First time (5)

Think of the times when someone else made plans for you, set goals for you, picked out clothes for you to wear, or decided what you should say. What is the earliest time you remember saying no and insisting on doing things your own way?

First time (1)

When did you break new ground for your family, doing something that no family member had ever done before?  What specifically did you do?

Flash in the pan

Thinking back over the past few months, what was one exciting new thing that quickly lost its charm?

Tell us a story: singing

Thinking back to early childhood, what is the first song that you remember someone teaching you to sing? 

The time has come

What changes are you ready to make today?

Out of the comfort zone (2)

What's one new thing you'd love to give a try, especially if you could somehow skip the awkward period of starting out as a complete beginner?

Tell us a story: planting a seed

Tell us a story about a time long ago when you helped plant something, such as a vegetable crop, a tree, or flowers. Who were you with? What did you plant? And were you around later to watch it grow?

Beginnings

What was new in 2011? What appeared or emerged during the year? What already-existing things crept into your awareness or became part of your life this year?

This week's theme is year-end inventory.

Tell us a story: factory tour

What was one memorable place you visited where raw materials were shaped into finished products? What things did they make there? And what was the most surprising thing you learned during your visit?

I planted a seed

Did you plant a sapling several years ago that has grown into a full-size tree? Did you form a club or start a tradition that still carries on today without any effort from you? What is something you helped set in motion a long time ago that, years later, still has a visible impact?

New identity

When you start a new job, or a new school, or move, do you try to recreate what worked last time? Try on a whole new persona, with a new personal style and new ways of behaving? Or do you just be yourself?

This week's theme is beginning again.

Falling in love with falling in love

Looking back on your history of romantic relationships, can you find any negatives in common? Did you learn from those relationship mistakes and make changes in later ones?

This week's theme is beginning again.

Beginning again

It can be tough to be a beginner, clumsily learning basic skills. It can be challenging to be the new arrival, finding your way around in a new place. It can also be exciting to start fresh, because any new situation is full of potential.

What was one recent circumstance that put you back into the beginner role? What was the most challenging part of the experience for you?

This week's theme is beginning again.