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The Diary of a Pro Astrologer, Tarot Reader, Numerologist, Psychic, Commentator, Social Worker, Mental and Emotional Athlete, People Mechanic, Biking Babe, Occultist, Artist, Meist, & YOUR Wisdom Guide.

Life Skills (Words of Wisdom): The Life Cycle – Happiness and Accomplishments

(originally published June 20, 2005)

The Life Cycle:

  • Introduction
  • Growth
  • Maturity
  • Decline

I love The Life Cycle — often used in business regarding products — because it is a universal principle that applies to so many life issues.

I’m going to illustrate how The Life Cycle affects our happiness and accomplishments in life:

Note: A “crisis” section underneath each phase is written to state the “challenging” aspects of the phase moving forward.

The INTRODUCTION phase is about the newness of the thing. In relationships, that can be first meetings and in work, the first weeks. It’s about discovery and possibilities.
Crisis If one is always looking for the new, then nothing can grow and that deep intimate knowledge can never happen. A lot of superficiality can occur.

The GROWTH phase  is about making things “happen”. In relationships, this can mean moving towards getting a place together, vacationing, and blossoming the relationship with “truths” and healing each other’s “pasts”. In work, this can mean being in charge of a project that has a great effect on the work place.
Crisis If people get stuck in the growth stage it will be difficult to make something “worthwhile” happen!

The MATURITY phase is about standardizing and stabilizing. In relationships, this can mean getting married, having babies, getting a house, etc. etc… In work, this can mean setting standards, creating documentations, policies and procedures.
Crisis If you don’t allow innovation and the intro, growth cycle to re-occur — the road leads to decline and that means having to scramble to re-new the situation. Good planning allows for change.

The DECLINE phase is about staleness. The relationship might undergo a divorce, separation, or an affair. In work situations, a lay-off, wanting to quit, or huge dissatisfaction might occur.
Crisis If this stage comes to the surface, it’s hard to dig oneself out of the situation. A lot of people run and cut their losses but it doesn’t have to be that way.

We all have a “place” or two that we love to hover over. For me it’s the “Maturity and then back to Growth stage”. In my case, when it comes to work, this means that I love to put together plans, document processes and procedures, and help stabilize; however, I DO NOT want to be stuck in what I created or be forced by upper management or clients to succumb to my own designs. I want the option of re-visiting, updating, and innovating. Certifications, plans, processes, and programs are just “guides” or “tools” for a smoother ride but it doesn’t make or break anything.

But if I don’t have the option of growth, I usually quickly have a DECLINE crisis and might choose to terminate the relationship.

Some may enjoy the DECLINE stage.  For example, people who buy foreclosed homes, or feel want to retire.

Why is any of this important?

Because once you understand which area of the cycle you like to be in, you can either a) advise the people you live and work with or b) do things that allow you to stay in the cycle that’s most comfortable and that can be done in a healthy way.

Finally Revolve the Cycle. This can be achieved by:

  • understanding which state you are likely to hover over;
  • communicating that to the people that need to know (including yourself);
  • doing something that allows you to stay in that state for as long as possible while cycling out to maintain balance.

 

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Ze Frank Toys: The Scribbler — Everyone’s An Artist

Ze Frank Toys:  The Scribbler — Everyone’s an artist.

This is a great toy.  It essentially does some shading and gives your simple drawing some life.

Try it out!

 

 

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Volunteering: Chatting With Older Folk

I’ve been itching to do some volunteer work.

And after being in the hospital emergency (non life threatening section) recently and seeing the joy in two older ladies chatting me up with both of them basically saying, “Gee, if I want to get social, I should come to the hospital again!!”, I realized again what good I can be to older folk.

I’d like to work with older people (65+)… go in and chat with them. I’m good with chatting, and sharing smiles and love to hear stories of days gone past. I don’t want to do much (if any) metaphysical work.

I have Venus Trine Saturn and a Saturn ruled chart.  Ever since I was a teen, I wanted to work with older folk but that never came about but I enjoyed spending time with my grandparents while they were still around. I think during my Uranus Opposition Uranus, I’m wanting to do things I haven’t done yet.

I like older people because a) they have history, b) they have lived through a lot and generally know what’s really important in life, c) they tend to not put on airs — are authentic, and d) they’re stories are a hoot! :D

So if you know a project that could use someone like me (a chatterbox who enjoys socializing with older people — Gemini on the 5th), let me know. I’d love to volunteer in the Toronto area.

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TimeBoxing: Virgo, Capricorn, Mars Square Saturn

Awhile ago I was having immense trouble with my Mars Square Saturn aspect and getting stuff done. I was frustrated, overwhelmed, and my work was imbalanced.

No matter what I got done, I felt it wasn’t enough and that stuff was being left out. So I decided, enough was enough, and set out to create solutions for this problem.

Recently I found out, through Leah Whitehorse, that one of the solutions actually has a name and formal process to it. It’s called Timeboxing – a time management technique, can turn a Mars-Saturn, in hard aspect, to a harmonious one.

If you or your client experiences work related frustration, delays, overwork, etc. consider mentioning Timeboxing (if you don’t already).

For myself, I rotate tasks and jobs throughout the month, and I do a variety of things throughout the day without the expectation that I will complete any of them by the end of day. Some I will and some I won’t and that’s okay because I have a “plan”. :D

Note that I have Gemini on my 6th house cusp and variety is essentially within my day-to-day tasks and how I manage my time.

Somehow I get more done, feel more accomplished and relaxed, don’t neglect one thing for another, and feel less frustrated because I’m getting somewhere — I can see the results.

Hope this helps for someone else. Cheers!

Originally published May 4, 2011

Links

  • http://sourcesofinsight.com/2009/01/15/how-to-use-timeboxing-for-getting-results
  • http://www.davecheong.com/2006/07/26/time-boxing-is-an-effective-getting-things-done-strategy/
  • http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jmeier/archive/2007/10/21/how-to-use-time-boxing-for-getting-results.aspx
  • http://www.43folders.com/2005/10/11/procrastination-hack-1025
  • http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2004/10/timeboxing/

Thanks Nancy Schorr

  • http://litemind.com/time-boxing/
  • http://www.43folders.com/2005/10/11/procrastination-hack-1025
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Bright Idea: Half-Size Cigarettes

Half-size cigarettes. Idea first conceived in and around July 2004. Since then, seen half-size pop drinks and chocolate bars!! :-) Moral of the story? Half the vice is better?

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Bright Idea: Changing Wall Color or Hangings

Colour has a great impact on our psyche so it would be nice to be able to change a room’s wall color or wall paper, at will. It would also be cool to have pictures that rotate or reverse an image so you’d have a wall hanging that would change to suit your mood, event theme, or guest’s tastes.  Idea first conceived in and around July 2004. I have since seen transit posters ‘rolling’ a new poster in!!

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