Journaling Matters: Personal Journaling

Journaling matters a great deal in my life. I would not be the woman I am not if not for journaling.

As I have taken time to reflect on my life over the last year in particular, I've come to realize something. I have not journaled to the degree I wanted or to the depth I need.

Then again, if I am completely honest, I would have to admit I have not done so in 11.5 years.

Wow. What an in-your-face acknowledgment.

For the record, I have not realized this, or put it to words until now, in this moment, as I write this blog post. When I started this blog post, it was to let you know how much journaling means to me. But, I see it's metamorphosized into something bigger. I am being authentic with you--so you know how everyone has their struggles. No one is perfect. And life sure isn't fair and never has been and never will be fair.

I have journaled. Yes. I have journaled a great deal at times, and not so much at other times.

However, I allowed what I thought was a dream sidetrack me from what was truly important in my life. (Pardon me as I stop and re-read what I've typed so far. It's quite profound. This is an AHA moment. It's a time of conviction, eye-opening, and dream adjustment. It's a change in my overall point-of-view. In other words, this is a HUGE life-changing moment for me as I become aware of some truths I have not vocalized or even realized--in my journal or aloud.)

By the way, yes. As I journal, I will often times go back and re-read what I have journaled so that it penetrates deeper. So I can allow myself to chew on the new discoveries. So I can be changed because of what I have written--and been told by God.

Also, you will see I violate all sorts of grammar and writing rules as I journal. I write for impact and not to impress anyone. (As I publish, it's another thing.) Also, on this blog, I want to share the rawness with you--not be something I am not. My journaling has flaws.

I make mistakes. I am human.

But, my journaling transforms me more into the woman who lives her passions and is: A memory-maker prayerful wife, and journalkeeper.

Okay... Now that I got sidetracked... and I tend to do that when I journal--and have to bring myself back to the heart of the matter.

I think fiction has been a way to sidetrack me from living my true dream and passion--from God's purpose.

That's why I stopped taking place in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). That's also why I decided to write memoirs, and books on how to journal, rather than fiction.

I recommitted to journaling, and teaching journaling, on 14 November 2012. This is a big day in my life.

However, I must be honest--with you and with myself. I do not think I have journaled as deeply as I could--even the last 2.5 weeks. This needs to change. I think I have finally started the process as my eyes were opened as I wrote this blog post.

Here is another confession. I do not journal as much as I would prefer or as much as I need each day. and, often times, I forget to take my own advice... And, I get sidetracked and distracted too often.

The last year, as a matter of fact, I have done mostly--nothing but spin my wheels. In many ways, I think I wasted the last year. (Ouch.)

I've tried to make several things work that haven't. (Then again, that
could really be said about the last four years. Another ouch.)

So, what now?

Do I kick myself? Do I hold this over my own head? My answer: No and no. What good would that do? Can I change the past? Nope. However, I can sure change the present--and plan for the future. I will analyze things a lot more for a while and see how it could have been avoided and what to change. I will share my new wisdom with you. And, I will carry on. I will make my dreams come true: To leave a legacy and live a memorable life. Every day. And, I will teach others to do the same.

Now, I will go back and re-read this blog post/journal entry a few more times and journal some more about it.

So, how about you? Have you ever thought you were aiming to make your dream come true, only to realize it was the wrong dream? And, do you journal as much, or as deeply as you should or want?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Formatting Issues

I apologize about the formatting issues whenever I use my Fire to send blog posts to my blog. I think this is something we will have to get used to. But, I will fix them at the first opportunity.

Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Dreams Journaling Exercise

So, what are your dreams? What do you want to do with your life? Why don't you take some time to journal about your response to those two questions now?

Then, continue to answer the following questions:
* Are you in the process of making any of those dreams come true? Yes or no. It so, which dreams? When did you start the dream? What have you done to bring it to fruition?
* Look at each of your dreams and number them in priority order.
* Take a look at your number 1 dream first. Then, do the following with each dream:

Dreams are something that usually take years to make come true. They are not an overnight phenomenon. (NOTE: If you have some of those, they are goals. They are not dreams. Goals are short-term and are what you do to lead to making your dream come true.)

Goals are bite size chunks of actions you need to take in order to make your dream come true.

Answer these questions for each dream:
* Why is this a dream?
* How will you know when you fulfill your dream?
* What goals do you need to make your dream come true?
* Take each goal and write an action plan needed to make it be fulfilled. Then, put it on your calendar/planner.
* Every week, you need to check and see how each goal is coming along, along with each dream. You need to analyze that, along with what is working and what is not.

