Marvelous You

I recently saw an idea for writing prompts, and it reminded me of something similar I used to do with my students.  At the beginning of each school year, I had my students make a “Marvelous Me” booklet so that I could get to know them better.  These booklets were always one of my favorite assignments, and I loved, loved, loved reading their little books.  Before they began writing, I would tell them that there isn’t any “wrong” answer for the “Marvelous Me” pages. The booklets were about them as individuals, about what made each one of them special and unique.  I wanted their responses to be authentic; therefore, they weren’t allowed to look to see what others were writing.  This was often a struggle because some students wanted to make sure they had the “right” answers or that no one would laugh at what they wrote.  After the class had completed all the pages, I hung them up on a bulletin board for display, and they delighted in reading each other’s booklets. These also served as fun mementos for the parents.

This had me thinking about how much we can change as we become adults, how we can forget our authentic selves when we worry we aren’t who we should be, or that we don’t measure up to society’s standards.  We can get caught up in trends or look for areas where we lack.  We can easily watch what others are doing, saying, or writing, and worry that our authenticity isn’t adequate.  We worry we are doing it “wrong” and that we need to be like someone else, when all along we are exactly who God created us to be.  He made each one of us unique.   I think we adults should make “Marvelous Me” books as well, not to be prideful, but to be reminded of the characteristics, thoughts, and talents that make us who we are.  Sometimes we forget.

I have found it beneficial to write and reflect on what I’m thinking, hoping, feeling, and learning.  I am including some of the writing prompts here that I used in those booklets and hope you will find time to do this exercise on your own.  I hope it reminds you how marvelous you are! Grab a pen and paper, and jot down your responses.

 I think…..

I dream about…..

I wonder…..

I learned…..

I feel…..

I love…..

I hope…..

I wish…..

I know…..

Happy Writing!

Natalie XO