Reverb is an exercise in reflexivity. We step back from where we are, in the here and now, and reflect on the past year. We separate our intellectual interpretations from our emotional interpretations. We practice feeling deeply, becoming immersed in our senses. We look back with an open-mind and an open-heart. This practice is difficult, which is why we call it an exercise—a muscle we are working to develop one moment at a time.
At the same time, we begin to look forward, to visualize how we want to be in the coming year. We cultivate a beginner’s mind, ready to light a path across an open field. Our emotions serve as our inner compass. This inner compass is our anchor as we begin to think about our intentions for 2013—how we want to show up in the coming year and who we want to be.
The exercise requires digging deep and asking tough questions. Through these questions, we notice both smoothe and sharp responses—memories and emotions that come upon us like tidal waves. We don’t select what comes to the surface. As such, we navigate beautiful memories that we hope to relish as well as the memories we wish we could divorce from our being. Yet, in the end, we feel a deep sense of relief, a sense of nourishment that is very much well deserved.
Traditionally, Reverb begins on December 1st. Yet, some of us aren’t able to begin on that date and start a bit later (maybe even in January!). The date on the calendar is merely a mark in the sand. I intentionally decided to push Reverb back for myself this year. While thinking about the process and sharing my thoughts in the Reverb Facebook Group, I decided I wanted to mix things up this year—approach this exercise a little differently, creating the Reverb Remix.
The Reverb Remix maintains the same focus as previous years: reflecting on the past year and manifesting how/who you want to be in the new year. The Remix splits this project into two complementary components: Reflect (Part One) and Manifest (Part Two). Part One occurs during December 2012 (ideally) and Part Two occurs in January 2013. It’s a bit less intense than the traditional Reverb, but holds the essence of the original exercise.
Since, our schedules can be a bit unpredictable during this time of year, I have created a printable document that you can use for the Reverb Remix. You can Reverb privately using this document, post your responses to the Facebook group or to your own blog. This exercise is meant to be flexible to match your own needs and preferences. You can also use this Remix as a supplement to the traditional Reverb process if you are already involved in that journey. There are no rules or one right way to do this exercise.
Each part, contains 10 prompts. You can respond to all ten prompts, create your own ten prompts, or choose a few to respond to. Choose to move gently and select based on your instincts. Your responses don’t need to be words. You can decide to respond with images or photos you’ve taken, a quote that comes to mind, a song, etc.. The options are endless. However, if you’re like me and need a bit more structure, this printable document will serve as your handy companion.
–> When you’re ready to begin, you can download the document as a PDF file *here*.
I wish you a journey filled with an abundance of self-discovery and beautifully magical moments.
With love,
Carolyn
P.S. If you’re already participating in Reverb with any group, feel free to leave a link to your blog so we can follow along!
Online | Stay Connected
FACEBOOK GROUP | http://www.facebook.com/groups/248777998517088/
For updates on Reverb Remix and to share your journey online, use these hashtags: #ReverbRemix #Reverb12
I will be sharing your remix journey online through my personal social networks as well so check in often at the sites below!
BLOG | carolynrubenstein.com/blog
PINTEREST | pinterest.com/crubenstein
TWITTER | twitter.com/carolynr
INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/crubenstein
Images | Sharing
This is a social exercise that I hope you will share with others. Feel free to use any images posted here (ex. the Reverb badges) and the prompts on your blog. Please kindly credit the images and prompts by linking to my blog: carolynrubenstein.com/blog. Thank you!
A couple more badges for you to use below! This page will serve as the “home base” for Reverb Remix. I will add a spot to my sidebar so you can easily access it through the end of January. It may take a bit to add it to the sidebar so be sure to bookmark this page :).
PROMPTS
*12.25.2012: I’ve updated this Reverb Remix page to include all the prompts for easy access. The prompts are also included in the downloadable workbook with inspiring quotes :).
==PART ONE | REFLECT==
1. One Event. Reflect on a major event that occurred in 2012. Select an event that was experienced by people outside your immediate community.
Personal Note: I wrote this prompt in response to the tragedy felt across the world after the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I believe the personal impact of this experience is important to look back on in the future. There is no need to respond to this specific event, but it is something I would consider reflecting on in a way that feels most comfortable for you.
2. Questions. What questions did you ask in 2012?
3. Perspective. What is one thing you’ve seen differently in 2012? How has this shift in perspective influenced you?
4. Connection. Have you connected with new people in 2012, online or offline? Name five people you’ve connected with in 2012. And (bonus!) name five people you would like to connect with in 2013.
5. Vulnerability. Brené Brown writes powerfully on the topic of vulnerability. She is a pioneer in bridging the research of vulnerability with the living of vulnerability. In her book, Daring Greatly, Brené writes about her experience at TED, how she gained the courage to expose herself as vulnerable in order to most powerfully demonstrate what it means to be vulnerable. Two lines in her book resonated me with the strongest:
Give me the courage to show up and let myself be seen.
What’s worth doing even if I fail?
Reflect on your vulnerability in 2012. Specifically, here are three questions suggested by Brené to explore when thinking about your vulnerability: (1) What do I do when I feel emotionally exposed?; (2) How do I behave when I’m feeling very uncomfortable and uncertain?; and (3) How willing am I to take emotional risks? Think about these questions in relation to 2012 and/or 2013.
6. Well-Being. How was your overall well-being in 2012? You can think of your overall well-being as a composite of six domains: Interpersonal, Communal, Occupational, Physical, Psychological, and Economic (I COPPE; Prilleltensky, 2011). Do you notice that your overall well-being was influenced by one of these domains more so than the others?
7. 12 in 2012. Reflect on 12 moments in 2012. Or create a timeline, and focus on one moment/experience from each month in 2012. Get creative with the number 12 and what this number means for you in 2012.
8. Reading. What books have you read in 2012? What has been your favorite book (or books if you can’t pick just one) that you’ve read this year?
9. Year in Review. As you reflect back on the happenings of 2012, what were your high points and what were your low points? What do you notice as you look back on the year as a whole?
10. One Word | 2012. Encapsulate the year 2012 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word.
==PART TWO | MANIFEST==
1. One Word | 2013. Imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2013 for you?
2. Ease. What can you do to add ease to 2013?
3. Giving. “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” (David Viscott) What is your gift to give?
4. Ordinary Sparkling Moments. Reflect on the ordinary moments that bring you joy (e.g., the tea pot whistling, the sun setting). What moments would you like to relish in the coming year?
5. Creativity. What was the most creative thing you did in 2012? How do you plan to use your creativity in 2013? (Note: creative does not always mean artistic. Think outside the box here. Get creative!)
6. Rituals. What ritual(s) would you like to introduce into your life?
7. Dream. What crazy and wild dream would you like to become a reality (or at least begin to make a reality) in 2013?
8. Vocabulary. If you could eliminate one word from your brain forever—what would it be? (Author: Meadow DeVor)
9. No | Yes. What will you say NO to in 2013? What will you say YES to in 2013 that you didn’t say yes to in 2012?
10. Conscious Entry. How do you wish to be in 2013?
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