How to L.I.V.E.—March Edition
Working through the L.I.V.E. framework with a quote, a question, and an action.
At Paisley Project, we focus on guiding people through the steps of L.I.V.E. Together, we navigate through (L)oss, reimagine a new (I)dentity, create a (V)ision for our future, and discover how to (E)ngage with the world in meaningful ways.
These are big ideas with lots of moving parts.
This column offers bite-sized ideas for each area: a quote, a question, and an idea for taking action.
This month, with Spring just around the corner, we wanted to focus on new beginnings and renewal. See if any of these ideas resonate for you.
LOSS
“
If we are lucky, outlives will continue to grow as we are presented with new paths and various obstacles among them. To heal is not to arrive at a place where we are absolved of that difficulty, but where we no longer interpret the presence of it as our finality, our ending. Rather, we come to see it as yet another beginning in support of the continual unfolding of all we will one day know ourselves to be.
—Brianna Wiest
?
Have there been any other times in your life when a challenge or loss ended up opening a new door for you?
✓
As Brianna Wiest says in her book, The Life That’s Waiting, it’s less important to decide “Who am I?” than to ask “Who do I want to become?” Think about character traits you aspire to have and write down three of them.
IDENTITY
“
The things that we love tell us what we are.
—Thomas Aquinas
?
What are the things that you love. What are your favorite colors, birds, music, food?
✓
With your phone camera, take a safari trip through your house or living space. Take photos of the things that bring you joy—that dish you picked up at a flea market, the picture you have hanging on your wall, the candles on your dining table, the plants you grow. When you are finished, review the photos and save them to a separate album. Do you notice any themes emerging?
VISION
“
It’s your story. Feel free to hit ‘em with a plot-twist whenever you damn well please.
—Anonymous
?
One the advantages of having your life upended is you have a rare opportunity to rethink who you are and what you want. Is there anything you ever wanted to do but didn’t think it was possible in your previous life. Dream big. Invite the plot-twist. What comes to mind?
✓
Take five minutes to imagine or journal about what your life would be like with this idea already incorporated. What would be different?
ENGAGEMENT
“
The simplest way to be happy is to do good.
—Helen Keller
?
Thinking back on your answers to the previous question (“Who do I want to become” and “What plot-twist could I consider?”, are there any ways that this version of you could do something good?
✓
Identity a “random act of kindness” related to your answers about what makes you unique? Could you call someone? Write a poem? Volunteer to read to children at a school? Work in a garden? Hold babies at a hospital. Take a shift at an animal shelter. Donate food.
Pick one of your ideas and make a plan to do it.