ready to play? Most of us like to “hold our cards close to our chest.” This activity was designed as a game of solitaire for you to play alone, so you can “put all your cards on the table” and see what life has dealt you. Ready to Play? deal yourself in...
STEP ONE: Make a list of your people below. People are defined as the main players in your life; include your family and friend groups and any other significant people who have had an impact in your life. The PURPOSE OF THIS activity IS TO DISCOVER HOW THEY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN YOUR “GAME OF LIFE” AND IMPACTED YOU PERSONALLY. NAME
BIRTH MONTH & DAY
STEP 2: figure out each person’s card and write them in their “suits” [following pages}
diamonds
NAME
BIRTH MONTH & DAY
NUMBER OF THEIR CARD
spades
NAME
BIRTH MONTH & DAY
NUMBER OF THEIR CARD
clubs
NAME
BIRTH MONTH & DAY
NUMBER OF THEIR CARD
hearts
NAME
BIRTH MONTH & DAY
NUMBER OF THEIR CARD
STEP three: focus on your cards Now that you have your people sorted, you will use the information below to focus on the gifts [the value] they have added to your life. Only you will know the answers, as you will use your memories, your impressions and your experiences with each of them. First, you will Go within and capture how they make you feel [in general] when you experience them. Then, you will see if that feeling corresponds to your response to the question below that matches their card. Again, The question is, “how does what I feel about this person, in general, mirror how I feel about the answer to the question about my own life that is written in the matching card below?”
Note: People do not experience a person the same way you do.
The Suit of Clubs Context: These people have likely represented messages/lessons in your life, pertaining to how you “take action,” how you express your passion and they will relate to the way you experience inspiration in your life. Focus on one person at a time and ask yourself, “What has knowing, experiencing, watching [name of person] live his/her life, through my own eyes, taught me about a lesson in my own life? The context you will focus on for the answer will pertain to the theme below that matches their card. •
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Ace of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of that have “sparked inspiration, passion, a new love affair and the idea for a business or a life-change” in my own life? Two of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “planning, delays and waiting for a signal to move” in my own life? Three of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “I’ve done all I can do; hard work pays off” in my own life? Four of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “celebration, rest, stability and pause” in my own life? Five of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “competition, petty arguments and things not working in harmony” in my own life? Six of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “success, victory and good final/end results” in my own life? Seven of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “standing up for myself and defending a particular viewpoint” in my own life? Eight of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “events moving quickly, getting organized (fast) and a possible birth/start of something new” in my own life? Nine of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to my experiences of “being stressed, but determined to finish the task or fight” in my own life? Ten of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “responsibilities, being weighed down, feeling burdened and almost being at the end of a project or a life-stage” in my own life? Jack/Knave of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “an irresponsible charmer, a passionate affair and being unable to focus on one task” in my own life? Queen of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “passion, enthusiasm and fun” [possibly career related] in my own life?. King of Clubs: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “leadership, always being aware of the larger picture and not being good at details” in my own life?
The Suit of Hearts Context: These people have likely represented messages/lessons in your life, pertaining to how you approach emotions, feelings, fulfillment, and, of course, love and loss in your life. Focus on one person at a time and ask yourself, “What has knowing, experiencing, watching [name of person] live his/her life, through my own eyes, taught me about a lesson in my own life. The context you will focus on for the answer will pertain to the theme below that matches their card?” • • •
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Ace of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “new love, beginnings of a deep connection and a conception” in my own life? Two of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “mutual attraction, love and friendship in my own life? Three of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “celebrations of friendship, a girls’/boys’ night out and an end of an emotional cycle” in my life? Four of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “emotional stability, possible low-level depression, being unaware, or deliberately ignoring the positive aspects in life” in my own life? Five of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “loss, sadness, depression and grief” in my own life? Six of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences “from my childhood, any nostalgia, memories, the past revisited and any old flames that have appeared” in my own life. Seven of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “my feeling-based choices, indecisions, and going astray” in my own life? Eight of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “leaving, splitting up and changes of direction” in my own life? Nine of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “fulfillment, understanding solitariness is not loneliness& feeling content” in my own life? Ten of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “family, love, and achievement of any emotional peaks” in my own life? Jack/Knave of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “a person who is in love with being in love, a romantic suitor and a short-term love affair” in my own life? Queen of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “someone to turn to, offering emotional support and a listening ear in my own life? King of Hearts: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “a kindly counselor, one who gives wise advice based on experience and possibly information about alcoholism or addiction of some kind” in my own life?
