Question 1 of "Questions That Will Free your Mind"
How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?
I'm not sure I can answer with an exact age. I'm also not sure that the numerical age is the important piece to remember when reflecting on this question. I think maturity and responsibility are very important components of a successful person. I strive to be both mature and responsible in my daily life. However, I think that too often adults lose the wonder they once had as children. We all were once so curious and creative. Yes, this may not continue to be encouraged in our everyday life, but that doesn't mean it isn't allowed. Children dream, love, and can be happy with very little.
Why can't adults be? Why can't I be?
If I didn't know how old I was, I would say that I am older than what I am. I need to focus on the happiness associated with simplicity, imagination, and simply loving others and the beautiful life I have been blessed with.
Week 1 of 52 Weeks:List of 100 Most Meaningful Experiences of My Life
I won't bother sharing my list of 100 experiences. However, I did notice important trends among my list. Without difficulty and relationships almost all of these experiences wouldn't exist.
Here are some of my most meaningful experiences:
-Meeting my fiance and best friend (and his family)
-Learning when to let go of someone or something
-Becoming a Godparent and cousin to a beautiful child(ren)
-Family Traditions (Uncles dressed as Santa for Christmas) and Vacations (Disney, Virginia, Texas)
-Traveling Abroad
-Going to Graduate School
-Illness (family and self)
-Volunteering (various service trips)
I have been so blessed to be surrounded by the most supportive and loving people-my friends and family. A quarter of my list consisted of names. Names of friends, family, supervisors, and strangers. Would you be on anyone's list? That's what this activity made me think. What am I doing to help create an experience for someone's list of 100 most meaningful experiences? I also found it interesting that a lot of my experiences on this list would have, at one time, been considered obstacles. I probably prayed that they would end, go away, or be cured. I'll think about that next time I am struggling.
Week 2 consists of taking one picture a day and reflecting on it...
A few weeks ago I noticed a lady wearing a wire heart ring, and was inspired to try myself. Instead of the heart, I thought about creating some "tying the knot" rings. I used 20-gauge wire, a round-nose jewelry plier, and a highlighter for sizing. These were pretty easy to make and of course, cheap! It costed me about $10 for the pliers and wire, and I still have plenty of wire. It also took me about 30 minutes to make about 10 rings!
Steps to making DIY Knot Ring:
1. Wrap the wire around a sizing tool (highlighter, chapstick, etc.)
2. Leave an even amount, about an inch on both sides, after the wrap.
3. Make a loop with one side of the wire.
4. Stick the other end of wire through the loop.
5. Bend both ends around the "knot" and secure them in the back
It has been awhile. School and work has got the best of me, but I still saved some time to doodle. Here is what I came up with:
I'm trying to get into the habit of turning negative energies into positives, by doing something that allows me to still express my concern but on a positive side. For example, instead of being disappointed in myself for spending a day doing something that I don't enjoy and then complaining about, I decided to reflect on the quote, "What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for." I could either continue to complain about my awful day, which really wasn't that awful. Or I can think the affects of wasting time and energy being negative has on my day. It doesn't do any good wasting time on people or things that drain the positive energy out of you. Turn it into something good.
Crafting on a Budget: Book Page Paper Flower and Dry Erase Part II
Book Page Flower
Materials: Hot Glue, Book Pages I bought an old book from Goodwill for $1. I then cut four different size petal shapes (5 of each size ranging from 3 inches in diameter to about 1)-measurements don't need to be exact. Roll over the edges of each piece. For the center I just rolled up a small piece of piece in a cylinder. This is what I began gluing the pieces (beginning with small) to. You can create smaller or larger flowers depending on the size of the petal. Here is how mine turned out:
(Hanging) Dry Erase Board
Materials: Fabric/Paper, Frame
I used the same steps to create this as I did the previous Dry Erase Boards. TOO EASY! However, I use these WAY more often. All you need is some fabric or paper and a frame. Insert the fabric or paper into the frame, grab a dry-erase marker and you are all set! These are great for notes, lists, and reminders! The best part is it cost me less than $3. I found burlap in the remnants section at Hobby Lobby.
I started the week hoping this snow storm would never come; now, I am so happy it did. Snow Day. No Class. Hot Cocoa. Snowball Fight. Snow-Octopus Building. It was great! I feel lucky that I had great friends to share it with. It reminded me of my childhood and home...good ol' Wisconsin! Now, a TV Movie Marathon, featuring The Mighty Ducks-classic '90's film. Here's to making the most of days that are few!
