The following activity was contributed by Halley Bass.

Halley is a web and graphic designer, intuitive branding coach, and student at the Academy of Intuition Medicine. She’s passionate about empowering others to creatively express themselves. Check out her web and branding design portfolio at www.halleyclairedesign.com

Elul is a time of reflection to look into the metaphoric well of your life and catch your reflection in the water. What do you see? In this activity, we’ll take inventory of our “inner well.” What have the rains cultivated within you this past year? What have you created? What got stuck inside your heart that’s keeping you from moving forward? What do you wish to pour away?

SUPPLIES

Blank paper (I recommend at least 8.5 x 11, but feel free to use something bigger; it will give you more space to explore create.) / Watercolor paints / Brushes  / Water from a local source

Draw a large circle on the blank paper, leaving space to write words both inside and around the perimeter of the circle. 

Inside the circle, write the accomplishments you’re proud to have achieved this past year. Also write down things you wish to cultivate more of, and anything you wish to draw into your life in the year to come. 

Outside of the circle, write words that describe ways you hold yourself back, circumstances you want to overcome, beliefs you may have that no longer serve you, and/or the names of people you wish to forgive.  

Before your Circle meets, collect some water from a local water source — a lake, pond, or ocean. Pray by those waters and take some home with you. Use that water to beautify your inner well, adding imagery, color, and texture as your create your Inner Well of Beauty.  

Every experience has its meaning and purpose in life. This activity is meant to help us see the beauty in it all. From hardships to great heights, we have the choice to understand ourselves as whole, no matter what we face. Our reward is the perspective we gain by reflecting on all of it, of choosing what to keep and what to pour away.