The Suit of Spades Context: These people have likely represented messages/lessons in your life, pertaining to how you approach thought and communication. All the activity that goes on in your mind; “head stuff.” Focus on one person at a time and ask yourself, “What has knowing, experiencing, watching [name of person] live his/her life, through my own eyes, taught me about a lesson in my own life. The context you will focus on for the answer will pertain to the theme below that matches their card?” • •
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Ace of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “flashes of insight, revelations, realizations, understandings, ideas or ideas” in my life? Two of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “reluctance, refusal to acknowledge the truth, and withdrawal” in my own life? [Possible communication difficulties too] Three of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “breakdowns in communication, misunderstandings leading to a rift, fights, or breakups” in my own life? Four of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “recoveries, recuperations, and time-outs” in my own life? Five of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “deceptions, bullying, walking away from disagreements” in my own life? [Resistance or non-resistance] Six of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “moving on, changing directions, traveling or putting the past behind me” in my life? Seven of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “theft, recovery of property/or a quality” in my own life? [confidence, self-esteem] Eight of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “feeling there’s no choice, backing myself into a corner, I can’t see the way out, although the solution is right there in plain view” in my own life? Nine of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “nightmares, repetitive thoughts, problems, anxiety and depression” in my own life? Ten of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of positive “endings, mental breakdowns or new beginnings” in my own life? Jack/Knave of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “someone on a mission, being single-minded, clever, sarcastic and intelligent” in my own life? Queen of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “truth seeking, being an efficient person and not putting up with indecisiveness or stupidity” in my own life? King of Spades: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “being professional, good at my job and being highly motivated and intelligent” in my own life?
The Suit of Diamonds Context: These people have likely represented messages/lessons in your life, pertaining to how you approach the material word; all that you see and touch. They cover such areas as money, work, practical projects, homes, etc. Diamond cards can also represent the practical aspects of relationships. Focus on one person at a time and ask yourself, “What has knowing, experiencing, watching [name of person] live his/her life, through my own eyes, taught me about a lesson in my own life. The context you will focus on for the answer will pertain to the theme below that matches their card?” • • • • • • •
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Ace of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “prizes, gifts, a new home, a new project or a new job” in my own life? Two of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “balancing a budget, time management and juggling resources” in my life? Three of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “focusing on work, honing skills, teamwork and collaboration” in my own life? Four of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “guarding resources & not socializing/holding myself apart from society” in my life? Five of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “needing help, destitution, lack of money and a loss of job” in my own life? Six of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “charity, offering/receiving help and supporting another financially” in my own life? Seven of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “being materially well-off, yet spiritually dissatisfied and looking for a possible new direction” in my life? Eight of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “a new job, a change of career, improving skills and undergoing training or teaching” in my own life? Nine of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “material and spiritual independence, satisfaction and happiness in solitude” in my own life? Ten of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “family, inheritance, traditions, family business and social gatherings” in my own life? Jack/Knave of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “hard work, being a loyal person and seeing hidden attributes” in my own life? Queen of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “being a home-lover, a nest-builder and female energy as a care-giver or leader” in my own life? King of Diamonds: How do my experiences with this person relate to any experiences of “a “business person”, achievements through hard work and enjoyment of luxury and fruits of one’s own labor” in my own life?