A conversation with yourself

For healing
Written By Sara Yang
 

What's your why? What do you want to discover, celebrate, preserve?

Ingredients

  • Journal paper

  • Writing utensil

  • Openness & courage

Preparation

  • Get to a place where you can be present in mind, body, spirit.

    • Prepare a cup of tea. Clear away distractions & ask others to respect your quiet time (children & dogs included). Stretch. Breathe.

  • Sit comfortably with your ingredients.

    • Posture in a way that will allow reflection to flow. At a writing desk, in a chair. 

  • Be with your emotions.

    • Welcome your emotions, however acquainted or unfamiliar they are. They can guide us to corners, hidden from ourselves. There is power in listening to them.

Steps & Guidance

Discover — Journal or sketch your reflection to the following questions:

  • Part I:

    • Who are you?

    • Who are your people?

    • What are your public stories? What are your private stories?

    • What’s calling you to know, celebrate, preserve your story?

    • What does the future look like, if you choose to do this today? What does the future look like, if you do not choose to do this today?

  • Part II:

    • What has become clearer?

    • What remains unanswered?

    • What stories do you wish to explore?

  • Part III: What I am experiencing right now, in this very moment:

    • In my mind: what am I noticing cognitively right now? (e.g. thoughts, questions, ideas)

    • In my body: what am I noticing sensationally right now? (e.g. postures, senses, space & tension)

    • In my heart: what am I noticing emotionally right now? (e.g. hopes, longings, fears)

Celebrate — Extend gratitude & grace inward.

  • Thank yourself for taking time to know, feel, and discover. Whether clarity, sorrow, peace, or somewhere neither here nor there — trust that your experience was exactly right.

  • Wherever & however you are — you are not too early. You are not too late. You are right where you’re supposed to be.

Preserve — Make something to capture this moment.

  • Whatever the medium — an essay, a sketch, a poem — take some time to acknowledge and preserve your reflections and experience. What did you notice? What did you feel? What has opened up & what do you hope to cultivate?

  • If you feel called, share your piece with us in the community. Your contributions make a difference.

Footnotes

This practice was inspired by:

 
Sara Yang https://www.sarayang.me/
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The family recipe