Prayer Journaling: This Week

What have you said to God this week?

What has he said to you?

How have you responded?

What have you learned?

'What have you prayed this week?

What Bible verses and/or chapters have you read, studied, and/or prayed this week? Which one jumped out most this week? 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Have a good weekend!

I hope you have a wonderful relaxing, blessed, and journaling weekend! 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

The Journaling Path Blog Network: http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

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

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

February Class: Life Story Class: What's in Your Heart?

Welcome to the February Life Story Class. It's about how to journal your life story and how to write a memoir of your life story.

I figured after the intense month of January and the 125 memories, we could use a little less specific of a topic and look at the more general--at first. Then, we will each get very pinpointed as we work through the journaling exercises or prompts this month.

This week, start with these:

WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART: A JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT: HOMEWORK FOR THE NEXT WEEK
You can either do this literally or figuratively. draw a heart on the page for each of the numbered prompts below. Fill in each with whatever is in your heart regarding that prompt. You might need to do multiple hearts for each number, by the way.

Ask yourself all of the possible questions that come to mind about the numbered prompt.

For instance, take #1. WHAT is in your heart? I would start by writing anything that came to mind until nothing came to mind anymore. Then, I would ask myself, WHAT? Objects maybe. I would then write every object that I thought of that has a place in my heart. What are my favorite possessions? What are my favorite hobbies? What are my favorite foods? What are my... You get the idea. With each question, I would do a new heart.
1 Who is in your heart?
2 What is in your heart?
3 Where is in your heart?

Be thorough. Spends lots and lots of time on this.

HOMEWORK FOR 08-28 FEBRUARY 2013
Then, the next three weeks, we are going to look at each heart and pick a minimum of 3 items there to journal about and how it relates to our life story. How does each item define or describe our lives? How have they made us who we are? What have they meant to us?

That's it.

Fairly simple. It will just take some time. 28 days, as a matter of fact.

Enjoy!

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

The Journaling Path Blog Network: http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

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

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Use your journal to unwind through the busyness of life

I don't know about you, but there are weeks I am so busy I barely can remember my own name, let alone get everything done that needs to get done, never mind want to get done.

These are the times I know I need a break. Period. But, hah! These are the times I cannot have a break for maybe weeks to months. Sigh.

Have you ever been there?

It seems like life takes over and you are trying to go along for the ride, but you've lost the grip of one hand and are trying to hold on with the other--as you go for the ride.

These are the times that journaling would be a nice reprieve  but I barely have time to breathe, let alone journal... Or so I think.

So, how can I unwind and hold on to some of my sanity through these moments? How can I let things go for a few minutes so I can?

1 I try to steal time to journal a sentence here and there throughout my day.

2 I make sure to journal a paragraph before I even get out of bed in the morning and a paragraph before I go to sleep. I want to start my day off with something that I can control and it helps me prepare for my day. Then, I end it with journaling, no matter how late it is or how tired I am--and I sleep better because I let things go. I put them in my journal. I free my mind so I can sleep and not dwell on things.

I am always amazed by doing this journaling helps me get through the busy times with my sanity still intact and I feel much better because of it.

Now, it's your turn. Try it.

What are your thoughts?

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Are you too busy? Journaling Saves Time

Are you too busy?

Do you have at least an hour a day Monday-Friday, and at least two hours per day on the weekends, of free time?

If not, you are TOO busy.

Do you journal at least an hour a day--and have an hour to two of free time--through stealing time? Try it. It works. I've mentioned it before, but we each have lots of down time in our day--where we are waiting and can journal.

I guarantee if you journal at least an hour a day, you will have MORE free time and will be less busy. Do you want to know why? Your journaling puts your proprieties in order and you start to do what you do in a more productive way. It saves time. Think I'm crazy? Try it for 90 days and get back to me. You'll see what I mean.

Steal some journaling time: when you are on hold, while waiting in a line, while cooking, while waiting for appointments, on break, in the restroom, in the car driving, while exercising, etc. I'm talking journal with a pen or computer--or an audio tape, ion case you were wondering.

Journal more and save time. Trust me. It works. And, you'll be less stressed and anxious, less tired, and will feel more purposeful as well.

How can you beat that?

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Is Anyone Interested?: A Question for You

Is anyone interested in a blog post series on prayer journaling?

Let me know. Attach a comment at the end of any blog post, email me, or let me know on my Google+ Journaling & Storykeeping Community.

~ Stacy Duplease

Prayer Journaling

What are you praying for right now and who are you praying for?

Do you journal about these things?

What does God say to you about each? Do you write that in your journal as well?

What have you said to God? Have you wrote that in your journal?

What prayers have been answered in full or partially answered? Do you prayer journal about them?

What has God done in your life today, this week, this month, and so on? Do you journal about that?

Do you journal with God as the audience--as your reader?

Journaling is a spiritual practice and discipline. If you open your heart to the Lord every time you journal, you commune with him, draw near to him, seek his face, and listen far more than you talk in your journal. Then,w rite everything he tells you and places on your heart. This makes journaling something very sacred. You will find no problem journaling hours a day.

Read the Bible, journal about it.

Do Bible study, journal about it.

Every other thing listed on this blog in the past, today, and in the future, turn into prayer journaling to God. God cares about the finer and more minute details in our lives--just as much as the big stuff. Prayer journal about everything.

