Questions often birth crazy ideas. Like today, I was wondering what should I write about. I asked questions like: What have I already shared? What else sounds like a crazy idea? And then the ideas start percolating.

I notice the bunny on my hand, as I drive out of the neighborhood. That reminds me of several things, the recent road trip my mom and I took to see our Jersey family. And a subsequent trip to a local flea market, where I found this ring. I tried it on, and it fit. In my mind though, I was questioning whether or not I’d really wear it or was this ring really my style? Not two seconds later, my thirteen year old niece chimed in to my unspoken question. “That ring is so YOU, Aunt Kel!” Her affirmation sealed the deal.

The bunny ring brings to mind another question that my mom and I discussed on our trip:

What drives you?

Or another way to put it, what motivates each person to keep going, to do the next thing? These kind of questions become a quest, of sorts. One question leading to another, and then some possible answers brew. And next thing you know, the cup of answers is ready to pour.

Asking questions can be a communal experience like our conversation on the road trip, or a personal reflection practice. When I’m with others, I’m usually quick to offer my answer to their questions, but I am learning to let the question be with us. And often, the person or the question will answer itself.

Another meaningful way to actively listen, is to answer with an open ended question in response. What do you love about that? How could you move forward? Who else do you think your idea will impact or help? When can you make your next step? These are all questions we can ask in conversation, or even for personal reflection.

Have you ever thought about asking questions as an adventure? What keeps you from asking your questions? Do you have a safe person or place to engage with your musings?

If you’ve been following along this month, you can probably guess what I might ask next. Do you have a journal or notebook to write down your questions? I find pen and paper great companions for finding answers.

Here’s a question to prompt you: What is driving you?

 

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7 NIV)

 

 

I don’t need more things, but I sure do love making things. Today was Open Studio time for my art students. It was a small gathering, and yet the quiet room was rich with creative energy. Our souls were being expanded by sharing stories and common space. Some of us painted, while some of us used the sewing machine on the porch to sew paper together.

Since it was a smaller group, I gathered some random materials and designed a hand sewn journal using a recycled granola bar box. The colors and graphics spoke to me of nestling in, but at the same time inviting me to stay awake and energized, as I approach the closing of this year.

For some crazy reason, I’m looking forward to the holidays and winter this year. (I’m more of a sunshine and summer breeze personality, but this year I’m longing to be snowed in, and snuggled under a warm throw drinking my coffee.) I want to be at home and make things.

Things like memories and more time to reflect, and cozy spaces to gather family and friends. To celebrate the holidays and savor the slow down of the wintry months ahead.

What kind of things do you like to make? What would it look like to make some time and space this season to settle in and savor the season ahead?

 

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence. (Acts 2:28 ESV)

 

Yes, that is an egg-shaped timer sitting on my journal. I’ve never used it to time eggs. Instead, it comes in handy when I need a little motivation. I use it to hatch ideas. Those crazy ideas that need the artificial urgency of a time constraint to keep them from dawdling around in my head.

When I need to rustle my thoughts, I use a method called the “quick write.” I learned this technique from Lynn D. Morrissey in the Journal to the Self workshop that she offered locally a few years back. Lynn is a dear friend and journal keeper extraordinaire. I linked her name to her superb book about using your journal to write prayers to God, as a devotional expression. I highly recommend her book, as Lynn weaves vulnerable personal narrative into practical glimpses of her journal keeping practice. The second link is to the book from which the workshop was developed by Kathleen Adams. (If you’re interested in keeping a journal for self-development, here’s a link from Kathleen’s website with tips to get started.)

So back to the technique, set your timer for five minutes, and then just start writing whatever comes to mind. It does help to have a topic or a prompt to get you started. One of my favorite prompts to get the words flowing, which I learned from Lisa Sonora, is to start with the phrase:

Right now…

So go set your timer for five minutes, and respond to the prompt, Right now . . .

