Navigate Roadblocks With Questions For Inquiry.
This week's complimentary tune to listen to as you read below, dance, or do what you please : Jam HERE.
A man walking across a field encounters a tiger. He fled, the tiger chasing after him. Coming to a cliff, he caught hold of a wild vine and swung himself over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Terrified, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger had come, waiting to eat him. Two mice, one white and one black, little by little began to gnaw away at the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine in one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!
As the build of project tiny house & a capsule wardrobe has been well underway, the movement has at many times been unpredictable.
While finishing up the last of the subfloor with the tiny house build, I began searching for materials within phase 2: walls and a roof!
Reclaimed metal seemed like a good option being
budget friendly,
built-to-last,
unlimited color possibilities
& mustn't I forget... sounding pretty magical when it rains, does it not?!
Well, the day we set out to tackle the construction for the roof, we opened the box for a skylight that already had a rough opening placed with 2x6's.
At that moment,
it was concluded that metal would not be a suitable material
to install for the long term sustainability of a skylight.............
I either had to modify the design with the skylight, or change the plan with the metal.
Amidst these "tiny" decisions, has been the build of the first item for my capsule wardrobe; a white tee. As the walls & roof went up, I'd begun phase 2 with the capsule wardrobe:
putting the measurements of design to the test,
sewing together the pattern into 3-D life!
As the fabrication was placed together with
multiple stitch patterns + 3 different sewing machines,
I came to the conclusion that the organic cotton fabric
was not producing the long term, sustainable quality I seek.
And so the journey continues, searching for new materials in replacement of the once metal roofing & organic cotton fabric!
In between it all...
Last week, I had a few unexpected leaks in the tiny house,
there were tornado's that wiped out surrounding land, homes, and loved ones property,
and there were a few dreary, rainy days (& magical moments) in between.
None of this was planned, but sure enough, it was all presented ---
All I could do was continue to move forward
focusing on solutions to the best of my ability.
Here's how I remain motivated through challenging times.
Whether I am
going through a new learning curve,
am experiencing a natural disaster or accident of some kind,
or am simply questioning my next move,
I have a choice in direction with this ---
Am I going to label it as a "problem" or as a "challenge" being an opportunity?
Can I find a silver lining?
How can I look at this from a different perspective?
Is there something I can take from this to learn something new?
Truth is, no matter how much I plan or prepare ahead of time for anything ---
from rain to shine
or to having a roof over my head,
& clothing on my back made with intention + purpose,
the consistency of change is inevitable.
As I reawaken to new thoughts and perspective over each change upon me,
a new moment is here,
time & again.
As Emily Dickinson says,
"Forever is composed of Nows."
Through challenges, am I going to enjoy the strawberry?
What further questions can you inquire within about, to align with more of the day to day joy and magic? Here are a few additional questions. I recommend spending about 5-10 minutes on each question.
What would it feel like to experience more magical moments?
How do I imagine experiencing my dreams expand, grow and evolve?
How will my dreams affect not only me but those around me?
Why do I want to do more of what I love, loving what I do?
How can I envision living with more of life’s everyday magic?
What does it feel like to live with intention in an overstimulated, overwhelming world where information overload and fast paced overdrive have appeared to be the norm?
I encourage you to think about each question as it’s approached, and if your mind begins to wander, bring yourself back to the original question you’re playing with. Remember, there isn’t any particularly right or wrong answer other than the ones that feel best to you.
These questions are simply a starting point. In many cases, you may be led to new, deeper questions. Be open to enjoying the journey in your mind to the many discoveries that each question can guide you through.
"Just keep your head held high, kiss your fist and touch the sky."
Although the solution may not be presented right away,
there's always space for a little light at the end of the tunnel.
And so once upon a time I said,
"Let there be (sky)light!"
Whether our sights are on
there's always space for strawberries, magical moments, and challenges in between. What if we were to greet them all as equals in this story of a game called life?
I certainly don't have all the answers, but here's one simple truth I've come to find... (considering I'm a pretty big fan of a simple life and all) ---
If it's something I really care about, it's not a matter of asking
how can I make myself do what I have to,
but rather changing the tone, asking how soon can I get started on this?
What is the silver lining?
Within the mission of building "tiny" dreams & things each day,
through every baby step,
growing pain,
& even on the most uneasy of days when circumstances are cloudy & winded,
the freedom of the moment is always available.
The more we make space, the more focus we can place on what matters most to us. May we continue to question how we can best be aligned on our true path that light us up the most....
"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light." - Theodore Roethke
and the other day, there was
wire. lots of yellow wire.
some upcycled | some new
untangling it all,
so it can be used.
pulling strands of wire through pre-drilled holes in the wall and ceiling studs, i wondered whether any or all of the wired outlets will work. as i strip wires, i think about the time it's taken to gather an electrical plan for each of the outlets & lighting.
now? i just want to see it all come together! i crossed my fingers as i hoped for electricity to light up the tiny house.
test 1: nothing.
test 2: different outlet. nothing.
test... : a moment breath to rethink the connection of electricity.
test 3:
highlight of the day!
there is still much wiring to be done for project tiny house but in this moment, my eyes lit up like a child... & i was proud to have learned something new. i felt like i was seeing all new colors for the first time again.
Remember, you have all the tools inside you to electrify your dream at any given moment. Keep testing. Keep questioning. Keep taking baby steps. I challenge you to be the light, or the flower... or whatever it is that makes your heart (legally) beat a little faster.
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