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Chasing Peace
I’ve had a tough time choosing my annual guiding word for 2018. In my journal, I keep my list of feeling words. They’re words that answer the question, “How do I want to feel when I get up in the morning?” My list is – joyous, beloved, creative, vibrant and wholehearted. Most years I choose from that list or go with something related to one of those words. This year is different. My attention keeps turning to peace. Peace. I want some. It’s difficult to maintain a peaceful disposition at the best of times, even if you’ve been born with one, like me. In today’s environment, it seems harder than…
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Can One Writer Influence the World?
Bryan Hutchinson is living proof that you can influence the world by committing to a regular journal writing habit. Today, I’m guest posting for his blog, Positive Writer. Everyone seems to be touting the benefits of keeping a journal these days. I’m glad. I’ve always believed the world would be a better place if more people picked up a favorite pen and wrote their hearts out on a regular basis. … we become observers … It’s through a dedicated journal practice that we become observers of life, both our own and that of others. We start on a small scale, creating inner awareness by looking at ourselves. Eventually, we observe…
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The 40 Reasons “Why” Challenge
Bryan Hutchinson over at Positivewriter.com is challenging his readers to a “Why I Write” challenge. I know we aren’t all writers, but we all have ‘that thing’ we do. You might love dancing. Maybe you paint, maybe you scrapbook your photos. We all need a creative outlet. What’s yours? Listing the reasons we write is a popular exercise for writers. It’s a good reminder for those times when we just can’t get ourselves to practice. I’ve journaled my list at least a couple of times over the years. Since it’s been a while, I think I’ll accept Bryan’s invitation to sit down and consciously revisit mine with, perhaps, some…
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What’s Your Thread?
Last month, I was a presenter and attendee at Journal Conference 2016: Pioneering the Next 30 Years. It was one of those unique magical experiences that comes only from a gathering of like-minded people, sharing with and inspiring one another. One evening Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea, of Peer Spirit, presented a group of engaged writers with this William Stafford poem. The Way It Is There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost.…
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Starting The New Year Off “Write”
“In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” – Alex Haley Today, I’d like to share my plans for 2016. I hope you’ll share in my excitement as I launch my journal writing workshop business, Writing Life Matters. My first pilot class – Journal Your Legacy – is coming up fast. I’ve realized that the time has come for many of our children to leave the nest — or maybe they already have. Although you’ve done all you can for your kids – taught them how to be their best possible selves, given them an education, and more importantly unlimited love –…
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What I Knew One Day in July 1990
The moment I saw my baby’s face, I believed in love at first sight. My eldest niece and one of my nephews are about to become parents for the first time. Thinking about how their lives are about to change, makes me revisit that time in my own life. Becoming a new mom was my most challenging transition. Here’s what was going on for me back then. In July 1990, I was the happily married young mother of a one-year old son. While pregnant I had a romanticized vision of myself balancing home and career – just like the superwomen who had carved the path before me. However, once my…
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How Will You Find Your People?
Who are your people? They might be the family members you grew up with, they might be old school friends or you might find them walking amongst your coworkers. But often, you need to look beyond your obvious circle. With a little extra time and effort, you find them. When you do, you know it. When you are with your people the energy in the room buzzes and time takes on a natural flow. That’s what happens when I’m with my people and we get into our journaling and writing projects. I recently shared a post about My Heart Writer Sisters and the keen connection I feel with them. A fellow…
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Sisters by Choice
I belong to a special little group called The Heart Writers, my honorary sisters. We are connected through journal writing and the belief that writing has power – the transformative power of clarity, direction and connection to self. It’s that same power that brought us together in June of 2011. In our individual homes we are mothers, wives, partners, sisters and friends. In community, we are four very different women who write and share. We’ve created an environment where it is safe to be vulnerable, open and honest. Now we know each other like no other. Where one of us leaves off, another takes up. We all benefit. We met…
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Too Excited to Sleep
‘Tis the season to reflect on the year gone by. In the series of events that shaped my past year, there was one dazzling five-day period that stands out against the rest. I had been dreaming for many years of making the trip to the Denver area for a women’s journal writing retreat hosted by Kay Adams of The Center for Journal Therapy. I earned my certification to teach Journal to the Self, with Kay, through the Center about 8 years ago and always had a wish to work with Kay in person. On June 20, 2011 that dream came true for me. I was picked up at Denver airport…
