Week 4 - Learn to Journal in 4 Weeks

You've done it!  You've arrived at the final week of this 4-week journey.  Congratulations. I'm super proud of you for now developing this awesome new habit, that will hopefully continue to provide you with an avenue of discovery, insight, and overall well-being!  You now have the keys to happiness and well-being for your future.  Only you can unlock the secrets inside.

"Becoming unbridled from an emotionally painful past is key to having a healthy, happy present. When life delivers a less-than-perfect start to our existence, we can become trapped in a mire of self-pity and snagged by negative patterns of thought over things that were largely or entirely out of our control.  But what we do today, and how we proceed tomorrow is entirely in our control."  ~~Sharon Soneff, in "Art Journals Creative Healing, Restoring the Spirit Through Self Expression"

To paraphrase Sharon Soneff, when you journal, this is a method to help you grab hold of the reins of life, a way to find your moral and emotional compass, your path and direction, your spiritual healing.  By self-monitoring through your journal writing, you are making a conscious effort and decision to keep from perpetuating the past or repeating something that you can, at last and finally, put to rest in your heart, mind and soul.  Blazing a trail of self-evolution, from a point that began in a deep, dark valley through your ascension to the mountain top of self-fulfillment is one of the most self-empowering things you will ever do in your life. You are taking control of your life, your emotions, your spiritual well being.  By dedicating the time to writing in your journal and being consistent, you are not going to miss any moments of realization or epiphanies important to moving forward in a positive, healthy way.  Every step you make, every realization you have is an ascension, an accomplishment and success in healing. Each step forward is progress and you become increasingly more enlightened along the way, holding yourself and perhaps others accountable so that you can reach the summit of that emotional mountaintop.
 
Great freedom emerges when we face our most troubling realities.  Recovery and self-help groups have long espoused the adage that "You're only as sick as your secrets."  Yes, sometimes that trouble represents a very dark part of our past history that needs to come to light.  Your journal is your safe place where you can express the truth of what is going on right now in your life.  A safe harbor. No judgments, no derision, no repercussions.  Just you and your new best friend ... you.  The whole point of writing in this personal way is to let what is churning inside you come out into the light, so you can see it, and deal with it.  It could be that your journaling brings issues to light for which you may truly want and need some professional guidance from a healthcare professional or spiritual advisor.  But for now, the first step toward healing your spirit involves facing your truths and hard realities, no matter how difficult that truth may be.  You are strong or you would not have started this journey. You seek the truth inside you, no matter the outcome.  As has been said many times in the past by many people, the truth shall set you free.  

As you step forward and continue your writing journey, be confident in knowing that you are strong enough to handle it.  You are worthy of the truth. You are empowering your own self-awareness and self-confidence, and leaving the past behind so that you can grow toward the future, toward your dreams, hopes and aspirations.  Every single day is a learning experience. Find something positive about each day and include it in your writing.  Your outlook will change, and negative self-talk will slowly but purposefully take over your conscious being.  You will be enriched and find fulfillment within yourself.  Keep up your commitment to writing every day, and reinforcing all the positives and blessings in your life.

To access this week's final prompts, go HERE 

As you wind up this week's journaling, come visit us at ARTFUL WRITING where we will continue to encourage and support you and provide you with daily writing prompts to spark your creativity and thoughtfulness. Jump in anywhere or on any prompt that intrigues you.  Give us your feedback, chime in to the conversations.  There is no special "place to start" except of course, with the "starting."  Just keep writing.  And thank you for taking this very special journey with us!
 
ARTFUL CHICKS
~~Betty

 

Week 3 - Learn to Journal in 4 Weeks

Here we are at the start of week #3 of our course, Learn to Journal in 4 Weeks.  You've met and exceeded the halfway point, so pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

"It's important for people to know what you stand for. It's equally important that they know what you won't stand for." -- Mary Waldrip

Standing up for what you believe in is an important quality to have in your life. Likewise, standing up for or standing up TO yourself with your innermost thoughts and emotions is a primary key to living an emotionally healthy life and lifestyle.  If you can't be honest with yourself, you're never going to be wholly honest with others or with your life or find your "true north," the compass of your world, your life.  This is one reason why I journal.  We all have secrets, concerns or issues we keep buried deep within ourselves, either to shield us from remembering pain or because we choose not to recall them.  But those issues are there.  Some of those issues comprise who you are today because we become the result of our life experiences.  Do you like who you've become as a result of your life experiences?  Yes? No?  If not, only you can make those changes. Addressing these concerns in your journal is a huge step in making those changes you want to see.
 

I recently discovered an amazing book by Rebecca Campbell called "Light is the New Black" A Guide Answering Your Soul's Callings and Answering Your Light, published by Hay House, and currently available at most major booksellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and also available for Kindle readers. If you follow the permalink, you can read some excerpts from the book.   In Light is the New Black, Ms. Campbell talks about and helps guide you to that place in your life that is your TRUE NORTH, finding your compass, your true way in life.  If you are all about being a better you, and finding yourself, truly finding yourself, I recommend you get and read this book!   You may  have some serious life changing epiphanies while reading it or after reading it.   So far, as a result of reading this book, I have been journaling like crazy about the topics and revelations I am experiencing as a result of her discourse and musings.  I read the book all the way through the first time quite quickly and was really impacted by it. But now, I am re-reading, absorbing, thinking about and writing about all of it. 