Then read what you wrote down. Did anything surface that surprised you? How did writing for five minutes feel? Would you consider adding this practice to your regular routine? Why or why not?

These crazy ideas of mine! I hope you’re having fun with them.

What are some other ways you use a timer?

 

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens . . .

(Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)

Call me crazy, but I love dictionaries! And thesauruses, too. Why, you may ask? I LOVE words and their meanings, history and usage. I own several volumes of dictionaries from unabridged to a pocket versions, and I visit m-w.com quite often.

When I went back to college, in my forties, I needed a foreign language for my English degree. I started with French at the community college, but was delighted when I transferred to UM_St. Louis that they offered Latin. To learn prefixes and root words changed the way I interacted with words. When I read a word that used to be a common English word to me, like manufacture, I, now, recognize it’s Latin roots. “Manu” means hands and “facture” comes from the Latin verb “facere,” meaning to make. So to manufacture something means to make with hands. Of course, the industry evolved into using machines to make things, but it makes me happy to know that I can still manufacture things, i.e. make them with my hands. Like writing this blog post or playing around with my art supplies.

Some of my most clarifying moments in my journal, have been when I go on a “definition quest.” If a word catches my attention, I look up it’s meaning. For instance, let’s look at purpose. Here’s what I found on the merriam-webster website:

Definition of purpose

(Before the internet, I would look up the word in the dictionary. While turning pages the quest became richer by the potential of a side trip with another word, which might catch my attention, but with the internet you can quest by clicking.)

I still record my findings in my journal, because I like to notice any associations or repeated words, as I write them down. So for this quest, my next step might be to click on intention because it caught my attention. (And then my Latin knowledge kicks in, aha! Two words in that last sentence have the root word “tenere,” which means to hold. You see how this adventure could keep going and going.)

Next, my intuition would lead me to ponder the word “hold” for awhile. I would wonder what hold has to do with the word purpose. Then my playful spirit would make up questions like: What hold does purpose have on me? And what does my purpose hold in store for me? After writing these things down, I would look up the definition of hold. You get the idea. And I haven’t even started thinking about synonyms to purpose or intention or hold yet!

So here’s a crazy idea, if you still have a print dictionary around your place, why not take it out for a spin? Peruse it’s pages, while jotting notes in a journal or on a piece of paper. Pay attention to what you notice, how the pages feel, and what archaic or obsolete words catch your eye.

How does it feel to hold a dictionary in your hands? Have you ever gone on a definition quest? What was it like? What’s your favorite way to interact with words?

Gracious words are a honeycomb,
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24 NIV)

Did you ever need a nudge, a push or a call to action? One crazy idea that helps me, when I feel stuck, overwhelmed or just plain unmotivated, I look for a prompt.

A prompt moves me to action. But where to find the inspiration? What’s my source for a prompt? Sometimes the prompt comes in the form of a question, like “What’s next?” Other times, I may find a quote that inspires me. I find it helps me to process the prompt in my journal.

I write down sentences that need to be finished. Open ended prompts. This crazy idea is fairly practical, and yet sort of magical in the way writing the words on the page illuminates the why behind my stuck-ness, and most times the how of getting past it.

Instead of me writing on and on about this topic, let’s try some prompts:

Finish these sentences in your journal. (I find it helpful to set a timer for 2-5 minutes to make it easier to get started.)

I want . . .

I need . . .

I cannot . . .

If you find this practice helpful, check out my series called 29 Days of Seeing NEW, where I offer a quote, some thoughts and a prompt to ponder.

Keep in mind that although writing about a prompt is quite powerful, it’s important to find your own way to respond. It may be just taking some time to think about it. Or if creative expression is more your style, you could make a collage, sketch an image or even sing about your response.

I dare you to try this crazy idea! Let me know how you respond, I love learning from each other.

Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick,
    but a sudden good break can turn life around. (Proverbs 13:12 MSG)