Once again, catching up. A lot of times I read a prompt, let it roll around my brain for a day or so, then write a long drawn-out response. But today I’m going to read a prompt and just write right away, stream-of-consciousness style. Here goes…
Day 8 :: Beautifully Different
Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author, Karen Walrond)
I have to admit, this has been the hardest one for me so far. Why is it so hard to talk about the good parts of ourselves? I can rattle off my own character flaws with ease, but tell you something positive about myself? I’m stuck. I’d like to say “moving on…” and leave it right here. But in faithfulness to the prompts, I’ll answer.
I do know that the scrapbooks I make for my niece & nephew light them up, and that makes me happy.
I know (because my husband tells me so) that my brain doesn’t work like other people’s. (I think he actually said that about all computer programmers, and not just me in particular.) This can make communicating with other people tricky – I seem to always be on a different wavelength, and it tends to make me feel…lonely. But I also tend to see or intuit things that others don’t, and that feels like a gift.
Day 9 :: Party
What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author, Shauna Reid)
Whew, an easy one! My birthday party/trip to NYC last month, hands down. I got to usher in my 40’s with one of my best friends in the whole world. I met some really awesome people, and ate really awesome food with them. I got to dress up in my fabulous new black zipper dress and my black boots and hit the town. Of course the drink would be the infamous “make us a blue drink” and the truth that adding pineapple juice to it just makes it green, not better. And finally, shenanigans. Fell asleep on the train; missed our stop; got off 3 stops later; sat in the train station waiting for a cab, talking & laughing hysterically the whole time (probably to the annoyance of the other people sitting there with us at 2:00 a.m.)
Day 10 :: Wisdom
What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author, Susannah Conway)
That would be our decision to drop one farmers market and alternate our attendance at the other two, effectively going from 3 markets per week to 1. Our gross sales were lower, of course, but our per market sales were up. So our time felt better used, and our life was slightly less insane.
Day 11 :: 11 Things
What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author, Sam Davidson)
I like this prompt, because it’s forcing me to think in more detail about what I touched on in Day 1. But it’s difficult to answer, shooting straight from the hip. Let’s see… (Stress, self-doubt, “shoulds”, time wasters, self-consciousness, unrealistic expectations, fear, unhealthy habits, resentment, the need to control everything, things that don’t “fit” right anymore)
Hmm, at first I felt like that list is too generic and vague, a cop out. But then again, I think I may tack this list above my desk, print a copy for my purse, tape it to my mirror. Keeping this list at hand might just help me eliminate those things. When I’m faced with a situation or a decision, I can weigh it against the list. If it falls into one of those categories…it’s gone.
As for how getting rid of them will change my life? It would allow in more love, peace, hope and joy. It would allow me to focus better on what’s important, and what my purpose might be.
Wow, I’m glad I forced myself to do this prompt straight-off and not ruminate on it. I like the result 🙂
Day 12 :: Body Integration
This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author, Patrick Reynolds)
I had moments like this this year, all happened when I was physically exercising in some way. The most recent was at an early-morning exercise class. We were doing a strength/balance exercise, holding a certain pose for a longer time, and focusing on a spot on the floor to help. I got to a point where I just felt so very focused, strong, calm…Zen.
1 year ago:
