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blogging101, Family, Journaling, Reflections, The Garden Sanctuary, Uncategorized, Writing 101, Writing Prompts
The other day I was over at The Garden Sanctuary reading Liz’s post Living Your Values Part 1. She left a bit of homework on there for folks. She suggested observing what the values in your life were by observing what you have in your home that you love. She says about a course she had taken:
I was asked to look at the things in my life that mattered to me and to write them down… Looking at that list, you can see my values as you read my words. Values are your fundamental beliefs. They are your guiding force. Your reason to be.
Now I’m not sure I understand this exactly, but I found it very enlightening (even if I didn’t do it exactly right). So her task for the day was:
- Find 10 minutes to yourself in a safe space. Light a candle. Play soft music if it induces a calm atmosphere. Lock yourself away. Feel the peace surrounding you.
- Take your journal and in it write a list of 20 things that make you happy.
- Reflect on what these items symbolize to you.
And I’ve got to say I found it a really interesting little exercise. I was surprised by a few things. Like how many of the things on my list made me feel some kind of connection to the past. Not just MY past, put even WAY past. I found I had left behind my strong need to surround myself with warmth, candle light, quiet music (music didn’t even make my list, oddly). I used to close myself off in my “morning room/library” and bask in that ambiance. Not so much anymore. And there seems to be a need for stimulation and escapism in my life right now. I can see I will be turning this over in my mind for awhile.
Here’s my list and what the things seemed to mean for me:
Stacks of books in most rooms — knowledge, adventure, escape
Scented candles — serenity, relaxation, release
Old-fashioned wall clock in the living room — connection to the past, boundaries
Fleece throws — warmth, emotional security
Shawls — connection to the past, warmth, security
Desk — dreams
Different textures in our bedroom (metal, baskets, bamboo, etc.) — creativity
baskets — nature, creativity, boundaries
Coffee mugs/Tea pot — connection to past, tranquility, introspection
Charles Wysocki picture of “Her Captain’s Wistful Letter” — connection to the past, unfulfilled longing, escape
Sea shells — longing, escape
Shelves of books — surrounded by friends, knowledge, escape
Writing supplies in a basket — portal to adventures, release, reflection, escape
Dragonflies — imagination, possibility, dreams, escape
Hand-made doilies — connection to past, creativity
Bookshelf from our old church — sacred, connection to the past
Family pictures — my anchor, grounding
Leaf decorations — grounding
Journals — connection to MY past
My dad’s bells hanging by the stairway — my ancestors, connection to the past
The other thing that surprised me about my list was there wasn’t one thing on there from our TV room in the basement (we live in a bi-level). I guess that explains why I’m hardly ever down there!
So I’ve come to the conclusion that what I really need in my life right now is my own personal WAYBACK MACHINE! You know, like Mr. Peabody and Sherman’s from Rocky and Bullwinkle had? Or I suppose a TARDIS would work, too, if you happen to be a Dr. Who fan. 😀 Maybe it’s about time for me to get the heck out of Dodge and go have an adventure! 😀
Liz’s little exercise was enjoyable AND eye-opening. I highly recommend playing with it! If you DO happen to do a post about it, please leave a comment here so I can come and read!!!
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Picture Credits:
Values — richardbarrettblog.net
Wayback Machine — www.nytimes.com
Tardis — www.pinterest.com
“Find 10 minutes to yourself in a safe space. Light a candle. Play soft music if it induces a calm atmosphere. Lock yourself away. Feel the peace surrounding you.”
I informally engage in activities like this almost everyday. The activity itself, meditation, prayer, wonder…is precious to me.
What do I possess that I value: wife, children, God, Christ, wonder, paper, ink, poetry, words, time.
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That’s pretty much what I would have expected from you! 😀
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Thanks for working through the ideas and writing down your thoughts. It’s great to hear that you found the article quite thoughtful provoking. Nostalgia and history looks like it could an important part of your life and reconnecting with those before you. Thank you for sharing your post with me. Keep up the good work Xx
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I hope some folks will be curious and come take a look at your blog. 🙂
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Thanks! Me too:) x
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To round it off, try this one I just found – http://bayart.org/2016/09/30/the-colors-you-choose-in-the-famous-wheel-of-emotions-can-determine-who-you-are/#respond
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Here you go… I am a Radiant Introvert
You are one of the most positive people! While you exhibit qualities of a true introvert, you still radiate a powerful encouraging aura to those around you! While you may not be the biggest fan of social situations, when you are in those situations, you are known as a ray of sunshine! People will come to you if they need some positive energy
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Looks interesting. We sold our house yesterday. So it’s all about moving on. we have to decide what to take, what to leave, what to give away, what to sell and what to throw away. That’s quite salutory.
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Congrats on the house sale. You didn’t have it on the market very long, did you? Where are you moving to?
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That list shows a pretty clear picture – was there anything about it that surprised you, or did it tell you what you expected?
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Yeah, kind of. The things that are in the paragraph above the list, and also that I didn’t put anything on the list from the TV room downstairs. Guess that must be Drollery’s stuff!
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I’m sorry – I read your post thoroughly, but spent so much time re-reading your list that I forgot what you said in the previous paragraph. I’ve had a bad day, and was already sleep deprived, but I found the list fascinating – almost mesmerising, then I started thinking about my own possessions and I went adrift.
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That’s ok, hon. Something happening there? Are you back home now?
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Interestingly, I also find comfort in the past. These are some of my favourite things that I’ve filled my life with: etchings (of shells and seahorses), world maps, fossils, early 19th century novels, sepia photos of my ancestors, collections of butterflies, and a very large numismatic collection (my main passion in life!)
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I love maps, too. The older lookin’ the better. You must be into your family genealogy then, eh?
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Yes, I love researching my family tree. It takes up much of my summer holidays when I return to the family nest for a break 😀
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Well, you’d feel right at home in Utah! 😀
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