I found Sark long ago -- about 10 years ago when I was working with college students on a campus in Virginia. Part of my job was supervising Resident Assistants -- students who live and work on the residence hall floors and are responsible for building community among residents -- advising them and counseling them and mentoring them and stepping in when conflict and trouble arises. It's a tough job -- being a peer and being in charge at the same time -- and Resident Assistants receive intensive training on how to best manage a floor of students possibly living away from home for the first time. I got to train these student leaders at times -- and Sark's books helped me motivate, inspire, and get to know these individuals. And over the years, as I assumed other jobs and roles and purposes, I found that Sark was still a great companion for me. And now I realize that what Sark has to offer really applies to anyone looking for a little inspiration, a little direction, a little creativity, a little delight. Sark is an author and writer -- a self-proclaimed free spirit whose own imagination and dreams for a better life have been transformed into a series of books and journals and calendars and greeting cards and more. I sent her most recent book -- Sark's New Creative Companion -- to my friend who recently suffered a miscarriage. And I consulted her Journal and Playbook throughout my breast cancer struggles. I've learned a lot from Sark. And here are seven of my favorite morsels.
Yes. Sark recommends making little signs that say yes and posting them all over your house. She believes yes is contagious on a subliminal level -- and it affects everything you do.
Find inspiring people. They are like vitamins for the soul, Sark writes. So think about who inspires you, find people who inspire you, and surround yourself with people who inspire you.
Collect quotes. Sark lets others speak to her and energize her. One of her favorite quotes is, I am here to live out loud (Emile Zola). My favorite quotes are Be patient. Miracles happen every day. And Be kind. Everyone is fighting a battle.
Take naps. I wish I had more time -- I wish I made more time -- for naps. There is nothing better than a peaceful retreat -- an escape that is quiet and soothing and still and allows for a return to the motion of the day with a renewed spirit.
Recognize your fears. Make a list of your fears. Think of everything -- and write it all down. Sark writes that she was once afraid of so many things that she filled twelve pages. She suggests acknowledging your fears, inviting them in, entertaining them, and sending them home.
Don't forget who loves you. Don't forget who supports you. Although we may know we are loved and supported, it is helpful during times of distress or despair -- and plain old happy times too -- to actually list the names of these people. So draw a big circle on a piece of paper and list the names of your loved ones inside the circle. Then draw a simple sketch of a tree with branches -- you don't need to be an artist or to even recognize your drawing as a tree -- and list on the branches the names of everyone who supports you. The purpose of this activity -- to see how love bubbles over and to admire your support system.
Live Juicy. This is my favorite morsel for the soul. Sark writes, I think it's possible to forget how alive we really are. We can become dry and tired, just existing instead of really living. We need to remind ourselves of the juice of life and make that a habit. Find those places inside that jump for joy and do things that bring our your best, most magic self. Keep doing them.