NOTE: Make sure to keep dreaming and make sure to dream big.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

It's the time of year for reflection

I do not know about you, but I cannot help but take the time every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas to reflect on the year. This year is no exception.

Have you taken some time to do so in your life?

By the way, at the beginning of every year, I make goals for the following year to help make my dreams come true.

I've done this every year for almost 20 years. It's a tradition in my life and is one I really value. That's what I love about journaling. I am given the chance to do so in a deeper way--and often reflect more often as I journal.

Let's take some time to reflect on the last year, the last 2-5, 5-10, 10-20, and every decade thereafter. It's the perfect time of year for it. Want to join me?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

TGIF

I just wanted to wish you a very Happy Friday and a good weekend. I

hope your weekend is relaxing and memorable.



-- Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Author

Look at my new set-up of my new Amazon Kindle Fire 8.9-inch HD 4G

I got my new Fire yesterday--and am thrilled with it so far. It's a wonderful device and is more than I hoped--which is always nice.

I will tell you more about it later.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

THE 30-DAY JOURNAL ABOUT THE LAST YEAR: DAYS 6-30

For the rest of the month, we are going to capture as much from the last year as possible in our journals in order to leave a legacy. Moreover, we are going to try to learn from the last year and figure out what all we want to journal more about in the upcoming months and year.

Make sure to take out your journals form the last year, along with your calendar and planner. 

Read them. Re-read them. Jot down anything in your latest journal that captures your attention as you review your previous journals and calendar, along with what you want to write more about in the future. 

MEMORY SNAPSHOT JOURNALING: DAYS 6-20

On Days 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-17, 18-20--complete the entire Journaling Exercise below. On other words, for example, on Days 6-8, you'll do the 4 steps below. Then, on Days 9-11, you'll do it again with new memories, etc. I am sure you get the idea. 

~ 1 List in your journal at least 5 memories of the past year you have or haven't mentioned previously. Give each of the 5 memories a memory title, date (or at least approximate season or month as well as year), how old you were, a paragraph description, and how it's shaped your life.

~ 2 Choose 3 of the memories and write a page about each. List the 6 senses of: discernment/intuition, smell, sound, taste, touch, and sight. Also, answer who, what, where, when, why, how, and what-if questions to that memory. (You may also choose to do a SOC about them as well.)

~ 3 Choose 2 of the memories which stand out to you the most and take 3-7 snapshots/photos of the memory with your imaginary camera. If the memory is crystal clear and you remember lots of detail, make it 7 snapshots. If it's foggy, make it 3. If it's in-between, you decide how many snapshots. Then, describe each in your journal. This will add about a paragraph per snapshot per memory.

~ 4 Take 1 snapshot from each memory and write it from the perspective of a stranger who's looking into the moment. Remember, the stranger doesn't know any of the people or events in the snapshot until the stranger sees this snapshot for the first time. Be descriptive. 

YOUR CHOICE: DAYS 21-30

Do at least 3 of the prompts below each day for Days 21-30. Do A SOC, do a list, or whatever you desire--a minimum of 10 minutes per prompt. Make sure to jot down any future journaling you want to do as well. These prompts are:

~ What were your favorites this year?

~ What were you least favorites this year?

~ What people were in your life this year?

~ What good times did you have?

~ What challenging times did you have?

~ What books did you read? 

~ What TV shows did you watch?

~ What movies did you see?

~ What were your favorite songs?

~ What did you do with each holiday?

~ What was memorable?

~ What lessons did you learn?

~ What happened in the news?

~ How were you finances?

~ Make any big purchases this year?

~ Did you do any redecorating in your home?

~ Describe your home from the alst year.

~ Describe your work from the last year.

~ What were your favorite meals?

~ Where were you favorite places to go?

~ What goals did you accomplish this year? (Remember that goals are the steps needed to be fulfilled in order to lead to your dream coming true.)

~ What dreams did you start to dream?

~ What dreams did you work on fulfilling through reaching what goals?

~ What were the funny moments?

~ What were the frustrating moments?

~ What were the sad moments?

~ What were the enraging moments?

~ What were the stressful moments?

~ What did you learn about yourself and your life this year?

~ What happened in your singlehood, widowhood, or marriage this year--the good, bad, and in-different?

~ What places did you go this year (movies, museums, etc.)?

