This week, I began leading a group called "Zentangle SparkPeople". SparkPeople.com is a free website that exists to help users with fitness and weight loss. During January 2012, there were 10 million visitors to the website. I've been on since 2007, when I started using it to track my exercise, get support from folks who suffered from IBS, depression and asthma. Some time ago, I joined a Zentangle group, which had gone inactive until I became the group co-leader last weekend. Learning the ropes, I've been trying to "visit" different members--a phenomenal bunch!-- and get a feel for their needs.
We are reviewing the 8 steps of the Zentangle Method. Quick! Without peeking, what are they? (If you had to peek, it's okay. But ask yourself, "Am I rushing my tangling, just to get to the finished product?") Here are the 2 sides of the bookmark I made for my beginning students. (Feel free to use these.)
Step one: Gratitude (and appreciation). Since our team goal is to "tangle with gratitude for 3 blessings every day", I've tried to think of what that might look like. Here are my thoughts:
- Use a string that divides your tile into 3 sections. Inside each section, in pencil, write a blessing. As you tangle in each section in ink, focus on your gratitude.
- Make a journal for your gratitude tiles. Cut an 8 x 4 in. cover and fill it with 10 sheets that are 3.5 x 7 1/4 inches.
- Appreciate your tools, be they paper and pen or twigs and petals. Appreciate the people who have made this possible, the time, the space, the ability. Some people take a minute to give thanks for the food they are about to eat. Why not give thanks for what we are about to experience and create?
- Divide your tile into 4 sections. The empty space is for the unexpected blessing.
There is so much to be grateful for, isn't there? But it can be so hard to stop, to step away from our crazy lives and breathe with gratitude. For me, practicing gratitude is now like brushing my teeth. It's an important part of my mental hygiene!
How do you practice gratitude? Are you partaking in the full benefits of the Zentangle Method?
Thanks for visiting with me. I wish you a gratitude-filled week!
Indeed, we have a lot to be grateful for but many of us don't see that anymore. That is a pity. It is absolutely necessary to take a step back sometimes and enjoy the moment. That is not easy and asks patience and exercise but it is possible and give many benefits.
ReplyDeleteDrawing always gives me pleasant moments, even when the result is not a masterpiece, that is not important.