Week 2: part 1 Consideration
I admit to being impulsive and finding myself in hot water because of it, especially if I've engaged with someone who is only comfortable in a rigid, well-defined process. In which they tell me, "We started this, this is how it is done, let's finish it this way." Some things aren't worth finishing, and sometimes the process shapes the tasks and rhythm. Flex is important to any process. Failure is as important a teacher as success.
That said, today was another stretch. The office ('permission to flit' room) looks and works great. So we went next door to the guest room, labeled the 'flit' room. I had written about my struggle with the room early last week, wanting to bring certain things into the office that I needed to work on my PhD and art. I couldn't find them initially, buried under piles we removed from the office. Lynn asked, "Why didn't you trust God's timing, and trust me to help you? Why did you feel you had to push through? Is this your pattern?" Good question. I was trying to complete a task and frustrated at the time I wrote. Later in the week, things moved enough to make items accessible. There was still a lot to do though!
We cleared the guest room into sorting stations and removed items for Freecycle and that belong elsewhere in the house. The stacks in the hall probably will disappear between today and tomorrow. The sorting stations in the guest room will take longer. I'm in no hurry to 'finish' because I have a working office space that lets me breathe. And CONSIDER.
I'm looking forward to the 'sentimental' station, a walk through memories and photos. First, I'd rather deal with art supplies and papers that need to return to the office to be at hand so I can work.
This week, my goal includes going beyond writing papers to doing something artistic. Using the wall across from the writing wall. I'm feeling suddenly deprived by not playing. The space is available, I've had my motivational art date (last Saturday, two print demos at the local art store), and the art materials are almost at hand.
At some point, the creative release has to DO art, not just think about it or dream about it. Otherwise, I am not an artist. That might be true, though I would be disappointed to find that out.
Just like I don't consider myself a musician unless I'm choosing music. I don't seek out music and usually don't like to have music on. It distracts me when I'm not in the mood for it. I have musician skills, but I rarely practice if I don't have a concert or job. Task- rather than love-oriented.
Lynn points out that God's timing, not mine, is going to produce the visceral satisfaction that goes with getting any job done at the right time, in the right way. We put a "God's Timing...not mine" Post-it on the guest door, a reminder to work at the remaining declutter projects when it 'feels right,' in God's time and at his invitation.
We added two 'clues' to the signs on the walls. The Authenticity wall (mirrored closets) reminds me to put "JUST RIGHT" materials in place. Not too much. Not so little I'm distracted by having to move away from the room to find necessary items. On the Openness wall (lib. cabinet, candles), we wrote "RESPECTFUL CONSIDERATION" so I remember to wait, listen, then move if life feels open.
I am worn out this afternoon by an unexpected emotional reaction this morning. I found myself enveloped in sadness when Lynn challenged last week's blog. When I wrote, I couldn't get into the room far enough to begin one of the Zoom tasks (moving "just enough" back into my room.) I was frustrated by the obstacles, but the rest of the week I slowly began to move into the room, creating pathways to reach what I needed, to unclog the heaps. That was satisfying.
I'm writing the first reflex each week, which is only a moment in the process of the week. Today brought up all kinds of internal stuff. I can let it go, now that it's written down (always part of my process).
Next week, who knows what will dredge up with sorting photos, job evals, former school papers, gift wrap, and art supplies. I'm willing to sit and sift through the process and see where it takes me.
That said, today was another stretch. The office ('permission to flit' room) looks and works great. So we went next door to the guest room, labeled the 'flit' room. I had written about my struggle with the room early last week, wanting to bring certain things into the office that I needed to work on my PhD and art. I couldn't find them initially, buried under piles we removed from the office. Lynn asked, "Why didn't you trust God's timing, and trust me to help you? Why did you feel you had to push through? Is this your pattern?" Good question. I was trying to complete a task and frustrated at the time I wrote. Later in the week, things moved enough to make items accessible. There was still a lot to do though!
We cleared the guest room into sorting stations and removed items for Freecycle and that belong elsewhere in the house. The stacks in the hall probably will disappear between today and tomorrow. The sorting stations in the guest room will take longer. I'm in no hurry to 'finish' because I have a working office space that lets me breathe. And CONSIDER.
I'm looking forward to the 'sentimental' station, a walk through memories and photos. First, I'd rather deal with art supplies and papers that need to return to the office to be at hand so I can work.
This week, my goal includes going beyond writing papers to doing something artistic. Using the wall across from the writing wall. I'm feeling suddenly deprived by not playing. The space is available, I've had my motivational art date (last Saturday, two print demos at the local art store), and the art materials are almost at hand.
At some point, the creative release has to DO art, not just think about it or dream about it. Otherwise, I am not an artist. That might be true, though I would be disappointed to find that out.
Just like I don't consider myself a musician unless I'm choosing music. I don't seek out music and usually don't like to have music on. It distracts me when I'm not in the mood for it. I have musician skills, but I rarely practice if I don't have a concert or job. Task- rather than love-oriented.
Lynn points out that God's timing, not mine, is going to produce the visceral satisfaction that goes with getting any job done at the right time, in the right way. We put a "God's Timing...not mine" Post-it on the guest door, a reminder to work at the remaining declutter projects when it 'feels right,' in God's time and at his invitation.
We added two 'clues' to the signs on the walls. The Authenticity wall (mirrored closets) reminds me to put "JUST RIGHT" materials in place. Not too much. Not so little I'm distracted by having to move away from the room to find necessary items. On the Openness wall (lib. cabinet, candles), we wrote "RESPECTFUL CONSIDERATION" so I remember to wait, listen, then move if life feels open.
I am worn out this afternoon by an unexpected emotional reaction this morning. I found myself enveloped in sadness when Lynn challenged last week's blog. When I wrote, I couldn't get into the room far enough to begin one of the Zoom tasks (moving "just enough" back into my room.) I was frustrated by the obstacles, but the rest of the week I slowly began to move into the room, creating pathways to reach what I needed, to unclog the heaps. That was satisfying.
I'm writing the first reflex each week, which is only a moment in the process of the week. Today brought up all kinds of internal stuff. I can let it go, now that it's written down (always part of my process).
Next week, who knows what will dredge up with sorting photos, job evals, former school papers, gift wrap, and art supplies. I'm willing to sit and sift through the process and see where it takes me.