~ Where did you travel this year? 

~ What did you do for vacations this year?

~ What did you do for time-off?

~ How did you invest in your future this year?

~ What did you learn about your past this year?

~ Any other prompt you can come up with. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Christmas (Gift) Journaling: Part 2

PART 1

Make sure to read Part 1 before you read this blog post. you can find Part 1 at: http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/11/christmas-journaling-or-birthday.html

IT GOES BY DIFFERENT NAMES

Please note that this journaling type goes by several different names: Special Person Journaling, Gift Journaling, Holiday Journaling, etc. They are actually all the same type of journaling.However, I will refer to it as Gift Journaling in this blog post.

THE COST OF A GIFT JOURNAL

It's making a journal about another person and giving it to them as a gift. 

Gift Journaling is free to make, but is absolutely priceless. (Note: It's free to make if you give the journal as a digital file over the internet--like in an attachment in an email or something like it. However, even if you give them a paper version of this journal, it is as expensive as you choose to make it, but is still priceless.)

FUTURE JOURNALING IDEAS

The beauty about Gift Journaling is that as you journal about that Special Person, you will most likely come up with more ideas you want to journal about in the future. (Hence, make sure to make note of Future Journaling--and even add it to your Future Journaling List.)

BETTERMENT AND LEGACY

As you do the journaling for the special person in your life, you are digging more into yourself, your life, and your life story. In doing so, it's actually a bit for yourself as well. After all, the journaling you do is for your betterment and pleasure, but it also helps you too add to the legacy you leave behind. Also, in doing so, you create a legacy for them to leave behind. (Therefore, make sure to keep a copy of this Gift Journal) for yourself as well.) 

KEEPING A JOURNAL FOR SOMEONE ELSE

After all, how many people of the special people in your life actually journal? I guarantee, if not none do. Hence, how special it will be for you to give to them. And, if they do journal, again, what a special gift because it is from your eyes, your your point of-view, your heart, your emotions, your thoughts, your spirit. There is nothing more of a treasure, more cherishable, more of a present than that. 

There's nothing more valuable than Gift Journaling. 

IT'S ONE-OF-A-KIND

It's also one of a kind. It will be a very unique, heartwarming gift. The Gift Journal is highly personalized and is made just for them. 

FRONT PAGE MATERIAL FOR THE GIFT JOURNAL

Write a letter to the special person the journal is for. Let them know why you made it in the first place and are giving it to them.

Also, say something to the effect of, "Use me as a pick-me-up for those days when you need one. Or encouragement. Or just to remember."

SO, HOW SHOULD YOU GIVE IT TO THEM:

HOW TO PACKAGE AND PRESENT THE GIFT JOURNAL

First of all, and most importantly, give it to them in both a paper and in a digital/electronic file. 

One, they can look at it and touch with their hands. The other is a present they can never lose, is a permanent form of journal, and is easy to pass on as a legacy.

Consequently, there are two forms to give it to them:

~ Digital/Electronically

~ Paper

Digital Gift Journals

~ Do a word processing document. 

Do several different fonts, ink colors, etc. Have fun with it. 

~ Do a digital scrapbook.

Check out this website: http://www.mymemories.com/ and their digital scrapbooking software at: http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software. Send them the pdf file. 

Then, send either one via email.

Paper Gift Journals

~ 3-Ring Binder

Decorate the binder with material or scrapbook paper. Maybe with some stickers. Print the guts of the binder with colored ink and maybe special paper (colored or other stationary or specially printed paper).

~ Digital Scrapbook and Print It Out (paper and digital... both.)

Check out this website: http://www.mymemories.com/ and their digital scrapbooking software at: http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software

~ Scrapbook

WHERE TO PRINT DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK OUTSIDE OF HOME

~ Local Printer
Look up in your local phone book and call around. You will then need to figure out how to bind it. I recommend doing a plastic binding. Your printer can do that for you as well.

~Shutterfly:

http://www.shutterfly.com/learn/digital_scrapbook.jsp

~ Scrapping Simply

http://www.scrappingsimply.com/

~ Top 10 Review Site

http://scrapbook-printing-services-review.toptenreviews.com/

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Christmas Journaling: Part 1 (or Birthday, Anniversary, or Valentine) (AKA Special People Journaling)

THE IDEA OF SPECIAL PEOPLE JOURNALING, GIFT JOURNALING, OR SPECIAL OCCASION JOURNALING

I just came up with a wonderful idea to give the special people in your life. (And, I am quite excited about it!) It can be used for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, Valentines, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparents' Day,  or any other special day you decide. 

