Each Wednesday (or thereabouts) I’ve been recording a Curiosity Journal to recap the previous week using these tag words: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing.Care to join me?
Reading
About 20 years ago, a career change resulted in unexpected freedom to reinvent my life. Having quit a full-time job at a church, I could suddenly explore possibilities. My husband encouraged me to take my time and refrain from settling for something bland simply because it offered a paycheck.I know. He’s amazing.Well, during those years on staff at the church, I’d been developing administrative skills. But believe me, organization is not my natural bent. I’d been directing drama sketches, as well, and while I’m creative, I’m not born for the theater. Nothing I’d been doing seemed like a perfect fit, so I felt the need to explore all options. Hopeful and curious, I pulled off the library shelves books like What Color Is Your Parachute? Nothing was helping much, however, until one afternoon at the library when I spotted a title at the end of a shelf. It caught my eye because I thought it said “Witchcraft.” Shocked at the audacity, I stared at the unexpectedly bright and colorful cover design.When I got closer, I saw that the title was Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want
. Ah, wishcraft. Whew! Interested in the author’s approach to “wishing”, I tossed the book on my stack and took it home.Once I opened the book and read the first few pages, I reached for my journal to scribble responses to the exercises designed to reveal long-lost dreams and wishes for what might have been. The idea being, of course, that if those dreams and wishes are resurrected, revisited, and revised into actual goals, what might have been can turn into what will be.Those exercises—that book—led to my confident pursuit of a writing life.While I am not the most prolific nor widely known writer, I am grateful to have moved toward that goal.With one exception—a deep longing to live near the beach—I’m living the life I wanted, the life that I felt the Lord was pointing me to pursue.The other night, I found myself wondering about Wishcraft. I ended up discovering that the entire book is available for free online at wishcraft.com. Each chapter is downloadable as a pdf file.I’ve been reading through the chapters again, pausing to revisit some of the exercises. It seems wise to go through them periodically, as I move into new phases of life. So far, I seem to have stayed true to my earliest dreams—even the simpler, smaller wishes and daydreams.Missing from the book is any sense of Christ-centeredness. The book doesn’t lead the reader to live a life worthy of the Lord, a life submitted to Him. I added that perspective on my own, and I do hope that my dreams, wishes and goals reflect my faith in Him to lead me along the way.Now, in fact, I’m looking forward to guiding my kids through a similar process in hopes that they will pursue a life that reflects how God has made them and His desire for what they do with this one wild and precious life they’ve been given.
Learning
Have I already posted this? If so, I refuse to apologize, as we should all watch it again.
Playing
While trying to describe the above video to my high school composition students, I imitated Annie Sullivan and demonstrated how she placed Helen’s hands on her throat, mouth and nose. And then, because I like to mimic, I created an Annie Sullivan voice.On the last day of co-op, the students claimed that they will carry my Annie Sullivan impersonation with them the rest of their lives. And then, one by one, they each stretched out one of their hands, positioning their fingers on their own throats, mouths and noses while attempting a voice characterized by precise diction.I am happy to recreate this performance on demand.
Writing
Watch out! School is wrapping up, so as soon as I turn in grades next week, I am free to focus on writing. Unless family disruptions alter my plans, I anticipate a more creative, prolific and vibrant set of posts this summer. Will you be around to read them?
Reacting
For old time’s sake, I did a couple of the exercises in Chapter 3 of Wishcraft. One of the author’s suggestions is to list 20 things you like to do. You have to make it to 20, but the last few entries can be simple (ride a bike, drink hot chocolate, stare at sunsets), because even simple activities reflect a person’s personality.After generating the list, I was to make a little chart and determine:
- How long since last done?
- Costs money or free?
- Alone or with someone?
- Planned or spontaneous?
- Job related?
- Physical risk?
- Fast or slow-paced?
- Mind, body or spiritual?
I probably shouldn’t do this exercise on the last day of school, when I’m worn and weary. My list, including such entries as “read”, “write”, “take pictures,” and “drink a pot of tea,” is void of adventure as it reflects the desire for a low-cost, low-key, low-risk, slow-paced, quiet, contemplative lifestyle.
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Notebook image by Ann Kroeker. All rights reserved. You may “pin” in a way that links back to this post.
Your husband IS amazing. I’m delighted that I recently had a similar sort of conversation with my amazing husband, since the start of school next year means I’ll have large chunks of time to myself. It feels like it would be easier to do ANYTHING that generated a steady paycheck, because then I’d be sure I was “useful.”
Hm….take a look at Wishcraft. If you figure out what the author calls the “touchstone” to your dream/wish, you might be able to work while also pursuing the goals that will lead to wish-fulfillment, or however she phrases it.
And I have to confess that I wouldn’t have minded having some of that extra cash right about now, while my oldest daughter is on the verge of starting college. If we’d had it back then and tucked it away in savings, she could go wherever she wanted.
I have to check out that Wishcraft book – it sounds great (love the title, too). I’m kind of envious that summer means MORE time for you to write. I am in a bit of a panic – the kids get out of school tomorrow, and that definitely means less writing time for me from now till August 20. It will be interesting, now that I am a full-time writer, to see how we ease (or stumble) through this transition period of early summer. I hope we can carve out at least some routine – I thrive in routine you know!
