

• Work with John to finish our new fence and gate, and new kitchen counter!
• Also work with Wade to finish the deck steps, railing, roof, wall, and hooks.
• Work at clearing the driveway and creating order there.
• Continue to recycle possessions I no longer need, especially fabric, paper, and art supplies; plan some art projects to use my stockpile. (This is the year that I will find and store each thing in its place, so I can find it when I need it!) Focus especially on order in my office and studio as I begin to create a Retreat Center.