Thank you David Kanigan at Live and Learn for posting your answers to this Proust Questionnaire. It was such an inspiration! I couldn’t resist joining in the soul bearing.
- What is your current state of mind? – Curious
- What is your favorite journey? – Inwards on my yoga mat
- What is your idea of perfect happiness? – Letting go and being held in love
- What is your greatest fear? – Overwhelming Violence and Cruelty that can’t be stopped
- What is your most marked characteristic? – Being grounded
- What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? – Being quick to judge
- What is the trait you most deplore in others? – Cruelty to animals
- What is your greatest extravagance? – Eating out – especially traveling to Italy to eat out
- What do you consider the most overrated virtue?- Godliness
- On what occasion do you lie?- By omission … to avoid conflict
- Dislike most about your appearance? – The jiggly bits
- Which living person do you most despise? – I don’t despise, but I do deplore DJT
- Which words or phrases do you most overuse? – really? (really).
- What is your greatest regret? Not going to art school
- What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband – the other DJT whom I adore
- When and where were you happiest? – Falling in love. Something I try to repeat with each day.
- Which talent would you most like to have? – Remembering numbers
- If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Be less judgmental
- If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? Be less judgmental
- What do you consider your greatest achievement? – Opening my heart to love life and others. (Still a work in progress).
- What is your most treasured possession? – Empathy for others
- What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? – Believing one is unloved
- Where would you like to live? – By the sea
- What is your favorite occupation? Teacher and Mentor.
- What is the quality you most like in a man? Humor and a big heart
- What is the quality you most like in a woman? Humor and a big heart
- What do you most value in your friends? Humor and a big heart
- Who are your favorite writers? Jane Austin, Stephen Donaldson, Richard Adams, Tolkien, Ray Bradbury, Peter May, Mooji, Adyashanti, Lao Tzo, Mary Oliver, Danna Faulds.
- Who is your favorite hero of fiction? – Thomas Covenant
- What is it that you most dislike? – Injustice. Sriracha. One burns my heart, the other my mouth.
- Who are your heroes in real life? – People who overcome personal challenges and then give back to support and heal others
- How would you like to die? Being at peace
- If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be? – An oak tree
- What is your motto? Find Your Middle Ground. Really!
What fun! We could be friends!
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I love that !! Thank you CC 💕
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So loved this Val. I felt like I was sitting with you in a interview. Thank you for sharing. Wonderful.
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I’m happy that we have got to know each other a bit better Dave 💛
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Wonderful honest answers Val! I would come back as a tree too! You are a beautiful soul my friend 🍀🌿💚
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You are a friend to my soul. Thank you Karen 💛☀️💐
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compassionately
answered 🙂
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And that is how it felt. Thank you David for you understanding 💛
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Such interesting responses, Val, no surprise there. But from what you show us here, with all sincerity, it seems you might be one of the least judgmental people I know. 💕
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Thanks Van … yet it is something I have grown up with…. and been a big challenge to let go of. The awareness is still there.
I do see how not having children has impacted how I see the world. So much in others lives is concerned with children and then grandchildren. These are gifts that I never got to experience… and it puts a different emphasis on life and what matters. 💛
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Thanks for sharing, Val
I admit I’d be hard-pressed to answer some of those questions myself, but I’m glad to say they would be more positive answers than 10 years ago 🙂
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Taking time to delve into the answers is worthwhile Vicki, especially as time goes by. It will take us into territories of discomfort and heartache…. yet brings us back to embracing the life that we have. 💕
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Despite all the negative in my past (and present), I think the freedom to be me and not have to fit in with everyone’s expectations, is one of my greatest joys. Every morning I wake up, sit down at my desk to read my emails, but mostly, watch the plants and trees bending and waving in the wind, leaves shivering from the strong gusts, observing each new leaf and flower that’s grown or opened this morning.
Then, a sparrow stands on my balcony and surveys the scene, drops down to drink from the bird bath and after a few gulps, flies away to continue his daily routine. I think this has to be one of the most wonderful sights on earth. I am so appreciative of the small things in life now and I’m filled with gladness that I have good food, clean water and shelter in a safe environment (not in a war-torn country). Every day is the same, and yet, there is always the potential to be different – in a good way. That not-knowing is the mainstay of my day. Very few of my answers to the questionnaire would be material, mostly they would be from the way I see or feel.
