Back to my roots

Collection of charms:
4-way Catholic religious medal (Sacred Heart, Saint Joseph, Mary, Saint Christopher)
St. Christopher medal
Chinese kanji "Happiness"
Walt Disney World 20th Anniversary medal
Namasté
"Love" circlet
Small silver heart
Sea Turtle
Epcot charm
Mickey Mouse Epcot charm
Clamshell


I don't remember where they all came from, but most of them are from Florida. I tried to buy a new charm every time we went there. The Epcot, Mickey Mouse and Disney World charms came from Disney World (of course). The seashell and (I think) the sea turtle are from a silver shop in Sarasota, Florida, which didn't exist anymore the last time we were there. I think the Chinese "Happiness" charm was from the China pavilion at Disney World. Today I added a fairly large rutilated quartz crystal (clear quartz with needle-like rutile, a reddish titanium dioxide, embedded in it). The rest of them are just things that I found either at jewelry supply stores or ordered online. But things (words and thoughts) that are meaningful to me.

This year I am making a conscious effort to try to keep the things I love around me, to do those things that bring me happiness and contentment. I'm reading more about feng shui and world religions, writing affirmations, working on my vision boards, and writing in a journal. I'm bookmarking blogs that I want to keep up with, and saving quotations that are meaningful to me. One of the things that I used to do, but haven't done lately, is wear my crystals and charms. I got them all out last weekend and put together a collection that I've been wearing the last few days.

Other things I love that I want to do more of, have more of, be more conscious of:

• Writing by hand in journals
  
• Trying different kinds of teas
  
• Spending contemplative time knitting
  
• Writing affirmations
  
• Looking for iPad and iPhone apps that contribute to my renewed focus
  
• Look for and visit shops that stock the kinds of things I love
  
• Work more with the tarot
  
• Spend some time every day reading
  
• Try out a iPhone alarm clock app that wakes me up with windchimes or singing bowls instead of a distressing alarm
  
• Re-start a yoga practice (I bought a Groupon for yoga classes near my home, but haven't signed up yet)
  
• Re-subscribe to Yoga Journal (I did this)
  
• Work in the yard this spring and summer, and plant herbs and flowers
  

It feels kind of like going back to my "roots," concentrating on things that are more my core interests, and trying to sustain that focus. I guess I'm trying to define my life's purpose. Kind of late, but it feels important to me.