Saturday for Ease

Saturday is my day for proaction: Proaction is taking initiative to anticipate and shape future events rather than simply reacting to circumstances as they happen. Some people think Covey should've just used the word ACT, but proaction requires a thought: "I could do this or I could do that; I choose to do this."

This is the yin time of the waxing crescent moon, a phase of growth, when I am planting my intentions and caring for them. I'll take time to discern and create clarity.

Agenda Today:

1. Read "Your Heart Was Made for This"

2. Weekly "First Things First"

3. Proaction and reciprocity plans

4. Journal challenges and needs

Olympia Interlude

Today I'm packing bags for a sojourn in Olympia - first a 6-hour train trip, then three days of couch-sitting and chatting with my Mom, and then another 6-hour train trip.

Friday is my day for creative thinking and doing; as Grandma Earth Teacher I am led to make things that are a gift to the Earth in some way, sustainable, and with a message. Also, I need to prepare for the next week of after-school time: A calm flow with some repeatable fun learning and ongoing fall projects.

This is the yin time of the waxing crescent moon, a phase of growth, when I am planting my intentions and caring for them. I'll take time to discern and create clarity.

Agenda:

1. Read "Gratitude Formula"

2. Abundance Journal

3. Travel plans

4. Priority projects plan

5. Grandson plans

Garden Appreciation

Thursday is garden day, for re-envisioning and planning next steps to create a sanctuary here for nature and my family. This is also a day when I have both my grandsons, and I want to be sure to get them into the garden and into nature. 

November is a significant month for a wildlife garden because it's generally the turning point for the first frosts of winter. This fall has been VERY warm, as was last year - we still have roses and raspberries in mid-November - but the rains have begun in earnest.

I've been enjoying an extended new moon cycle, the start of the lunar cycle, a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, set intentions, and initiate something new. 

 

Today:

1. Read "Focus on the Good Stuff"

2. Bird and squirrel watching

3. Feed the birds

4. Add to my wildlife garden habitat

5. Regenerative vegetable garden tasks

6. 

Nature-Culture flow and kid projects

7. Education and advocacy plans

8. This week's garden plan

St. Martin's Day

Martinstag, November 11, is the day of St. Martin of Tours, patron saint of beggars, soldiers, and conscientious objectors.

Martin was born in Hungary in 316 A.D. As a teenager, he joined the Roman army, becoming a soldier like his father, and traveled to what is now Italy and France.

The most famous legend of St. Martin is of his time as a soldier: One snowy winter evening, Martin and the other soldiers were returning on horseback to Amiens. A freezing beggar was sitting at the city gate. Martin didn't have any money or food to give him, so he used his sword to cut his heavy red soldier’s cloak in half, and gave half to the beggar. That night Martin dreamt that Jesus thanked him for giving Him his cloak. This dream convinced Martin to become a Christian and be baptized. 

Martin remained in the army for two more years, but then he decided that his faith prohibited him from fighting, and he was jailed as a coward. He was eventually released from prison and from military service, and went on to become the bishop of Tours in France. He died peacefully on November 8, 397 A.D., and was buried on November 11, among the first non-martyrs to be venerated as a saint.

Originally Martinstag was celebrated only in the Catholic areas of Germany, Austria, Flanders, Netherlands, and Portugal, but it has now spread to Protestant areas as well.

Wednesday is my day to re-group and re-define my week. First I make a plan for getting over the bump of the mid-week, then I re-envision my emotional tone and perspective.

The new moon is the start of the lunar cycle, a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, set intentions, and initiate something new. (After a socially overwhelming weekend I need to retreat!)

Agenda today:

1. Re-group plan

2. Read "The Exquisite Risk"

3. Problem-solving

4. New narrative for generosity

5. Writing themes

6. Gift list brainstorm
7. Bake Weckmänner (Bun Men)

Holiday Mindset

The holiday season is upon us. I'm planning for Thanksgiving, making Christmas gifts, and preparing for advent.

My top four tips for keeping these next months special are:

• Keep the main thing the main thing: Be clear on my holiday intentions and set priorities each week.
• Focus on savoring experiences like good meals, nature walks, and decorating together.
• Communicate early with everyone involved to confirm  schedules and priorities. 
• Don’t overspend on gifts; instead, make as many as possible and buy used books and toys.

Tuesday is my receptivity day of the week, when I look at my social and emotional self and make an effort to shift my perspectives around how I view and treat the people in my life.

The new moon is the start of the lunar cycle, a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, set intentions, and initiate something new. (After a socially overwhelming weekend I need to retreat!)

Agenda: 

1. Holiday mindset

2. Read "How to Deal with Anger"

3. My anger journal

4. Family Teamwork

5. Abundance journal

6. Squirrel plans

Retreat for Home and Body

Monday is my day to reset for the week and get my ducks in a row - make some plans for health and home, and how I will step up for the Natural Living Challenge.

The new moon is the start of the lunar cycle, a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, set intentions, and initiate something new. (After a socially overwhelming weekend I need to retreat!)

Agenda:

1. Read "Simplify Your Space"

2. Giving each thing a home

3. Health habits

4. Set intentions

5. Abundance journal