RYP Stories: 2012-02-05

Friday, February 10, 2012

Being Stretched: A Journaling Prompt

Do you ever feel like you are being stretched? Like you are meant to grow and learn a new lesson?

When was the last time you felt that way? What did you do? What happened? How has it shaped who you are today?

Stacy Duplease

Being Stretched: A Journaling Prompt

Do you ever feel like you are being stretched? Like you are meant to grow and learn a new lesson?

When was the last time you felt that way? What did you do? What happened? How has it shaped who you are today?

Stacy Duplease
Fantasy Author, Journalkeeper, & Prayer Warrior
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC

Blog and Websites: http://journalingchronicle.blogspot.com and http://kingdomoflethana.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Grief and Loss Journaling

If you are grieving because you have lost someone or something in your life, Journaling is a big help. Often times, we will ignore our pain and grief, try to forget about, or we freeze. We will go so far as to refusing to journal about our loss and grief because it hurts so much. However, the absolute best thing we can do is to deal with the loss so it can stop dealing with us.
So, how do we use journaling to help us deal with our grief?
* List who or what loss you grieve.
* Write why you are grieving the loss. Be thorough.
* How are you grieving?
* Then write all your happy memories and happy thoughts about them. Get it all down on the page.
* Then, write how being upset is adding to those happy memories and thoughts. (It isn't.)
* Then, write how your life would look if you were healed from your grief.
* Live in that way.
~*~ Repeat this as often as necessary.

Stacy Duplease -- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Grief and Loss Journaling

So, how do we use journaling to help us deal with our grief?

* List who or what loss you grieve.
* Write why you are grieving the loss. Be thorough.
* How are you grieving?
* Then write all your happy memories and happy thoughts about them. Get it all down on the page.
* Then, write how being upset is adding to those happy memories and thoughts. (It isn't.)
* Then, write how your life would look if you were healed from your grief.
* Live in that way.

~*~ Repeat this as often as necessary.

Stacy Duplease -- Sent from my Kindle Fire

You cannot go wrong

By the way... You cannot go wrong with Journaling.

Let that bring you peace.

Actually, that is not true. There is one way you can go wrong. Not Journaling. So, be daring. Journal.

Stacy Duplease -- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Be daring

When you journal, be far more daring than you usually are.
Go beyond your comfort zone.
Your journal is your private space. You can be daring in it...far more daring than you have ever been.

Stacy Duplease -- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Be daring

When you journal, be far more daring than you usually are.

Go beyond your comfort zone.

Your journal is your private space. You can be daring in it...far more daring than you have ever been.

Stacy Duplease -- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A Couple's Journaling Chronicle: Part 4

~*~ What do you enjoy about your marriage?

~*~ What special things do you do for your spouse and why?

~*~ What has your favorite Christmas been as a couple?

~*~ Describe your marriage in one word.

~*~ Describe your marriage in one sentence.

~*~ Describe your marriage in one paragraph.

~*~ Describe your marriage in a letter.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today? Explain.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today to do? Explain.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today not to do? Explain.

~*~ What do you love most about your spouse and why?

~*~ How does your spouse make you want to be a better person?

~*~ What plans, goals, and dreams do you have as a couple? What are you doing to bring them to pass?

~*~ How do you lift one another up?

~*~ How do you compromise as a couple?

~*~ When was the last time you had an extended snuggle session as a couple?

~*~ What do you enjoy doing for your spouse and why?

~*~ Do you love your spouse warts and all--or do you try to change them? Why?

~*~ Define love.

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior, Fantasy Author, and Journalkeeper
of Remembering Your Present, LLCdba USAGC 2026 * Kingdom of Lethana

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com or lethanastories@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.comBlog for Lethana: http://kingdomoflethana.blogspot.com
Blog for Journaling: http://journalingchronicle.blogspot.com
Blog for Writing: http://writingchronicle.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

A Couple's Journaling Chronicle: Part 4

~*~ What do you enjoy about your marriage?

