What is working?
Greece worked. I went to Greece. I did yoga every day. I met fascinating and fun folk. I learned stuff i needed to learn. I love a jaunt. It refreshes and recharges my energies.
I love my husband very much
I love my son very much
I am happy to be home.
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Thursday, 20 April 2017
Stop. Start. Continue
So my task for today is to consider what, in my life, will I Stop / Start / Continue.
However today and right now I am only going to consider what I will continue.
Basically. What is working.
Because stuff IS working.
I am going to continue......
Meditating - because it give me a feeling of spaciousness. I like it. Exploring nothing. Something magical and making something of nothing about it.
Art. Art journaling. Because I love it.
Reading to my son, because we both enjoy it.
Encouraging him to play the violin. Because sticking at something and getting better at it is a good thing.
Miracle Mornings. I have kind of stopped, but I will be continuing. For me my health is paramount and the feeling of tiredness I have due to illness needs to be overcome. But the elements of reading, writing, meditating are all continuing. Getting up early and exercise will continue because it was good and is good and I like how it makes me feel.
Coaching Circle mastermind. I love our wee group - I love our common goals and interest and yet our diverse ins to the same thing. We all bring something unique to the table. Its good.
Going to the pub and drinking wine with friends. Because its fun and I enjoy the connection and laughs.
The path of alternative education. Because I feel kind of fired up about it.
there is more. but am going out to drink wine! ha!
However today and right now I am only going to consider what I will continue.
Basically. What is working.
Because stuff IS working.
I am going to continue......
Meditating - because it give me a feeling of spaciousness. I like it. Exploring nothing. Something magical and making something of nothing about it.
Art. Art journaling. Because I love it.
Reading to my son, because we both enjoy it.
Encouraging him to play the violin. Because sticking at something and getting better at it is a good thing.
Miracle Mornings. I have kind of stopped, but I will be continuing. For me my health is paramount and the feeling of tiredness I have due to illness needs to be overcome. But the elements of reading, writing, meditating are all continuing. Getting up early and exercise will continue because it was good and is good and I like how it makes me feel.
Coaching Circle mastermind. I love our wee group - I love our common goals and interest and yet our diverse ins to the same thing. We all bring something unique to the table. Its good.
Going to the pub and drinking wine with friends. Because its fun and I enjoy the connection and laughs.
The path of alternative education. Because I feel kind of fired up about it.
there is more. but am going out to drink wine! ha!
Wednesday, 19 April 2017
reflection
so a superpower of creating something out of nothing. or anything. something amazing out of anything.
that's a good thing. The down side would be the fabrication of something out of nothing. A story of a slight, a mountain of a molehill, a relationship out of a glance, a something bad where there was nothing.
Reflection on yesterday.
What went well? ( I was about to start with lambasting myself for all sorts of things! habits! but let me focus on what went well instead. Because there is stuff there!)
It was lovely day. I was primary childcare person yesterday. Bub and I went to the cinema to see a (meh) film called Boss Baby, we had a yummy lunch at Wai Kika Moo Kau.
I remembered to buy vegetables for our roast and pop into Archers on the way up the hill.
The weather was good.
I took Bub and his friend B to the park, and they had an excellent time. I enjoyed sitting in the sun and thinking about stuff. I figured out that the very next step for the back room / House Beautiful project is to measure for the carpet and google local places that might do off cuts. Its a teeny room so I am hoping that somewhere will have a better carpet than I might otherwise want to spend money on in the form of an offcut. Then I need to find a carpet fitter and book that in. Before the carpet fitter comes, I need to have had the room painted. I have put some time in my calendar to prep the room and get the paint I need. I need to google the chap who goes to Ikea for you and get 2 sets of Billy shelves. Desk and shelving need to be aquired and built in. And a chair. This is going to be a Hub den and spare room, so am thinking that a more comfy Hub chair might be a good idea. And maybe a tartan blind, rather than curtains. Hmm. Another thing to fix.
Had a nice chat with B's mum and then after dinner we all went to the Hanover Pub with them for a few drinks. Had a meaty chat about the election and the state of education in this country and came home and watched 2 episodes of Catastrophe.
I did do 20 mins meditation. I wrote my reflection and I read some stuff. (am reading a book about education / how to be a good parent by Michael Rosen) I walked - i reckon - at least 10,000 steps.
I read a really useful blog piece by Ebonie Allard about the 4 stages of business. It was a link on FB so I need to find that and link to it here.
Could do with some work.....
I am no longer doing the MM and I feel pretty shitty about it. I am also still feeling ill. Which is my excuse on that whole thing. I did do some of it. So. the improvement action is to slowly get back to the whole thing. Am writing, reading and meditating. Pick up with the exercise and the visualisation. Also timing. Am lax on that, which makes me feel sprawling and disorganised. So if I time things, I can achieve stuff in less time and feel better about it.
I need to charge my fitbit so I can tell how many steps I did.
today if I do nothing else, then I do need to do some marketing for my Wild Art Journaling - now I have times, but I don't have clients yet! More of that needed.
I want to get a folder for my learnings on business together so I can keep track of it all.
that's a good thing. The down side would be the fabrication of something out of nothing. A story of a slight, a mountain of a molehill, a relationship out of a glance, a something bad where there was nothing.
