Photo credit: Matthew Murphy of MurphyMade
As a way to identify the activities that bring me joy and find ways to incorporate more of them—more often—into my daily life, I recently completed a writing exercise. It morphed into several disparate, yet ultimately connected and delightful experiences. I had so much fun with it, I just had to share!
Here is the prompt: “Write a letter to your childhood hero. You won’t actually send this letter. Tell them about what has brought you the most joy in each decade of your life. Don’t think too hard about the answers. Write the first things that come to mind. Reread the letter. Do you see common threads?” -Brittany Polat, PhD. Journal Like a Stoic, c2022.
Choosing who to write to was an intriguing part of the process. Who, I asked my little girl self, is your hero? The name that sprang spontaneously to mind was Frances Hodgson Burnett. Of everyone I could have chosen, for some reason I chose a lady author, a woman I’d never met and in fact could never have met because she died thirty-two years before I was born. She may have left the earthly realm, but she was very alive to me. She spoke to me through her books. The Secret Garden was my favorite, and I have continued to love it my whole life, cherishing it through rereads, watching all of the movie versions, and attending the play.
Before writing my letter to Frances, I did a bit of research on her life, and what a full life it was! Born in 1849 in England, impoverished at age four after her father’s death, Frances eventually traveled with her mother to live in a log cabin in Tennessee during the American Civil War. It was writing that finally lifted her out of poverty. She was a highly regarded author who published fifty-three novels and owned homes in both England and America (Gerzina, Gretchen H. “In the Garden: The Life of Frances Hodgson Burnett.” Shakespeare Theatre Company, c2024).
This research into Frances’s life inspired me as I wrote to her about the greatest joys in my own life. The common threads became very clear. Family, friends, nature, wildlife, pets, reading, writing, and learning showed up consistently throughout the decades. These are the things that spark the most joy for me.
With this in mind, I agreed to an unplanned day-long trail ride with my husband on a day I had planned to spend doing laundry and vacuuming the house. Seems like an easy choice, venturing out into nature with my guy rather than doing chores, but I honestly might not have agreed to drop everything and go if I hadn’t just completed my “joy inventory.”
Though housekeeping and organization didn’t make themselves known in my letter to Frances, they are important to me, nonetheless. I find it difficult to get to joy in any kind of untidy environment, whether in my own home or anywhere else. Still! I managed to say yes. As a bonus, I thought I could write about it afterwards, thereby including another of my favorite activities in the event.
Here is the result:
Off highway vehicle trails abound in the high elevation areas of the entire Toiyabe Mountain range and extend down into the valleys and basin below. We have an old side-by-side Rhino that can climb just about anything at very low speeds and peaks at 30 miles per hour on a flat road going downhill (a situation not often experienced here). Our chosen route for the day was to begin at our home in Austin, travel to Big Creek Campground, and then continue over the mountains into the adjacent valley to the east.
Along the way we experienced the expanse of the Reese River Valley over exposed rocky trails and into and over the mountains with multiple stream crossings, aspen groves, meadows, and significant elevation change. We passed by two campgrounds (Big Creek Campground and Kingston Campground) and Groves Lake, winding up in the charming Kingston community where we were welcomed by the wonderful ladies of a Monday Mahjong groups that meets at our friend Linda’s house. There we were treated to a delicious lunch and lively conversation before heading back over the mountain. Friendship, another joy inducing ingredient added! It was a lovely day.
From the initial moments spent reading the prompt in my journal it was indeed a joy to experience the results of contemplating a childhood hero, writing to her, thinking about my life in decades, and saying yes to an impromptu adventure.
It would be wonderful to read about your hero, and the joys of your decades. Who would you write to? What insights about joy might your letter reveal? If the spirit moves you, please do give this little project a go! You might find yourself delighted by the results, as I have done. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Happy Writing!
and out!
