Been Playing Hooky
Happy New Year! I’m starting 2011 with an “Unexcused Absence.” I took the holidays off and gave myself a real holiday from all forms of non-personal communication. For the past month I tried to avoided my computer, phones, mail….and focus on here and now.
And dang if it didn’t feel just like it did when I used to play hooky from school: an intoxicating blend of guilt and pleasure.
It wasn’t easy. E-mail is especially hard for me to ignore. I really had to work at not check in often. Let’s say I sort of managed (only because for much of the holidays I did not have access to the internet.) In the end, I give myself a C-. (I flunked business e-mail). Now I’m getting those where- the-heck-are-you-and-why-haven’t-you-responded-and-did-you-fall-off-the-edge-of-the-world notes.
I ended the holidays at a Creativity Energizer Retreat with my writing bud, Marty. Each January, we sequester ourselves with piles of new books, favorite snacks and libations, and a few problem manuscripts. We set a schedule for the days and stick to it. It’s amazing how revitalizing it is. It was especially so this year as both of us began the retreat feeling as though we hadn’t a fresh idea in our heads and should quit writing all together. We ended refreshed and overflowing with creative promise. Wooooo!
Prior to the retreat, we met with a fellow writer, Kathy Duval to discuss New Year’s Goals (notice I didn’t say resolutions? I resolved not to resolve this year.) “Write It Down, Make it Happen” Kathy said, explaining how every year she and her family write down personal Dreams/Hopes/Desires they have for themselves and put them away. The following New Year’s they pull out the prior year’s notes and see how many they had achieved.
Kathy’s family is not alone in doing this. Google the phrase: “write it down, make it happen and you’ll find scads of stories. There’s even a book detailing the process. If you are so inclined to read it, here’s the Amazon link.
Today, the GGs, my creativity group, are holding our gathering of 2011. To kick off the New Year, we are going to Write it Down/Make it Happen! Why don’t you join us?
Write it Down, Make it Happen!
Supplies:
- 5 small pieces of paper
- colorful pens,
- your personal Dreams/Hopes/Desires (Note: personal—this is for you!,
- a small colorful box, envelope or sachel to use as a Dream Keeper.
Directions:
Close your eyes and take a few minutes to think about what you want, what you really really want to happen in your life. Do not censor yourself. Do not limit yourself. Be honest! Dream big!
Cull your Dreams/Hopes/Desires to a short list of 5.
Do not share them with anyone! Do not talk about them!
Write each of these 5 Dreams/Desires/Hopes on separate pieces of paper.
Reread each, fold it, and put it away in your Dream Keeper.
Secure your Dream Keeper in a safe place (remember where you put it so you can retrieve it next year.)
That’s how you do it! Now get busy
Watch out 2011! We Have Arrived!