Your journal writing should always reflect the real you. Not the face you put out there for the public to see. Real. Honest. Forthright. Compelling. Interesting.  All the descriptors, good or bad, that comprise the real you.  Always 'keep it real' with yourself. No kidding. No side-stepping, no excuses. This is how you turn just plain "writing" into positive journaling.  Whether you realize it or not, you are taking care of yourself.  You are filling up your vessel -- your soul, your spirit, your mind. You are caring about yourself!

As always, you don't have to respond to all of our prompts, or even take them in order, but we recommend you try and respond to each prompt if you can.  Or write about your day, what you are feeling or dealing with. It's your journal.  We are only providing sparks and ideas to keep you thinking and proactively engaged in your emotional and spiritual growth and development. And if you have a bunch of raw journaling you don't ever want anyone to see but you, remember you can always cover it up afterward with art, collaged images, and words.  But don't forget to leave a little hint or reminder on the page, whether a specific word, a hashtag on the corner of your page, or arted on top of your journaling.  You know it's there, and that's all that is necessary.

This week we are going to revisit your list from Day 11, do a little self-exploration, venture out to enhance your writing experience, and of course, a little creative writing.

To access this week's prompts, go HERE
 
Have a great week, and happy writing!

ARTFUL CHICKS
~Betty

Week 2 - LEARN TO JOURNAL IN 4 WEEKS

We've arrived at week #2 of our beginning course on learning to journal in four weeks. How are you doing so far with getting in the habit of writing everyday, about something?  I see in Artful Writing that some of you may have already experienced some emotional turmoil about some of our first seven prompts.

                                              "Live in peace in a time of stress"

Quite frankly, I didn't expect that the first seven prompts would elicit such a response.  When I created them, they seemed benign enough.  I certainly realize that many people, including myself, did not have the happiest of childhoods, and I am not always willing or able to discuss some of these situations with myself on a given day.  Regardless of the specificity of any prompt, if the day's prompt is too painful for you to address this early on in your writing, perhaps let it spark something that isn't.  Look for a positive thought or memory within the prompt. Think about the prompt in a different way, or write about something entirely different on that day.  The prompts are just sparks and ideas intended to get you to think, and to write about your emotions, feelings and experiences.  Being real and honest with yourself, in a way that perhaps you have never done before, truly can be one of the most cathartic and healing experiences of your life. Today might not be that day for you, or even tomorrow.

If a prompt brings up painful or hurtful emotions in you, just write about how you feel at the moment.  You don't have to respond to the prompt directly.  Too often we allow conditioned responses from our past to control our present.  We can't help it.  It is human nature, I think, to want to avoid hurt and pain.  But realistically, without addressing hurt, pain, anger and all the black emotions we hold within us, we can't ever find the light, or the peace that dwells in all of us, or go to the sunny place where we are wholly content with ourselves, our lives and our futures.  At least talking openly and honestly with yourself in your journal, you're coming to grips with this turmoil on an adult level, with adult responses.  Sure, you may cry a river of tears when it all comes pouring out the end of your pen.  I love a good, healing cry myself. It helps me.  But if now is not the time, make a mental note to address how you feel right at that moment on another day.  There have been many nights when I have journaled about an emotional situation in my life, that I cried the entire time I was writing. But afterwards, my heart seemed healed somehow.  Maybe not fully or completely, but at least part of me came to grips with some of it.  And hopefully that day will arrive for you as well.

My best advice to you:  Just keep writing. Keep thinking. Keep exploring the real you...you know, the one you know is inside you that you are secretly hiding and you're not letting her fully out in the open.  How can I improve my life?  How can this cleansing or purging of thoughts and emotions benefit me in the long run?  You will ultimately benefit emotionally and spiritually by addressing these deep and personal issues.  Everyday is not a big emotional day. We want you to just write, the good with the bad, along with lighthearted, creative writing that frees your spirit from the societal constraints that are placed upon us in our daily lives.  Hang in there if you're already having trouble. It gets easier, I promise.  Something just resonated within your soul. You poked a smoldering fire that has been simmering in there, likely for a long time.  It's not going to go away, but you can plan to address it later, when you're more prepared to handle it.  I and we, are always here to provide you with emotional support and encouragement when you need it. Never be afraid to ask for help. So far, the members of Artful Writing are showing their willingness to be supportive and offer encouraging words and some sage advice to those of you who are facing some difficulties.  Lean in. Listen. I believe encouragement and support from others is a viable and important tool in a healing arsenal.

I'm excited to present your prompts for this coming week.  This week, we're going to address how to explore a little more deeply within yourself, how to cut this into manageable chunks of thought process time through the aid of lists and brainstorming, and have a couple of more inane writing prompts, just to get you in the habit of writing.  You don't have to start at the first prompt, or even follow the prompts exactly, or at all. Just write.  But consider really responding to some of these prompts this week. 

As always, if you have some raw journaling from this week you don't ever want anyone to read or see, consider collage options or arting over the words, leaving something to peek out or remind you of the writing.  Keep clipping & putting powerful or emotional images into your "envelope" just for this purpose. Put a hashtag on the lower corner of your journal perhaps with a keyword. Consider magazine images that represent the emotions or feelings you had, or how the writing made you feel.  You could even art over this particular day's writing entirely, and feel safe that your private thoughts are secure.

Find this week's new prompts HERE.  Enjoy the journey.

Happy writing!

ARTFUL CHICKS
~Betty