WHAT IS IT?

So, what is it? It's putting together a journal of your journaling about them--and giving it to them as a gift. This also becomes a legacy for them to leave behind. And, make sure to keep a copy for yourself and your legacy. 

HOW DO YOU DO SPECIAL PEOPLE JOURNALING?

~ 1st, make a list of the special people in your life. List all of them. In time, do a Special Journaling for all of them.

~ Put them in priority/sequential order.

~ Think of the dates that you would like to give each person their Special Journal and write those beside each person in the next year. Then, do the math and write how many days you have until that date on the same line. 

~ For Christmas 2012 Journaling, since it is the 29th of November already, I recommend taking your top 3 or 4. Then, do a more extensive journal on them for next year as well. In fact, you might make it a Christmas Tradition. Also, I would think of taking another 3 or 4 and do a Special Journaling for them each year. Make it a tradition. For spouses and children, I would do this several times a year and at New Years or Christmas, I would combine the previous year into one big special journal--and add additional material. For aging parents and grandparents, I would do this a couple times a year as well. 

~ Do one person at a time.

~ Figure out how many days you have for that individual between now and the time you want to give them the journal. Then, do as many 10-minute chunks of journaling (the below journaling exercise) as you can. Put these on your planner to do in at least monthlysegments, if not every week or couple of days or so.

SPECIAL PEOPLE JOURNALING EXERCISE

Do the following in at least 10-minute segments (chunks) each--and do them as often as you can until you want to present them with the journal as a gift. Set a timer.

Make sure to do a SOC on each of the below items, make lists, and  so on. Of each item below, do a journaling entry on each of the things you listed.

~ Do a SOC (Stream of Consciousness) Journaling about them. Who are they to you and in your life?

~ When you think of them, what do you think of?

~ What qualities do they have that you love?

~ What memories have you made with them--recently and in the past? (Make sure to make an extensive list of each.)

~ What have they taught you?

~ What have they meant to you?

~ How have they shaped you to be the person you are?

~ If you could tell them anything right now, what would it be?

~ What does their home mean to you? 

~ Use your 5-senses and journal about them.

~ Make a list of items in their home, things in their wardrobe, meals they cook, places you go with them (or have , etc. Do 10-minutes journaling chunks--SOCs or lists--about as many of these items as you can.

~ Look at photos you have of them and journal about the memories behind each photograph.

~ Journal about anything else that comes to mind. 

TIP: Make sure to do the above items over and over--seeing what new ideas come to mind. Make sure to journal about each point you write about each item. Do that as many times as you can as well. 

TIP: Keep in mind that if any other thoughts or memories come to mind about that person, you get it in your journal. 

CHRISTMAS 2012 JOURNALING TIP: Take the top three or four people in your life tops and do the above items. Make sure to figure out your calendar and how much time you will need in order to do this for each person on your list. You also might think of doing this for New Years and Valentines. 

What a special gift to give the special people in your life. Talk about personal and memorable. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Journaling in 10-Minute Chunks: A Daily Journaling Exercise

I recommend journaling in 10-Minute chunks. 

Why? Do 10-Minute chunks of journaling because it keeps you focused. It gives you an easy, attainable, and manageable goal. Also, we can focus for 10 minutes, no matter what is going on. 

~ Start with journaling for a period of time of 10 minutes. Set a timer and write as fast as you can and keep writing--don't stop. If you get stuck, write "I am journaling about..." and see what comes to mind. Keep repeating that, or a journaling prompt, until you know what to write next. Do whatever type of journaling you want to do. For example, do a SOC, do a journaling prompt/exercise, journal about the present or past or future, do a list, take an item from your Future Journaling List or your Memory Mining Lists, etc. 

~ After the 1st period of 10 minutes, do as many as you can until you run out of time and need to do something else.

~ Do 10 minute chunks several times a day.

~ Every week, do a 20-minute, 30-minute, and 1-hour time chunk at least once

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

NEW DAY 2: 365-DAYS AND THE HOME CHRONICLES

DAY 2: INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALING

NEVER JOURNALED BEFORE?

If you are a novice at this thing called journalkeeping, welcome! You are in for quite the adventure. (That, I guarantee.) So, how do you start? Buying this book is the first step in the process. Next, start to fill out this book.

