sol mates challenge: closing thoughts

tonight’s sunset closes our week of living by the sun’s cycles.  we chose challenges we know we can’t sustain on a constant basis.  but we hope to learn principles for simple living that we can incorporate regularly.  this week did just that.  we found the sunset part to be the greatest challenge,  and our week even spanned the summer solstice!  but here are some important lessons i hope to weave into my  everyday tapestry:

1)       waking early is worth it.  it centers me.  i have more emotional availability for the needs in my day.  starting by my own accord (rather than in response to the waking needs of a child) is an important and symbolic act of self assertion for me.  once centered by morning peace, then i can be more healthfully available to the needs of others.  these outside needs can guide the rest of the day with less damaging cost to myself.

2)      i did less this week.  and no one seemed to suffer!  i kept from heaping chores, to-do’s, hopes, expectations in to the “me-window” at the end of the day.  i went to sleep with more peace.

3)      i got more sleep!

4)      james and i paid the greatest price for this challenge.  we lost most of our connecting time at night.  he leaves for work before 7:00am, so we didn’t gain much in the morning.  we miss it!

resolved: we will retire earlier (though not 9:30!), and continue waking with the sun.  we will seize the peace and simplicity awarded by more rest.

 

 

next challenge…..

this is my personal favorite!  for five days, we will eat only what can be purchased from the bulk bins at our co-op grocery store or what we grow in our own backyard.  the bulk bins offer a plentiful variety of dry goods, including powdered milk.  we anticipate blueberries, tomatoes, green peppers, lettuce, and onions to be among the foods available from our garden.  our lovely hens will rescue us with their plentiful eggs.

i look to friends and family for help with this…..  what staple foods will i miss, and how can we substitute?  should we allow ourselves preserved food from earlier in the growing season?  what killer recipes can you share that use simple, whole food ingredients?  send em my way!