A practice I've engaged in several times is choosing a word for guidance over the year ahead. My friend Kathleen has offered this in early January at our church for 7 or so years (virtually during lock down), and i joined the group again last weekend. We start with sharing our last word, the a review of the previous year, listing highs and lows - and look for themes. Feel into what you wish for this year ahead, and for a word to support you. Kathleen invites us to use a dictionary or thesaurus as we come time this word. Last year I chose Weave, as I wanted to save new friendships and experiences. One of my church friends began a singles group, and a Native Voices bookgroup, and also joined our Edible Landscaping group, so deepened with current friends and wove in new ones! Weave - 2023 Our singles group meet Saturday for a great, and each drew a card from a Hawaiian healing deck - my card 'Kaulike' invites balance - and we bespoke finding balance between work and pla
Many of us reflect on gratitude during November, and that was our focus for this month's Red Thread Circle. We each shared something we are grateful for as we passed the Red Thread; some were connection, pleasure in small moments, Community, clarity, presence and our time together. I used a compass in my journal, inspired by Cindy and Linda to create a couple of mandalas. I so appreciate collaborating with these amazing co-facilitators! Neuroart Gratuitude mandala Neurographica is a form researched and developed by a Russian psychologist, Pavel Piskerev, and taught by practioners on several countries. It dovetails beautifully with Intentional Creativity, as you begin my focusing on an intention, or something you wish to shift. Pavel observed that while angles make us somewhat uncomfortable, round shapes are soothing and calm our nervous system. Linda and I took the basic class last year, and often use neurgraphica as inspiration for our own neuroart adaptations. Here's a r