The #reverb10 prompt today gets right to the heart of "Life 101" for the 2010 term. Lesson learned: What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?
Simple! (not easy, just straightforward) One thing I learned was to trust and respect my instincts.
Sounds "touchy-feely"? It probably is but no less important. This past year has definitely had a significant spiritual/philosophical theme. Trusting my instincts sure was an essential component in articulating my life passions, advocating for issues I know are critical, being creative and understanding complex feeling-processes like grief. Lots of those issues are a bit heavy for us folks in this culture of hyper-individualization. Following my instincts was actually empowering, pretty freeing and definitely made this year possible.
My plan for this lesson? Keep it close to my chest but close to the surface as I embark into the wonderful world of overseas travel, post-graduate studies and in my continued spiritual/philosophical journey. Simple? Not likely... but will probably simplify things in the long run. Maybe it'll even open up other lessons about love, understanding and truth (see? philosophical/spiritual trend again...)
Friday, December 17
11 Things to Lose (for December 11)
Again, me catching up for #reverb10...
December 11 was another great prompt I can't pass up: 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?
1) Regret.
Eliminate by - doing anything I think I could 'regret' later & let it pass when it comes up instead of getting sucked in by it.
Improves life because - I will be doing things that make me happy and can be free to learn by the past instead of being obsessed with something 'wrong' about it.
2) too many shoes & coats.
Eliminate by - not buying any new and getting rid of some of both.
Improves life because - saves money, reduces baggage and limits decision-making.
3) saying "I'm busy" when asked 'how are you?'.
Eliminate by - finding and using new responses.
Improves life because - stop obsessing with doing more than I can, create opportunities to talk/listen about life instead of 'to-do lists'
4) Gin.
Eliminate by - pouring out the single bottle in my cupboard (likely just giving it away) and refusing to order it anywhere.
Improves life because - it is the only alcohol that makes me feel like I have less than 24 hours to live but I still drink it on occasions of mind-boggling incongruity to this established fact.
5) fast food Chinese or French Fries
Eliminate by - saying no to buying or eating either.
Improves life because - both, like #4, are known to make me physically ill or uncomfortable in exchange for the short moments of 'delicious-ness pleasure.'
6) Others' definitions of Success.
Eliminate by - realize my own definition, stick to it & work toward it.
Improves life because - less self judgement and (see #8)
7) Soda/Pop.
Eliminate by - not considering it a treat or having on special occassions
Improves life because - it would stop the headaches and stale sugar taste I hate and I often get afterwards. It would also be healthier.
8) Over Analysis.
Eliminate by - follow my gut instincts and let my mind settle and be quiet more often.
Improves life because - reduces stress, headaches and validate my intuition which is empowering.
9) Expensive Cosmetics.
Eliminate by - not using costly/designer makeup, lotions or soaps
Improves life because - more budget friendly, less chemicals, increase acceptance of self as is.
10) Forgetfullness of Dreams.
Eliminate by - keeping a log of dreams remembered and for making time and a mental focus to write them down.
Improves life because - source for creating and insight (two things I value).
11) Crash Diets.
Eliminate by - normally eating healthy and not being overindulgent (but when/if it happens not to regret (see #1).
Improves life because - healthier, less self judgement, more energy and a better attitude.
December 11 was another great prompt I can't pass up: 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?
1) Regret.
Eliminate by - doing anything I think I could 'regret' later & let it pass when it comes up instead of getting sucked in by it.
Improves life because - I will be doing things that make me happy and can be free to learn by the past instead of being obsessed with something 'wrong' about it.
2) too many shoes & coats.
Eliminate by - not buying any new and getting rid of some of both.
Improves life because - saves money, reduces baggage and limits decision-making.
3) saying "I'm busy" when asked 'how are you?'.
Eliminate by - finding and using new responses.
Improves life because - stop obsessing with doing more than I can, create opportunities to talk/listen about life instead of 'to-do lists'
4) Gin.
Eliminate by - pouring out the single bottle in my cupboard (likely just giving it away) and refusing to order it anywhere.
Improves life because - it is the only alcohol that makes me feel like I have less than 24 hours to live but I still drink it on occasions of mind-boggling incongruity to this established fact.
5) fast food Chinese or French Fries
Eliminate by - saying no to buying or eating either.
Improves life because - both, like #4, are known to make me physically ill or uncomfortable in exchange for the short moments of 'delicious-ness pleasure.'
6) Others' definitions of Success.
Eliminate by - realize my own definition, stick to it & work toward it.
Improves life because - less self judgement and (see #8)
7) Soda/Pop.
Eliminate by - not considering it a treat or having on special occassions
Improves life because - it would stop the headaches and stale sugar taste I hate and I often get afterwards. It would also be healthier.
8) Over Analysis.
Eliminate by - follow my gut instincts and let my mind settle and be quiet more often.
Improves life because - reduces stress, headaches and validate my intuition which is empowering.
9) Expensive Cosmetics.
Eliminate by - not using costly/designer makeup, lotions or soaps
Improves life because - more budget friendly, less chemicals, increase acceptance of self as is.
10) Forgetfullness of Dreams.
Eliminate by - keeping a log of dreams remembered and for making time and a mental focus to write them down.
