The following is something different than I’ve posted since launching BreatheDeeply, but this week, inspired by fellow writer, Glynn at Faith Fiction Friends, I’ve decided to post my answers to the exercise found on pages 73-74 of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron as a group of us journey through and discuss this book over the next several weeks at Tweetspeak Poetry Press.
So…here goes.
Detective Work – An Exercise
1. My favorite childhood toy was: A simple three-story wooden dollhouse built by my grandfather. I spent hundreds of hours in a sun-splashed pool of deep green shag playing with my doll family, Mom, Dad, Karen, Joey and Grandpa.
2. My favorite childhood game was: Parcheesi, hands down, bar none! Yet I’ve never played the game with my husband or my own children, and I have no idea why. Hmmm…odd. Might just have to find a Parcheesi board, bring it home and introduce them all one of these days!
3. The best movie I ever saw as a kid was: The Wilderness Family – the first movie we saw as a family, left center, midway up at The Rivioli Theatre in Cedarburg, swallowed up in deep burgundy, plush velvet theatre seats.
4. I don’t do it much but I enjoy: Ice skating, a lot. I figure skated competitively for years as a child and still love the speed, the wind in my face, gliding effortlessly, cutting clean, crisp edges into swirling patterns across a fresh sheet of ice.
5. If I could lighten up a little, I’d let myself: Lift my hands in grateful praise and worship on Sunday mornings instead of clasping safely behind me. Sometimes it just takes 20 seconds of insane courage…
6. If it weren’t too late, I’d: Get my motorcycle license. Although noting is impossible with God, this side of a miracle healing of my injury, I’m resigned a cage – a tan minivan to be exact!
7. My favorite musical instrument is: Saxophone, acoustic guitar, piano/keyboard, and the human voice – with so much beauty, how can I choose just one? The blending of melody, harmony, textures and sounds makes my soul sing.
8. The amount of money I spend on treating myself to entertainment each month is: I have absolutely NO idea! Can’t be much. I bring my own tea wherever I go, and prefer to be home than away, I love Kindle freebies, don’t love food, dislike shopping, and only get my hair cut twice a year. I’m really kind of boring.
9. If I weren’t so stingy with my artist, I’d buy her: Nothing. My husband surprises me with far more than I’d ever buy for myself. ☺
10. Taking time out for myself is: Ten minutes in the backyard with my camera just taking in God’s amazing creation.
11. I am afraid that if I start dreaming: I don’t think I’ve ever stopped. I don’t work to make my dreams happen, but I’m always excited when God does.
12. I secretly enjoy reading: People Magazine. Isn’t that shallow? I indulge in the waiting room at the orthodontist while waiting for my kids.
13. If I had had a perfect childhood I’d have grown up to be: Me! My childhood wasn’t perfect, but I always knew I was loved and wanted even before I was born.
14. If it didn’t sound so crazy, I’d write or make a: Produce a whole line of Breathe Deeply products from my writings and photos, supporting good friends on the mission field with all the proceeds. I already have notecards, notebooks and pens, travel mugs and water bottles, and when/if the time is right, God will open doors.
15. My parents think artists are: My Dad appreciates true creativity, especially good writing and photography. My Mom enjoys art within neat and tidy boundaries of expression.
16. My God thinks artists are: Exactly who He created us to be — unique and beautiful expressions of His nature to all the world.
17. What makes me feel weird about this recovery is: I’m not blocked or recovering. I spent years after my injury wondering why God was pulling me away from serving in ways I loved, how that could possibly be good. Over time, I began to see that His gift is time and space to breathe, to see differently, shift perspective and begin to notice, absorb and spill my heart into words, to capture His beauty with camera and lens. From the perspective of time, I stand amazed at what God has done, at the gift I never expected, wouldn’t have chosen, and still can’t quite believe.
18. Learning to trust myself is probably: Second only to learning to trust God.
19. My most cheer-me-up music is: Powerful, evocative, gritty lyrics, real, with substance, good base, strong beat, gravelly vocals, stuff you can feel in your soul, sink your teeth into, music that turns your heart to the wind and calls your soul to RIDE!
20. My favorite way to dress is: T-shirts and denim, hiking boots or sandals cut wide across bare feet, and always a soft, cozy, warm fleece.
Now it’s your turn! Pick a prompt or two that interest you and leave your responses in the comments below or post the whole list on own blog and leave the link for us to follow.
Have fun! I’m looking forward to reading your responses!