Wow, I forget that I live a reverse life. I do hope you find a way to make it all work, Michelle. Routine surely is the key!
Oh, Ann, I always LOVE your Curiosity Journal! I think you should do a link up with it. I just never get over here enough.
I’ve already checked out Wishcraft and it looks great! I’m with you and looking forward to that writing time this summer…so much.
Oh, Laura, you know what it’s like to break free from teaching and relax into summer! I love teaching–this year, in fact, I received several surprising and humbling affirmations–but I do love the break.
And you inspired me–I popped a linky up just now and will do so week after week. Just in case anyone wants to join me (hint-hint). 🙂
I love every bit of this Ann. I’m going to check out that book. I’m forever trying to figure out who in the world I am (and I’m 65 already!!!). I want to see the Annie Sullivan impression next time we’re together – and I do long for that to happen.
I will make sure my voice is properly proper, ready to enunciate. 🙂
I, too, hope we meet before too long, somewhere, somehow!
Also, that book is pretty interesting. It has its quirks, but the basic exercises helped me hone in on things and gives ideas for how to actually move toward a goal by setting other actions to be done immediately.
Ann, that book, “Wishcraft” sounds terrific–and I’m sort of hoping that at least my youngest will look into it before he heads into Navy life in July. I’ve been trying to encourage him to take some type of a “personality” test but you know how resistant young adult children can be (23 years old and still finding himself).
For me, I’m hoping to write up a storm now that school is out and life is settling down more than it has been in the last six months. I can breathe easy.
Like you, my list of things to do we not include any adventures just kicking back and enjoying God’s creation and family around me. However, Tom and I are taking a mini-adventure to California’s Gold Rush country to a delightful looking B&B tucked in the woods 2 hours from Yosemite. AHHHH! Look for waterfalls and woods in my posts two weeks from now.
Thanks for letting me chat up a storm. Can you tell summer has set in?
Blessings,
Janis
Oh, it’s so fun to see you here, Janis! Even your laid back lifestyle sounds more adventurous than mine with that Gold Rush trip! Lovely.
And I hope that some part of that book might be nice to help your son confirm or adapt his dream. It’s a quick read–definitely not burdensome to go through.
Sign me up for the demo, please. And I love that your life is lived in reverse – seems appropriate, somehow. I’m struggling with getting back into the groove with my own writing since being away – came home and within 48 hours had to drive south to take my mom to the doctor’s and then see a grandson be the big bad wolf in his kindergarten play. NOW I am home for a while. Maybe I can focus.
I’ve never seen that video clip before – it is wonderful. Thanks for all of this, Ann.
Oh, Diana…that makes two people I’ll need to treat to some silliness!
I’m glad your life is settling down, but you’ve not let your away time keep you from writing strong!
Ann, it’s wonderful to hear your husband is amazing; good for both of you! After Dave died, I was amazed to find out how few “amazing” husbands, and wives, exist. Further, how many couples don’t have happy marriages. I was totally shocked and remained flummoxed at how people will stay in unhappy because, apparently, it’s easier than changing. You know…the devil you know…
Dave was amazing; he told me it was his “job to provide for you and to protect you”; I’d respond, “and it’s my job to take care of you.” He died in November last year so I’m having to “re-invent” myself, to figure out what God wants me to do. This first year, I truly believe He wants me to focus on taking care of me, the animals, the farm…ME. That’s so difficult for people to understand; I’ve had the rudest comments on “it’s been XX months, don’t you think it’s time to move on?” I’m thinking those are the unhappy people in their marriages, do you think so too? -smile-
The video of Helen and Anne is fabulous; it’s been years since I’ve seen it and will have to go by the library, next trip to town, so I can see it again. (No bandwidth on the farm.)
Thank you too, Ann, for the bit about Wishcraft being available for free; when I view the video, I’ll also download the book. Your list of 20 things is good exercise; when I take a break from work this afternoon, I’ll work on my list. Bless you for the nudge.
Oh, Sandra, what a beautiful thing to know how loved you were by Dave and how well you loved him (and still love)! I hope that you can ignore the book’s shortcomings and enjoy the process of reinventing yourself, with the Lord’s leading, letting him use those little exercises to unearth what he is doing in your heart.
I hope you make time for at least a quarter of your list, to do some things you enjoy. Perhaps already you know it is the animal care? And quiet time on that farm?
I have never seen the Helen Keller video and was amazed.
Do I feel the words of others? Or do I just gloss — reading them over.
What if, I could place my hand not on the throat and lips, but on the heart? What would I feel then?
David, that’s so beautiful.
I think you have a blog post right there, calling us to listen to the heart, to feel the words that others speak.
I love that this post is completely and totally you! I can hear your voice as I read. I like the idea of wishcrafting, and I’m wondering if I’d be able to make it to twenty on my list.
I’m making some similar moves these days. Leaving corporate America for writing and other fun things. I’ve never made a move that seems so right. I think this may be what I’ve been waiting for all along…
Okay. I’m back. And I made it 20. Good exercise!
Yay! I hope your life allows for plenty of time for you to be enjoying some if not all of those 20 things–and that they reveal the deep and true you, so you can feel affirmed in these choices.
Care to share a couple of things on your list? My daughter read a draft of this post and insisted I include a few from mine. Thus, the pot of tea entered in. 🙂