Reflection on yesterday.
What went well? ( I was about to start with lambasting myself for all sorts of things! habits! but let me focus on what went well instead. Because there is stuff there!)
It was lovely day. I was primary childcare person yesterday. Bub and I went to the cinema to see a (meh) film called Boss Baby, we had a yummy lunch at Wai Kika Moo Kau.
I remembered to buy vegetables for our roast and pop into Archers on the way up the hill.
The weather was good.
I took Bub and his friend B to the park, and they had an excellent time. I enjoyed sitting in the sun and thinking about stuff. I figured out that the very next step for the back room / House Beautiful project is to measure for the carpet and google local places that might do off cuts. Its a teeny room so I am hoping that somewhere will have a better carpet than I might otherwise want to spend money on in the form of an offcut. Then I need to find a carpet fitter and book that in. Before the carpet fitter comes, I need to have had the room painted. I have put some time in my calendar to prep the room and get the paint I need. I need to google the chap who goes to Ikea for you and get 2 sets of Billy shelves. Desk and shelving need to be aquired and built in. And a chair. This is going to be a Hub den and spare room, so am thinking that a more comfy Hub chair might be a good idea. And maybe a tartan blind, rather than curtains. Hmm. Another thing to fix.
Had a nice chat with B's mum and then after dinner we all went to the Hanover Pub with them for a few drinks. Had a meaty chat about the election and the state of education in this country and came home and watched 2 episodes of Catastrophe.
I did do 20 mins meditation. I wrote my reflection and I read some stuff. (am reading a book about education / how to be a good parent by Michael Rosen) I walked - i reckon - at least 10,000 steps.
I read a really useful blog piece by Ebonie Allard about the 4 stages of business. It was a link on FB so I need to find that and link to it here.
Could do with some work.....
I am no longer doing the MM and I feel pretty shitty about it. I am also still feeling ill. Which is my excuse on that whole thing. I did do some of it. So. the improvement action is to slowly get back to the whole thing. Am writing, reading and meditating. Pick up with the exercise and the visualisation. Also timing. Am lax on that, which makes me feel sprawling and disorganised. So if I time things, I can achieve stuff in less time and feel better about it.
I need to charge my fitbit so I can tell how many steps I did.
today if I do nothing else, then I do need to do some marketing for my Wild Art Journaling - now I have times, but I don't have clients yet! More of that needed.
I want to get a folder for my learnings on business together so I can keep track of it all.
My Superpower is
I was looking at andrea Sher's super hero podcasts.
And I am thinking. If someone asked me what my super power is.
I would say.
My super power is, making something out of nothing. I can create from whatever I find around me.
Meals from whatever is there, art from whatever is there, a party with just me attending.
I would like to say it is 'pure magical energy and connection between souls' but in truth that is something that I enjoy the most in the world. Or the stuff I crave, and seek in the world.
I am not sure if those things are my superpower.
Sometimes I also wish i had the power to create something from stuff that I had specially chosen, the finest ingredients, the best of the best, so that I could create something out of the somethings that I had already created, with a purpose and a mission to build something huge and brilliant.
Perhaps I can cultivate that. Perhaps I just keep creating until that happens. Perhaps that is already happening.
And I am thinking. If someone asked me what my super power is.
I would say.
My super power is, making something out of nothing. I can create from whatever I find around me.
Meals from whatever is there, art from whatever is there, a party with just me attending.
I would like to say it is 'pure magical energy and connection between souls' but in truth that is something that I enjoy the most in the world. Or the stuff I crave, and seek in the world.
I am not sure if those things are my superpower.
Sometimes I also wish i had the power to create something from stuff that I had specially chosen, the finest ingredients, the best of the best, so that I could create something out of the somethings that I had already created, with a purpose and a mission to build something huge and brilliant.
Perhaps I can cultivate that. Perhaps I just keep creating until that happens. Perhaps that is already happening.
brief update
Briefly as I am roped into going to see Boss Baby this morning. I hate being roped into things, but Bub wants to go and Hub wants us out of the house so he can "work". Ha he would be furious if he saw I had " " 'd that. He is working, though he has lots of breaks to do things like, update his diary, read books, and watch SNL on you tube.
We have been away in Suffolk visiting my folks. We all went, and it went very well.
What worked for me, was to not get worked up about anything, just to be present and put my focus on making it easy for everyone and myself, not trying to control the situation and make it best for everyone. Hub struggles outside of his own comfort (control) zone so I decided to be supportive of him and not annoyed that it all should be different. I have to say it was a very effective strategy and just goes to show that we cause a large part of our own suffering by fighting against what is.
I haven't been very on it with the MM or the exercise or the anything really. I haven't felt very well, or I have felt very tired since last week.
ANd it was easter and there was too much chocolate and wine and all that sort of thing. I am definitely giving myself a break over it all, and not fretting too much. I feel a tad - lost focus and lost committment and what the hell happened to doing it even if I don't feel like it.
This morning I did actually press snooze. Which is a huge MM no no. I guess I will feel better soon, that or, I will do it, even if I don't feel like it, and that will make me feel better? One of the two.
