Merge branch 'release/20230606.01' into main

mindfulness_the_game.md

@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@
 
 **Version**: 0.1
 
+**License**: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
+
+**Dedicated to**: JoDee, for everything.
+
 **Mindfulness, the game** is a solo journaling game about being mindful. It uses a series of prompts to help you be more in the moment and allow yourself to focus on being present in this moment.
 
 ## Safety tools
@@ -18,7 +22,7 @@ The following equipment is completely optional but may help you to better focus:
 
 ### Prompts
 
-* A six-sided die with the words "who", "what", "where", "when", "why", and "how" on each side (available from Koplow, Steve Jackson Games, and others.
+* A six-sided "question" die with the words "who", "what", "where", "when", "why", and "how" on each side (available from Steve Jackson Games, Koplow, and others).
 * Alternatively, a six sided die with the numbers 1-6 on each side.
 
 ### Logging (optional)
@@ -26,12 +30,21 @@ The following equipment is completely optional but may help you to better focus:
 * A pad of paper with a writing implement (pen, pencil, crayon, etc.).
 * Alternatively, A computer with a text editor or word processor.
 
+### A timer (optional)
+
+* An hourglass or electronic timer
+* A timer on your phone, computer
+
 Note that the simpler the tools the better the experience this game will offer.
 
 ## The Game
 
 The main goal of the game is to have you think about this moment in time and focus on it. The prompts are there to help you focus on one particular aspect of this moment in time.
 
+If you would like to do a timed session set your timer for the desired amount. Short sessions may be 5-10 minutes, and a long session may be as long as 30 minutes to an hour. The recommended time is 30 minutes but any amount of time will do.
+
+Alternatively, you may play this where the game is finished when you have explored each of the prompts (who, what, where, when, why, and how).
+
 ### Choosing a prompt
 
 Roll the die to determine which of the prompts you will focus on for the next few minutes. If you have a standard six-sided die you may use the following table for the prompt (e.g.: if you roll a 1 then use the prompt "who?". Rolling a 2 equals the prompt "what?", etc.)
@@ -58,8 +71,30 @@ These are just some ideas to get you started. You can interpret these prompts ho
 
 ### Write about it
 
-Once you have given the prompt some thought the next part is to write about it. _Don't overthink this._ There's no wrong answer to these prompts. Whatever is grabbing your attention is what you should write about. Spend the next few moments writing about what comes to mind.
+Once you have given the prompt some thought the next part is to write about it. _Don't overthink this._ There's no wrong answer to these prompts. Whatever is grabbing your attention is what you should write about. Spend the next few minutes writing about what comes to mind.
 
-Keep in mind that this game works best with honesty but is not about trying to dredge up things that are uncomfortable. If you run into uncomfortable or painful thoughts then please refer to the **Safety Tools** section above.
+Keep in mind that this game works best with honesty but is not about trying to dredge up things that are uncomfortable. If you run into uncomfortable or painful thoughts then please refer to the **Safety Tools** section above for how best to handle them.
 
-Remember: this is a game about exploration of our thoughts.
+**Remember**: this is a game about exploration of our thoughts. There's no right or wrong way to do this.
+
+### Repeat
+
+Once you have completed your thoughts on the given prompt you may roll the die again for the next prompt. Refer to the steps in **Choosing a prompt** and **Write about it** for what to do for each prompt you roll.
+
+If you get the same prompt this session you may re-roll the die or continue exploring the thoughts around that prompt.
+
+### Finishing the game
+
+Once you have explored each prompt or when the timer goes off you may complete the game. Write down any additional thoughts you've had during this session and give yourself some gratitude for giving yourself space to explore your thoughts. Acknowledge any thoughts that were difficult or uncomfortable for you as being a part of you.
+
+When you have completed this final wrap-up the game is complete.
+
+### Daily Practice
+
+This game can be part of a daily practice for journaling or meditation. Obviously the writing part would be optional for meditation, but it can be a good reminder to focus on one aspect of our lives at a time and give ourselves the space to explore those thoughts as they occur.
+
+## Designer Notes
+
+This game came out of realizing that I had an abundance (read: too many) question dice. I didn't realize they came in a pack of 10. I thought about how best to use these dice and came up with the idea of using them for a journaling game of some form. There are several ways I could have approached this (dungeon crawl, walk through a town, etc.) but the first one that appealed to me was the idea of using it as a meditation tool for mindfulness. There might be others down the line as time and creativity permit,but I felt this one needed my attention first. Leave it to me to pick the least fantastical version of things to start with.
+
+I hope you enjoy this exercise. If you have any comments or would like to share your journey feel free to contact me at [https://decafbad.net/contact](https://decafbad.net/contact).