THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, April 15, 2010
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taking and the unknown. So let’s see what we can do for alternative energy. There are some self-
by Dr. Debi Warner
Contributing Writer
Dear Dr. Debi, I am so bummed when it
rains on my day off. There are so many things I want to get to but can’t and end up inside instead. What’s a person to do?
Signed, Wasted Days
Dear Up-and-Adam, The mood we have when
the sun shines tends to be different than other days. The glee we share bright- ens others, as we smile more and have the energy to be more helpful. It just gets contagious; and I like a to catch that bug! But a dreary or cold and overcast day can tend to do the opposite and so we need some skills to man- age those moods too and still chase our dreams. We often link our ac-
tions to the feeling of mo- tivation, especially if it is out of our routine. New projects, new initiatives, require a little get-up- and-go to get started. Our body does not already have a practiced set of motions; our mind does not already have a step- wise list of objectives; our emotions are not already paced to check in and nod contently as we move past benchmarks. These all come as we settle into a new regime. But before we start, and when there is little fire in us, we need an alternative power source. Sunshine is a great one, but it is not always there to prompt us on to risk
generating energy sources that can be different for various folks. But most of us tend to build momen- tum when we get busy, so let’s start with that one. How about getting bundled up in a few layers and getting yourself out to the shed or garage and to get started on the prepa- rations for your next good outdoor work day? You can sort through the stuff that was shoved there in the cold storms of winter, and get your tools and materials ready for your eager work to come. As you spend time in the
shed and get a little vigor going, you will warm up and also start to notice the pleasant atmosphere of the work area. You will appreciate the soundness of the roof as you hear the plinking of the raindrops above. You might close or open the door to retain heat or let in light. The little animals can also be heard; some birds in the yard rustle and squawk. You get the rhythm of the noises and start to notice the sounds of traffic and neighbors, as additional voices to the symphony of subtle noises of the trees, wind, branches, and rain. You start to get comfort- able and even pace your- self to stay there a little while. You are in an alter- native energy state at that time. You can say, “Uh huh!” And be right. Enjoy that groove. Some other things you
can do for alternative in- ner energy? How about going down to your shop and locating materials and tools for your project? You can clean the blades of saws and cutters, sharpen them, and oil the hinges. You can check the cords on the power tools and make sure all is safe. You can locate the fasteners
you will need. Now, that’s a good one. I often get side tracked with my fastener organization. I want to find the right number of pieces I need, from the assorted bins that have beckoned in the corner for years. Once you get into sorting a bin of screws, washers, and nuts, you will soon settle into a spot for a little while. Grab a stool and make sure you have light. I might find myself stooping over a bucket straining with distant window light for a bunch of minutes before reckoning that I could stretch and do the same task over by the light. The momentum of small tasks will grow; and a sense of accomplishment builds with each nut tossed into the little cup. That is en- ergy generation inside for you!
Then there is the arm-
chair work of planning your project in more de- tail. You can get your sketches together. From them you get materials lists and step-wise plans. You can see which materi- als are needed when and then backtrack from their use date to figure out how long they take to arrive and when they should be ordered. This might not
be vigorous, but may lead to some moving about, as you check here and there for supplies and materials squirreled away in various hiding spots around the house. It also sends our brain into the project, and that is a good thing. Our brain will work behind the scenes, even when we are sleeping, to measure out issues and re-sequence the steps. Have you ever awoken, bolt-out-of-the-
blue with a new flash on a project? It happens. There are plenty of ways
to get busy before the actual swing of hammers in the sunshine. So, get yourself ready for alterna- tive energy sources and see how you can generate some yourself!
Happy Home Team! Dr. Debi
Dr. Debi Warner is the Founder of Renovation Psychology® and
author of Putting the Home Team to Work, available now online.
Dr. Debi provides advice for greater domestic harmony to folks who are renovating their home – for True Home Improvement. This column is offered for enjoyment and enhancement and is not intended to replace your personal medical care. Photo by Bob Jenks, St. Johnsbury, Vt. Dr. Debi has a con- sultation practice, visiting home sites all over New England from her studio in Littleton, NH at the Tannery Marketplace. © 2009 Renovation Psychology® Questions are welcome.
Visit www.RenovationPsychology.com
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