~*~ What special things do you do for your spouse and why?

~*~ What has your favorite Christmas been as a couple?

~*~ Describe your marriage in one word.

~*~ Describe your marriage in one sentence.

~*~ Describe your marriage in one paragraph.

~*~ Describe your marriage in a letter.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today? Explain.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today to do? Explain.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today not to do? Explain.

~*~ What do you love most about your spouse and why?

~*~ How does your spouse make you want to be a better person?

~*~ What plans, goals, and dreams do you have as a couple? What are you doing to bring them to pass?

~*~ How do you lift one another up?

~*~ How do you compromise as a couple?

~*~ When was the last time you had an extended snuggle session as a couple?

~*~ What do you enjoy doing for your spouse and why?

~*~ Do you love your spouse warts and all--or do you try to change them? Why?

~*~ Define love.

A Couple's Journaling Chronicle: Part 3

~*~ What is the most romantic thing you have ever done as a couple?

~*~ List 25 more memories, good and bad, as a couple. Describe why are they important?

~*~ What do you do for your marriage health and to stay on track?

~*~ What do you do when you get off track as a couple?

~*~ What do you do when you fight? What do you fight about? Why? What do you learn as a couple?

~*~ List 10 reasons why you are grateful for your marriage and explain them.

~*~ Define marriage.

~*~ What do you for fun?

~*~ What are your favorite pictures as a couple and why?

~*~ How do you make your spouse a better person?

~*~ How does your spouse make you a better person?

~*~ How much do you give to your marriage? What percentage? Your spouse? As a couple?

~*~ What are your most prized possessions as a couple?

~*~ What have you done for vacation? What memories have you made?

~*~ What restaurants do you go to and why?

~*~ What houses (or other living spaces) have you lived in as a couple? What memories are associated with each?

~*~ List memories you have made in the last month as a couple.

~*~ List memories you have made in the last week as a couple.

~*~ List memories you have made in the last year as a couple.

A Couple's Journaling Chronicle: Part 2

Grab your journal ans answer these questions about your relationship. If you can, both of you answer individually and then as a couple. If only one of you is doing this, that is okay, too. What a gift you have to offer your mate. Good for you.

~*~ Your marriage is the one of the relationships in your life you choose. Your friends are another. Why do you choose to be married to your mate today?

~*~ Why did you choose to marry your mate to begin with?

~*~ What does your marriage mean to you?

~*~ What do you enjoy doing as a couple and why?

~*~ How is your communication as a couple?

~*~ Have you had any misunderstandings lately? Why? What did you learn from them and how have you applied those lessons to your live and to your marriage?

~*~ What can you do better as a spouse?

~*~ What do you love most about your mate?

~*~ Do you still go on frequent dates? Why or why not? If so, what do you do? If not, make plans to do so.

~*~ Can you sit in silence as a couple? Or do you have to fill in the gaps with noise or talking?

~*~ What was your favorite date?

~*~ Write a letter to your spouse to read the day before you get married about your marriage up to now. Talk about your experiences--good and bad. What would you do differently for them? What would you do more of? What do you treasure most about your mate? Tell your mate why you are marrying them then and why you would do it again today.

~*~ Write a letter to yourself to read the day before you married about your marriage up to now. Tell lessons learned, what to change, what to do more of, and so on. Say why you should marry your mate.

~*~ Write wedding vows today. What would they be and why?

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior, Fantasy Author, and Journalkeeper

A Couple's Journaling Chronicle: Part 1

Welcome to a blog post series on journaling for the memories and lessons learned as a couple. This series is aimed at both members of the couple or just one of you. The point of journaling for you as a couple is because your relationship is one of the most significant parts of your life. Not journaling about your relationship would be like not journaling about your own personal life. Keeping a chronicle of your life story is important. After all, no on else has had the experiences you have, not everyone is like you, and every minute lived is something to cherish. This is true as individuals and as a couple.

