Brainstorm for teaching

1. Read "The Book of Doing and Being"

2. Beginner's mind meditation for craftivism

3. Brainstorm teaching and Pre-K school

4. Projects for the week

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". This is a book of creative perspective, 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 3 is Foundational Creativity: Energies of Creation Part 1. "While a lack of focus and time may be a problem for you, the real issue almost always stems from a misunderstanding of of the energies of creation -- the the masculine and feminine energies that give rise to all doing and being."

He says that a male-dominated world values doing (making, will, and action) over the feminine being (imagining, feeling, and conceiving), and we are all caught in this paradigm. The antidote is to give attention to physical feelings in the body, rather than to mental feelings such as anxiety.

 

2. Beginner's mind meditation for craftivism:

My theme this year is 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.

Today I'll enjoy a beginners mind meditation for craftivism projects. Beginner's mind is dropping expectations and preconceived ideas, seeing things with an open mind, fresh eyes, curiosity and wonder.

1. Creative imagining process: Craftivism is sharp, tangy, thoughtful and though-provoking, sparkly, jarring. I say- "This is meditative; wow!; cool; I want to touch it.  

2. Self-inquiry: I'm kind of stuck by not having anyone interested in participating ... I like to be a teacher, not a performer. Also no clear theme to craft for: No loud calling. 

My shift is to just choose something I want to experiment with and go for it - something that catches my interest. Don't worry about anyone else's interest or the viability of teaching it - that might come later.   

3. Next steps:

• Superfund: Smoke vs Clean Air sign. Now - commit to Lobby Day and make a sign.
• Water: Watershed watercolors. March
• Forests: Pinecone hangers. April

4. Brainstorm teaching and Pre-K school:

Today I am brainstorming some goals for teaching, for February and March: N

ext themes for pre-school, possible projects, nature and skills goals, as well as ideas for a spring class or workshop or retreat for my community. Ideas:

• Arthur: Painting and playdoh every day (big motor, process oriented) + Wonder walks with a theme (Themes - bird talk, worms, rain and puddles, signs of spring).
• Aldo: Drawing birds and real creatures- print new pages, get books.
• Wednesday overlap day - fill bird feeders and squirrel feeder, new worm bin, Holi celebration.
• Sign making day - March 15th
• Water poetry and painting class?

5. 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: Make valentines + cut paper snowflakes

F: Finish rainbow painting + Drawing with A1

S: Finish spring appliqué

Sun: Smoke vs Clean Air sign for Lobby Day

M: (Lobby Day)

T: Painting and playdoh

W: Finish bathroom butterflies

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.