if you are new to mission mondays, they are a chance to have a little fun and experiment with joy along with a community of bloggers. They are suggestions, never must do's and you are welcome to participate at any time. For more info on mission mondays and what they are about, you can go here
So Jason and I were walking the dogs in the freezing cold last night when we spied an old window frame with broken panes on the curb. In our neighborhood, putting stuff out on the curb is the universal sign for 'come get it if you want it' and Jason suggested that the weathered wood of the frame looked pretty cool and perhaps we could do something creative with it.
That's why I married him ya'll-that creative brain. Plus his cute butt.
But I digress...
The frame was too big to carry and anyway, we had our hands full of dogs so I planned to just pick it up and stow it in the back of my car on my way to work this morning.
Doing so caused me to take a different route through the neighborhood and it's amazing what a slight change in perspective can do to add adventure to your day. I was inspired to take an entirely different route to work. Since it wasn't my normal drive, I couldn't zone out like I usually do and I found myself much more in the moment, noticing little details and smiling as the sky lightened in front of me.
It's not a new idea, I know. It's one I've heard before and honestly, never thought much of. But now I see how a change prompts more awareness and more now-ness. Any time we are more in the now, we are more alive.
So your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to try a new path. Maybe to work or to school or to the laundry mat or a friend's house or when walking your dog. See what you notice when in the now-either externally or internally. A bonus mission would be to take photos of what you notice and post them in the mission monday flickr group
Happy missioning joy rebels!
12 comments:
this is a good one! my grandfather's philosophy: never go back the same way you came. he loved to travel. that's where my gypsy spirit comes from... post pics when you've done something cool with the window frame! loves....
Excellent mission!! I do this when I "think" about it and then of course go right back to my usual rut..pattern...routine. So I'll take this challenge because heaven knows I need something to kick my butt as winter starts settling in.
Now tell..was the window frame still there did you get it?!?!?
Great idea! My GPS took me a completely different way home this weekend than it had taken me to my destination. Because of it I was on these great twisty windy back roads with all new-to-me farms, horses, and bridges to see. I really enjoyed that trip.
Brandi,
I have several routes I can take to work, all of which take me off the beaten path, and out into some lovely countryside. And I DO take these alternate routes on a semi regular basis. What I'll do, though, is choose an even different route - a bit longer - that I don't take. It's always a great perpsective...
Ooh, what a wonderful mission! Has anyone ever told you might be a brilliant creative soul? I'll have to ponder a bit on how I can do it, since I work at home and there's only one route to the university that I know of (to pick up F. sometimes.) Maybe I need to get out the map. You think? Oh, and I like maps. This is going to be fun...
(I'm so glad these are back. Can you tell? Yay!)
Scientifically, they say that a simple challenge such as daily taking a different way to or from home, causes the formation of new neural pathways in the brain.
One of my favourite ways to simulate my creative spirit is to explore different settings - there are so many hidden pockets of enchantment here in Vancouver to discover. Taking an alternate route at some point becomes a lifestyle choice. Thx for reminding me how cool that is!
What a great idea! I love that leaf shot! Happy Mission Monday!
shari-your grandfather had an awesome philosophy...and what a great one to share with his kids!
sherri-how weird about the gps. I bet that was pretty interesting. Do you name your gps? We named ours 'Sheila'...lol
Lance-how that this is part of your regular routine. Are you still biking to work or is it finally cold enough that you have to drive? ;-)
Meredith-awww...you're a sweetie. Thank you! But I can't claim ownership of that idea-I heard it somewhere. I hope you enjoy your map...I have to be honest, while I think maps LOOK cool, I am no good with them. I do better with written directions...which is odd because normally, I'm a very visual person.
tink-I like exploring little pockets of dallas too...I can totally see the appeal :-)
gsg-thanks sweetcheeks!
I'm on it!!
And coicidently, I have an old weathered window frame hanging in my apartment.
great minds, etc....
Brandi, I am most definitely a fair weather biker (plus...there's this whole issue of darkness, and I have no lights). So...my bike is packed away until spring. Given that it's been near zero out recently, even riding in the car is cold. Texas sounds pretty sweet right about now!
boho-great minds for sure!
lance-actually, we are supposed to get close to zero degree temps this week. As of now, it's been hovering near freezing during the day and getting a little below that at night. So no respite here!
OH, this sounds like fun! I will take a different path over the next couple of days and see what I observe.
Btw, those old weathered window-frames make great displays. :)
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