Improves life because - source for creating and insight (two things I value).
11) Crash Diets.
Eliminate by - normally eating healthy and not being overindulgent (but when/if it happens not to regret (see #1).
Improves life because - healthier, less self judgement, more energy and a better attitude.
Thursday, December 16
5 Minutes (December 15th)
The #reverb10 prompt for yesterday, December 15 was
Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.
Fun! How could I pass that up?! Shockingly, under faux pressure of losing one's memory in 5 minutes it becomes ridiculously hard to rememer things...
My 5 Minutes (for 2010):
list:
30 second poetry reading in red shoes (then many more after that)
Yoga journey: from libraries and parks and theatres to books and silence and philosophy and now a Jaunary-dated plane ticket booked for India!
Train trip across the Canadian Rockies - reading, observing, embracing and then watching a rare Prince Rupert sunset. The woman who lived in the oldest house in town (now right beside the casino) sang La Vie en Roseto us at breakfast. Then we walked to the shore to see the majestic eagles.
Gators in Florida! of the real, humongous brand and even of the "fruit smoothie" type - but the latter only named after not included as an ingredient.
My search for self, soul and defining the strength of femininity.
One month of a Poem A Day
Deliberating on universities to apply to for my Masters degree and finding the top three.
Learning to make paska, verenika and shneeball from the expert
Sistina and soap making
Moving to a downtown apartment and having the first annual Sisters Week
Not buying clothes for 8 months and counting!
Painting, photographing and the present moment
Building relationships and young leaders 'from 9 to 5' by following their imaginations...
(*phew* that's tiring!) LyndiaP December 16, 2010
Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.
Fun! How could I pass that up?! Shockingly, under faux pressure of losing one's memory in 5 minutes it becomes ridiculously hard to rememer things...
My 5 Minutes (for 2010):
list:
30 second poetry reading in red shoes (then many more after that)
Yoga journey: from libraries and parks and theatres to books and silence and philosophy and now a Jaunary-dated plane ticket booked for India!
Train trip across the Canadian Rockies - reading, observing, embracing and then watching a rare Prince Rupert sunset. The woman who lived in the oldest house in town (now right beside the casino) sang La Vie en Roseto us at breakfast. Then we walked to the shore to see the majestic eagles.
Gators in Florida! of the real, humongous brand and even of the "fruit smoothie" type - but the latter only named after not included as an ingredient.
My search for self, soul and defining the strength of femininity.
One month of a Poem A Day
Deliberating on universities to apply to for my Masters degree and finding the top three.
Learning to make paska, verenika and shneeball from the expert
Sistina and soap making
Moving to a downtown apartment and having the first annual Sisters Week
Not buying clothes for 8 months and counting!
Painting, photographing and the present moment
Building relationships and young leaders 'from 9 to 5' by following their imaginations...
(*phew* that's tiring!) LyndiaP December 16, 2010
Friendship
So here's the December 16th prompt - How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?
There were so many friends both bursting and gradually changing my perspectives this year. Transforming confusion to opportunity with their own stories and coming out of unexpected places just when I needed them.
One of the experiences I am most struck by is more of me being a witness to the change of a friend. She grew, quite literally into a first-time mother. I really did not expect to be so impacted by it but I felt it was not only an amazing transformation of her but also a display of such Realness and Beauty that I couldn't help but be moved. I have never thought of the capacity to have a child in such an awe-inspiring and truly miraculous way but I really felt it. This is not to say I will be manifesting any such experience for myself in 2011, but to be able to observe the pregnancy progression to the tiny infant was totally inspiring. And for that I thank my dear friend; the growing hope and love that she showed resonated with me and gave me more hope and love for, as cheesy as it is, the whole world.
I'd say that was a bit of a perspective changer.
Thanks #reverb10!
There were so many friends both bursting and gradually changing my perspectives this year. Transforming confusion to opportunity with their own stories and coming out of unexpected places just when I needed them.
One of the experiences I am most struck by is more of me being a witness to the change of a friend. She grew, quite literally into a first-time mother. I really did not expect to be so impacted by it but I felt it was not only an amazing transformation of her but also a display of such Realness and Beauty that I couldn't help but be moved. I have never thought of the capacity to have a child in such an awe-inspiring and truly miraculous way but I really felt it. This is not to say I will be manifesting any such experience for myself in 2011, but to be able to observe the pregnancy progression to the tiny infant was totally inspiring. And for that I thank my dear friend; the growing hope and love that she showed resonated with me and gave me more hope and love for, as cheesy as it is, the whole world.
I'd say that was a bit of a perspective changer.
Thanks #reverb10!
Reverb Prompts 2010
I am SO excited about this! A sweet site called Reverb is hosting this online creative challenge to reflect on the past year and manifest the next. I love the idea of people engaging in this kind of thing so am pumped to have found out about it... even though I'm starting on Day 16. Oh well- maybe I'll have to do two a day...
So if you'd like to join in - www.reverb10.com/the-prompts - it'll be wonderous!
(p.s. thismay will very well slow down the In Response creative challenge... I'll manifest that for a month of next year.)
So if you'd like to join in - www.reverb10.com/the-prompts - it'll be wonderous!
(p.s. this
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