Fay's favorite five.

Hi Friends!

Here is your weekly dose of Fay's favorite five ~ a 5-minute or five-second thought from me, based on something I’m loving, learning, or exploring.

Feel free to forward it along if the spirit moves you.

On something I'm struggling with

I'm struggling with something.

I've been working more lately. Much more.

And when I finally stopped to ask why, the answer surprised me.

There really is more to do, because so much more is possible.

A few examples of what “normal” looks like now:

1) The other day, instead of my usual podcast listening during food prep, I listened to a detailed AI summary of a long, complex meeting I'd recorded.

2) Months ago, I removed Instagram from my phone to create more time and space. Recently, I started using Muse (an AI agent created by Meta) to handle Instagram things from my phone. Less scrolling, sure. But it's one more door open that used to be closed.

3) When my graphic designer was out sick, I tried the design myself and spent a few hours making something that wildly impressed me (Yay! But also… a few hours gone).

4) When we wanted to launch the Just Take a Walk Challenge (more on that below), a quick, old-school Google form would have done the job. But because a polished and professional website version was possible, that's what we built. Even with someone on my team taking the lead, it was still work.

A year ago, I couldn't have done any of these things. So I didn't.

Today I can. So I do.

There's an old idea called Parkinson's Law, coined by the historian C. Northcote Parkinson back in 1955:

"Work expands to fill the time available for its completion."

Well, I'd like to coin a spin on it:

Work expands to fill what's possible. (We can call it Fay's Law lol)

While reflecting on this last week, I realized that for most of my life, my limits did a lot of the disciplining for me.

I couldn't design, so I waited for the person I needed to be available.

I couldn’t build a website quickly or affordably, so I went with the less impressive alternative.

The things I couldn't do were quietly protecting the time my soul needed.

Now those limits are disappearing. Which means the discipline, the boundaries, the line in the sand, have to come from me.

And honestly, I have no idea how to figure out what that looks like.

I love what this technology makes possible. I don't want to go back. But I also don't want my every free minute occupied for the sake of more output and productivity.

Thank God for Shabbos, yes.

Still, the other 6 days of my week are yearning for some more blank space.

When so much more becomes possible, how does one decide what not to do?

Is this an experience you're having as well?

If yes, hit reply. I'd really love to hear how you're handling it.

On The Just Take A Walk Challenge...

Speaking of things that became possible…

We had an idea for a simple challenge, and in just a few intense hours, it came to life.

Last I checked, we are close to 1,000 people signed up for The Just Take a Walk Challenge - TYH!

Here's how it works:

For 30 days, you take a five-minute walk outside.

That's it. No gym. No gear. Just you, some fresh air, and five minutes.

Such a small thing, but so good for your mental health.

It's not too late to join, and just by signing up, you're entered to win $250.

The irony here is not lost on me.

The same technology that's been filling up my time helped build something that gets all of us outside and away from our screens.

Sign up here or at justtakeawalk.org.

Share this with a friend because challenges are better together!

On the best oatmeal cookie recipe

I was craving a wholesome oatmeal cookie last week, and these hit the spot in every way.

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp oil
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup white sugar (or slightly less)
• 1 large egg
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour (can probably use white spelt)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt (optional)
• 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup raisins or chocolate chips (I make half with raisins and half with chocolate chips)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Beat oil and both sugars until well combined.
3. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until combined.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
6. Stir in oats and raisins or chocolate chips.
7. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly golden.

Enjoy!

Before you go...

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Wishing you all a beautiful Shabbos and sending so much love to you and yours!

Until soon,

Fay Brezel

Founder & Author

​OKclarity.com​

​Grow with the Flow​

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