Friday Becomes Thursday

Thursday is my day to open the door to creative thinking and doing; I've reverted 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. 

Also, I need to prepare for the next week of Grandma Camps, with themes, projects, and field trips.

And thirdly, I've got lots of projects that help us function better: Fixing broken things and maintaining the house.

Agenda: 

1. Read "The Sweet Spot"

2. Artwork

3. House projects

4. Camp preparedness

5. Projects for the week

6. Generosity practice

1. Read "The Sweet Spot":

I'm continuing this book by Christine Carter (2015), about "How to Find Your Groove". The thesis is that when we hit from our sweet spot we have optimum power and the greatest ease. I'm into Part 5: Tolerate Some Discomfort, about how to be comfortable with pursuing mastery and the vulnerability that requires, and how to bounce back after a setback. 

Chapter 8 is Making Hard Things Easy, about developing unique areas of mastery, which is the sweet spot between strength and ease - because it requires a challenge. Mastery comes from grit (which is part persistence, part practice, and part passion), along with rest, and good coaching.

Masters usually focus on practicing a micro-skill, and repeating; also they practice consistently over a long period, the same amount each day. And that's where passion helps: We need more than discipline to stick to the practice for the years it takes to develop mastery. We need enough interest to reward us intrinsically. "Passion is a pure and long-lasting fuel." 

And masters persist despite failures; micro-failures actually help us to learn because of the neural myelination process. "Emotionally, intellectually, athletically, professionally, artistically, spiritually -- we have the greatest potential to grow when we challenge ourselves just beyond our comfort zone." 

What is it I am currently trying to master, and what is the practice I need to do?

2. Artwork: 

Yesterday when I was painting roads and buildings with A #1, he commented on the paintings I made for his bedroom and his living room; he acknowledged that I am a painter. It was a peculiar and sad feeling, because I am not painting right now, at all. I'm in a weird place- I want to burn or give away all my unfinished paintings because I don't think I'll ever finish them; also, I want to paint something new, preferably with watercolor. But it's such a low priority that I never find the time. 

Here are some Artistic mini-goals:

1. Start a fun Clean Energy art project: Decorated info cards?
2. Paint a botanical border design for my substack with leaves.
3. Finish butterflies in bathroom.

3. House projects:

The biggest chaos is the state of our yard and home - so many unfinished projects, such clutter and stacks of supplies! I have a long list of projects I can personally do, AND I'm able to help with others by clearing the way or finding helpers.

The next top 10 imminently important projects are steps towards making the yard and home presentable for my sister's visit next week + setting up to paint.

Outdoor tasks:

1. Dig out some more thimbleberry, and move some dirt.
2. Clear the driveway passage: Move big fence section.
3. Weed and clear back fence area and hydrangea bed.
4. Weed and clear west front area. 
5. Clean up potting area, and find storage for sawhorse.

Clearing tasks:

1. Sort through kid paints and make a self-help station.
2. Put away old craft projects and supplies.
3. Clear area around my paint cart!
4. Clear out acrylics from my paint table and store them in a box in the paint cupboard. Set up a drawer and surface for watercolors.
5. Get rid of some big toys; create order on studio shelf.

4. Camp preparedness:

The theme next week is gymnastics. Ideas:

• Books and videos
• Tumbling: Rolls and jumps, balance beam - learn some form. 
• Visit Bounce

Preparations: Find videos, make a course with mats and balance beam.

5. Projects for the week:

My new goals for Grandma Earth Teacher is 

photos and project samples for nature-culture, house and practical fix-it projects, and sharing skill and fun teaching projects. This week:

• F: Model-making + sort paint shelf together
• Sat: OR Art store for watercolor supplies: cold-pressed paper, thin pens, and a new brush or two.
• Sun: Put away old craft projects and supplies; Clear area around my paint cart!
• M: Set up for gymnastics + clay play outside
• T: Visit Bounce
• W: Clay play outside
• Th: Watercolor day - leaf and color experiments
• F: Paint butterflies in bathroom!

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.

5. Generosity practice:

On the third day of the waning gibbous moon, I practice a love meditation, and then journal about generosity with time and attention. I start with ideas for being generous with myself, then my family, my neighborhood, community, and the earth. I might decide to give money or a gift, or simple acts of helping and sharing my time.

This week's generosity plan:

1. Schedule alone time in the garden nearly every day.
2. Compassionate touch and attention.
3. Litter pick-up walks
4. Abundant offers of my written wisdom

When I'm motivated by the desire to give, just the intention to offer my help, and my willingness to listen, will begin to lessen suffering in the world.