Brainstorming: Symbols of Me

When I first decided to create a happiness project and started to consider my personal core values and my personal commandments, I also started thinking about symbols of who I am and what I value.

Recently Gretchen Rubin posted a list of her nine auspicious symbols of her happiness project, inspired by Buddhism's eight auspicious symbols. That got me thinking about symbols again, so here are the results of my brainstorming about symbols:

An unicorn, representing magic and Jesus Christ. The ocean, representing tranquility, change, and the concept "Be still and know that I am God." A rainbow, representing a promise and also color. A growing flower, to symbolize my commandment to "stretch." A book, representing knowledge. A heart, symbolizing love and family. Pi, symbolizing the seemingly irrational but orderly universe. A candle, representing light and warmth. The full moon, representing night and also change, as well as a sense of awe. The sun, symbolizing light and happiness ("there is sunshine in my soul today"). A bear - maybe a teddy bear or else a panda bear - representing (I think) comfort. Clouds, because I'm fascinated by them. A girl - like on the cover of Stargirl, representing me and "girl power." Penquins, just because they are so darn cute.

I'd like to finalize my list - probably limiting it to eight items - and then ask my daughter to create simple lines drawings for each symbol (with the simplicity of the drawings being related to my personal commandment to "simplify").

Brainstorming: What Brings Me Guilt, Anger, Boredom, and Remorse

Searching for lost things. Dealing with ID-10-T situations. Not keeping the promises I make to myself. Yelling at my kids. Sitting in long, unproductive meetings. Eating too much. Complaining. Wasting time. Not being able to let things go. Having regrets about what I wish I'd done differently or what I wish I'd said instead. Being frustrated about people I think are unethical. Feeling like there is never enough time. Unfulfilled expectations, especially of people about whom I care.

Brainstorming: What Brings Me Joy, Satisfaction, and Engagement

Reading. Chocolate. Politics. Debits equal credits. Music. Positive feedback on a training session I conducted. Diet Coke with Lime. Ideas. Raspberries. Lists. Watching my children learn and grow. Talking about books. Playing word games. Successfully reconciling an account. Spending time with my sisters. Being near the ocean. Starting at the beginning and working my way through systematically. Mexican food. Analysis. A sense of connection to Jesus Christ. Concepts. Movies that make me cry. Books that change who I am or what I think. Learning something new. Naps. Sunshine. Rain. A full moon. Thunderstorms. Taking photos. Walking. National parks. Football games. Learning to play something new on the piano. Planning. Gaining new insights from scripture study. Being in the temple. Order. Feeling loved. Feeling appreciated. Quiet time. Microwave popcorn. Justice. Mercy. A good night's sleep.