Where I'm From
| "It's a terrible thing to see and have no vision."
-- Helen Keller
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Live on Purpose, the First Principle of Power Living®, has to do with aligning your spiritual energy to be fully Present and on Purpose. It is not necessarily about religion; instead, it's about your connection with yourself, others and the Universe as a whole. In the Power Living® Practice, we share various ways to align this energy, from helping you assess your core values and gifts, to teaching meditation and breathing techniques. This work applies to all areas of your life, whether you want to start your own business or strengthen your relationship. We prompt you to start asking questions. An important part of this work is self-exploration.
"Where I'm From" is based on a poem by George Ella Lyon who teaches about poetry. It has become a popular assignment for middle school and we believe it is a wonderful exercise for adults! It is based on the belief that we need to understand our roots to know our place in the world. We use it during our Power Living empowerment retreats. Check out the one Dr. Terri Kennedy came up with and then try it out yourself. It is a fun exercise to do with family and friends as well.
| |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
I am from jazz music and collard greens.
I am from Black theatre and black beans.
I am from walks outside in mom's garden
and the triangle church down the street.
I am from airplanes and boats,
and the talking drum beat.
I am from kangaroos and koala bears,
paint brushes and braided hair.
I am my mother's daughter,
and my father's baby.
I am Aba and "boss lady."
I am my Dad's voice saying:
"Who Am I? Where Am I? What Must I Do To Be Me?
Honey, it's all about specificity."
My mom's voice is always in my ear,
saying "Remember who you are
and I love you dear."
I am a Kennedy and a Sykes,
an African-Indian with many other stripes.
My nephew is the love of my life.
I'm grooming him to carry on the fight.
Where I'm from is right here.
Where I'm going is divinely clear.
Yoga is my practice.
God is my guide.
This moment is the only one
I strive to live by.
|
Copyright 2008 Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy.
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Below is a basic template for the exercise. You can improvise as you see fit. Write down what immediately comes to mind. We usually give just 5 to 10 minutes for the exercise. Let it come from the heart. Have fun with it and let us know what you come up with!
|
I am from _______ (specific ordinary item), from _______ (product name) and _______.
I am from the _______ (home description... adjective, adjective, sensory detail).
I am from the _______ (plant, flower, natural item), the _______ (plant, flower, natural detail).
I am from _______ (family tradition) and _______ (family trait), from _______ (name of family member) and _______ (another family name) and _______ (family name).
I am from the _______ (description of family tendency) and _______ (another one). From _______ (something you were told as a child) and _______ (another).
I am from (representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.
I'm from _______ (place of birth and family ancestry), _______ (two food items representing your family). From the _______ (specific family story about a specific person and detail), the _______ (another detail, and the _______ (another detail about another family member).
I am from _______ (location of family pictures, mementos, archives and several more lines indicating their worth).
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
 |
| click to find out more |
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
