Beingness

Beingness is the fundamental quality of existence, simply being rather than doing or having. The trick is to be aware of my beingness, my essence, with a deep presence, which I will feel as peace, aliveness, or inherent worth.

Today I hope to take some time to appreciate the raw fact of my existence.

1. Read "The Book of Doing and Being"

2. Beginner's mind meditation for creativity

3. Pre-K school plans

4. Projects for the week

5. Afternoon Beingness routine

1. Read "The Book of Doing and Being":

I'm reading from this book by Barnet Bain  (2015), subtitled "Rediscovering Creativity in Life, Love, and Work". He claims that your life is a creative act, and you are the writer of your life story; also that creativity is a state of mind that begins with a desire to have impact - to change things; and that you can connect to that emotional power and passion that fuels creativity, intentionally.

This is a book of perspective, too, to help jiggle me out of the straight line way I usually think into something new. Use the exercises with consistency in order to stay focused on my destination. Practice will ground me and allow my ambitions to take root and grow.

Chapter 1 is Freedom from Conditioning. It goes in to the phycological view of creativity. Maslow put creativity in the top tier of Needs. Picasso said that creativity is an act of destruction - that it first shatters our conditioning and our assumptions -- "Only through creative acts can we rise above our conditioning."

This is exactly what I've decided about cultural conditioning, our dreadful and destructive western way of being: Art and poetry are what will save us from ourselves.

2. Beginner's mind meditation for creativity:

My theme this year is Creative Perspective: 

Creative perspective: To keep a positive and broad perspective; shift my perspective to help myself find equanimity, and also expand my perspective (think outside the box), having the courage to take experimental risks and express myself honestly with words and art.

On Thursday through Monday I take time to review and plan how I will act on this theme. Today I start with a beginners mind meditation for creativity. Beginner's mind is dropping expectations and preconceived ideas, seeing things with an open mind, fresh eyes, curiosity and wonder.

Today I settle into meditation, and ask the query, "How can I design a Quaker climate ceremony, to build energy for action?"

• Include testimony language and silence
• Enlist Liz to help with the theater or story part
• Include poetry and photography
• Include a very simple offering ceremony - stones? a word?

3. Creativity with boys:

It's been a while since I've gotten out the paints, because Grandson #1 has moved on to drawing, and my time with Grandson #2 is fragmented. How can I remedy that? Do we need to give up story time?

In any case, it's time to gather fresh paint supplies, and prepare to paint.

Tips for art with toddlers and pre-schoolers:

1. Have all your supplies handy and easy to grab when the mood hits. I put washable tempera paints into squeeze bottles, a smock and brushes in a tub on a shelf, and I also have a cabinet with markers, crayons, paint pens, chalk, paper, and play-doh in the living room.

2. My painting set up is shown here: I have a plastic table cloth on the table in the living room, so I only need to set out the paper, put on his smock, and grab a bottle or two of paint. After I'm all set up I hand him one squeeze bottle. Be ready for paint everywhere, especially hands and face.

3. Youngsters have a very short attention span. Be prepared for art in 5 minute increments. After about 5-10 minutes, when interest starts to wain, it's time to cheerfully ask "All done?" and start to clean up. First I take away the paint and brush and, before he can escape with painty hands, we play in water and wash hands and face. (Clean up is part of the fun!) We paint in layers, working on the same project over several days, adding colored pencil, and tempera paint-stick drawing when the paint is dry.

Besides painting, I have some seasonal activity ideas, and will take time this week to make a project box or basket for each one: 

• Pine cone mobiles with beading
• Tree collage
• Yarn covered B for Bear

Today I will also choose a seasonal theme, brainstorm projects, and define the nature and skills goals - next week's theme is Kaleidoscope's (and Worms): Ideas-

• See my collection of kaleidoscopes; 
• Kaleidoscope painting; 
• Make a tube kaleidoscope
• Jewel sun-catchers?
• Dirt and worm painting;

4. Projects for the week:

Each week on Thursday I plan the projects I will work on in the next week - one or two kid projects, and one or two Unicorn projects (those that feed ME). This next week I will:

Th: Drawing lego characters 

F: Finish butterflies in bathroom

S: Work on my Earth Coat- sew pocket 

Sun: A printed copy of my book to share; an audio version?

M: Sample / prep for kaleidoscope project 

T: Kaleidoscope painting 

W: Jewel sun-catcher? 

Doing the smallest thing is a great way to make courageous creative work less frightening; also finding the "minimum effective dose", the amount of work that keeps me challenged and joyful, and if I keep at it will get me to the finish line on time. 

Today I will list specific goals for each day's creative projects, put them on my calendar, also itemize the supplies and preparation steps. 

5. Afternoon Beingness Routine:

Last year I set an intention to practice an afternoon Beingness routine ... because making self-care and creativity a routine will help me to enjoy the present moment and gather afternoon energy and balance, at a time when I often feel exhausted and a little depressed. and I want to revive this idea.

When I wake up from my nap and begin to feel "itchy" and unsettled:

• Drink green tea or an N-R-G drink, and eat a protein snack.
• As I eat, pay attention to the Me inside the chaos of noise around me - Say the mantra: Being Me: Mindful, loving, and present.
• Begin 15-minutes of very simple creative work: Either writing or drawing, or taking photos.