Bub is being 'challenging'. I mean he isn't really, but there is a lot of contrariness going on. And stuff we suggest is dissed and he is lolling about being 'bored' which I can't stand. Hub then gets cross about their being no 'structure' which pissed me off as I continually providing 'structure' means that we are generating the entertainment for Bub who is passive enough as it is. Or - he is passive and then, doesn't want to do anything. And then gets bored. But then last night as I was reading to him, he came out with loads of knowledge about rare butterflies. And this morning he told me that he discovered this himself by reading a book he picked up at the library. He's a dark horse is bub. None of your usual kid in your face look at me, energy bunny, I want to do this and that. More that he does things his own, way, and in secret. Funny wee chap. Find him really hard to know how to parent best sometimes. Bless him.
There is something about those damn nintendo games that obsess him and then, after a while of playing them, he is listless and bored and sad, and doesn't want to engage in anything, other than maybe watching you tube videos of someone else playing that game, or maybe watching TV. Sometimes I think he needs to have space, to just hang out and not be hassled into things or structure, so that he can gather himself and be bored for a bit, and - well, be spacious. I am glad we did nothing yesterday. I think - he needs that sometimes.
Anyway, not much looking forward to Boss Baby. Will let you know how it goes.
We have been away in Suffolk visiting my folks. We all went, and it went very well.
What worked for me, was to not get worked up about anything, just to be present and put my focus on making it easy for everyone and myself, not trying to control the situation and make it best for everyone. Hub struggles outside of his own comfort (control) zone so I decided to be supportive of him and not annoyed that it all should be different. I have to say it was a very effective strategy and just goes to show that we cause a large part of our own suffering by fighting against what is.
I haven't been very on it with the MM or the exercise or the anything really. I haven't felt very well, or I have felt very tired since last week.
ANd it was easter and there was too much chocolate and wine and all that sort of thing. I am definitely giving myself a break over it all, and not fretting too much. I feel a tad - lost focus and lost committment and what the hell happened to doing it even if I don't feel like it.
This morning I did actually press snooze. Which is a huge MM no no. I guess I will feel better soon, that or, I will do it, even if I don't feel like it, and that will make me feel better? One of the two.
Bub is being 'challenging'. I mean he isn't really, but there is a lot of contrariness going on. And stuff we suggest is dissed and he is lolling about being 'bored' which I can't stand. Hub then gets cross about their being no 'structure' which pissed me off as I continually providing 'structure' means that we are generating the entertainment for Bub who is passive enough as it is. Or - he is passive and then, doesn't want to do anything. And then gets bored. But then last night as I was reading to him, he came out with loads of knowledge about rare butterflies. And this morning he told me that he discovered this himself by reading a book he picked up at the library. He's a dark horse is bub. None of your usual kid in your face look at me, energy bunny, I want to do this and that. More that he does things his own, way, and in secret. Funny wee chap. Find him really hard to know how to parent best sometimes. Bless him.
There is something about those damn nintendo games that obsess him and then, after a while of playing them, he is listless and bored and sad, and doesn't want to engage in anything, other than maybe watching you tube videos of someone else playing that game, or maybe watching TV. Sometimes I think he needs to have space, to just hang out and not be hassled into things or structure, so that he can gather himself and be bored for a bit, and - well, be spacious. I am glad we did nothing yesterday. I think - he needs that sometimes.
Anyway, not much looking forward to Boss Baby. Will let you know how it goes.
Friday, 14 April 2017
Good Friday Reflections
So, I missed a few huh. I had been very very consistent on this miracle morning thing. And then it fell. I did 41 completions according to my habit app!. This week I was ill, I felt exhausted, I lost my mojo. Turns out it was also full moon, and yesterday I got my period. So go figure. It all went.
I decided in all this that I am not going to give up or give myself a hard time about it. I needed to rest up. Big time. So I did. Also physically I was ill, and that is definitely what my body needed to do. And I am glad I did because today I can feel my energies coming back.
So I took care of myself.
What wasn't so ace about all this, was that I was pretty grumpy to my family. I was not able, it felt, to remain or retain my equanimity. I lost that too. I hope that they will forgive me, but I wasn't very nice and I wish that next time I am ill, that I can retain my - kindness, gratitude and - well not be such a grumpy arse. I picked fault at any occasion to be honest, I was unable to deal with my son and his obsession with his video game, mainly as I was unable to do anything at all. So in the end, allowing him free rein on it, was necessary.
Any hoo. I feel better now. So am aiming to be less of a grumpy moany old arse!
I figured that some of my affirmations did not fit my ill state, and that - actually to be up and on all the time is nonsense and a pressure that no one can adhere to, without crashing and burning. So am going to honour my feelings more and rest up if necessary.
I also got some feedback on the workshop i did. 2 bits. one good and one bad. I am obsessing about the bad bit of feedback of course. Its hard in a large group, and this person, needed more personal attention really. So my learnings going forward on it, is that I need to even more, explain the context and what they might hope to get out of it. Setting expectations more realistically. I need to slow down my delivery, and I want to ask more questions and elicit more answers from the room. I also want to make them do some more of the exercises with their cards.
This week -well this weekend we are in Suffolk with my family. I intend to enjoy this time, feel relaxed, easeful. I will practice kindness and generosity. This week my intentions will be to do all of that, plus a drawing I have been commissioned to do.
I decided in all this that I am not going to give up or give myself a hard time about it. I needed to rest up. Big time. So I did. Also physically I was ill, and that is definitely what my body needed to do. And I am glad I did because today I can feel my energies coming back.
