list | listening to the universe

Early last week I got three signs:

This post via Design Crush;

then this post via Ali Edwards;

and a couple of pins on Pinterest

all within an hour.

So, what did I do? Naturally, I listened to the Universe and went over to check out what was going on with Moorea Seal. What did I discover? Some lovely jewelry, yes. Then, for a list-maker like myself ... NIRVANA!

Ali is right, not only is 52 Lists a great idea to include in Project Life, or One Little Word, or any other memory keeping project, it is IDEAL for my most recent Project LEE. What is that? Well, I have come to realize that the time has come for me to figure out what I want to be when I grow up and it's high time I get out of the house and fend for myself.

I've hired a Life Coach and am doing a lot of reading and researching. These lists may just come in handy to focus in on what it is that interests me and captures my attention.

The big question? Will I do them or will this become just one more project I join in and then let fall by the wayside? There is always that chance but I'm a fan of lists and this is a relatively easy creative task to accomplish. I managed to write out the first five prompts in less than an hour - editing included! I was on a roll :)

52 LISTS | Week One | List the words that touch your soul

Family

Truth

Respect

Kindness

Courage

Authentic

Open

Laughter

Lemons

Friendship

Love

Patience

Welcome

Drive

Children

Generosity

Roots

Present

Inclusive

Cozy

Happy

Wisdom

Intuition

Chowder

Smile

Wit

Blank Page

Challenge

New

Gathering

Project

Cobblestones

Fog

Genuine

Resilience

Appreciation

Sunshine

Curiosity

Clean

Order

Music

Peonies

Soil

Growth

Spirit

Pencils

Sing

Cast Iron

Plans

Harmony

Focus

Lists

Story

Ambition

Sleep

Goals

Books

Learn

Hugs

Stars

Acceptance

Writing

Sharing

Capable

Bubbles

Mistakes

Lessons

Energy

Compassion

Grace

Freedom

Expression

Essence

Create

Quiet

Reflection

Joy

Onward

Moss

Moonbeams

Help

Lavender

Effort

Flow

Make

Sparkle

Cable Knit

Water

Sand

Fireplace

Breezes

Photographs

Questions

Connection

Optimism

Complete

 

52 LISTS | Week Two | List your greatest comforts

• Writing lists.
• Enjoying the luxuries of a posh hotel.
• Watching my children do what they love: on stage, on court, wherever.
• The first sip of coffee in the morning.
• Getting my life and home cleaned up and organized.
• Dark chocolate.
• Making plans: travel, articles, purchases, camps for kids.
• Fresh starts.
• Roast chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans.
• Scarves.
• Surrounding myself with books and photographs.
• Sitting in a still and quiet spot, letting my mind wander.
• Long showers.
• Thyroid medication.
• Singing in the truck – sometimes with, sometimes without, the kids.
• Driving to Cape Cod for our annual summer holiday.
• Being early.
• Gathering people together, watching connections happen.
• Long talks with my sister Beth.
• Listening to my children talk – and tease – each other.
• Acceptance letters arriving from Universities for Claire.
• Overhead fans.
• My (now ratty) black duster sweater – like wearing a hug.
• Floating in water.
• When the kids “argue” about who loves me more.
• Good conversation.
• Lunch out with friends.
• Optimism.
• Genuine offers of support and acceptance.
• Embracing life with confidence and kindness – there is more to learn.
• Daring greatly. Living wholehearted. Full.

 

52 LISTS | Week Three | List the things you shuld be proud of

• I am raising four kind and authentic children. They are my raison d'être - reason for being.
• Finding the courage to divorce – knowing there is a better life for me.
• Listening to my sister and going to the doctor. It saved my life.
• I have accepted that I am insatiably curious and want to learn new things all the time – and that’s okay.
• I have really good intuition and instincts. I won’t let someone tell me I’m wrong – or not to trust myself - again.
• I am able to look at any situation – even tragic or mean - and see the good, the lessons, in it.
• My health is now a top priority. I’ve changed how I eat, how I move, how I think about myself as I prepare for a long and strong future.
• The greatest lessons in my life have been taught by the most vile of teachers. I thank them as I loathe them.
• I have found my voice. I have plans to use it.
• I recognize my many flaws and realize that they are part of what makes me who I am and I like her. Without those flaws what would I have to work on?
• There is no shame in therapy. Knowledge, especially self-knowledge, is crucial to live a full and honest life.
• I am learning to let myself be loved.
• I am rediscovering talents and happily realizing I have many new ones too.
• I enjoy encouraging others to be the best they are able to be. I am not much of a teacher, but by example I am doing my best to empower others.
• I will let my children make mistakes, but I am also their greatest advocate when they need me to step in.
• I do not define myself, or my surroundings, by the delusions of others. I live in a weird place.
• It took a while but I realized that I am worthy. I am enough.

 

52 LISTS | Week Four | List your current & future goals & dreams

• Figure out what I want to be when I grow up! It’s time to figure it out and put a plan together – so I hired a Life Coach! Fingers crossed.
• Finally get that root canal so I can eat fruit again!
• I want to make every effort to stay in consistent contact with my family and my friends, always.
• Finish up the projects and purchases for the house and make it the oasis I want for now and in the future.
• LOSE THE WEIGHT. Stay healthy and strong.
• Travel: Back to the SW States, all over Europe by train, Hawai’i, Tahiti and Bora Bora, Northern Africa, Western Russia, and wherever else sounds interesting.
• Buy a place on the water – maybe in the Carolinas? Georgia?
• Join a social club and get out more. Engage!
• Determine my personal fashion and décor style and purchase only those things that reflect it.
• Find a quiet space. And just listen.
• Take a cooking course and learn to make cooking fun :)
• Attend a TED conference.
• Fix the blog and make it what I want it to be.
• Write a book. A big, beautiful, glorious book. Or a small, beautiful, glorious book. Size doesn’t matter – content does.
• Attend my children’s graduations from high school and University.
• Take classes – art, writing, and photography – forever.
• Go to a Squam Retreat in New Hampshire.
• Become a grandmother – many times over.
• Never stop creating.
• Find comfortable – and long enough - jeans.
• Always have something to do.
• Develop a way to stay cool, all the time.
• Make my children’s lives comfortable and filled with love.
• Always continue learning new things.
• Find someone to love, who will love me.

52 LISTS | Week Five |List what you are grateful for

• Waking up every morning.
• The love, trust and respect of my kids.
• My inquisitive nature and insatiable need to learn.
• My home and who I share it with.
• Always having something to do.
• My dad.
• Choices.
• Good lawyers.
• Forgiving nature of my children.
• A good eye. I take good photos. Not technically, but they look good!
• Thyroid medication.
• The expanding, er, improving tastes of my family. I am now able to cook more than just chicken nuggets, hot dogs and macaroni and cheese. In fact, none of those things are in my kitchen anymore!
• Opportunity to take the time to find out what I want to do with the rest of my life.
• Laughter.
• Conversations with Beth. Enjoying the bond of shared experiences.
• Resilience.
• My blog. Google Reader. Pinterest. Facebook.
• TED & TEDx
• CBS Sunday Morning, BRAVO and Netflix
• Steve Jobs & Apple
• SiriusXM36 and Cogeco314
• Access to fresh fruits and vegetables all year long.
• Tons of after school and holiday opportunities for the kids.
• No more hockey – or hockey mean.
• Constant change.
• Longer days.
• Growing confidence.
• Sauvignon Blanc.

 

Today I'll download Week Six to post next week.

What about you? Do you like making lists?