If you have not journaled before you might want to look at the blog post series, "365-Days of Journaling Your Story" first. It is an introduction to journaling. (This is just a suggestion.)

Shall we take a look at couples journaling now? Let's jump right in and see what transpires because of this. It will help you to remember and will help you to not take a moment for granted as a couple. Please grab your journal at this time ans answer the following questions:

~*~ How did you meet?

~*~ When did you start dating? What did that look like?

~*~ When and how did you get engaged?

~*~ When and how did you get married?

~*~ What do you do to treat every day like Valentine's Day or like your anniversary?

~*~ What are you most grateful for in your relationship with one another?

~*~ List 25 of your most memorable experiences as a couple and what made them memorable.

~*~ What are you doing today to keep your marriage fresh?

~*~ List 10 things you love most about your marriage.

~*~ Are you happy today as a couple (overall and not just today specifically)? Why or why not?

~*~ Do you treat one another as the best thing/person in your life? What does that look like?

~*~ If you could do anything different in your marriage, what would it be?

~*~ If you were to have the ideal marriage, what would that look like? What can you do to bring this to pass?

~*~ List more memories as a couple.

Interesting

I just decided, with it almost being Love Day (Valentine's Day) and all, to do a search on Amazon for books on marriage journaling. I do not have books on it and wondered if I have missed some anywhere. Well... I have not missed anything. There is not ONE book on the subject.

I did not find any relationship journals either.

So, I did a search of couple's journaling. Well, I found a couple of journals, but not books on how to journal about your, and for your, marriage.

Hmm. It is February 8th. Valentine's is around the corner... I will do some blog posts on Marriage Journaling from not until then. stay tuned.

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior, Fantasy Author, and Journalkeeper
of Remembering Your Present, LLCdba USAGC 2026 * Kingdom of Lethana

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com or lethanastories@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Blog for Lethana: http://kingdomoflethana.blogspot.com
Blog for Journaling: http://journalingchronicle.blogspot.com
Blog for Writing: http://writingchronicle.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

365-Day Journal Your Story Project: A Free Copy: Time to Download

In an effort to make it easier for us, I have downloaded a copy to Smashwords a copy of:

365-Day Journal Your Story Project

It is easier to look at a book of just those blog posts and in a book format than to have to keep referring to the blog.

The version is quite rough, though, I must warn you.

Every week, I will upload a new copy of the latest material for this blog post series. I will let you know when to download the free copy.

This is a free copy of the book. Later, when the book is written, and is edited, that is when it will be $5.00.

Enjoy!

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior, Fantasy Author, and Journalkeeper
of Remembering Your Present, LLCdba USAGC 2026 * Kingdom of Lethana

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com or lethanastories@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Blog for Lethana: http://kingdomoflethana.blogspot.com
Blog for Journaling: http://journalingchronicle.blogspot.com
Blog for Writing: http://writingchronicle.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

365-Day Journal Your Story Project: Day 14: Memory Snapshot Journaling: Part 2 of 2

OVERVIEW AND PLAN

On Day 12, we did the first part of Memory Snapshot Journaling where we realized that our memories have shaped or lives and who we are. Therefore, it is important for us to remember the good memories and the bad ones--not just the good and not just the bad. We even started to list some memories. Today, we are going to list even more memories and then we are going to start to actually doing the Memory Snapshot Journaling. After all, it has just been a list of possible memories so far.

Shall we dive right in and start to explore this?

WEEKLY LISTS

If at all possible, every week, do this exercise in preparation for Memory Snapshot Journaling.

~*~ List three new memories from the past you have not listed before.

~*~ List three memories you have made this week.

That is it. Imagine the goldmine you will have at the end of the year. Then, imagine this after five years, ten years, etc. How incredible would that be?