The past is gone and cannot be changed so no point thinking about it. The future could be absolutely anything and is not here, so no point thinking about it. The present is the only thing that really matters and that has the potential to be anything that the Mind wishes it to be.
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What a beautiful reflection Vicki. Thank you 💕
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Great questions and answers, Val. Truly a woman of the world. ❤ 🙂
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Woman of the world sound rather grand … but I’ll take it Eliza 💛 the world is a good place to be in!
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🙂
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Val I am so intrigued and awed. As I said to DK, it takes courage and honesty to answer these… what we learn is invaluable. Your reply about becoming The Oak Tree, I thought was marvellous. I’d wish, that could be my answer, for it is an awesome one.
I really, (LOL) liked this post!
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Thanks Deb! When we take time to reflect inwards and let go of what other people think, do or say, it becomes easy to express our true selves…. and have some fun 💛
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absolutely. And, Reflective is right!!
it also started me to think…. about the ways we change;
Yet, never change completely.
Your posts, as always, cause me to go inwards. More contemplative 🙂
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Thank you 🙏
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Excellent answers.
None came as a surprise except for “My husband – the other DJT whom I adore” ~> are his initials REALLY DJT?! C’est domage! 😀
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It’s hilarious! Donald James Tiberia has become a local celebrity … in our house at least 😆
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That’s a hoot! Keep smiling . . .
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These questions are perfect for reflecting ~ and then finding your middle ground. Love the answers and honesty with this post.
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Thank you Randall 💛 Honest reflection is always worthwhile. It was a fun experience.
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Jiggly bits — really? Nah, I don’t believe it — really? I mean, really! H ❤
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Thank you for your incredulous response Hariod. It’s much appreciated. Really ❣️
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P.s. I have noticed that others with jiggly bits often respond in a similar manner. This is for real. 😉
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Some great answers here – and some funny!
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Thank you Jennifer! Glad it brought a smile 😊
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Great list of questions, Val. Your answers are so you! ❤
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Whew! I really wouldn’t want to be anyone else but me. Thanks Diana 💕
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Loved reading these Val! Thanks so much for sharing! ❤
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Glad you enjoyed it Julie 💛 I love the inquiry … and am not afraid to share. Perhaps because that didn’t happen in my early years. xo
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Love this – we have a bit in common. Only I went to art school late in life, you can too, if you want 😉 Last week I did stained glass all week long – such a delight! Love to you, dear one ❤
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Thank you Bela. Your comment resonates 💛 I did a stained glass class here in the US … and loved it! Have appreciated it even more since then.
We find our ways … and still rock and roll.
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🙂
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Val, I felt like I had to do that questionnaire as well! Funny how it called to us! I love getting to know you! Hope you have a lovely week ahead! ♥
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Thank you Yvonne. So glad you enjoyed it! Have a great week 💛
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Very inspirational, Val. You have such a beautiful spirit ❤ Smiled and nodded on the jiggly bits.
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Thank you Helen. So glad you enjoyed it … wiggly bits and all❣️
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Loved reading all of this Val.. and found myself smiling especially at the jiggly bits… LOL.. 🙂
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Glad you got a giggle Sue 😊
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🙂 not half as much as when I look at my jiggly bits lol 🙂
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Exactly! We all have ‘em 😆
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Loved this – I slowed down and took the time to read and absorb your answers, they were great, and authentic (for lack of a better word) – they seemed to really fit who you feel you are (vs. so many that answer in more of a ‘who I wish I was’ style)
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What a great observation Julie. When someone hasn’t taken time for self reflection or inquiry, their preferred persona (ego) takes over. Your turn my friend.its a wonderful exercise just in itself. No sharing required💛
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Oops … Kate … sorry!
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Really wonderful, Val. Really.
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Thank you Ann. I am back from Kripalu and putting a toe back in the water here again. It feels good to connect with you 💕
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It always feels good to connect with you, Val!
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. !
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