Earth Week Sunday

This week before Earth Day is called Earth Week, April 19 - 25 this year. 

The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970, and it still remains a big event in the environmental movement. Interest and participation in Earth Day has increased and spread around the world, with millions of people taking part. 

I do many things everyday in my life to help the earth: I live in a small house; I walk and bike, and work at home; I buy used stuff and buy locally; I use the library instead of buying books; I compost, recycle, and grow my own food, I lead an Earthcare action group at my Quaker Meeting, and I work with other activists to bring attention to climate and environmental issues.

This week I plan to do some reading each day, and take one action that grounds me in unity with the Earth.

Agenda today:

1. Reading

2. Meeting outside

3. Take action

Retreat for the Earth

Next week is Earth Week, and I plan to post an agenda of activities for each day, including some reading and education, contemplation, earth care actions, and artwork, that grounds me in unity with the Earth.

Today I just want to sit with the notion that I am of the earth, and settle into a contemplation of how I want to BE.

Maya Angelou said, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” This is the kind of flexible optimism I aim for - not naivety, but realistic and adjustable. 

I am aware that the planet is suffering, that birds and insects are dying, that we will face riots and wars because of our actions. But I need to have hope that things can change, and I need to do what I can to make change. And then I need to cultivate an attitude of joy because of all the beauty we still have.

Agenda:

1. Read QEW pamphlets

2. Get native plants

New Peony Moon

Beautiful peonies growing in my neighborhood.

The new moon rises today; the Chinese call the fourth new moon the Peony Moon. Peonies are the flower of riches, romance, and honor, called sho yu in Chinese, which means "most beautiful." Their lush blooms are an omen of good fortune, and also foretell a happy marriage.

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.

Agenda:

1. Retreat Day

2. Journal queries

5. Pick a theme

4. Review caregiver resilience

5. Set intentions

Waning Moon Creativity

As I come to the end of the Sleepy Moon cycle, and wrap things up a bit, I'm sitting with creativity in a contemplative way, and I realize two things:

I've been reverting to an earlier phase of my life, before painting and art school, when I was internally driven to Make Things, and they were varied and creative. 

But I'm also a different person now - 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. 

  

Agenda: 

1. Read "The Book of Doing and Being"

2. Projects for the week

Defeat the Hump

I've made a mid-week bump plan to defeat the hump that often makes me feel stuck: A plan to help me build momentum and preserve the goodness of the week throughout each of the five days, so that I arrive at Saturday feeling fulfilled and content.

Agenda:

1. My bump plan

2. Writing themes and passion flow plan

Tuesday

Tuesday is my day to 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.

Agenda:

1. Ongo journal

2. Synergy and hope plans