Tag: Meaning (page 1 of 2)

Craft a Life of Projects

Have you ever thought about your life as linear or seen yourself as a passive actor in your own life? Have you ever wondered the meaning behind a dark time in your life?

These questions occurred to me and I found that looking at my life with the eyes of a creator, of a project person, made me feel more empowered. Whether you want to keep things interesting, you want to keep learning, or you want to create freedom, then I encourage you to craft a life of projects.

I work best with a project format. It helps me focus and be present and fully experience something, a time in my life or a specific event. I always have something going on that I manage at my own pace. I don’t have to commit to it for an indeterminate period. I am challenged, I learn and I accomplish. Then, I get to change it up. I get to move on or walk away when things do not serve or honour me. It’s a truly freeing and mindful way to approach my life.

Although I have habits and a semblance of a routine, I do not do well without change. I need it. I expect it. Most likely because it happens anyway. But I crave the kind of change that stimulates my spirit. That’s also why, for instance, my career history as a Gen Y contractor has worked to my advantage. I got to sample many jobs and experiences and know myself better.

In my twenties, I look back to many projects that highlighted lessons; my university degree versus learning, my communications career versus my calling, my relationships (some breakups, some amazing friendships, and mending family ties) and my (holistic) health.

University and journalism were my first introductions to the working world. I learned about fitting in and standing out, working hard and sometimes not getting rewarded or recognized. I learned about knowledge and wisdom, excitement and disappointment. I learned the difference between ability, experience and passion.

On a personal level, I’ve reconnected with inner longings, such as dance (vitality), reiki (service) and writing. For a while, I created the “swing dance” project in my life when I focused on learning partnership and competing. I also had my “health intervention” project; a time in my life when I was sick and burned out and decided to teach myself how to care for my health through yoga, food, rest and boundaries. Now, I’m working on my “setting sail for my purpose” project.  It’s a big scary adventure and I don’t know every wave, storm or shore, but it’s a journey I’m on. It started with this blog.

“I found that looking at my life with the eyes of a creator, of a project person, empowered me.” ― Bright Star Mercedes   brightstarwoman.com/blog

Our lives take different forms depending on our perspective.  There is a season for everything and a thing for every season. If we start appreciating where we are, which season we’re in, or the project we’re exploring if you will, then we can appreciate the true beauty of the life we’re living. If you see your life as the sum of all its incredible moments, its many seasons and its varied projects, you can appreciate change as much as being still. You start to understand each season’s purpose and you feel successful; this life is yours, every step of the way.

Seeing our lives as meaningful projects that teach us, that stimulate us, that we enjoy, helps us get in synch with nature’s cycles. We can co-create wonderful experiences and choose to learn valuable lessons by treating our lives as our unique work of art, composed of our many creative projects.

How have “projects” made your life more exciting or meaningful to you? Is there an unpleasant experience you could treat as a project to learn from?

Things To Do On Earth Day

April 22 is like a nature’s festival for me. Spring is here most days (even in Canada!), tulips and perennials are starting to pop out of the ground, and the litter that spent all winter hidden under the snow is also sprouting…

Spring cleaning isn’t just for our houses. Fellow homeowners will know what I mean when I say that even see the yard work seem to magically reappear. And that house siding needs a good pressure wash and that fence needs painting. Our bikes need tuning up. In the midst of all these chores, we realize the impact of seasons. Earth Day is a day of awareness, but it’s also a day of gratitude and responsibility. We must be grateful for the bounty that’s available to us through nature’s cycles and rhythms. We are also responsible for caring for the Earth as we would our homes.

It should be Earth Day every day because really, where else are we going to live?

Source: ChibiGuardianAngel, on DeviantArt

Source: ChibiGuardianAngel, on DeviantArt

Here are two guiding principles to rock your Earth Day.

Get Involved

There are many ways you can educate yourself on environmental issues or take a proactive Happy-Earth-Dayapproach. Perhaps you will feel compelled by a community garden project or you’ll want to clean up your local park. Maybe you want to learn about local wildlife and how to help protect these animals.

Ideas to get involved, make a difference and learn!

  • Attend a plant swap or check out your local garden club
  • Install a rain water barrel in your yard (some cities subsidize their purchase)
  • Get a composter (some cities offer the service or even offer free compost)
  • Sign-up for a plant walk or a medicinal plant course
  • Clean your lawn, stoop, balcony and pick up the trash that blew from the wind
  • Pick up trash from your nearest green space, whether a park or a playground
  • For a cleaner commute: tune-up your bike or dust-off your running shoes
  • Volunteer at a park, like this one in my area
  • If you’re ready for commitment and love animals, shelters are always looking for good families

earth_1Re-Connect

Earth Day is also meant to celebrate! I feel it’s important to honour our relationship to the Earth and nature because we are part of it. The better we understand our place and our relation to other living beings, whether they be animals, plants, crystals, water or soil, the easier it is to live in harmony. The relationship of oneness becomes clear and rewarding. We feel connected and we find purpose. Through this experience and mindful action, we create meaning.

Ideas to get you to nourish your relationship to all that is.

  • Go hiking or walk in nature for at least 1 h
  • If you live near a body of water, walk along it and admire its greatness and depth
  • Go birding or walk your dog somewhere new and green
  • If you work in the city, take your lunch outside
  • Prepare a raw, vegan meal – experience food that is alive and not-processed
  • Try a hatha yoga class or find a guided meditation on Youtube
  • In your mind, try thanking your food today, and everyone who brought it to you: “Thank you, you are life, you are love.”
  • Get your hands dirty: plant seeds or re-pot house plants

 

Personally, I’ll be taking nature walks, attending a yoga flow class (to help me with the flow of change and seasons) and downsizing my closet to favour natural fibres.

I hope these ideas get your green creative juices flowing and that you feel the wonder and brother and sisterhood of Earth Day.

Happy-Earth-Day-2

HAPPY EARTH DAY, EVERY DAY!

Tell me how you’ll be celebrating.

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