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... it's here: the last month of an extraordinary year. Last night, I was out and about gallery hopping along side Christmas trees and kindred spirits. It was a festive night of art, connection and conversation.
While December is one of the darkest months (oh, too little daylight!) it’s also one of the brightest. December is a month of gettin’ ‘er done so that the New Year opens with possibilities and freedom. Nothin’ left behind! Before I leap into meditations and plans for a New Year, it's time to be present with 2011 and wrap this year up with a big, bright bow.
Ever hear of Reverb? Originally created by Gwen Bell, Revert 10 was a daily writing practice that focused on examining the previous year and sending out reverberations for a positive year ahead. Unfortunately, no official Reverb 11 is happening this year so a handful of writers took it upon themselves to crowd source daily writing prompts of reflections and intentions.
I may post a few reflections but should you feel inspired to join the journey, here’s the list if you feel so inspired:
December 1 - One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2011 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2012 for you?
December 2 - Alignment.
Where did 2011 begin? How did this year’s accomplishment line up with last year’s goals? What did you accomplish?
December 3 - Moment.
Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).
December 4 - Community.
Where have you discovered community in 2011? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? What role does the place where you live play in your life? What role do you play where you live?
December 5 - Party.
What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2011? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, and shenanigans.
December 6 - Fear.
When were you most scared? Why? How did you respond? How do you wish you would have responded?
December 7 - Wisdom.
What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?
December 8 - Action.
When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?
December 9 - Appreciate.
What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?
December 10 - 5 Minutes.
Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2011 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2011.
December 11 - Money.
If your life circumstances suddenly changed and money was no longer a concern, how would you spend your time? What new challenges and projects would you take on? Can any of these become part of your current life or future goals?
December 12 - Friendship.
How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?
December 13 - Lesson Learned.
What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?
December 14 - Try.
What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2011? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?
December 15 - Chapters.
If you divided your life into chapters what would you call them? What chapter are you in now? What chapter is next?
December 16 - Travel.
How did you travel in 2011? Where did you visit? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?
December 17 - Beyond Avoidance.
What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)
December 18 - Future self.
Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self? How do you think an older self will look back? What advice would your younger/older self give you now?
December 19 - Style/Photo – a present to yourself.
Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you. What role does style play in your life? What ways do you express yourself through your appearance? Do you find personal style evolving or static? happenstance or controlled?
December 20 - Impact.
Where did you leave a mark?
December 21 - Harmony
If you were creating a soundtrack for the past year what songs would it include?
December 22 - Ordinary Joy.
Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?
December 23 - Achieve.
What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.
December 24 - Defining Moment.
Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year.
What’s the best decision you made in 2011? Why was it the best?
What’s the worst decision you made in 2011? Why was it the worst?
December 25 - The Arts: making vs. consuming.
Music, film, dance, photography, visual art- what arts do you participate in and what do you enjoy consuming? What books did you read? What movies did you see? Are there areas you wish were more a part of your life, actively or passively?
December 26 - Struggle.
When did you struggle? (When has struggle paid off? When didn’t it?)
December 27 - People.
Who touched your heart? Who did you miss? (and were you surprised?) Who did you meet? Who do you want to attract into your life in 2012?
December 28 - Change.
What changes of this past year were in your control? What changes weren’t? How have you faced unexpected developments and opportunities?
December 29 - Habits - 12 Things.
What are 12 things your life doesn’t need in 2012? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 12 things change your life? What habits and activities in your life are helping you? Which are holding you back? Where did you spend your time?
December 30 - Core Story.
What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world?
December 31 - Dreams for 2012 and Beyond.
What are your dreams for next year? What do you want to do in 2012? Where do you hope to be on Jan 1, 2013?
~
Happy December! Enjoy the magic of the season...
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