Monday

Monday is my day to reset for the week and get my ducks in a row - make some plans for health and home, and prepare for Grandson fun.

Agenda:

1. Devotions

2. Read Spirited Walker

3. Step into spring

4. Spring cleaning and Home projects

5. Grandson fun

1. Devotions: 

I'm reading from two lovely books: Living Earth Devotional, by Clea Dana (2013), and Earth Medicine, by Jamie Sams (1994).

Earth Medicine is about the Revery of Awareness, about knowing your own strengths and what makes you happy, then taking that path into adventure and joy.

2. 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."

I'm in Chapter 4, Imagery for Walkers. 

She writes about reframing trauma and failure to create positive imagery - which becomes a way to stop mental chaos and distraction. She suggests choosing a vision animal to walk with you and inspire you: Don't over-think it; choose an animal that resonates and delights you, then try to imitate her walk or energy. Use it to deepen your connection with nature. 

3. Step into spring:

On Monday I also take time to use beginner's mind to create a perspective shift for healthy habits and renewal, and write a script for change. 

Beginner's mind is dropping expectations and preconceived ideas, seeing things with an open mind, fresh eyes, curiosity and wonder.

This week I'm re-starting my walking practice; so far, it has fizzled. I haven't found the right motivation to get myself out the door. In my head, I say, "A daily walk renews me both physically and spiritually, and re-connects me to my neighborhood and my earth." But I cannot make it a habit, maybe because I've got too many other fraught activities like home projects and artwork, scheduled just before. Solution: move it earlier.

My updated Walking Script:

4:15 - First thing, at the bottom of my priority list, write: Walking = Destination idea + Reward, such as NF + Donut

9:30 - Set the visual timer to go off at 10. 

9:45 - 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 - Alarm beeps: 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).

4. Spring cleaning and Home projects:

In March I take the first steps of spring cleaning and maintenance, those big jobs that get put off through the winter months. This week my focus is in the living room - 

cleaning the filter on the heat pump, vacuuming the futon, and cleaning the windows outside. And also empty and clean the hot tub!

I'm also doing the work to finish our home projects, because creating our home sanctuary is a priority, and finishing projects (one by one) satisfies my need for completion, integrity, and order. 

My goals this week:

1. Finish kitchen design and order sink
2. Look at tiles for the backsplash
3. Make a new project calendar

5. Grandson fun:

Monday is also my day to prepare for fun kid activities throughout the week. I'm going to prepare some bird and nest projects, plus edit and add to our choice cards:

• Feed squirrels
• Playdoh birds
• Painting
• Make cookies
• AC car
• Drill the worm bin
• Ride bicycles
• Playground