Up: [[Savour]] Created: 2023-09-18 Updated: 2025-06-16 > [!Orbit] Howard Thurman, theologian > Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. I read this quote to Joanne and challenged both of us to come up with a long list of what makes us come alive for sharing at a September 2023 retreat. Here’s my list. 1. Combinations of word and image where each language enhances the other 2. Miniature scenes that make up small worlds 3. Intense colour. It doesn’t have to be bright; it just has to be deep and true 4. But also colour washes when I’m feeling ethereal! Watercolour and ink look 5. The annotations in books by Maria Tatar and Martin Gardner 6. Being able to recommend exactly the right book for someone, effortlessly 7. Water when it’s moving, especially babbling brooks or equally babbling wall fountains 8. A big expanse of water if it’s framed by something on the other side 9. Looking at water, smelling water, hearing water. Not being on or in water. 10. Except an evening bath, with scented epsom salts, especially hemp, citrus or spearmint. 11. Thematic collections, like the book boxes you can buy. But I want to assemble the collections, not purchase them. 12. A Reiki treatment when I feel it inside my body 13. The explanations a reflexologist gives for the sensations I have when she massages my feet 14. Dappled light in trees. Joanne calls it leopard light. She’d read it in a book once. 15. Looking at the moon 16. Looking at any moon in the early morning because no matter how many times I’ve seen it, I still don’t expect it 17. Being able to stroll to destinations and services rather than drive 18. Altars; any objects that speak to my inner life 19. Taxonomies — the periodic table, Dewey decimal system, moon calendars, Tarot. Structuring of a big framework, a huge idea. 20. Seeing people’s creative work spaces, either writing or art studios although lately more art ones. 21. Systems and workflows that hum along without constant tinkering; elegant simplicity 22. Books, quotes, movies about the creative spirit, bringing an idea to life 23. Narrative, symbolic, mystical, or intuitive art 24. Circles and spirals 25. Comparing art and symbols across tarot decks 26. Connections within and across disciplines. They’re why I often prefer the annotations to the story; why I’m so drawn to the symbolism and mythological and psychological connections in tarot; why Jungian psychology with its feeling of being a student of the world appeals to me. 27. Creating beautiful and soothing environments 28. One-on-one conversations with friends 29. Analytic sessions with Helen 30. Making scenes in sandplay 31. Body Groove because it’s fun and sexy and there’s no pressure to be good at it 32. Astrological readings by Liz Greene because they are so bang on for me 33. Every significant trip I’ve ever taken because I learn so much 34. Laughing over Far Side and Peanuts cartoons 35. Commitment-free days 36. Discarding, minimizing possessions. Clean up that is winnowing to the essence 37. Rain when I’m cozy inside. I feel more productive 38. Hume clan crest, clan tartan, the ancient part of my lineage 39. Hearing a Scottish accent 40. A cozy exterior place. My Soho. 41. Displays and clusters of common items such as paperweights 42. New stationery — notebooks especially, but also pens, post-it notes 43. Art supplies. Similar to stationery it’s the colours and textures of them. And for both I need an abundance, the feeling of plenty so I can choose the right one for the right moment. 44. Pottery mugs, plates, and bowls 45. The art I have in my home 46. Making collages 47. Rainbows cast through window crystals on a sunny day 48. Forest trail with a tree canopy that gives feeling of intimacy. Especially if there are rock faces and a creek or river 49. Organizing a mess 50. Soft muffled silence of a heavy snowfall 51. Arches, bridges 52. Crawling into a freshly made bed when my body is tired. Lucious feeling of letting go 53. Quiet spaces whether physical, mental or creative