I have a confession to make: I had an entirely different post planned for today. It will still make it into the series and it will be like the other posts – hopefully bringing you a new vantage point on score study. But, I needed something else today. Perhaps you do too. Sometimes on a Sunday evening, in a cold winter, in a quiet house it is time to let the mind wander back and forth and begin anew.
“…there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do —
determined to save
the only life you could save.”
― Mary Oliver
Your Day 16 challenge is to Create a Visual Timeline
A friend encouraged me to do this the other day and I hope you will do it too. Gather your art supplies because this is going to be a visual project. ‘As you strode deeper and deeper’ into your life you have overcome many obstacles, found new tribes, developed your personal gifts, and hopefully fallen in love with the world a bit more everyday. Take some time this evening and grab the biggest piece of paper, or expanse of wall, you can find. Sure the online generators are a bit more dynamic or flashy, but use your hands to make your own.
Gather some different hues of markers, pens, or pencils.
Assign each hue to a topic in your life. For example, musical accomplishments, relationships, education, etc.
Select the format of your timeline.
You may prefer to format your timeline horizontally or vertically. I know a friend that creates mind maps with the bubbles to show connections between events and/or people.
Begin adding dates and events.
Add whatever comes to your mind first. You may desire to collect all the events that you want to plot on the timeline, but don’t. Let this exercise show you what you find to be the most significant events in your life to date. Do not be afraid to plot the really personal items on this project. This isn’t your Facebook timeline. You do not have to share with the world and therefore curate your experience for anyone. Let those memories bubble to the surface. Write them down and do not be tempted to judge.
As your timeline begins to fill up, see if you can recognize any patterns or connections you did not notice before.
If we only focus on our diva destination…
…we may miss out on all the amazing triumphs along the way. The best part about this timeline is the next time you do it. You’ll look back at where you are now and realize it was the time when your life was changing. It may be scary, but it’s also a bit breathtaking.
Thanks for checking in today, diva. I am so thankful for the time that you share with me.