So I took care of myself.
What wasn't so ace about all this, was that I was pretty grumpy to my family. I was not able, it felt, to remain or retain my equanimity. I lost that too. I hope that they will forgive me, but I wasn't very nice and I wish that next time I am ill, that I can retain my - kindness, gratitude and - well not be such a grumpy arse. I picked fault at any occasion to be honest, I was unable to deal with my son and his obsession with his video game, mainly as I was unable to do anything at all. So in the end, allowing him free rein on it, was necessary.
Any hoo. I feel better now. So am aiming to be less of a grumpy moany old arse!
I figured that some of my affirmations did not fit my ill state, and that - actually to be up and on all the time is nonsense and a pressure that no one can adhere to, without crashing and burning. So am going to honour my feelings more and rest up if necessary.
I also got some feedback on the workshop i did. 2 bits. one good and one bad. I am obsessing about the bad bit of feedback of course. Its hard in a large group, and this person, needed more personal attention really. So my learnings going forward on it, is that I need to even more, explain the context and what they might hope to get out of it. Setting expectations more realistically. I need to slow down my delivery, and I want to ask more questions and elicit more answers from the room. I also want to make them do some more of the exercises with their cards.
This week -well this weekend we are in Suffolk with my family. I intend to enjoy this time, feel relaxed, easeful. I will practice kindness and generosity. This week my intentions will be to do all of that, plus a drawing I have been commissioned to do.
Sunday, 9 April 2017
Sunday morning reflections
What went well (yesterday!)
Oh we had a fantastic family trip to the theatre. We went to see a remaking of the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Theatre Royal.
We had front row seats in the gallery -which was very very very very high up and exciting in itself! Millie was played by Joanne Clifton from Strictly, and - she was really good! The music was fantastic the show was funny and had a surprising twist at the end. And Mrs Meers was a man.
Such good fun. Proper cheering and standing ovation at the end and everything.
I took on cleaning the kitchen doors. They were splattered with plaster and dust, and in fact had never really been properly cleaned since the house was painted, so there were teeny tiny splatters of charcoal coloured paint all over them as well. But I did it. They are done.
What could go better.
We seem to have an impasse with the whole 'tidy house' thing. Its just overwhelming to me and to Hub and - I'm not sure we can every get back to tidy. Hub got all - there's no hope ever - about it. Which doesn't help. He pulled himself together and devised a 15 minutes a day, generally, plus a 15 minutes focused area plan, which must include 5 minutes of actually planning.
We have very different working styles which is a problem. He likes a plan. Or, he likes to be in charge. (see how I am taking this?) I like to just get started and what needs to be done is self evident in my eyes.
Also we need a really bigger picture plan, more like a project plan to get the back room back into play. It was gutted and decorated, but not finished, which has meant that my 'office' is now distributed around the house. And the back room still needs to be. 1. decorated 2. carpet fitted 3. bed bought, 4. aquired 5 shelver aquired. (these last things also need decisions made around what size, kind and where they are to go.
Pictures are in there, which need to be put up in the kitchen. And all the pictures from the hallway need to be re hung. Its not a little task. And once all those things are in place, we may have a better chance at keeping the place tidy.
And then there is the garden. ALL OF THIS. requires time and effort and decisions and planning. And Hub and I do not work easily together. And because its so huge, its easy to get overwhelmed and then nothing gets done.
So - I think the best thing to do will be to have a planning session using the blank playing cards. What needs to happen when etc. The priority I think is to get the back bedroom into play as Hub's office and a spare room.
The first thing that can be done today is to rehang the kitchen pictures.
We could also do with a shed in the garden. For the guinea pigs. But also for all my art stuff. Which is grown enormous. It feels really overwhelming I must say. This is on top of all the general day to day cooking, cleaning and tidying. Work and parenting as well
No wonder we feel overwhelmed. I think we need a master list and a plan.
Oh we had a fantastic family trip to the theatre. We went to see a remaking of the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Theatre Royal.
We had front row seats in the gallery -which was very very very very high up and exciting in itself! Millie was played by Joanne Clifton from Strictly, and - she was really good! The music was fantastic the show was funny and had a surprising twist at the end. And Mrs Meers was a man.
Such good fun. Proper cheering and standing ovation at the end and everything.
I took on cleaning the kitchen doors. They were splattered with plaster and dust, and in fact had never really been properly cleaned since the house was painted, so there were teeny tiny splatters of charcoal coloured paint all over them as well. But I did it. They are done.
What could go better.
We seem to have an impasse with the whole 'tidy house' thing. Its just overwhelming to me and to Hub and - I'm not sure we can every get back to tidy. Hub got all - there's no hope ever - about it. Which doesn't help. He pulled himself together and devised a 15 minutes a day, generally, plus a 15 minutes focused area plan, which must include 5 minutes of actually planning.
We have very different working styles which is a problem. He likes a plan. Or, he likes to be in charge. (see how I am taking this?) I like to just get started and what needs to be done is self evident in my eyes.
Also we need a really bigger picture plan, more like a project plan to get the back room back into play. It was gutted and decorated, but not finished, which has meant that my 'office' is now distributed around the house. And the back room still needs to be. 1. decorated 2. carpet fitted 3. bed bought, 4. aquired 5 shelver aquired. (these last things also need decisions made around what size, kind and where they are to go.
