May Synergy and Simplicity

My themes in May are Synergy and Simplicity. I've decided to take time each Monday this month to set myself some goals.

Writing of simplicity, Thomas Kelly reminds us, "Life is meant to be lived from a Center, a divine Center - a life of unhurried peace and power. It is simple. It is serene. It takes no time, but it occupies all our time." 

My feelings about synergy are very similar - the power of the group comes from the Center. 

Agenda:
1. Read "The Art of Facilitation"
2. Synergy plan

3. Simplify the kitchen

1. Read "The Art of Facilitation":

This little book (1995) starts with the words: "The Earth is running out of energy resources, but there is a source of special energy which has scarcely been tapped. It is the power available in groups, the power of group synergy. ...it is group effort on both a small and large scale which will save and heal our planet."

Chapter 1 is Preparing the Ground; it starts with some definitions:

Facilitate = to make easy or more convenient. 

Baggage = your ideas, opinions, patterns that can get in the way of being fully present. 

Group process = taking care of group members as they fulfill tasks. 

Chapter 2 is Facilitating Yourself, because teamwork starts with me taking care with my own inner processes. It's all about self-awareness; it's the way we grow and become conscious, and I can take responsibility for it. (First I have to accept who I am, completely, so I'm not trying to compensate or fix myself ... I can grow faster if I'm not worried about how I am wrong.)

 

2. Synergy plan:

This week I have two groups to facilitate: A support meeting tonight, and a large event on Thursday. My plan is to: 

1. Be prepared - have an agenda, and all the information I need, and understand my role in the group process (who am I supporting and why?)
2. Practice stoic inquiry - ask myself how I am choosing to think, feel, and act in the moment (am I choosing to expand or contract, give or take, contribute or pullback, appreciate or criticize?)

3. Simplify the kitchen:

This week our kitchen needs a little organization. I would love to have shelves that are less tightly packed. May simplicity is not only about less clutter; it's my goal to have order, to have a home for each thing, and put it back there every day. 

 

My plan is to completely empty one or two drawers or a cabinet each day, and put back only what we need. Also, find new, creative ways to store my stuff so it looks tidy and is easy to put away.

Clearing even a small space, like my spice shelf, gifts me with feelings of peace and joy. This week I plan to:

• Clear and clean my spice shelf and buy some fresh herbs.
• Clear and clean the food jars, and buy some new foods.
• Clear and clean the refrigerator and freezer.