Words that Guide Us.
“Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”
Words that Guide.
I have been focusing a lot on meaningful words in the last few posts and creative prompts (from individual words to inspiring quotes). This post and connecting prompt are more about words that guide us in our day to day.
As seen with the shared examples below sometimes we use our own words and sometimes we use other peoples’ words. The common thread is meaning.
There are often beautiful intersections of meaning, connection, and sensation woven together from these words, phrases or quotes. We genuinely feel the words as we view and engage with them. We visualize the connection. These words are often meaningful to us alone. They can but don’t have to reach others. Their unique and powerful task is as a quiet ally who guides, sustains, reminds and bolsters the self!
Shared Support.
However, these words can also have the added reach when shared with those around us who may also need an encouraging nudge or gentle reminder. Connecting through the universality of meaning and resonance, and shared and relatable lived experiences can be so affirming and is a rich and long-standing relational tradition associated with human connection, discourse and support.
Presence In Our Day-to-Day.
We often don’t need to search for or rediscover these words. They powerfully exist within our day-to-day. They can be the signposts for our life journey. These words are often within reach when we need them the most whether embedded in our memory for quick review, displayed in our work or home spaces, or privately treasured in a special place for private viewing such as a journal or as body adornment (with clothing, accessory and tattoos).
Creative Prompt: Words that Guide.
Invitation.
Take part in a reflective or creative moment as you engage with meaningful and impactful words, quotes or phrases curated by YOU. This highly personal combination of words is mighty in force, and a quick rendezvous can gift you many things.
View the words that you have selected - What do these words gift you?
• remind you or bring you back to the moment
• help you refocus or lessen your ruminating thoughts
• reassure and help you feel a little better
• support you and help you feel a little stronger
• energize and motivate you for the day
• ease you into a state of calm, peace and mindfulness
Materials & Art Making.
If you feel so inclined to create response art around how a phrase, quote, or certain words make you feel, again, use any materials that you connect with today!
Digital art with personal photos and/or free-access images as seen below can provide backdrops on which your words are showcased. However, words scratched on a chalkboard, or written on scrap paper (and/or pinned on a cork board), are equally potent and valuable when in view and mindfully engaged with in the moment.
Free Digital Resources.
• photos images to provide backdrops for your quotes: Unsplash, Pixabay etc.
• templates to inspire your designs: CANVA
Heather Johnston shares a phrase she really likes.
Meghan Scott shares: “These words were scrawled in pencil on the wall of my father’s wood shop. He was probably listening to the radio when he heard the quote and decided to write it down. When I am asked to think of a quote for any occasion, that one is the first to come to mind. And it resonates with me most when I need a bit of support to carry on with a difficult task, to move forward. It also brings me a warm wave of comfort to picture my dad working away in our family home, problem solving, sometimes struggling, and ultimately persevering in his craft”.
Karen Cliche has “no dress rehearsal” tattooed on her arm to remind her that this life is a one shot deal - so make the best of everyday!
Susan Beniston shares: ….”An inspiring and well known lyric from Joni Mitchell. Her narratives are so full of soul, in her poetics, in her singing and in her-telling-her-stories. I’ve been touched by Joni’s work from the early days, when I first heard her… and her works still move me, decades later. I’m proud Joni is from Canada and proud too that she earned the limelight as an interdisciplinary female artist, who could more than hold her own on the world stage. For me, Joni became an empowering icon who voiced individual identities and sought meaningful culture “all relationally” through the images she evoked - a true-blue-trail-blazer. The depth of Joni’s imagery, combined with her spirited-musicality quickly evolved and transformed the way I listen to and respond to music, as an opening...
Anne MacLauren shares with us this quote that she has posted on the fridge and reads every day.
Judy Barcelos shares: “I have this up on my cork board in the kitchen and used it daily when I was going through treatment. It kept me grounded and focused on the moment - NOT the past...”
Kirsten McKnight shares: “One of my favourites that’s literally resonated with me since I was a kid (I first saw it in a Victorian optical-illusions colouring book my mum bought me), and I’ve never forgotten it since that day. It’s all about living in the moment…”
Maggie Kat Anderson shares: “I think the quote resonates with me because it is a strong and bold statement, that can help us see time in a different perspective. I chose this quote because it gives a sort of guidance of what time is, and how it translates to our present time. And, because it encourages you to live in the moment and to experience life. The art photo I selected shows strongly how to live in the moment and to give the little things some props as well (and I think this photo really just partners with the statement I have chosen).”
Irina Semjonov shares this quote to remind us of the importance of believing in yourself first.
Emily Martin shares: “I have this quote tattooed on my back, my mum would always say it to me before a sports event or exam!”
Kellie Anderson shares a favourite quote in her life that reminds and motivates. She has also captured through the camera lens this icy-cold backdrop (the winter waters of her Nova Scotia beach setting pre-surfing adventure).
Lisa Iturriaga shares her personal motto that she speaks of all the time.
This phrase was shared by my Mom - simple yet impactful. I thought of combining the words with a high school pen and ink sketch of our family home in spring. As mentioned in a previous post, the word home has taken on such different meaning for so many during this pandemic. For my mom specifically it is about being safe in these uncertain times.
Karishma Kuruvilla shares: “I think the thought that comes to mind is that when things get stressful I like to remind myself of the words of a country song by Kenny Chesney”…
Jeanette Sims shares a phrase that resonates with her.
Zach Penny shares these motivational words with his hockey photo backdrop.
These words resonate with me (especially this year with loss and worry related to the pandemic). Often after difficult conversations with dear friends related to tricky life situations or Covid related news I have shared this quote. I think it is a gentle way to acknowledge one’s strength and resilience especially when there is no easy resolution in sight, and often an indefinite wait laced with uncertainty . This soothing yet powerful reminder encourages us to release the grip that difficult day might have on us (even if only for a little while), and then allow us to be quiet and still until we begin a new journey with renewed strength and hope the next day. - April
Saba Rizvi shares: “This is a quote I created and have lived by since the fifth grade. The quote has given me perspective and has guided me through the hard times in life”.
Julia Troiani shares these words to remind her of her strength!…
Thanks for sharing everyone,
