Uncharted Diving- Unbuckle Stress & Hand It Up

Recent photo of the Northern Lights
over Southern Oklahoma

Despite seeking solace in God, reading, and my beloved LOTR-inspired activities, lately my mind and body have still been carrying stress. It feels like a diver's weight belt, pulling me down in my efforts to find peace. As you know, a weight belt in scuba diving is designed to counteract the buoyancy of the diver's body and equipment. To get out of the water and into a boat, you must unbuckle your weight belt and hand it up to someone else so you can climb out of the water. But I've been struggling emotionally to unbuckle it and hand it up, ya know? I've never considered myself an anxious person, but last night while sitting in silence, I saw my mind working through a "what-if" problem, and I was able to name that emotion exactly. I've realized I must find some peace. In prayer last night, a mantra came to my heart: "Calm amidst chaos." 

For a few weeks I've been flirting with the idea of this new season of life that I'm moving into. While the popular "soft life" trend online sounded good, it didn't quite resonate with my deepest desire and shift towards serenity. However, after some contemplation, I greatly desire to move into a season of life that I've affectionately named.

Welcome to my Serene Soul Season!

I'm updating my life to prioritize what brings peace to my soul. Not only do I want to hand my stress “weight-belt” to God more fully, but I will be refusing to carry some additional weights. During this season, I'm distancing myself from rage-bait news and controversies, TV/Movie drama, angry and hateful people, as well as a lot of the unrest around me. If something doesn't bring me peace, I'm limiting my time with it. I can hear people say, "But, what about all the challenges that need addressing? We've got to stay in the mix and vigilant!" To that, I recognize and reply: I can't patch every hole in humanity's quilt. You may choose one hole, and I will choose another. This doesn't diminish the worthiness of your efforts; it simply allows me to pursue mine more wholeheartedly.

These past few LOTR months have taught me that I want to spend more quality time with myself. I want to put my cell phone away and enjoy peaceful activities, especially to enjoy those easy relationships with loved ones and friends. To be honest, my energy is more limited as I've been aging.

I found Toni Jones spoken song, "Energy Budget" a while back and it seems the lyrics have been working on my heart over the years. For background, Toni Jones is a spoken word artist and musician known for her soulful and introspective performances. I deeply feel drawn to sentiments such as, 

"I explore a healthy relationship between my emotions and boundaries; If they feel like home and they feel safe to be around, I spend more time with that type," 

and

"I emit my own frequency and monitor how much energy I absorb from events, social media, textin', conversations, entertainment, and thinking," 

then there's,  

"I have accepted the aligned tribe. I now know that the toxic energy of those close to me are not alchemized by my spiritual relationship. With myself and kindness towards them and with a swiftness and humility, I bow outta that and let their life be their teacher," 

and finally, 

"I am surrounded only by others who feel like honey."

Maybe something in this speaks to you also. We've all heard the common ideas most people use for serenity like limiting social media and news while adding meditation and religious practice, nature walks or yoga, journaling and gratitude, creative expression, and acts of kindness. Yes, good things. Let's do those - however, I needed some different ideas. So here are some unique ones I'm considering:

1.     Stargazing Sessions: Choose one night weekly for moonlight reflection under the stars, fostering wonder and perspective. I had one of these moments last week when I was able to see the Northern Lights! Also, during the full moon each month, I've been trying to get out and enjoy "Moonlight Reflections." This month, the full moon is called the Flower Moon.

2.     Random Acts of Creativity: Engage in spontaneous creativity weekly. This could be public art, musical improvisation or inventing new recipes. Sometimes I take a moment to stack little pebbles into a cairn of sorts. I also zendoodle in my journal sometimes and color.

3.     Adventure Day: Plan to explore a new place to stimulate your soul. This can cultivate curiosity and discovery. It also changes your scenery up a bit more and gives you something to look forward too!

4.     Botanical Illustrations: Dedicate time each week to sketching and studying medicinal plants capturing their beauty and healing properties. I’m inspired to try this because of Aragorn's herbalism knowledge – he happens to be my character focus for May’s LOTR month.

5.     Qi Gong: Embark on a gentle movement practice like Qi Gong to promote relaxation, flexibility, and well-being for your body and mind. This practice, unlike cardio, helps us to slow down so we can reduce our cortisol.

6.   Serenity Soaks: Set aside a weekly time for a calming bath ritual, using the act of washing away physical tension as a metaphor for surrendering your stress to the Everlasting. [my lovename* for God] Add soothing essential oils or bath salts. And don't think! Just unwind and find peace.

Anyway, thanks for reading as I embark on my Serene Soul Season and redefine my life to prioritize peace and tranquility. This isn't just about doing some common practices to be more peaceful; for my health, I really have to embrace a whole new way of living—one that's centered around joy, calmness, and connection. As always, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovery and transformation. Let's explore the wonders of stargazing, the freedom of creative expression, and the thrill of adventure. Let's surrender our stress to the Everlasting in our Serenity Soaks, allowing ourselves to unwind and find peace in the soothing embrace of warm water and gentle aromas. Now is a great time to create a sanctuary —a place where to live in our serene soul season. Will you join me?

Another photo of the Northern Lights over my rooftop

 *lovename - the affectionate nickname I have for God/Jesus.

