September Focus–Expand Your Horizons

It’s never been easier to be well-informed, with so many learning opportunities, on- and off-line, a lot of them free.  The vast university of cyberspace offers the possibility of pursuing nearly any subject, no matter how obscure.  Just searching an entry on an encyclopedia website can send you down an electronic trail crossing centuries and cultures.  Unloose your curiosity and let it roam.

August–Final Thoughts

I enjoyed the focus for this month of Slowing Down.  I see families already gearing up with the start of school, fall activities, and, of course, Football season (Go Packers!!)  How many of us fit in the time to relax, slow down and be?  How many tried to pack in as much as we could as soon as the “Oh my goodness, summer is almost over” panic?  Did you do a mix of both?  As we move into Labor Day weekend, examine what your plans are.  Look to see how much or how little activity you have in store for yourself.  Enjoy!

Project: The Joy of Anticipation

“I want it all, and I want it now” is the cultural mantra.  Funny, because research shows that anticipating something is more gratifying to us than actually having it.  Give yourself things to look forward to:  plan a party, book a ski trip, buy a lottery ticket, order seats for the play that’s generating a lot of advance buzz.  Wallow in the exquisite pleasure of waiting.

Herbal Habitat

A small-scale windowsill herb garden is an excellent way to derive relaxation from the graceful art of nurturing–especially if you don’t have a pet.  Regard your herb garden as a miniature ecosystem of which you are chief warden.  Make it your responsibility to keep the herbs tidy and healthy.  Learning the Latin names of the herbs will help to instill a sense of pride.  When the time comes, be sure you get to sample the flavors.

Practice: Stretch Time

Great daily habit suggested by the One Spirit Book of Days:

Nobody’s day is long enough.  So how can you make more time for yourself?  Spend 20-30 minutes daily sitting quietly, doing nothing.  Turn off all media.  At first you’ll probably be restless, antsy.  Observe your state of mind.  Are you anxious, impatient, or bored?  As the days go by and you continue the practice, watch how your body and mind adjust to the calm quiet.  See if time doesn’t magically attenuate.

Kitchen Oasis

Kitchens often bustle with action but if you’re cooking alone, use slow, careful work as a mindful meditation.  Appreciate the flavorsome smells and natural textures.  Utilize good quality tools; sharpen your knives when they need it.  Avoid electric aids and relish the efficiency of old-fashioned chopping, stirring, and whisking.  Do the dishes by hand, too, instead of resorting to the dishwasher.  Take pride in your kitchen skills:  relish this most wholesome and vital of household activities.

Set Your Intention for August

My favorite part of summer is doing nothing special.  I’m taking time to relax and restore my energy so I can move into fall with renewed enthusiasm.

I like this affirmation for August, especially with Back to School season in full force!  Happy Wednesday everybody!

Fruit Harvest

Between blossom and fruit there is a long interlude of waiting…

From orchards, indeed from nature in general, we learn a humbling lesson about patience.  There are times when we can hasten the processes under our control–for example, we can work faster to build a wall.  But there are other times when we must accept our powerlessness:  all we can do is observe and protect the fruit crop.  Master the art of patience and you’ll know something important about the human condition.

Slow Down

Whoa…

All that activity these past few months is exhilarating, but it can also be exhausting.  Take time out to refresh and reflect on your progress.  Any adjustments you need to make to stay on track for your best year ever?  Take care of business, then settle down to simple, old-fashioned pleasures–gardening, midnight swims, badminton, family cookouts, shopping at the farmers’ market.  Organize your journal and any photos or videos you’ve taken.

Project: Make a Wish Come True

There are organizations that make children’s wishes come true.  Why not do the same for your dream?  Never mind how improbable it seems, you’re going to live it till it’s real.  Want to see Africa?  Immerse yourself in the music, food, clothes, DVDs of the animals and countryside.  Study African drumming or dance.  Learn Swahili, lingua franca of East Africa, or French for the West.  When the opportunity arises you’ll be halfway there.