I regret little, but looking back I am disappointed at my not participating in a reflection project for 2011. That year was so excruciating and painful and joyful and liberating and full that it is very much a blur of change. I should have recorded some part of it - though a peek into my December Daily 2011 will certainly give an indication to why the project did not get completed!
I really enjoyed participating in reverb10 which resulted in a beautiful blog, a wonderful keepsake album and a collection of incredible memories recorded. I will always remember where I was and where I was planning on going. I want to go through the exercise again for 2012. This past year was full of joy and liberation. Well worth remembering.
Not that I have an abundance of time this year, and nor do I feel particularly creative, but I do have a great desire, so that will have to do! I have looked at a number of resources to find suitable prompts, happily there are many from which to choose. I've curated many concepts and questions; those I've selected can be found below as well as a few of my own, prompted by the brilliance surrounding me during my research. They have been attributed as best I can.
REVERB12 | DAILY PROMPTS
December 01 | One Word (the original first question)
Encapsulate the year 2012 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 2013 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)
December 02 | Limits
We often learn our limits the hard way. Were there any limits you realized this past year? Alternately, what self-imposed limits were you able to move beyond this year? (Author: Carolyn Rubenstein)
December 03 | Remember
What is one thing you did this year you think you'll remember for the rest of your life? (Author: Me)
December 04 | Fear
When were you most scared? Why? How did you respond? How do you wish you would have responded? (Author: Mary Churchill)
December 05 | Worthy
Who have you taken for granted? Write to them a handwritten letter expressing how you truly feel about them. Then mail it. (Author: Me)
December 06 | Change
If you could change one thing that happened this year, what would it be? Why? (Author: Me)
December 07 | 7 Minutes
Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2012 in 7 minutes. Set an alarm for 7 minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2012. (Author: Patty Digh, with an extra 2 minutes from me!)
December 08 | Reading
What has been your favourite book or blog or magazine you've read this year? (Author: Carolyn Rubenstein)
December 09 | Spontaneity
What was your last act of spontaneity? (Author: Me)
December 10 | Accomplish
What are the 10 things I'm most proud of accomplishing this year? What are 10 things on the to do list for next year? (Author: Me)
December 11 | Money
Where did you spend money through this year? (Author: Kaileen Elise)
December 12 | Joy
What activity brings you the most joy? (Author: Me)
December 13 | Try
What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try 2012? What happened when you did/didn't go for it. (Author: Kaileen Elise)
December 14 | Relaxed
Where did you feel most relaxed? (Author: Me)
December 15 | Make
What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)
December 16 | Disappointment
What was the greatest disappointment of the year and how did you let go? (Author: Me)
December 17 | Spark
What in your current life or context provides the spark for the future that you want to create? Where do you see your future beginning? (Author: Me)
December 18 | Bouquet
If you were to be brought a bouquet, what flowers would you want it to hold? Colourful? Monochromatic? Traditional? Modern? (Author: Me)
December 19 | Cry
When did you cry? (Author: Kaileen Elise)
December 20 | Health
Do you consider yourself to be in good health? What changes can you make to be at your most healthy? (Author: Me)
December 21 | Song
What were your favourite songs? (Author: Kaileen Elise)
December 22 | Discovery
Did you discover something that surprised or delighted you? What was it? (Author: Me)
December 23 | Alone
Have you had any alone time this year? Do you seek it? Does it make you comfortable or uncomfortable to be left alone with your thoughts? Where is the best place for you to be comfortable by yourself? (Author: Me)
December 24 | Photograph
Take some time and wander through all of the photos taken over the past year. Which is your favourite? What emotions do you associate with it? (Author: Me)
December 25 | Gift
At this point in the year gift giving is everywhere. What is the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year? (Author: Holly Root)
December 26 | Return
Is there a time to which you would like to return? Describe it: the sights, sounds, smells, who was there, what was going on. Why would you like to return? (Author: Me)
December 27 | Compliment
What is the greatest compliment you could give? Are you worthy of the same praise? (Author: Me)
December 28 | Space
We all surround ourselves with the things we love. A few favourite things - a blanket, a lamp, a piece of art, a chair, a lovey - something inanimate that brings us happiness. What do you have in your personal space that brings about happiness? What is the story attached to it that has it in your sacred space? (Author: Me)
December 29 | View
Imagine that you can view yourself from above. Watch carefully. What are you doing? What are you trying to accomplish? As objectively as possible, are you going in the right direction? (Author: Me)
December 30 | Year in Review
As you reflect back on the happenings of 2012, what were your high points and what were your low points? What do you notice as you look back on the year as a whole? (Author: Carolyn Rubenstein)
December 31 | Moving Forward
Close your eyes and imagine yourself on January 1, 2014. Where do you want to be - in your heart, in your soul, in the world? (Author: Me)
And with that, my month of reflection will come to an end and hopefully enough energy and ideas have been manifested to bring me into a full and rewarding 2013. What about you?
Just like 2010, I've created a separate mini-blog dedicated to this exercise. This is purely for me, but I'd love to have you join in! If you do, please leave a message and let me know so I can follow your thoughts and ideas on the topics - or maybe some of your own :)