Pictures are in there, which need to be put up in the kitchen. And all the pictures from the hallway need to be re hung. Its not a little task. And once all those things are in place, we may have a better chance at keeping the place tidy.
And then there is the garden. ALL OF THIS. requires time and effort and decisions and planning. And Hub and I do not work easily together. And because its so huge, its easy to get overwhelmed and then nothing gets done.
So - I think the best thing to do will be to have a planning session using the blank playing cards. What needs to happen when etc. The priority I think is to get the back bedroom into play as Hub's office and a spare room.
The first thing that can be done today is to rehang the kitchen pictures.
We could also do with a shed in the garden. For the guinea pigs. But also for all my art stuff. Which is grown enormous. It feels really overwhelming I must say. This is on top of all the general day to day cooking, cleaning and tidying. Work and parenting as well
No wonder we feel overwhelmed. I think we need a master list and a plan.
Friday, 7 April 2017
Saturday Daily Reflection
So, Thursday. I went to meet SM and SM. oh! Look they have the same initials. How un easy that is to distiguish them without writing their names. Ha. Oh well, my Coaching Circle "mastermind" (hate that word). Had a brilliant time. The weather was gorgeous and sunny and we meet on the seafront. It was just glorious walking down there, along the beach, with the calm sea sparking. And sitting in a cafe, in the sunshine. And really useful too. Thoroughly enjoyable.
After that I went and met A at her house to talk about doing a dance / movement / art workshop in the Autumn. Again, sitting in the sunshine. Lovely.
Yesterday was also a brilliant day. SUNSHINE (and flowers!) it makes such a difference. First thing we all went along to the Easter Bonnet breakfast at the school. Bub is 9 and beyond getting involved in easter bonnets, but loads of the infants did, and loads of the older girls. And spectacular they were too. So lovely to drink tea and eat a hot crossed bun in the sunshine.
We bumped into FB who then took us to see her newly sanded and matt varnished floor. And gave us a house tour. I must say we were a bit jealous of the space they have. Lovely floor too. Got the numbers from them.
At lunch time I taught a taster art session at the Happy Start Up. 3 blokes AND my husband came along. Also 4 women. But it was great to have a mixed group. So proud of Hub coming along. It was totally outside of his comfort zone and he totally did not do what I told him at points! But never the less he came and did it. And its hard to do things which are out of your comfort zone.
After school, more park action, then S came around after school to play Yo-Kai Watch games that had arrived today. This is Bub's favourite obsession right now. He utterly loves it. He has been giving me lessons in it as part of our hobby swap.
I also have a task I have from my FB group that i joined (and paid for). I was on their yesterday giving my advice to someone in a dilemma. And I said that you have to decide that whatever decision you HAVE made is the best one. Which is why I am determined to make the most of being part of this FB group. So I thought I would do my task here. Its like a weekly reflection.
After that I went and met A at her house to talk about doing a dance / movement / art workshop in the Autumn. Again, sitting in the sunshine. Lovely.
Yesterday was also a brilliant day. SUNSHINE (and flowers!) it makes such a difference. First thing we all went along to the Easter Bonnet breakfast at the school. Bub is 9 and beyond getting involved in easter bonnets, but loads of the infants did, and loads of the older girls. And spectacular they were too. So lovely to drink tea and eat a hot crossed bun in the sunshine.
We bumped into FB who then took us to see her newly sanded and matt varnished floor. And gave us a house tour. I must say we were a bit jealous of the space they have. Lovely floor too. Got the numbers from them.
At lunch time I taught a taster art session at the Happy Start Up. 3 blokes AND my husband came along. Also 4 women. But it was great to have a mixed group. So proud of Hub coming along. It was totally outside of his comfort zone and he totally did not do what I told him at points! But never the less he came and did it. And its hard to do things which are out of your comfort zone.
After school, more park action, then S came around after school to play Yo-Kai Watch games that had arrived today. This is Bub's favourite obsession right now. He utterly loves it. He has been giving me lessons in it as part of our hobby swap.
I also have a task I have from my FB group that i joined (and paid for). I was on their yesterday giving my advice to someone in a dilemma. And I said that you have to decide that whatever decision you HAVE made is the best one. Which is why I am determined to make the most of being part of this FB group. So I thought I would do my task here. Its like a weekly reflection.
- What were your intentions this week?
- What have you actually done this week?
- What have you learned?
- Are you using your value filter?
- What one thing, when done will make you feel better about this week?
- What can you do today or this weekend that will set you up for a great week next week?
I can't recall my intentions for this week. So I guess on Monday I need to get clearer about that. I think it was to deliver the session on Wednesday to the best of my ability. I think I did well, definitely could do better, but that's because I am a life long learner. And also get my dates going forward for my Art Journaling / How to be a stARTist so that I could be clear on the next steps for folk who came along on Friday to the taster session. So. Yes I did those things. I also enjoyed myself and felt good in the sunshine.
I have learned that I want to ensure that during any session I have on prioritisation I answer the issues they bring up. I have learned that I have a long standing belief that being a girl / woman is not as good in the world as being a man. Now, I am well aware that sexism does exist, so this belief is not at all 'wrong'. What I want to rather believe is that being who I am is the best thing for me. So I want to learn all that woman power stuff about how awesome it is being a woman.