Lori
LakeArrowheadLadyWriter 
What a joyful and heart-filling post. Writing to our childhood hero sounds like a fantastic prompt Lori. I’m certainly interested in trying it to see if I can find my joy threads. It was fun to ‘join’ you on your adventures on the off-highway trails. ☺️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Rose! I would love to hear about how it goes for you! It was truly fun from beginning to end, and hopefully the benefits will continue!🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great prompt, Lori. It’s a tricky question to narrow down to one person. I’ll change the prompt question to include any hero or heroine at any point in my life, and say either Barack or Michelle Obama. I actually wrote to Michelle after reading her memoir because I found it so inspiring. I doubt she ever saw it, but her book moved me so much that I felt compelled to do so. I never expected to hear back from her (I didn’t), but it still felt gratifying to write that letter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful, Pete! I was also inspired by the Obamas and loved Michelle’s book. I hope you have an awesome time finding your common threads! Can’t wait to hear about it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi. You had a fine day. I think we often have a lot of fun when we don’t overplan things.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes! This was one of those days where everything just felt right. 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful idea, Lori! I love the thought of what brought the most joy in life with each decade, because I am sure that changes quite a bit! I feel like I have lived so many different lives, that this will be an interesting exercise (assuming I can remember each decade, now that I am halfway to my 7th one! Ha!)! And I loved that you asked who your hero was when you were a girl – no surprise, of course, that you chose a woman author! I think early in life, we have a clearer sense of what we want to do and be, but it often changes as we get older and people convince us otherwise! And finally, it is wonderful that your husband convinced you to take an unplanned day long trail ride! Unplanned adventures are the best escapes, and bring us to places we would not ordinarily find! Thank you for sharing another great post!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh, wow! You’re so right, Anita about “early in life, we have a clearer sense of what we want to do and be, but it often changes as we get older and people convince us otherwise”—that’s exactly why I chose the author I loved most as a child. The only consistent dream was to be a writer- but it was secret, even to myself. So wise of you to know that. Makes me also want to send a message to all the children to believe in the possibilities of their dreams. Thank you so much, Anita!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The joy of reading plus living the joy that you (my wife/friend) bring me is an adventure all by itself. Keep on writing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Love! 💕
LikeLike
Oh my goodness…I love how this began – a chat with your “little girl self” – and look where it took you! Love the reflectiveness and introspection – especially about the common themes and life goals you’ve shared with your heroine Frances. (Side note – what a prolific author!)
Thank you for all of the smiles as I read, Lori. Including the confession that it’s hard to break away when our “home and hearth” and tidying up needs get in the way. I’m the same!
You’ve got my wheels turning about who I might select to follow the prompt.
Big hugs! 🥰
LikeLiked by 2 people
So excited to learn about who you choose, Vicki, and to see where your letter takes you! Thank you so much! You bring me joy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right back atcha, dear Lori! 🥰❤️🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
😻
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also loved The Secret Garden. Thanks for more info about the author!
LikeLiked by 2 people
She had a fascinating life, Marie! I think you would enjoy reading about her. I want to read more of her books! 📚 Have a beautiful Sunday, Marie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this post. What a fascinating exercise to write to a childhood hero and then to incorporate the joy activities from your adventure — so good! Beautiful, Lori!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was such fun from beginning to end, Wynne! The threads became so bright and obvious. 🥰 Thank you for your kind words!
LikeLike
What a wonderful and intriguing idea, Lori! And I love your choice too! Everything about this post is beautiful…your reflections, the common threads, and the gorgeous scenery. Now you have me thinking of who I’d write to. 🙂 Lovely post! 💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh! I can’t wait to read about your experience if you do! I just saw that your I Am From poem was published and went to that site for the first time. So great! I also read your interview and we have another thing in common. I lived on Fern Drive in Fullerton and attended Fullerton College many years back. 💞
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to give it some thought, Lori, but I’ll link to you when I do. You provide great inspiration! Wow, we do have some things in common. How cool is that, not to mention, coincidental. But right now, you’re in TX, right? Too bad you don’t live closer. It would be great to meet up. 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m in Central Nevada, so not as far away as Texas, but we’re probably going to move to the Midwest within a year or so. 😘 I will always return to CA though because of friends and family (and love of the state).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our son is in CO. and our daughter in TN., so someday we’d love to live closer to at least one of them. We actually like Oregon, but that won’t get us closer to the kids. Sigh. 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not living close to my kids is my greatest regret. 😿
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re still working, Lori, and our kids moved away because their dreams weren’t in CA. So, we’re proud of them, but it’s hard. I thought it would get easier, and it’s only getting harder as we get older. We all visit and talk and text, but still…We plan to retire next year and move, but the future still holds one big ? ! There are many factors to consider, so we’ll have to give it more thought and travel before deciding. Sending hugs! 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is excitement and opportunity in planning on retirement and moving. I hope you and your husband enjoy the search and find a good spot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so right, Lori. Thank you for the reminder that the process can also be fun. I appreciate that. 🙂 And thanks so much for commenting on Spillwords. I replied there, but I wanted to mention it here too. It’s been great connecting with you in blogland. 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
📚🥰📚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a splendid decision that resulted in unexpected dividends. Wonderful share.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much! It really was as you so aptly put it- splendid!!! Have a great afternoon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like a fun exercise. Splendid write up.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for liking my posts. I love the picture in this post. I hope you have a good week. I am caregiver. I do laundry. I cook then do dishes after we eat the meal. I do errands with my patient. Talk to you later. Enjoy your day today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
genius!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love you, da-AL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
blushing
LikeLiked by 1 person