MEMORY SNAPSHOT JOURNALING

~*~ Pick a memory from the past you want to journal about more fully. Go through your journal at your memory lists if one does not come to mind.

~*~ Picture in your mind the memory. Play it from start to finish.

~*~ What three images jump out to you about the memory? List them.

~*~ With each of those snapshots, write what happened before, during, and after.

~*~ What did you see?

~*~ What did you hear?

~*~ What did you think?

~*~ How did you feel?

~*~ What did you smell?

~*~ What did you do?

~*~ Who was there?

~*~ What strikes you most about the memory?

~*~ How has this memory shaped who you are?

Then, do the same, but with a memory from the last week.

Do this exercise once a week.

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper

Monday, February 6, 2012

365-Day Journal Your Story Project: Day 13: Changing It Up

If the journaling you did yesterday was quite deep and intense (as was the case of Day 12) , I recommend changing it up and having a fun, easier, or a different type of day of journaling the next day. Give yourself a break today. Then, tomorrow I recommend going deep again. It keeps things fresh, from getting to you, and keeps you from getting bored or frustrated with journaling to the point you want to stop. This is true in general--and not just because of Day's 12 intensity. So, today we are going to take a look at changing it up with our journaling.

HOW DO YOU CHANGE UP YOUR JOURNALING?

There are several ways to accomplish this purpose.

~*~ For starters, what is your favorite journaling type, journaling exercise, or journaling entry you have done so far? Do you want to do more of that today? If so, go for it. If not, keep reading.

~*~ Make a list.

List things in 10, 20, 25, 50, 75, and 100.

List your favorites of something. List anything that comes to mind. List ten things that make you happy. List ten blessings in your life. List ten dreams and goals you have. List ten things you want to do in the next year. List ten of... You fill in the blank.

~*~ SOC: Stream of Consciousness

Take fifteen minutes to write anything that comes to mind.

~*~ What do you like?

~*~ What do you dislike?

~*~ Pick a favorite word for every letter of the alphabet. Why is each a favorite? What does it mean to you? What memories are associated with each?

~*~ If your life was everything you wanted it to be today, what would it look like? Answer that for a while. Then, answer this, What would it take for you to move to that point?

~*~ What lessons have you learned in your life?

~*~ Who has shaped your life and how? For the good or the bad?

~*~ Look around where you are. Find an object, a person, an animal, sound, or anything from it you can journal for ten minutes.

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper

365-Day Journal Your Story Project: Day 12: Memory Snapshot Journaling of the Good and the Bad Stuff of Life: Part 1 of 2

GOOD DAY

Yesterday, we looked at Quick Journaling. Today, we are going to look at going a little deeper and at capturing moments in time in our lives. The memories in our lives, good and bad, need to be remembered. They have shaped who you are today and that is something to be celebrated (Yes! Even the tough stuff.). The journaling we will do today (and tomorrow) is focused on making snapshots with words.

Now, I need to go on a little tangent and then I will bring us around to Memory Snapshot Journaling.

WHY REMEMBER THE BAD STUFF?

Now, I imagine there is something I said in the first paragraph that might have caught your attention. Let me repeat what I said: Yes. Even the tough memories are those we need to remember and commit to memory.

Why would I ever dream of making such a claim? It sounds contrary to common sense... Right? Well, let me explain.

But, first, let me warn you. What I say after this paragraph might be considered a little intense. I just want to warn you so you know to expect the possibility. I do not want you to be caught unaware.

If we only choose to remember the good stuff in life, we are living a false life. We lie to ourselves and to others. Period.

If we have worked through our stuff, then, it does not hurt too much to talk about, think about, or share with others. That is not to say there is not a sting at times, but we are mature enough to know that we learn the most through the tough and challenging times in life usually and not through the sunshine, picture sky, mountain top times. We will talk about these over time and share with others so that they can learn from our experiences--so they do not have to do so on their own. We learned lessons and not sharing them is taking them for granted.

