Hi, Subscribers. How was it last week? As your guide, I'm here to remind you that incorporating play into your daily routine can do wonders for your creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall well-being. It's not just about personal and professional growth but also about finding joy in the journey. Let’s set ourselves up for success and inspiration and remember to find joy in every step of our development.
It’s time for an accountability check-in. I did go to bed when tired last Sunday, but doubled down on the insomnia, but yesterday I took a nap, went to bed early and slept in. I completed thirty-one Inkotober drawings and have a design in mind for my next painted clothing project. Have you checked your parks and recreation website? We found a fun Dia de los Muertos event. Spending time with my family is always a win. How about you?
I didn’t realize that today we were supposed to set our clocks back and it threw off my routine a little. Once I got out of bed, I stuck with the script of doing yoga. Doing yoga with a talkative kid is a very different vibe, but I would not change it for the world. Said child, joined me for my walk and he had to take a different route due to construction. As a result, I found a Pokémon card in the wild! Greavard was designed by Kazuyuki Kurashima and seems to be based on the Iberian Catalan Sheepdog. What is happening? I am making slight modifications to my routine. What if you took a different route or tried a new food?
What is the challenge? Greavard is shaggy grey dog with a lit candle growing from the top of it’s head. You can’t see the eyes because of the hair covering them, and it was a serrated mouth instead of teeth. It is nighttime in the card and there are other lit candles around it. It is nighttime and there are shadowy trees behind it. The other candles are probably other Greavards lurking underground, waiting for someone to approach. There are many festivals this time of year alluding to a thinning of the space between worlds. Our thoughts are often lurking in the quiet times, waiting for us to befriend them.
What can help? There is a balance. If you befriend a Greavard, it will want to follow you home. It doesn’t like being alone and many of us do not like being alone with our thoughts. Though friendly, Greavard can be dangerous since it slowly drains the lifeforce of those nearby. Greavard can be countered by shadow type Pokémon. A little hair of the dog so to say. When you meet a stray dog, you can’t show fear. You speak to it calmly, clearly and concisely. Similarly, you acknowledge the feeling or thought and then tell it what to do. Facts are not feelings, and sometimes the thought thinks itself. You can shed light by asking, “Is this true?”
What is a way forward? Though there are many candles in the ground, there is only one Greavard showing on this card. Deal with one thing at a time, lest you become overwhelmed. Also, try not to be afraid of your thoughts and feelings. They may be scary, but I think they are trying to be helpful. Let the pain inform you. If you are uncomfortable with a thought or feeling, ask why. What could it be trying to tell you? Right now, my teeth hurt. This means I am clenching them in my sleep. What am I worried about? I have to pay my property taxes. So, if I make that my priority, I can cross that off my list. I notice the tension recedes when I type this, so I think I am on the right track. Our bodies can provide us many insights if we don’t bury the sensations. Are you willing to dig a little deeper? Namaste.
Parents! If you want to get closer to your pre-teenagers or kids in their early teens, check out my Thirty Days to Connect challenge. It contains thirty simple and effective challenges that you play your own way.
If you want to incorporate more play to help you deal with the heavy things, my current offerings are listed on my Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/thingstothinkabout. I also encourage you to share your experiences and strategies with the community. Your voice matters, and your journey can inspire others.
