Find the Sweet Spot

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.

Because I'm working on a Slow Passion Project, to involve myself wholeheartedly with my priorities and stretch beyond the way I’ve always done things, I also want to figure out how to find the sweet spot, where I'm engaged and challenged, but not stressed out.

Agenda:
1. Read "The Sweet Spot"
2. Honor my breaks
3. Big outdoor building projects
4. Make a magical smudging bundle

5. Harvest raspberries and mulch

Maidyoshahem

The Zoroastrian community honors the six seasons of the year by celebrating six Gahambars; the word gahambar means "proper season". Each of these six festivals is celebrated for five days, and each honors one of the six material creations: The heaven, water, earth, flora, fauna and man.

Maidyoshahem (may-eed-YO-sha-hem) is the second Gahambar, the Midsummer Rain feast, and it takes place each year from June 29 to July 3. This Gahambar celebrates the creation of water on our earth, and the last day is called Tirgan (pronounced Teer-gone), in honor of Tir, the angel of rain. Iranians celebrate Tirgan with dancing, singing, and by swimming and splashing water on each other.

Agenda this week:
1. Recite a Prayer
2. Read "Everyday Simplicity"

3. Teamwork plans

4. Make a Persian Salad
5. Phenology journal

Sabbath for Slow Passion

Today I'm beginning my Slow Passion Project, an extension of my Flow Project. I've been working to SLOW DOWN and GO WITH the FLOW, and this month I'm adding INVOLVE MY WHOLE SELF.

Agenda:

1. Read "Brainstorm"

2. Transform my world intentions

3. Simple project list

4. Do the smallest thing

Friday

It's Friday, with a bit of a break in people time. I have a couple social commitments today, but they are one-on-one and mellow, amidst a week filled with clerking, family gatherings, and a memorial. Today I get to take time in the garden and with my writing and artwork, to sooth my nerves.

Agenda:

1. Read "First Things First"

2. Vision and goals

New Lotus Moon

The sixth new moon is know as the Lotus Moon by the Chinese. The lotus is the "flower of open-heartedness", an emblem of purity, fruitfulness (because of its many seeds) and creative power. And since lotus leaves protect the goldfish under them (a symbol of prosperity), the lotus also symbolizes abundance year after year.

Detail from "Connect", acrylic

A lotus flower grows out of the mud, and blossoms above the muddy water surface. Buddhists teach that, like a lotus, we can rise above the suffering and conflicts of life. The Lotus Moon, then, is the natural time to dig into the mud of my life, and seek out the best ways to grow above the fray.

Agenda:

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"

3. Choose a month theme

4. Set intentions

5. New moon altar

Reset

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

Agenda:
1. Read "5 Resets"
2. Live a Lifetime in a Day plan
3. Care for the kitchen
4. Kid Camp Preparations