“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
This delightful month of reverberations is winding to a close. If you’ve been participating online here at Elephant, on my blog, or privately in your diary, I thank you kindly. I’ve been sufficiently inspired by YOU and this thought-provoking project. If not, below you’ll find a handy-dandy compilation of all 31 writing prompts. Here’s to a mindful, compassionate, happy new year!
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December 31 – Fiesta (Celebration)
What are you celebrating today? What will you celebrate in 2012?
What are you celebrating today? What will you celebrate in 2012?
December 30 – Karuna (Compassion)
At Yoga Freedom, our motto is “compassion + action.” What compassionate actions do you aspire to in the coming twelve months?
At Yoga Freedom, our motto is “compassion + action.” What compassionate actions do you aspire to in the coming twelve months?
December 29 – Poesía (Poetry)
Write a poem. It doesn’t have to rhyme.
December 27 – Metta (Lovingkindness)
The metta mantras are: “May you be safe. May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be free from suffering.” To whom do you wish to send metta? (Don’t forget to send it to yourself, too!)
The metta mantras are: “May you be safe. May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be free from suffering.” To whom do you wish to send metta? (Don’t forget to send it to yourself, too!)
December 26 – Seva (Service)
How did you serve in 2011? Do you plan to volunteer in 2012?
How did you serve in 2011? Do you plan to volunteer in 2012?
December 25 – Milagro (Wonder)
Illustrate your own personal wonderland — real or imagined. What’s the weather like? Who else is there with you? Use vivid detail.
December 24 – Regalo (Gift)
What was the most cherished gift you received this year? What were the most thoughtful gifts you gave?
What was the most cherished gift you received this year? What were the most thoughtful gifts you gave?
December 23 – Karma (Action)
What daily actions will you take this year? How will you start your January mornings?
What daily actions will you take this year? How will you start your January mornings?
December 22 – Sukkha (Happiness)
Where did you encounter sweetness in 2011?
December 21 – Dukkha (Misery)
What was the low point of your year? How did you heal and move forward?
December 20 – Tapas (Heat)
What stoked your creative fire this year? What did your discipline enable you to achieve and/or create?
What stoked your creative fire this year? What did your discipline enable you to achieve and/or create?
December 19 – Drishti (Seeing)
What is your vision for your spiritual practice in 2012? How do you see yourself achieving it?
What is your vision for your spiritual practice in 2012? How do you see yourself achieving it?
December 18 – Amistad (Friendship)
Describe your best friend(s) from elementary school, high school, college, and/or the present.
Describe your best friend(s) from elementary school, high school, college, and/or the present.
December 17 – Bhakti (Devotion)
What did you devote yourself to in 2011? How will you devote your energy in the coming year?
What did you devote yourself to in 2011? How will you devote your energy in the coming year?
December 16 – Viaje (Trip)
Where did you travel this year? What was your best trip?
Where did you travel this year? What was your best trip?
December 15 – Acharya (Scholar)
What did you study this year? What did you learn? What did you teach?
December 14 – Jnana (Self-knowledge)
Name something you did that was completely out of character. How did it feel?
December 13 – Sabio (Wisdom)
What lesson or piece of wisdom did you learn from a child this year? Did it surprise you?
December 12 – Libro (Book)
What book did you read in 2011 that was most inspirational? Why?
December 11 – Gracias (Thanks)
Write a thank you note or poem to someone who impacted your life in 2011.
What did you study this year? What did you learn? What did you teach?
December 14 – Jnana (Self-knowledge)
Name something you did that was completely out of character. How did it feel?
December 13 – Sabio (Wisdom)
What lesson or piece of wisdom did you learn from a child this year? Did it surprise you?
December 12 – Libro (Book)
What book did you read in 2011 that was most inspirational? Why?
December 11 – Gracias (Thanks)
Write a thank you note or poem to someone who impacted your life in 2011.
December 10 – Ananda (Joy)
A positive frame of mind is a habit. How have you silenced the propaganda factory of negativity with positive thought and behavior in your life in 2011? How has this changed your day-to-day being?
A positive frame of mind is a habit. How have you silenced the propaganda factory of negativity with positive thought and behavior in your life in 2011? How has this changed your day-to-day being?
December 9 – Listo (Resourcefulness)
How resourceful were you in 2011? What new ways could you incorporate resourcefulness into 2012?
December 8 – Dharma (The Path)
Wandering can be good for the over-focused creative. How did you wander well this year?
December 7 – Tranquilo (Calm)
Sometimes the most beautiful, memorable moments are also the quietest. What quiet, beautiful moment do you recall?
December 7 – Tranquilo (Calm)
Sometimes the most beautiful, memorable moments are also the quietest. What quiet, beautiful moment do you recall?
December 6 – Salud (Health)
What did you do for your body’s benefit this year?
What did you do for your body’s benefit this year?
December 5 – Sueño (Dream)
What was your dream come true in 2011? What is your wildest dream for 2012?
December 4 – Guru (Teacher)
What was the most important lesson you learned about yourself in 2011? Was it a sudden epiphany or a gradual realization?
December 3 – Anicca (Impermanence)
What did you let go of this year? Whom did you let go?
December 2 – Sangha (Tribe)
Where have you discovered community in 2011? What are the defining characteristics and essential qualities of your tribe?
Where have you discovered community in 2011? What are the defining characteristics and essential qualities of your tribe?
December 1 – Palabra (Word)
Encapsulate your 2011 in one word. Why that word? What would you like your word to be for 2012? Why?
Encapsulate your 2011 in one word. Why that word? What would you like your word to be for 2012? Why?
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