April LOTR Month - Treebeard/Ents

April was my Treebeard month, and let me tell you, it was a journey worth taking! Initially uncertain about how it would unfold, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the outcome. I dedicated a blissful day to wandering through the forest, immersing myself in nature's embrace and allowing time to simply unfold at its own pace.

One of the highlights of the month was experiencing the total solar eclipse, a breathtaking spectacle that left me in awe of the universe's wonders. And to top it off, our beloved rescue kittens celebrated their first year of life, a milestone marking their growth and journey since joining our family.

Now, for a bit of context on the goals of the month. Since Treebeard and the Ents from Middle-earth are guardians of trees and forests, I let them serve as my inspiration. They also carry a slow and contemplative approach to life, mirroring the rhythms of nature itself. So, to embody the contemplative spirit of the Ents, this month I incorporated the following: 

1. Nature Immersion: I dedicated ample time to immerse myself in nature, soaking in the serenity of the forest in Chickasaw National Recreation area. There I embraced the quiet and listened to the rhythm of the environment, allowing myself to observe, listen, and reflect deeply, just as the Ents do.

2. Mindful Movement: I slowed down physically in simple tasks like walking and stretching to mundane chores like washing dishes and picking up the house. I tuned into the sensations of my body, the rhythm of my breath, and the present moment, fostering a sense of calm and presence.

3. Tech-Free Retreats: I took short breaks to disconnect from technology and reconnect with the world around me. Sometime gazing out the window, strolling outdoors, or simply sitting for a moment and closing my eyes, I embraced moments of stillness and inner reflection. 

   In essence, my Treebeard month was a testament to the power of slowing down, immersing myself in nature, and embracing the beauty of special moments. It left me feeling deeply grounded and connected to the world around me.

   

   Me enjoying a small field of bluebonnets
   

    Eclipse short video here: April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse 

   

   My photo of the total solar eclipse
   

   

   4 week old kittens - 1st night home
   

   

   Kittens - celebrating their 1st birthday!
   

   

   cozy breakfast
   

   

   Honey & I right before the eclipse

   
    

Emergency Prepping: A Woman's Perspective

Let's talk about emergency prepping. As a woman who values being prepared, I want to share my simple approach to emergency prepping. 

Here's what works for me:

1. Think Ahead: Anticipate potential emergencies.

2. Have a General Plan: Establish a basic strategy for various scenarios.

3. Add Items Monthly: Continuously build on your preparedness over time.

Common emergencies to consider include health and safety, fires, tornadoes, sheltering in place, and getting home or bugging out. Fortunately, preparations for one often cover others!  

Today, with a level 4 tornado threat looming, I refreshed our backpacks, added snacks, and positioned them for quick access if needed. Over the years, I've expanded our supplies to accommodate various scenarios, from camping situations to evacuations.

Most of the items in our backpacks are extra clothes, essentials, and first aid supplies. Remember, you don't have to be a hardcore prepper; simply having a backpack with emergency items and a plan can make all the difference. ❤️

Husband's pack 

Clothing, crank light/radio, Mylar blankets, life straw, zip ties, measuring tape, scissors, electronic and bathroom essentials, hubs firearm

Wife's pack. Mine is smaller because I also carry a crossover purse that holds some of my EDC essentials and my firearm

Hat, water, gloves, clothes, spare glasses, first aid kit, mylar blankets and water purifying tablets, pyro putty- fire starter even if wet, knife, flashlight, hand warmers

Simple Yet Effective: Basic prep brings peace of mind. ❤️

Unbound by Time - A Book Recommendation: "This Is How You Lose the Time War"

 "In the tapestry of time, our threads intertwine, creating patterns of beauty and chaos."

Book's cover - Red cardinal with its reflection a bluejay

There's something captivating about a book that whisks you away into a different world, isn't there? This is How You Lose the Time War  did just that for me, pulling me into its poetic embrace and refusing to let go until I listened to the final word. I devoured it in just two days.

Now, full disclosure: science fiction isn't usually my first pick from the bookshelf. But this novella? It felt like a breath of fresh air in a genre I often overlook. What struck me was the unique collaboration between the authors. I had read that each author wrote for one of the characters, and although there was a general outline, character reactions were created by "receiving" each other's letters.

Red, an engineered operative, embodies efficiency and control, while Blue is a fluid and shape-shifting creature. These agents, on opposing sides of the war, defy our societal norms. Since they exist beyond our conventional descriptions, don't get caught up in their she/her pronouns. It's better to simply view them as “human-like” warriors or augmented beings, navigating different time threads. I say this because the love they speak of is more of a connection that exists in intellectual respect and emotional vulnerability, rather than being rooted in physical intimacy. [zero spice book] As far as the battle, just know the two sides of the war, represented by the Commander and the Garden, serve as fitting symbols of the authority of war versus the desire for freedom and connection.

If you have a poetic heart, I highly recommend this book and that you just let yourself sink into the prose, relishing each twist and turn without worrying too much about what comes next. I recommend the audio book, but I'll likely purchase a physical copy to pick up sometimes for inspiration and to keep the magic close.  

I hope you consider this one with its blend of science fiction and poetry.