Two things that everybody has: a mind and a body. Are they separate? How do you tell them apart?
Scientists and sages have pondered those questions for centuries, without agreeing on clear answers. As an owner of both a mind and a body, your writing today will give you a chance to explore the way you see the interplay between them.
The page setup is a bit elaborate. First, draw a line an inch or so from the right-hand margin, from the very top of the page to the very bottom. In the large space remaining, draw a line where your title will go. Beneath that line, write the word “Mind” on the left-hand side of the page and write “Body” on the right. Underline those two headings and beneath them, down the center of the page, write the letters of the alphabet, from A-Z.
Next to each letter, you will write words that begin with that letter. On the left-hand side of the page, write the names of things you can do with your mind. (Remembering, for example. Or forgetting.) On the right hand side of the page, write down the names of things you can do with your body. (Digesting breakfast is one possibility.)
You might come up with activities that you do with both your mind and your body. Talking would be a good example of that. In that case, you would write “talking” in both columns.
Try to come up with at least one mind activity and one body activity for every letter. If you think about it too hard, you might end up confusing yourself (just like scientists and sages have done for centuries!) Make decisions about what involves the mind and what involves the body based on your own experience. Decide for yourself where to draw an imaginary line between the two.
After you have written something for every letter, rotate the page sideways so the inch or so of empty space runs side-to-side. In that space, write down a comment about minds, bodies and the relationships between them–something that occurred to you while you were making those two lists.
When you have finished the page, read over everything you have written. Illustrate your work if you haven’t already. Think up a title that ties everything together.
Write the title at the top of the page. Write the date on the page too, along with a signature or your initials.
Here is an example of what someone could write.
You can share your work by posting it as a comment below. You can type it in, or take a photo of it and upload the image.
Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. You can find more of her work here. In-person Write-For-You classes could be returning to the Recovery Center before too long—but not quite yet! If you would like some help with your writing, or just some encouragement, contact Nancy or the Latah Recovery Center.
Latah Recovery Community Center, Inc. 