REFLECTIONS
A magical excavation
W
BY DAYNA DEL VAL | PHOTO BY Dan Francis Photography
e’re back at that holly and jolly time of year. Somehow, 2018 flew by in a series of too much work, not enough time for my friends or myself, lots of lovely summer bike rides, some travel, disheartening news stories, family reunions, great food, many excellent books read, and myriad other highs and lows. And, suddenly, we’re back in that period of gearing up for the busiest time of the year. But we all know about this time of year, so I’m going to leave all that alone. This year, I want to address January 2019 and beyond right now because the clock is ticking, and time is resolutely marching forward. One of my favorite go-to books is “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert. I could fill this reflection with quote after quote from it. I have read it dozens of times since if first came out, and each time I feel like she is speaking to me exactly where I am in that particular moment. Old sections, highlighted and noted, don’t resonate with me every time, and each read brings a
90 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018
new revelation of another way, illuminating something I need to be reminded of or made aware of right now in my life. I am rereading it now because I’m yearning for change of some sort. I want a great big life, and I often feel like I am being asked to fold myself into a box that is way too small for all that I know I am. This time, new sections of the book hit me squarely between the eyes and knocked me over, asking big questions of me. Early in the book, she writes, “The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.” What are your “strange jewels”? How are you going about finding them? Is that work exciting? Painful? Time consuming? Freeing? She continues, “So this, I believe, is the central question upon which all creative living hinges: Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?” Many of us construct New Year’s Resolutions
lists because it is what people do. Some of us get together with friends and create Vision Boards for the New Year, finding images of all the shiny and sparkly things we desire. We commit to losing weight, to journaling more, to eating better… This year, during this crazy season of parties, presents, food and more, I encourage you to actually stop everything for a bit and go inside, go way inside. What are your deep jewels? What are your actual dreams and aspirations? What will you do to bring them to light so that you are living the most courageous, creative life possible? This year, let’s give ourselves the present of self exploration so that when the New Year’s ball drops, we’ve excavated our inner jewels and are ready to share them with the world in 2019. I have some thoughts on what mine are and how I want to pursue them. I hope you do, too. Happy digging!
INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM