Over on Modern Molly Mormon is the 2nd part of the Book of You challenge. Here goes it:
Last month I started the ongoing challenge of us Mum’s doing something to record our story ready to hand over to our kids in years to come. For anyone that understands the counsel we have had about keeping a journal or had the opportunity to read an ancestors journal you will immediately understand how crucial this challenge can be years down the line when we leave this earth. I’m sure though that a book about who we are can be enjoyed long before then though!
This month is part 2. I started by suggesting you begin using your initial, this time use the second letter in your first name and find as many words with that letter that can be used to describe or relate to you.
This time though I think we need to add a bit of fun with it too, spend a few minutes going through the dictionary/thesaurus, write as many words down with that letter and ask close family/friends or even your children what they think. This is such a laugh to do and really gets the belly laughs going (unless it's just my family and friends that think I’m a bit ‘’off’’!!!)
Use each word as the sub heading for a paragraph or page. Add photos, doodling, mementoes or anything else relevant. Tell a related story, share a feeling on the description and even set a goal to improve if you feel the need!
Also include other things, like what foods you like, favourite show at the moment, what song keeps humming in your head even what your to-do list is today! Remember it's all about YOU!
To offer some of my own Book of Me here is some of my words:
{DEBORAH}:
E for education: I didn’t really put the effort in on my school exams till 6 months before my finals, how I got the qualifications I did is still a mystery to me. Since then I have studied hard in a variety of subjects and have a healthy list of qualifications including a degree in psychology. I love to learn and learn from most things I read, watch, listen to or take part in. my learning style is by visual, having dyscalculia means I struggle with numbers and sequences but using visual I have found my own way of learning and understanding. In doing this my self esteem has risen a great deal.
E for empathy: I often say to people who know of my past, ‘do not feel sorry for me, I do not want or need it’ I also tell them that is because of my past that I am who I am but what I didn’t realise is by making this demand limits the persons response to me and actually hinders their empathy abilities. It wasn’t until I was in a deep conversation with a psychologist friend that I really understood empathy and the essential part it plays in us, our hearts and our lives. Feeling empathy for others is more beneficial and healthy than sympathy in many ways, but figuring out the two is still something I sit and ponder. Empathy is good!
E for even: Being as I am a true Libra style chick I have, many times over the years read up on astrology, bio rhythms and such just for fun and half wondering if they are even close to who I am. The scales is the sign of the Librans and I have to admit I am totally the scales! Symmetry is something I am trying to move away from, the balance in my life throws me sideways if it’s tipped and while unbalance is not always good it is a part of life. This tells me a lot about who I am and how I do things. Just glad I’m not water…. i’d never know where I am!! ;)
E for English: Two-fold, first I am British born and bred, proud to be an English chick and love all of our beautiful English countryside and history. On the other side of it I have always had a deep rooted interest in the English language, literature and words. We have some of the most silliest words and yet we have some funny and awesome words too. I love playing with words especially when I’m in a situation where I feel intimidated, my education kicks in then and my sentences often seem like they are something from the Oxford exam papers!
E for eldest: I am the eldest of four children. I have always hated this role but short of forging my birth certificate there’s not a lot I can do! I’ve never felt like I’m the oldest as the next one down is my brother who was raised to ‘take care’ of us girls which he did a good job of! The youngest of us, my 2nd brother, is where I get a lot of my inspiration from as he is academic like myself and even though there is 11 years between us he teaches me a whole lot more than I could ever teach him! My eldest child is my best friend, he and I spend hours laughing and analysing the world around us. With Jay being dyslexic it's great to see how his English progresses all the time, even with the spoken word.
E for excellent: Ok this one came from my 4 year old, when I asked him to choose one of three words to say about mummy he decided that I am ‘excellent’!! So, because he chose it and it's his idealised opinion of mummy I am going to keep it in my journal because experience tells me I’m not too far away from excellent turning to something not quite so complimentary!! Lol
These are just a few of the things I have journalled but I hope you get an idea of what this project is all about. If you wish to take part, let me know and if you do it online I’ll link you up to my blog and add you to the challenge list!
Next month I will share with you my actual book and the next letter, B. For now I am still working on getting the design together in between adding to the D and E as and when I think of something so if you are doing yours off the computer, remember to add pages between each letter cos you can always add to it over time.
I got emailed by a lady called Heidi who asked me if I was going to offer some hints and tips being as this kinda thing is my business area, and because I love you Molly Mormon Ladies I am going to extend it to all you guys when I have it completed, and yes it's totally free! ;) I will add the download to it next month.
Happy days!
~*~Debs~*~