I have learned about Yo-Kai - they are stories that originally were published in the 90's in Manga form, and are based on a Japanese myth, that spirits cause human failings and bad behaviours, such as over eating or being argumentative. In the story, a little boy called Nate accidentally frees a Yo-Kai called Whisper who then becomes bound to him as a kind of servant. Whisper gives Nate a watch which allows him to be a human that can see the Yo-Kai and that is where the adventures begin. The relationship between Nate and Whisper is pretty funny, as Nate is quite grumpy and not appreciative of being followed by Whisper at first, but Whisper thinks that this is a total honour and is shocked that Nate isn't pleased. But I think Nate learns to think its a good thing. I have also learned not to call the nintendo games stupid, even in jest, as to Bub they are not at all stupid but one of the best things.
I have learned that I don't need to be pushy or try too hard and that things flow just as nicely without me worrying about them.
I am a good teacher and I enjoy it.
Am I using my value filter. Not really. But also yes I spose I did. I have learned also that I have pretty much got my life so that I am doing things I really enjoy, so that they bring me presence, glee and bestness. or that doing my best, bringing my bestness to the party is what I enjoy. So at the same time I do use it a lot.
The one thing - that when I have done it I will feel better about - that was the list of dates. I would like - in the upcoming week -to send those dates out to my mailing list and contact that chap from the graphics company. do the mail out. making some lovely cards for the newbies.
What I can do today, that will set me up for a great week next week...... is.....
do a food shop and plan some delicious meals.
enjoy the trip to the theatre.
declutter something from the back room . I want this week to sort the back room. I think I want to really think about my intentions for this week clearly. I can do that today. or tomorrow. but this weekend.
OK that's plenty for today. A long one. But Bub got up the exact same moment i did ,which makes the affirmations and the meditations harder!! Might try anyway. He is right next to me as I am writing this and has been reading it. So maybe him witnessing my affirmations is a good thing??
Thursday, 6 April 2017
Thursday.
Yesterday I went to London to work. I feel it went well. I did my best.
I think improvements would be around engaging more with the ideas in the room. Ensuring they kept their notes in place. Returning to the issues they raised.
Asking for "what was most useful to you". And giving them time to think and expecting an answer!
Bookclub was great we met an author. The author of our book! Sharon Duggal. Who wrote The Handsworth Times. Luckily we enjoyed it!! Otherwise it would have been very awkward. She was lovely and it was fascinating to here how it came into being.
Miracle morning a little truncated this morning due to late night and wine after a long exhausting day. But still. Did stretching. 5 mins meditation. Affirmations and this. Off to get dressed and get Bub ready for school. I love my life. I am very very lucky.
Tuesday, 4 April 2017
Tuesday reflection. 4th April 2017
Bit late to the party today. So. But good stuff. Yesterday was a bit shit to be honest. Fell out with Hub because he was being so moany about the untidy state of the house, and yet seemed incapable of doing anything other than bloody moaning.
In the meantime, I arranged for the old fridge to be picked up (cleaned it first) put a whole load of stuff onto the street for "Hanover Recycling" (you just put it out there and folk pick it up and take it home cos they need it) put a shed load of stuff into the loft, cleaned the blackboard and decided where it needed to go - AND I asked builder guy to put it up on the wall today when he popped by to give us our (huge! argh!) bill. Its not that huge really. Just more than expected. And its reasonable too, just ARGH.
So grr to yesterday and Hub being annoying. He does have a cold, so he is ill. And boy don't we all know about it. But I shall stop moaning about him, cos moaning about someone being moany, is well. Hmm, I guess we ALL get a bit moany sometimes. I think by the end of yesterday I felt about him, the same way he felt about the house! Which was, at a loss at what to do about it, frustrated and kind of depressed!!
But all changed now. Or at least he does still have a cold and we do all still know about that, but he did go fetch me some A3 paper, which was pretty hefty to carry back from town. So am grateful for that. And I don't feel so fed up either.
But best thing was this morning, talking to an education specialist who believes in practical interventions to make education broader and better. Very exciting connecting a lot of dots with her. Am getting into action by backing her up in getting into my son's school to run some experiments in project based learning. She had a top tip as a way to parent educate Bub (9 yr old son) and we are planning a hobby swap. Which will mean him teaching me all about Yo-Kai Watch, which I am not entirely enamoured with, but he loves. And in return he will have to - i dunno, probably do Art Journaling with me. Or Yoga. It was encouraging, and - much as yesterday - where another thing happened where someone I wanted to talk to about this stuff, hasn't gotten back to me, this lady did get back to me, and wanted to meet me and listened to me (whilst telling me fascinating stuff in return) a really fruitful and exciting meeting. And probably going some way to reaffirming that despite not wanting to be a teacher in the traditional sense, I do want to work in education. But in an out of the box kind of way. Certainly and feeling very Activist. And active is good. Its like the opposite of depressed.
My friend C came around for a cuppa this afternoon and regaled me with tales of huge building work and living (camping) in their house which is a building site. Like they have no drinking water, or no back wall to their house, they are washing up in the bath, etc etc. Feeling we got off very lightly with our kitchen thang.