Am I making sense here? I hope I have not stepped on any toes here. That is definitely not my intent.

Do you have stuff in your life you try to avoid, deny, forget, or pretend never happened? If so... Did it happen in the last two months--so the bad stuff is fresh? If so, I am not referring to this stuff. This nasty stuff in your life is too new to have learned many lessons at this point. If you can, do memory snapshots. If it hurts too much, wait a couple of weeks and try again.

But, if you have anything in your life older than four months that you do not want to talk about or remember, I recommend kicking the door open once and for all. Your life is being actively and intentionally held back. You are not living the full and free life you could be. Do memory snapshot journaling of the stuff you try to deny, forget, or avoid. If you do not want to do so, you should seriously consider seeking professional help immediately with a professional counselor or pastor. Enough is enough. You deserve better. Freedom and fullness of life await you. Seek it.

Deal with your past and stop letting it deal with you.

Re-read the previous sentence as many times as it takes for you to take it to heart.

We will talk a great deal more about the tough stuff of life as we go throughout this year. But, I had to touch on it here before we continue moving forward with any kind of journaling. Dealing with the past is essential for every single one of us. Once we do, we can finally soar! And be joyful, peaceful, content, and happy.

Let us not remember only the good stuff. Let us stop living a lie and choose to live in reality.

Again, I am sorry to be harsh. The truth is not always easy to swallow. It can sting. It can even kick our butts at times. But, the truth sets us free--and that makes it worthwhile.

STRONGEST MEMORIES LISTS

PLEASE NOTE: If at any time you feel too upset to carry on with this journaling exercise, try to add more of a description of your positive memories. If that does not help you feel better, take an hour break. Then, try again. If you still are upset, take the rest of the day off of remembering stuff from the past. You might want to list recent memories instead for a while. List as many as you can. If none of this helps, you might consider talking to someone and see if that helps. Or, vent it out in your journal. My point is, if it is too difficult, do not push yourself too hard. Some discomfort is healthy, but not to the point of depression or fury.

~*~ What in your life do you not want to think about? List it.

~*~ What in your life do you not want to talk about? List it.

~*~ What in your life makes you feel uncomfortable--past, present, and past? List it.

~*~ What in your life do you want to avoid? List it.

~*~ Make a list of the top 10 strongest and most powerful memories in your life for the positive.

~*~ Make a list of the top 10 strongest and most powerful memories in your life for the negative.

~*~ Now go back and write a sentence or two summary of each of the 20 memories you just listed.

~*~ Wait a couple of hours and do your next ten strongest of each. Repeat all of the steps above with other memories you have not listed yet.

~*~ If you feel like it, repeat this until you have every strong memory you can think of written down.

Yay! We survived a pretty intense day of journaling. We will talk more about memory snapshots tomorrow. See you then.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Companion

Make your journal a companion and friend--

not something to do.

Stacy Duplease -- Sent from my Kindle Fire

365-Day Journal Your Story Project: Day 11: Quick Journaling

WHAT IS QUICK JOURNALING?

Quick Journaling is summary journaling. It is getting rid of all the fluff and giving a summary. This is what you might think of as a diary.

TYPES OF QUICK JOURNALING

What types of Quick Journaling are there?

~ 1-Sentence QJ (Quick Journaling)

List 1 sentence to summarize your day.

~ 1-Paragraph QJ

List 1 paragraph to summarize your day.

~ Calender QJ

Day 8, I mentioned Calendar or Planner Journaling. It is a Quick Journaling Technique.

Quick Journaling is something that can be done in ten minutes or less each day. That being said, what are the advantages and disadvantages for doing Quick Journaling of any kind?

ADVANTAGES OF QUICK JOURNALING

~ It is quick for when you are limited by time, but want to get something down on the page at least.

~ It is easy.

~ It is convenient.

~ At least you get something on the page.

