Day 320/366 days Towards Self-Mastery.
My journey towards self-mastery has been an exercise in becoming aware of the simple things that enrich my life. To be mindful of their beauty, functionality and abundance, and to be sure not to take them for granted as I have done for such a long time in my life.
As we approach the summer months that means appreciation for the warmth of the early summer sun, the freshness of the garden and summer flowers, and bringing some of that natural beauty into my home.
Repotting indoor plants, changing them up a little, bringing some in for a while, and taking others out to enjoy the morning sunshine. And finding something special in the nursery to uplift the collection that I already enjoy. This year my 92 year old mother gave me some of her favourites which I will cherish as reminders of her life and love of her garden.
You might like to decorate with seasonal flowers and foliage, and wicker baskets.
My bathroom is almost entirely white. With splashes of green foliage, bees wax candles and my favourite potions, it becomes an uplifting spa treatment room to soothe my spirits at the end of the day.
This is also the time for freshening up my outdoor areas. Through the winter and early spring the dampness creates the perfect environment for moulds to grow. The early summer is the time for cleaning that away and resurfacing the decks. It's an annual ritual that can be approached with tedium or with an attitude for nurturing of my environment. The latter serves me best.
Removing heavy rugs to leave bare floors seems really summery to me, as does replacing my cushions with covers of botanicals.
Taking advantage of the seasonal changes and altering my home to reflect them is a novel, enjoyable and inexpensive way to uplift my spirits. I never tire of my comfortable and beautiful small home.
Try it!
366 days Towards Self-Mastery
When I considered my New Year's intentions for 2020 I had just one: To allow my heart to love what it loved...and let it lead me. (If not now, then when?)
I've spent months working on integrating my life. To live life more fully with my home life, my interests, my work, my responsibilities, all coming together, all connected. I want to give each the attention that they desire and need, and still have time and energy for the others. That means living and working from the heart.
As I was clearing out my bookshelf over the Christmas break I discovered Simple Abundance. I set it aside to explore it on New Year's Day as I lazed through another delicious day of nothingness. Sarah, the author, says this book is about living in grace. Living in grace I realised, is about Self-Mastery.
My thirst for understanding the human condition has driven me all my life, and hand-in-hand with self-mastery it has been a life-long goal. And seeing as I love to write, that living in grace is about self-mastery, and I love a bit of a challenge, then if I am truly going to let my heart lead, I really don't have any other choice. So scary as it feels, I'm starting out on a daily mission of leaning into the suggestions of this daybook and making a daily post to keep me accountable. If not now, then when?
I'm Josie. You can find out a little more about me here.
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy: by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
This book is written for the Australian and NZ market because it refers to seasonal changes. It's available on Amazon here if you'd like to follow along.
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