Yup. That's all there is to it I reckon. Or maybe there is more, but I need to get on. I have managed to do a MM. It was a little brief this morning. Cos of my general sulkiness. But I did it. So GO ME and my persistence.
M
In the meantime, I arranged for the old fridge to be picked up (cleaned it first) put a whole load of stuff onto the street for "Hanover Recycling" (you just put it out there and folk pick it up and take it home cos they need it) put a shed load of stuff into the loft, cleaned the blackboard and decided where it needed to go - AND I asked builder guy to put it up on the wall today when he popped by to give us our (huge! argh!) bill. Its not that huge really. Just more than expected. And its reasonable too, just ARGH.
So grr to yesterday and Hub being annoying. He does have a cold, so he is ill. And boy don't we all know about it. But I shall stop moaning about him, cos moaning about someone being moany, is well. Hmm, I guess we ALL get a bit moany sometimes. I think by the end of yesterday I felt about him, the same way he felt about the house! Which was, at a loss at what to do about it, frustrated and kind of depressed!!
But all changed now. Or at least he does still have a cold and we do all still know about that, but he did go fetch me some A3 paper, which was pretty hefty to carry back from town. So am grateful for that. And I don't feel so fed up either.
But best thing was this morning, talking to an education specialist who believes in practical interventions to make education broader and better. Very exciting connecting a lot of dots with her. Am getting into action by backing her up in getting into my son's school to run some experiments in project based learning. She had a top tip as a way to parent educate Bub (9 yr old son) and we are planning a hobby swap. Which will mean him teaching me all about Yo-Kai Watch, which I am not entirely enamoured with, but he loves. And in return he will have to - i dunno, probably do Art Journaling with me. Or Yoga. It was encouraging, and - much as yesterday - where another thing happened where someone I wanted to talk to about this stuff, hasn't gotten back to me, this lady did get back to me, and wanted to meet me and listened to me (whilst telling me fascinating stuff in return) a really fruitful and exciting meeting. And probably going some way to reaffirming that despite not wanting to be a teacher in the traditional sense, I do want to work in education. But in an out of the box kind of way. Certainly and feeling very Activist. And active is good. Its like the opposite of depressed.
My friend C came around for a cuppa this afternoon and regaled me with tales of huge building work and living (camping) in their house which is a building site. Like they have no drinking water, or no back wall to their house, they are washing up in the bath, etc etc. Feeling we got off very lightly with our kitchen thang.
Yup. That's all there is to it I reckon. Or maybe there is more, but I need to get on. I have managed to do a MM. It was a little brief this morning. Cos of my general sulkiness. But I did it. So GO ME and my persistence.
M
Monday, 3 April 2017
Monday Reflection. April 3rd. 2017
Ah. had a little blip in terms of reflecting and the Miracle Mornings and all. On Saturday, I had a lie in, because I knew I was going to have a late night. And on Sunday I had a big lie in, because I did have a late night.
Its alright, am back at it today. Had an early night last night and got up at 6am today. It felt GOOOOOD to do that.
So, lots has happened.
I don't remember Friday evening. But on Saturday I went to London to lead some Wild Art Journaling at an event run by Roxy Alamouti. It was just so fabulous. Firstly the effort, attention to detail and the beautiful setting was incredible. The place was lit my so many candles, there was incredible incense, the centre piece being a circle of cushions with beautiful eye masks and a mandala.
We began with tea, then Roxy lead a truly wonderful meditation using the chakras as a guide, with amazing affirmations throughout. We then had aloe and lime shots as appetisers, followed by an amazing spread "eating the rainbow" of vegan and gluten free food.
After that I set up Wild Art Journaling and lead a session, loosely based on the chakras too.
After this we had some home made chocolates and teas.
Finally we were blessed with a crystal sound bath, relaxing with lavender eye pillows.
Truly an evening of sumptuous self feminine care. I utterly felt like a goddess!!
I had to drive back home afterwards, which was exhausting, but all so very worth it. I love my wordk - I love who I get to hang out with and work with!!
Yesterday, Bub and I went to Saddlescomb Farm in the South Downs. Its amazing! I have never been there before, and - i guess the PERFECT spring weather really helped, but its stunningly beautiful.
My son's year at school had an art exhibtion on, (they had been up there recently on a school trip and made the art) but there was also a myriad of activities, like whittling wood, making clay pots, bowling with hand whittled bowling balls, planting sunflowers, making bird boxes.....
Also it was lambing season, so we saw many many newly born lambs, and most spectacularly, we saw an ewe give birth to two lambs, and talked through it by the farmer and farm hands, like how and why they helped the second lamb out, and why they put iodine on the umbilical cords, where the sheep liked to give birth, how they learned to mother their babies. Oh it was amazing!
We had a picnic in the hot spring sun, a cup of tea at the cafe.
Then we went for a walk up near Devils Dyke. It was spectacular. All with daisys, aconites and dandelions speckling the bright green new grass, and the bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
Finally we rode in a tractor trailer and had another farmer tells us about the land and the history, of the land and the farming, and also what the current owners were doing in terms of conservation.
It was like a perfect spring day out. And because year 4 of St Lukes had their art exhibition on, so many of Bub's mates and their families were there too. So much fun.