~ This can be the stepping stone for a deeper journaling session. Hence, Quick Journaling would not be your only form of journaling.

~ If you are new to journaling, this is a good starting point.

~ Inexpensive.

~ Does not take up too much storage space.

~ It is a good starting point even if you have journaled for decades.

~ It is a nice summary.

Before I list the disadvantages, know this. Quick Journaling is the starting point I use for all of my journaling. It is what I do every day 24/7/365. Therefore, while the disadvantages sound like I am saying never to do it, that is not what I am saying at all. Do Quick Journaling EVERY day--without fail. Then, add to it when you are able.

DISADVANTAGES OF QUICK JOURNALING

~ It is limiting.

~ It is superficial and shallow--if you want something more. (But, as a starting point for all journaling, Quick Journaling is required.) It is not very deep.

~ It is easy to get bored.

~ It is not very attractive.

~ It is not very creative.

~ This is more like a diary and can me very impersonal. It's just the facts ma'am in many ways.

Stacy Duplease

Prayer Warrior, Fantasy Author, and Journalkeeper
of Remembering Your Present, LLCdba USAGC 2026 * Kingdom of Lethana

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com or lethanastories@gmail.com

Hint or Tip

If you ever look up journaling resources or journaling programs online...

And they ask you to pay money to learn their tips or use their program. Do NOT do it. It is a waste of money. There are so many good websites and tools out there for free you do not need to ever pay to learn the secrets or tips of journaling.

The exception is if they have a book to sell... But, their website should share information for free.

Be careful not to be conned. Save your money.

Just a hint or tip.

Stacy Duplease

365-Day Journal Your Story Project: Day 10: Types of Journaling

There are several different types of journals you can keep. As a matter of fact, this list will constantly grow as we realize how versatile journaling really is. So, please note that the list below is not the extensive, all-encompassing, exhaustive list. But, it is a start.

Up to this point, we have discussed the Your Story Journal. (See journal type #1.) However, what you have not seen is how many different types of journaling you can do. That is what we are going to look at at this time. Please note that each of these types of journaling can be its own book. So, the list below will be a summary list. We will go into the depth of each later.

~ Your Story Journal

This encompasses several, if not all, of the types of journals below. It's the etc. etc. Etc., misc., all-encompassing journal. It can constantly change and transform as your tastes, wants, and preferences change. It keeps things fresh and it is hard to get bored with this journal.

~ Dreams and Goals Journal

This is your bucket list, planning journal of your dreams. It's using goals to make your dreams come true.

~ Art Journal

~ SOC Journal (Stream of Consciousness Journal)

~ Idea Journal

~ Writing Journal

~ Inspirational Journal

What inspires me?

~ Life Events

~ Reading Journal

Keeps track of books you read and your experience with those books.

~ Prayer Journal

~ Bible Reading Journal

~ Personal Growth Journal

~ Weigh Loss (Dieting) Journal

~ Creative Writing Journal

~ Letters to God

~ Letters to ??? Journal

~ Scrapbook Journal

~ Financial Journal

Helps you eliminate debt and invest for the future.

~ Health Journal

~ Therapy Journal

~ Healing Journal

~ Pain Management Journal

~ Exercise Journal

~ Time Capsule Journal

~ Travel Journal

~ Gratitude/Blessings Journal

~ Project Journal

~ Nature Journal

~ Quick Journal

~ Calendar/Planner Journal

~ Problem Solving

~ Life Cycles Journal (Childhood, Teenage Years, Adulthood, Engagement, Wedding, Marriage, Pregnancy, Raising Children, Later Years, etc. Each lsited is a different type of journal, by the way.)

~ Grief and Loss Journal

~ Divorce Journal

~ Sickness Journaling

~ Doodling Journal
~ Sentence a Day Journal
~ 5-Year Journal
~ Topic Journal
If you want more of something or less of something in your life.

~ Etc. Etc. Etc.

