Personal ads. They’re … personal! Very.

So my itty bitty personal ads made me realize that it’s time to make a regular practice of trying to feel okay asking for stuff.

Even when the asking thing feels weird and conflicted.

Ever since I posted the first one asking my perfect house to find me, which united me with Hoppy House, I have been a fan of the madness that is personal ads.

And now it’s my Sunday ritual for clarity and remembering and stuff like that. Yay, ritual!

Today is the day that will live on in infamy as Recovery Monday.

At least until next Monday. Oh, it’s so unfair.

Anyway. I am a leetle groggy. But here we are. Very Personal Ads. Let’s do it.

Thing 1: aaah I don’t know what this is called.

Here’s what I want:

You know when you go to a hotel and there’s always a binder on the desk that’s full of informational useful this-and-that?

There’s a room service menu and stuff to do and policies, and maybe a postcard or something.

I want to make one of those for the Playground, with general stuff that we always tell people.

But I don’t know what to call it.

And while I definitely won’t call it whatever it’s official name is, it would help me to have something to call it when I metaphor mouse it.

I’m assuming there’s probably a front of the house name that’s different than what the hotel staff call it. Maybe?

Ways this could work:

One of you might know what this is called! Maybe you’ve worked in a hotel. You could leave a comment and let me know.

Or I might stumble on the name.

Or I might never find out what this is called, but that lack of knowledge will miraculously stop driving me crazy because some other perfect name will reveal itself.

My commitment.

To appreciate how wonderful it is when you have the right word for something.

To never stop playing.

Thing 2: To create the thing I don’t have a name for, in a way that is not stressful.

Here’s what I want:

With or without a fabulous sparkly name and with or without knowing what that type of binder is actually called in real life, I am going to make one.

Since I have been me for many years now, I am aware of my inclination to make everything ten times more complicated than it actually needs to be.

And I can easily imagine this mission in particular turing into a big endless project.

So I want this to come together with ease and grace. Lots of perfect, simple solutions, not too much over-thinking. And done!

Ways this could work:

Not sure yet.

Just putting it out into the world in gwish form.

Maybe I’ll brain-dance on it with some Shiva Nata and see what comes up.

My commitment.

To stay with the essence of what I want to create and not get sucked into a million variations of what is possible.

To giggle when my patterns come up (if I can). Or to have a giant permission slip to feel frustrated if I can’t.

To give this as much time as it needs for now.

Thing 3: Solid recovery time.

Here’s what I want:

So between running the Shiva Nata teacher training and leading the Rally (Rally!), I have been on for twelve days straight.

Cue hysterical laughter and impending nervous breakdown music.

We need some Emergency Vacation, kids.

Ways this could work:

I have an idea but I’m not sure if I have the balls to pull it off.

There is also a version of that idea that is delightfully insane, and therein lies its extra-special appeal. So maybe I’ll do that. I don’t know.

My commitment.

To take care of myself this week, no matter what comes up. This is important.

Thing 4: color for Hoppy House.

Here’s what I want:

At the Rally last week, I was doing a lot of thinking about what makes the Playground so amazing, and how I can bring some of that into my home. What are the elements?

And one of the things that came up was COLOR.

The Playground is extremely colorful and cheery. Hoppy House is very subdued. Which I like.

But it’s time to change some of that.

Ways this could work:

Hmm. I’m looking at where this is already working:

There’s the deep orange duvet, that I love. The bright green of plants. A wonderful rug in the living room that, to quote the Dude, really ties the room together.

Where else would I bring in color?

The Wish Room needs some purple/violet something or other. Maybe I’ll start with flowers and see which colors bring the happy.

My commitment.

Curiosity, experimentation, receptivity, play.

Conscious, loving, wonder-filled interaction with this amazing place that is my home.

Lots of sitting on the window seat and appreciating the view.

Progress report on past Very Personal Ads.

Just to update you on what’s happened since last time.

Last week I wrote tiny little love letters instead of VPAs. And that was fun. It felt good.

Also the comments were amazing.

I asked my week for spaciousness, ease, support, wonder and appreciation. And while it was hard at times, there was definitely a lot of that. So thank you.

Then I wished beautiful things for the graduates of my Shiva Nata teacher training.

Another love letter wish was for a personal situation to be resolved. And while it hasn’t, I also haven’t been worrying about it, so that’s kind of a big deal for me. Writing the letter definitely helped.

And I wished excitement for the March Rally (which is coming up crazy soon and is the one that comes with a head-shot for your blog, if you want one, that you don’t have to pay for). And I am excited.

I may need to wait until post-recovery to do more with that, but I’m glad for the letter of love. Mmmm. That was nice. I didn’t think re-reading those love letters would feel so good, but it did.

Comment zen. Here’s what I’d love today.

• Your own personal ads, small or large. Things you’ve asked for. Or are asking for. Or would like to ask for. Or updates on last time!

Stuff I’d rather not have:

• The word “manifest”.
• To be told how I should be asking for things.
• To be judged, psychoanalyzed or given unsolicited advice.

Wishing love and good things for your Very Personal Ads! I’m so happy to have people doing this with me.