So, yes, today I am feeling utterly lucky to be alive and living the life I am living.
On a Could Do Better note, I am grappling with an issue that may be internal (my projections) or may be true (external to me) probably a little bit of both. I need to learn to let go of something. I am annoyed that someone I contacted hasn't gotten back to me. And the implication of that is, that - I am not a high priority for them. Which of course is their perogative. But I am a little hurt and feel dismissed. So I am working on letting go of that. And letting go of trying to contact them again. Or at least trying not to care so much. Hurt pride I guess is what it is. So figuring that out. Luckily i have a coaching call later, so that will help get some perspective too. I think I am learning already the need to let it go and refocus on what I am doing. Cant' control bloody other people eh!!
Today I need to crack on with sorting the house out. I also have a task this week which is to mail out to everyone my dates for Wild Art Journaling. I also have to figure out how to deliver the new "Prioritisation" module. Its not entirely new, but it needs some tweaking to fit a slightly different objective.
Other news is that my brother's band, Snapped Ankles are signed to a super cool record label and have a new single out and an album deal ( I think they have nearly made the album?) They are getting lots of press and plays. Recently they were played in Australia. (see here) and I am very proud and happy for him.
Our kitchen is done, not quite dusted, and the floor is still to do, but major progress. Feeling good. Good progress on the beautiful home project.
Someone wants our old fridge, so that is going today. And there is a lot of work to do in the back bedroom. So cracking on.
Namaste! (am hoping to swing back round and inset pictures from my phone)
Its alright, am back at it today. Had an early night last night and got up at 6am today. It felt GOOOOOD to do that.
So, lots has happened.
I don't remember Friday evening. But on Saturday I went to London to lead some Wild Art Journaling at an event run by Roxy Alamouti. It was just so fabulous. Firstly the effort, attention to detail and the beautiful setting was incredible. The place was lit my so many candles, there was incredible incense, the centre piece being a circle of cushions with beautiful eye masks and a mandala.
We began with tea, then Roxy lead a truly wonderful meditation using the chakras as a guide, with amazing affirmations throughout. We then had aloe and lime shots as appetisers, followed by an amazing spread "eating the rainbow" of vegan and gluten free food.
After that I set up Wild Art Journaling and lead a session, loosely based on the chakras too.
After this we had some home made chocolates and teas.
Finally we were blessed with a crystal sound bath, relaxing with lavender eye pillows.
Truly an evening of sumptuous self feminine care. I utterly felt like a goddess!!
I had to drive back home afterwards, which was exhausting, but all so very worth it. I love my wordk - I love who I get to hang out with and work with!!
Yesterday, Bub and I went to Saddlescomb Farm in the South Downs. Its amazing! I have never been there before, and - i guess the PERFECT spring weather really helped, but its stunningly beautiful.
My son's year at school had an art exhibtion on, (they had been up there recently on a school trip and made the art) but there was also a myriad of activities, like whittling wood, making clay pots, bowling with hand whittled bowling balls, planting sunflowers, making bird boxes.....
Also it was lambing season, so we saw many many newly born lambs, and most spectacularly, we saw an ewe give birth to two lambs, and talked through it by the farmer and farm hands, like how and why they helped the second lamb out, and why they put iodine on the umbilical cords, where the sheep liked to give birth, how they learned to mother their babies. Oh it was amazing!
We had a picnic in the hot spring sun, a cup of tea at the cafe.
Then we went for a walk up near Devils Dyke. It was spectacular. All with daisys, aconites and dandelions speckling the bright green new grass, and the bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
Finally we rode in a tractor trailer and had another farmer tells us about the land and the history, of the land and the farming, and also what the current owners were doing in terms of conservation.
It was like a perfect spring day out. And because year 4 of St Lukes had their art exhibition on, so many of Bub's mates and their families were there too. So much fun.
So, yes, today I am feeling utterly lucky to be alive and living the life I am living.
On a Could Do Better note, I am grappling with an issue that may be internal (my projections) or may be true (external to me) probably a little bit of both. I need to learn to let go of something. I am annoyed that someone I contacted hasn't gotten back to me. And the implication of that is, that - I am not a high priority for them. Which of course is their perogative. But I am a little hurt and feel dismissed. So I am working on letting go of that. And letting go of trying to contact them again. Or at least trying not to care so much. Hurt pride I guess is what it is. So figuring that out. Luckily i have a coaching call later, so that will help get some perspective too. I think I am learning already the need to let it go and refocus on what I am doing. Cant' control bloody other people eh!!
Today I need to crack on with sorting the house out. I also have a task this week which is to mail out to everyone my dates for Wild Art Journaling. I also have to figure out how to deliver the new "Prioritisation" module. Its not entirely new, but it needs some tweaking to fit a slightly different objective.
Other news is that my brother's band, Snapped Ankles are signed to a super cool record label and have a new single out and an album deal ( I think they have nearly made the album?) They are getting lots of press and plays. Recently they were played in Australia. (see here) and I am very proud and happy for him.
Our kitchen is done, not quite dusted, and the floor is still to do, but major progress. Feeling good. Good progress on the beautiful home project.
Someone wants our old fridge, so that is going today. And there is a lot of work to do in the back bedroom. So cracking on.
Namaste! (am hoping to swing back round and inset pictures from my phone)
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