I recommend starting with small chunks. I also suggest starting with DAILY journaling, and at least Monday through Friday, but only with the one-sentence summary.

Do that for a week. Then, add one sentence in the next section. Do that for a week or two. Then, add another sentence.

Keep adding a sentence every week and before you know it, you're going to find this book is not enough for you. So, what then? Buy a blank book or start journaling on your computer. Add that to the mix.

You might even want to consider buying the other books in this series.

They are:

~ 1-YEAR REMEMBERING YOUR PRESENT JOURNAL

~ 5-YEAR REMEMBERING YOUR PRESENT JOURNAL

~ 10-YEAR REMEMBERING YOUR PRESENT JOURNAL

~ ETC. ETC. ETC. JOURNALING PROMPTS

Keep working at your own pace. Do whatever works for you. If it stops working for you, change it up. Just  whatever you do, don't stop. There will be good days and bad days. Good weeks and bad weeks. Good months and bad months--just like life. However, I guarantee your life will have a far better quality if you keep journaling.

If you are curious as to what a veteran journalkeeper of about 30 years does on a daily basis, I would say it depends. There are times it is only a sentence a day I write. I try to do that as a minimum  Those are few and far between. On average, I write 30 minutes a day. There are times  though, I write two to three hours a day. There is one fast rule that I have learned, the more I journal, the better my life is. The two go hand-in-hand.

If you have never journaled before, make sure to read the following sections You will glean new information and suggestions from them, I'm sure.

IF YOU HAVE JOURNALED BEFORE

If you have journaled before, and it is a daily habit for you, then still make sure to read the previous section. You might pick up on suggestions you haven't used before--or it has been a while since you have.

If you have journaled before, I recommend journaling more and going deeper. I also recommend making sure that you are including the memories you make today, but the memories of your past. Make sure to claim and reclaim all of them. Even if you jot down a quick sentence to jog the memory, at least get that in your journal. You can expand upon it later.

Also, check out the other books in this series (see the previous section). I recommend doing all four, plus having your own journal on the side for additional journaling.

EVERY WEEK

I recommend every week, if not every day, I recommend typing up all of the handwritten journaling you do. This is critical.

NEVER, EVER, EVER

Never--ever--ever throw a journal away. Never. If you do, you throw away a part of your life  If you throw away a part of your life, then that means you never fully dealt with it. It is important to deal with it--or it WILL deal with you.

Keep all of your journals--no matter how ugly.

Why?

It forces you to deal with your stuff. And, you can process through that period of time, learn from it, and become a better person for it.

Why else keep your journals? You get to see from where you've come. You get to see where you've grown, where you get stuck, the mistakes you repeat, the joys, the memories you've experienced, and so on. What treasure. I am far more proud of getting through the tough times in my life than the good. I am human. I make mistakes. I make my fair share of them, but, oh, the growth that comes from them! That is something to cherish. those are special, sacred times.

So, never, ever, ever throw away a journal. Never--ever-ever.

MAKE YOUR JOURNALS PERMANENT

It is critically important to make your journals PERMANENT--where they will not ever get lost or destroyed. It hurts to lose them. Trust me.

Let me tell you a story to illustrate this importance.

A couple of years ago or so, I almost had a tornado strike my house. That alone got my attention with my well over 80 handwritten journals. (Yikes!) But, my story has just begun. A couple of weeks later, my husband and I moved and the movers lost a quarter of them. (I still do not have them, by the way. They are lost, or stolen, depending on how I look at it.) Then, two weeks later, there was an earthquake. Then, a week later, there was Hurricane Irene--where we were under mandatory evacuation orders.

(Truth is often stranger than fiction. I'm not making this up.)

So, let me tell you the importance of making your journals permanent.

I cannot tell you the loss you feel when you lose your journals. For me, it's like I lost part of my life. A quarter of it, as a matter of fact. It hurt then--and it still hurts just as fiercely when I think about it.

And, by the way, I do not mean just keeping them on your hard-drive and external hard-drive. Think of fire.

I am talking about keeping them on the internet -on the cloud--so you never have to worry about losing them again--or your photos for that matter.

I went through Hurricane Sandy a couple of weeks ago. Do I need to tell you the peace I had--because my journals and photos were safe?

So, there you have it. Make your journals permanent. 