365-Day Journal Your Story Project: Day 9: Why Journal?: A List

Here it is Day 9 of this 365-Day Journal Your Story Project and I wanted to discuss reasons to journal. Why journal? Why take the time out of a perfectly good day to journal? What benefits are there?

I need to be frank about something. There are more positives, benefits, and reasons why we should journal than I could ever compress in one day's lesson. Books can be written about each reason, as a matter of fact. I want you to know that I am not exaggerating at all when I make these claims. Journaling, apart from exercise, is the most beneficial thing you can do for your health and well-being.

Now, since admitting books can be written about each of the reasons I will list below, I will keep today's discussion to a summary list. I will expand upon these reasons later.

Also, please note, some fo these may sound like they repeat, but there are differences in them. Trust me. I will expand upon them later, once again.

Another note: I do not think there is any reason more important than the other. Journaling is overall a good thing. That is the summary. So, the list below is not in matter of importance or in priority order.

WHY JOURNAL LIST?:

~ Why not journal?

I list that first, before we ever look beyond this, for a reason. Why not? What could it hurt? What could be gained? What can you lose if you do not? So, why not journal? That is a reason. It is not a question.

~ The reasons to journal are endless.

~ Journaling helps you live the most healthy life you can live: spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially, and mentally.

~ It helps you to remember your present and live intentionally--so you stop taking it for granted and prevents you from thoughtless living.

~ It is easy to do.

~ It is inexpensive.

~ It is priceless.

~ It is enjoyable.

~ It is versatile.

~ It decreases stress.

~ It decreases depression.

~ Journaling decreases anger.

~ It helps you feel better inside and out.

~ It helps you to remember.

~ It increases happiness.

~ It increases joy.

~ It increases peace.

~ It increases contentment.

~ It helps you to remain aware.

~ It is cheaper than a therapist. (Except if you are suicidal or homicidal--or are dealing with some major stuff. Then, do both!!!)

~ It is a creative outlet.

~ Journaling is fun, enjoyable, and pleasurable.

~ If you are a writer, journaling is a must.

~ It helps decrease anxiety.

~ It helps with PTSD.

~ It strengthens your immune system.

~ It helps with circulation.

~ It helps to lose weight.

~ It helps you plan.

~ It helps you to list your dreams and goals and make them come true.

~ It is a good traveling resource.

~ Journaling is something to do with art.

~ It is good for reflection.

~ It is good to self-analyze.

~ It is good to help capture memories past, present, and future.

~ Helps you deal with change.

~ Journaling helps you bring about change and transformation.

~ Helps you commit to action.

~ Helps you keep track of things.

~ Helps you keep track of prayer and answered prayer.

~ It is the best habit you can ever get into.

~ It helps decrease procrastination.

~ It helps you budget and manage your time.

~ Self-awareness (to get to know self)

~ Journaling helps you to count your blessings (aka gratitude or thanksgiving).

~ Helps you express yourself.

~ Helps you express what you are feeling.

~ Helps you to overcome.

~ Helps you deal with your past so your past does not deal with you.

~ Helps you plan for the future.

~ Helps you get rid of burdens.

~ It brings maturity.

~ It helps you to vent.

~ Journaling helps you to see the big picture, as well as the fine details--and everything in-between.

~ It is fast.

~ Helps with addictions.

~ It is easy.

~ It helps you remember life lessons (lessons learned).

~ Helps decrease pain (helps with pain management).

~ Decreases boredom.

~ It is convenient.

~ It is a way for you to keep your personal history.

~ It helps you to keep track of history and historical events.

~ Journaling helps you to remember your family history and stories.

~ It helps you to remember the stories of others around you.

~ It helps you see in a new way.

~ It helps you to remember your childhood.

~ It helps you to remember your engagement period.

~ It helps you to remember your wedding.

~ It helps you to remember your pregnancy.

