I always know the answer, deep down inside, and so do you. When making a big and difficult decision, flip a coin. You’ll either get the answer that you (secretly, subconsciously) wanted, or you’ll get the answer you realize you DIDN’T want, and all will become clear. Don’t trust the coin; trust your inside guts.
Mari Andrew
- I am currently slow-reading this post by Mari Andrew.
[Slow and soft] are adjectives of my summer days. June was pausing my regular schedule to enjoy a four-generation vacation with my dad, my children and grandchildren in New Mexico. ♥
- July was about living everything within the freedom of days of rest, ease and recovery.
[The] trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.”
Mary Oliver, “When I am Among the Trees”
- My recent writing (offline and here), and the posts I shared in the private communities I host, has helped me map my way through the details of living [slow and soft]. And envision my next five (5) months …
- After a lifetime of [do-more and try-harder], it was a healing delight to feel completely at-ease within recent summer days of rest and time with family and friends.
- This new territory, to savor days of slowness — peacefully abiding with a sense of enoughness. ♥
- “You do not have to be good. / You do not have to walk on your knees / for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. / You only have to let the soft animal of your body / love what it loves.” -Mary Oliver, “Wild Geese”
- After a lifetime of [do-more and try-harder], it was a healing delight to feel completely at-ease within recent summer days of rest and time with family and friends.
Whether or not you’re paying attention, your feelings are there, shifting your perspective and informing your reactions.
Caitlin Metz
- Writing has helped me to become better acquainted with the details of slow and soft.
[Hope Beaconess art by Mandy Steward]
Braveheart, I am allowing August to be August, sans any expectations; “moving through day-by-day, learning and growing as [I] go” (Morgan Harper Nichols). ♥
I am reminding myself that so many wishes have come true this summer, and how free I am now (from previous false-hopes, duties and responsibilities).
I am allowing myself more space (literally and figuratively) with more unscheduled time, along with a new work space, purging my closet and decluttering my studio; and also by moving into a larger size, monthly planner. 🙂
- I love this monthly planner because, 1) I have the option of using it until June 2025 (that feels energizing!) 🙂 and, 2) I needed a larger-sized daily box for my “month-at-a-glance” journal-planner.
This week I have focused my time and energy on intentionally living my dailies differently in simple ways, like: a new walking path; menu changes; altering both my hourly and daily schedules; yoga, free-writing (listening to an all-instrumental playlist) before mark-making, adding to my art journals or being online.
- I have resumed doing a session of the Daily Move on the Calm app.
- August was already set to a new schedule of support activities (including weekly art therapy appointments and an online course that meets on Wednesday evenings).
- This month will also include (hopefully) completing the reorganization of closets, dresser drawers and the furniture in the main bedroom of my home.
- We are awaiting replacement drawers for a new king size bed frame we purchased.
- And I am still working on how I actually want to rearrange my closet and dresser drawers. 😉
Braveheart, it is a joy to be writing more regularly. My deepest gratitude to those of you who have sent kind and affirming notes to me in response to my posts. ♥
- As I prepare the 2024 Annual Kit, I will also be sharing more posts on Ko-fi.
Sharing summary posts, ideas and examples from my right brain planning practice is a part of my right brain planning practice. Another reason I am so grateful for your presence here. ♥
~love & good wishes~
P.S. A recent high point was a party to celebrate my eldest grandchild birthday. It inspired an afternoon dance party with this song on-repeat … ♥