November 8, 2021

Good morning everyone,

I hope that you all enjoyed the extra hour of sleep this weekend and maybe found it easier to get up a little earlier today. The fall back is what really signals to me the shift of the seasons and I found myself reflecting on the change in rhythm that accompanies it. Perhaps your daily routine changes with the sunlight hours and I’m going to try to set more space for myself, leaning more heavily into my Blue Mind in the coming months.

Tomorrow at 6pm EST is our November meeting and the author of Blue Mind will be joining us for a Q&A session. Even if you haven’t picked up the book, please join us anyways. We could all use a little more Blue Mind these days.

The Weekly Three

1. Something about taking space: So far this letter has been a little more crystals and woo woo than usual, but I want to share some reflection questions I found about sacred space and daily rituals that gave me guidance in my recalibration this weekend. Prompts are direct quotes from the Magnolia Journal:

What does a typical day look like for you?

Which activities make you feel depleted? Is it possible to let any of these go to make space for renewal?

Which daily routines or routines are not working for you right now? Why?

Which areas of your day could benefit from more flexibility and freedom?

Which areas of your life could benefit from some degree of added structure?

Which patterns or habits that are already in place bring you contentment or positive energy?

When and where do you feel most at ease in your life?

Which activities, places, or things make you feel most alive?

What time of day do you feel most open, receptive and curious?

What I find more space for daily ritual, I'll feel....

2. Something about benefits of mentoring: We talk a lot about mentoring but let me give you a couple of quick benefits from being a mentor according to Tammy D. Allen, PhD, a mentoring researcher from the University of South Florida:

- "mentoring others can have a rejuvenating effect on individuals who have plateaued in their career"

- "being recognized as an effective mentor can get you noticed and enhance your reputation at work"

- "mentors gain a lot of practice in listening, asking thought-provoking questions, facilitating change, influencing and overcoming obstacles"

3. Something about creativity: Last week I shared an article about cold water swimming from Anna Brones. She writes a monthly newsletter about creativity and this time opened with comments about deadlines that I thought would resound with all of us in the world of deadlines.

Looking forward to seeing all of you tomorrow!!!

Best,

Amber