Clarity I

As part of my Younger Project I've been working with Christine Kane at Uplevel You and reading her blog. Here she talks  about a practice of focus for getting business results.   http://tinyurl.com/m8vtvg9
She talks a lot about clarity and I find this very helpful. Clarity for me is:

• How many by when?
• What exactly needs to happen to do this?
• What are the components of this package, presentation, campaign
• What is the purpose of this activity, conversation, appointment?

As a creative, my mind flits about and sees possibilities, ideas, and shiny new objects. Then I get overwhelmed with thoughts of what to do first, what about this, what about that?   I find that writing helps me to clarify my thoughts about all sorts of things. Here's a quote from Christine's Blog about writing and clarity:

"1. First off, the ritualistic act of uninterrupted writing teaches you how to focus.

2. Clarity comes from writing.  Nope, the many voices that constantly drone on and on in your brain is NOT thinking.  THAT would be noise.  When you write, you slow your mind down enough to acknowledge where you are, recognize what you’ve accomplished, and see what’s challenging you.  This level of clarity is vital."
The complete post can be read here.http://tinyurl.com/m8vtvg9

 

Imperfect Action II

 

Imperfect Action II

My beginning project was to be more active to raise energy. I got my current dog in order to be motivated to walk more and to have companionship and a greater feeling of security when walking. Of course it has turned out to be more difficult than I expected; he doesn’t especially even want to go for a walk (who ever heard of a dog not wanting to go on a walk?) because he is afraid of other dogs and is quite reactive. This has naturally put a pall on my enthusiasm, having to lure him into his harness with a treat, and then spend the entire walk in dread of seeing another dog. I’m sure he is feeling the same way so it is easier to just not go at all. Nonetheless I am continuing to torture both of us and even increasing the length of the walks!

I do think this past month my energy has increased.

·        I have started decluttering. I had a queen size mattress and large bed platform with drawers I wanted to go away. Providence moved and provided a needy woman with no bed and so off it went.

·        I joined a belly dancing class in hopes of reducing my waist and belly; turns out that you don’t actually move your belly but your upper torso and legs. Oh well, it may do some good anyway.

·        I started going back to my Unitarian church and be uplifted spiritually.

·        I joined a coaching program that I have wanted to join since last year but thought it was too expensive for me. Saying “YES” raises my energy!

What I have learned is that all the elements of my whole project are related to Raising Energy.  They get all mixed up and can only be done imperfectly. I just read a blog post by Steven Pressfield in which he discusses the book Improv Wisdom by Patricia Ryan Madson: 13 principles for improv that relate to any endeavor one is trying to advance. (See my blogroll at right.) The very first principle is to say YES.

YES!

Play Dates and Treats

Play Dates and Treats

Julia Cameron calls them Artist Dates, and describes them like this.

“Artist Dates are assigned play.

The Artist Date is a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore
something that interests you. The Artist Date need not be overtly
“artistic” — think mischief more than mastery. Artist Dates fire up the imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art is about the play of ideas, they feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well of images and inspiration. When choosing an Artist Date, it is good to ask yourself, “what sounds fun?” — and then allow yourself to try it.”

Here is a link to her website and blog:   http://juliacameronlive.com/

To continue with raising energy and throughout the next categories of my projects I am going to embark on some Play Dates. Here are some I have planned but there will be more:

·       Sephora-There will probably be multiple visits to Sephora for various make-up solutions.

·       Dances and dance classes like Country Western, Waltz, Belly Dancing (Pronounced Ballet dancing te he)

·       Personal trainer appointment

·       Pilates appointment

·       Personal Shopper or stylist

 

 

 

 

A New Sport

Aren't they pretty?

Having resigned from the gym I never went to I am in need of some exercise to raise my energy. I have decided to engage in sports instead.

Since I have never been any good at "ball" sports like tennis and golf (Made a D in golf at Duke ) and since my yard is an ongoing project I am declaring that Yard Work aka Gardening is my new SPORT.

Of course when you start a new sport you have to buy the proper equipment.

My first purchase (to allay my fear of lurking copperheads) is a pair of Sloggers rubberlike gardening boots. I just love them and anticipate that their beauty will motivate me to tramp around in the fallen sticks, leaves, poison ivy and who know what else is out there. They're comfortable, too!

Next I am looking for some great gloves that come at least half way up my forearm so I can reach down and pick up those sticks and other stuff like half buried dog balls.

To follow will possibly be: a small electric lawnmower, a weed eater. I will need to consult my neighbor about what kind she uses so successfully.

I have at least two other activities I am declaring to be sports: dancing and plein air painting. Each of these of course merits their own post.