Cycles and Rhythms and Schedules

I'm not a "go with the flow" kind of girl.  In fact, I came into the world against it.  Other ways of stating it; stubborn, making things complicated, non-compliant, being difficult and complicated.  Going against the flow takes courage, boldness and thinking outside the box.  

It is my greatest strength.  It is my greatest challenge.

Paradoxically I've also been very sensitive and intuitive to undercurrents and natural rhythms.   Riding a horse requires matching their rhythm and joining with them.  Working with animals and kids requires it.  Natural rhythms and seasons were created for us.  For our health and our success. 

As much as going with the flow is difficult for me; being aware of and take advantage of natural cycles and rhythms is a must. 

Some Questions and Thoughts:

• What is the time of day that is best for me to read and the time best for the physical activities?
• When is the time of day to retreat and have quiet time?
• How does the time of year effect my energy, productivity, reflection and focus? 
• Do I have a natural down time?  A time that goal setting and planning is natural?  A time to recap and debrief and evaluate?

The following is an important exercise for me so I have all of this in the back of my mind as I schedule.  

It doesn't always work but being intentional makes a better outcome more probable.  

Scheduling breaks and according to rhythms also keeps me more sane!  For example, since I know that Sunday mornings or January cannot be about me then it isn't. I can't have my down time then!

  While it seems like a lot of work...in the end it makes my life so much easier and brings peace and contentment.  Takes away tons of guilt!

By weekday:

•  Monday morning as calendar/planning time. Being available for my family.  Lunch with the boys and supper together.
• Sunday morning is completely quiet around the house.  No TV, Radio or Computer until after lunch and church. Time to reboot.  Sunday afternoon is MINE for sleeping or gardening or reading.
• Saturday depends on the season!  Wrestling and now college football.  Seasonal part time jobs.  House cleaning and yard work.
• Friday was "Family Night" when the boys were little and we had movies and special foods or went somewhere.  It is precious when we still get them Friday nights but it is o.k. when it's just us too.  At work it is paperwork day!
• Thursday is a fighting exhaustion day for me.  A day I need to have my supper planned way ahead.
• Wednesday is coffee or lunch with my husband between work.  I try to schedule my work to be in town that day.  It is also a day of service.  Church work and youth group.
• Tuesday is a productive day usually so I schedule home visits and people work.

 Time of Day:
Early morning. (5a) Devotions and reflections and writing.
(6-8) Available to family.  
Day.  Work
Homecoming.  Supper started and gardening to unwind.
Early Evening.  Supper and housework.
Evening.  Be available to my family.
Read and quiet.
Go to bed early!


 Weeks:

1st Week

2nd Week

3rd Week

4th Week.  Budgeting.

 Month:

• January.  Tough month for people generally so we pump up our energy! New semester of classes and groups.
• February. Sports and School.  Lots of seeing people.
• March. Spring cleaning and dumping junk.
• April. Planting and seeding.
• May.  A whirlwind!
• June. Productive.  Schedule big things at work, home and church. Read lots!
• July.  Family, Reading, Rest and Reflection. I pull out my year goals and update progress.
• August.  Preparation, Harvest and Hard Work.
• September.  New Beginnings. New semester of classes and groups. 
• October. Goal setting. Productive high energy month.
• November.  Hard work and preparation.
• December. Celebration and family.  Finish goal setting.  Reflection and evaluation.

Maximizing rhythms and the cycles in our lives to be the most effective in all areas requires intentionality.