~ It helps you to remember your children and their childhood--all the stories and memories thereof.

~ It helps with personal growth and development.

~ Journaling helps with professional growth and development.

~ It helps with spiritual growth and development.

~ It helps with emotional growth and development.

~ It helps with mental/cognitive growth and development.

~ It helps with social growth and development.

~ It offers you solitude.

~ It helps you to be still.

~ It helps you to decrease busyness.

~ It reminds you of what is mot important and what really matters in your life.

~ Journaling helps you to see the cycles in your life.

~ It brings increased clarity.

~ It helps you solve problems (with problem solving; making decisions).

~ It helps you to talk something out.

~ It helps you to see things as they really are. It strips all of the stuff that does not matter and the clutter--and gets to the heart of the issue.

~ It sharpens your writing skills.

~ It sharpens your creativity.

~ It helps you to keep track of things.

~ It helps you remember your to do list.

~ Etc. Etc. Etc.

Check out these reasons as well:

http://www.easyjournaling.com/2011/07/101-reasons-to-write-a-journal/

http://www.appleseeds.org/100_Journaling.htm

New Journaling App Part 2

I have to make another confession (or a couple). I dreamt of the journaling app last night. I sure did. I saw all of the cute icons/pics and dreamt of doing fancy things with the journal.

It is a full-fledged addition now. The moment I woke up, before I even got out of bed this morning, I wrote a journal entry.

I am so corny I found a pic of a sun and a picture of an umbrella and wrote: "Today is Sun-day and it is rainy." (Now, I know... How did I know it was rainy and I did not get out of bed yet. The Weather Channel sent me an email with current conditions and it said it was raining. (Gotta love technology!) In my defense, I wanted to give my husband the opportunity to sleep in and found that to do with my time. (How is that for justification?)

I just got all of my journaling pages downloaded onto my computer. I saved them via page numbers so they will be in order. They saved themselves as a png file, by the way... It made it very convenient so I set it up to open with Window Live Photo Gallery and I can scroll through my fancy new art journal.

So, I have the diary/journal saved to my Amazon Kindle Fire, to my email, to my desktop, and my external hard drive. Need I say... Permanent? I will then save them to an online photo program.Gotta love it!

I just wanted to give you an update and tell you how I am a total nut. Yep. Weird. Silly even. Now you know why my husband suffers from neck problems. He's always shaking his head at me. Sigh. (Lol!)

New Journaling App for Androids

Wrote on 04 February 2012, Saturday 8:00 p.m.

I am always on the hunt for new Journaling tools... and alas! I found my most favorite ever! I got it for my Amazon Kindle Fire and am quite thrilled about it.

The funny thing is I have seen it before... I must admit to something here and give some background here. I know not to do this. It is a pet peeve of mine. Yet, I fell prey to it. Sigh. Hanging head down. Blush. I fell for the judging a book by its cover mistake. Every now and then, I do a search for a Diary or a Journaling app. I have seen one, but thought it was kiddie...too childlike for me... However, I decided to try it this evening. (Why not?)

The app is: Icon Diary

You can find it here:
http://www.amazon.com/GalleryApp-Icon-Diary-Free/dp/B006U5LGIO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=mobile-apps&qid=1328463984&sr=1-1

It is fun. It could be considered an app for kids... girls in particular... But, I am a girl (of the grown-up variety)... So, I absolutely love it!!! I think I will fall even more in love with journaling because of it. And I did not think that was possible.

It has cute icons and pictures I can add to each journal entry and make it look quite attractive. It brings out even more creativity out of me. I love it.

I cannot draw, so this app makes a fun art journaling page I cannot do normally. I now can do an art journal, which was something I never thought I could do since I cannot draw or paint... except with words.
I email each entry to myself so it is a permanent record. Then, I will save it as a pdf and I will create a folder for them.

I cannot recommend it enough.

Stacy Duplease -- Sent from my Kindle Fire