FINALLY

Take a look on my blog for more information at: 

http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Introduction to Journaling (or Journalkeeping or Storykeeping)

In time  I will write and publish a book on the subject. For now, this blog post will help you to learn what you need to know. Take a look at each of the following blog posts, in order, and you will then have an idea on how to journal and why:

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=1066274397843201113 

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=782281842711096502

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=892482947061991468

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=6713929133424382920

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=9159578971613281849

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=6653126261100587765

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=8991659408829905829

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=6103673460278282968

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=3052990562961057674

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=8493677231913246561

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=4604740452411167016

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=1695026956302386161

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=6792598270275655281

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=5415630628122885840

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=4935860741109851183

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=3856611289562664319

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=5401091573400342227 

~ http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7668217013568925833#editor/target=post;postID=6432003524504455455

Recently Added Links:

~ http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/11/journaling-in-10-minute-chunks-daily.html

Make sure to stay tuned to this blog, and read all the previous posts not listed here, and learn even more about journaling. 

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Storykeeper 2121 Blog and Website: http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

NOTE ON THE 365-DAYS AND THE HOME CHRONICLES

As I write this 365-Day series, I will rearrange the order of the days from time to time. Therefore, you might see multiple Day 2's for example. However, in the final product, there will not be more than 1 day 2.

In time, I will download this to my Smashwords store listed below so you can see the blog posts in the true order. 

I hope this helps to clear things up and will try to get you the copy to download between now and Friday. 

Have a blessed day and may your day be a memorable one. 

Happy journaling,

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

DAY 3: 365-DAYS AND THE HOME CHRONICLES

DAY 3: HOW CAN I NOT KNOW MY HOME?

Just the question disturbs me. Is something wrong with me?

While I know part of the answer, it still does not bring me comfort. I want to know the total, complete, deep answer—not one that merely skims the surface.

I will unveil this answer in the days and weeks to come. However, I will start today.

WHAT IS HOME, A BEGINNING DEFINITION:

THOUGHTS ON HOME

I firmly believe where I live is home. Period. End of story.

But, is there more to home than walls, roof, furniture, and stuff? 

I also believe I can make anywhere home. Home is a choice in this regard and is what I choose to make of it. After all, home is wherever my husband and me are at the time (plus critters, of course).

I also believe that home is my country, the United States of America.

Home is also a state and a city. It can include the house you live in, but in some circumstances, it does not. My life is one of those, by the way. I have a house that I call home, but know that it is temporary. Therefore, city and state do not fully stand out as home to me. We can leave at any time in 2-3 years from the time we set up our home. We've been here in Virginia since July 2011.)

I also think home is where you live when you retire and where you plan to live out your years.

But, there is another home that goes much deeper than any building, person, critter, city, state, or nation. But, it includes them as well. It is where you want to live. It is your dream home in your dream location with the version of happily-ever-after you choose. It holds your stuff, your mind, and your heart. It is where and when you are most content. This is the all-encompassing, heaven-on-earth home. Or is it?

Home is where I can really, fully be me. It is where I can live the freest and constantly gain inspiration. Home is where I can dream dreams and make them come true. It is a safe haven and a place of wonder.

It is also where I can let go and have peace. Home is where I can be content at all times. It is a place for making memories and enjoying life. Home is simple and keeps complications at the door. It is where my heart resides and is where my mind can roam. Home is where my husband and I live and is where we can be. Home is not where you waste your life, but is where you truly live it. Home was heaven on earth. Or at least that was what is should represent.

I sure do not have such a place in my life yet--a place to reach that state of being and creativity, of contentment, of proper perspective and insight, or of belonging... except at Historic Jamestown in Virginia. How could Jamestown, of all places, be home? That didn't /doesn't make sense to me and it still doesn't make complete sense. But, I am starting to grasp it.

JOURNALING EXERCISE

Grab your journal and your favorite beverage of choice and journal your responses to each of the following:

~ Journal about whatever came to mind while reading today's reading. 

~ When you think of "home," what do you think of? Write your answer for at least 10 minutes. If you get stuck, ask yourself the original question again and write anything that comes to mind. (NOTE: This is called a SOC Journaling or a Stream of Consciousness Journaling.). 

~ How would you define home? Be specific and go into great detail. 

~ Do you have one or many homes? What are they? Describe in great detail adn sue the 6 senses.

~ Describe your dream home. Is it feasible? Will you ever be able to have it--or are you living in it now? 

~ Where is it that you want to retire? Why? Go into great detail.

(Written 27-28 November 2012.)

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121