Every time you go to journal, pray to him. Turn your journaling into prayer. This transforms your journal into something even more powerful, amazing, and life transforming. It means you cannot help but be centered on him all day long--and it helps you pray without ceasing.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

 (Photo Credit: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014.) 

What's Your Dream and Life Purpose: A Journaling Exercise

What's your biggest dream and what's your life purpose?

How do they define you?

What do they mean in your life?

How are you living them?

How are you taking steps to make them come true--each and every day?

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Journaling is a Gift: A Quote and Journaling Exercise or Prompt

Journaling is a gift we give ourselves and is the most valuable gift we could ever be given.

Use this as a journaling prompt or exercise.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir

Journaling Retreat Tips: What do you do?

How is it possible to have enough to do in a journaling retreat that lasts, ideally  12-15 hours a day for 1 day, let alone anything more than that? Is something you might wonder.

It's easy, if we have lots of choices. So, what are the choices?

* Read the blog post from Monday and all of the links I have there and do them.

* Do lots of Stream of Consciousness writing--where you write for a 10-15 minute block anything that comes to mind. The key is to write fast. If you run out of anything to say, either write, "I don't know what to say," or rewrite the most powerful thing you wrote in the session. And keep repeating either, or both, until you know what to say.

* Do several journaling exercises or prompts. Look throughout this blog. Download a free copy of my book, THE JOURNALING AND STORYKEEPING ENCYCLOPEDIA OF 2013 and do anything found there. Look at the other blogs I have recommended and listed on the side of my blog, including THE JOURNALING PATH blog. Trust me between all these, you have enough material to write for a lifetime.

* Make lists. List your memories, all the people in your life, all your favorite possessions, all of the places you've lived and work, your favorites of anything, TV shows you have watched in your life, movies you have seen, books you have read... Then, do a journaling entry about any and all of them.

* Look at your photographs and journal about them.

* What photos do you not have that you wish you had? Write about them, what happened, what you experienced, and why you wish you had them.

* Go to Flickr and find photos to inspire you and write about.

* Look up inspirational quotes and journal about them.

* Journal anything your heart desires.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Help!!! Zentangles

Does anyone out there know how to do Zentangles? Or do you know any good resources to teach a person who cannot draw how to do them? I want to learn how.

Let me know.

I have found a few, but they are not basic enough for me. I need BASIC as possible. I am lousy with drawing stick figures, if that tells you anything. That's almost not a joke.

Thanks!

~ Stacy Duplease

The Sign of a True Journaling Retreat

What is the sign that you are taking a real journaling retreat?

Answer: You are still in your pajamas at 10:00 in the morning on a weekday.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Letter to the Lord #1: My Personal Journaling

Good morning, Lord. What a beautiful day it is. Thank you.  

Lord, I’ve decided to do a 40-day prayer challenge of praying without ceasing about something or someone for 40 days. 

I have no idea who or what I should pray for between now and 02 March 2013. Lord, guide me.
I am just feeling the need to pray--and I am hearing the call to talk with you, seek your face, and draw closer to you.

Guide me. Instruct me. Help me hear your voice. What should my prayer focus be?

I, also, thank you--for the answered prayer on Friday, along with everything that will come because of the answered prayer. 

Prepare my husband and I for what is to come, Lord.

Thank you for the ability and opportunity to journal and to teach journaling. What an awesome privilege. 

I will set my heart and mind on you today and listen--and will remain open to your prompting as to what my prayer focus should be.

You are an awesome God.

~ Stacy Duplease

Journaling Retreat: Day 2: Letters

I hope your 5-Day Journaling Retreat got off to a good start yesterday. If it didn’t, the beauty is you have today to try to do so.

Today’s Theme is: Letters
Write several of the following letters in your journal. It’s up to you later if you really send them or not. But, you definitely want a copy of each in your journal regardless.

Letter writing is when we write for the sole purpose of reaching out to another. We express our thoughts, feelings, dreams, fears, ambitions, hopes, challenges, and everything in-between. We share a part of ourselves with another who cannot be by our side.

So, what letters are we going to write?

1 Write a letter to each of the 10 most influential people in your life who have helped you become the person you are today. They do not have to be alive, nor do they have to be someone you know. They can be authors, historical figures, etc. You might only get a few done today, but in time, do at least 10 people. Ideally, it would be 25 people.

2 Write a letter to yourself for you to receive the day you are born.

3 Write a letter to yourself to read when you are old.

4 Write a letter to someone who hurt you.

5 Write a letter to someone you hurt.

6 Write a letter to someone who inspires you.

7 Write a letter to God.

8 Write a letter to someone you know who died.

9 Write a letter to your closest friend.

10 Write a letter to someone you haven't seen in years.

11 Write a letter to each of your favorite book, movie, and TV show characters.

12 Write a letter to yourself in 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, and every 5 years until age 110. Where have you come, where are you, where do you hope to be, and so on. And write whatever else you want to say. Be thorough. Try to write at least 3 pages of single-spaced type for each of these letters.

13 Write a letter to your spouse in case you die.

14 Write a letter to your spouse and tell them how much you love them. Remember everything you’ve been through.

15 Write a letter to each fo your children and tell them how much you love them. Remember everything you’ve been through.

16 Write a letter to each of your children in case you die.

17 Write a letter to people of the Bible.

18 Write a letter to anyone else you can think of and for whatever reason.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Journaling Retreat

Every blog post I am doing this week will be to help inspire you to journal. Therefore, do all of the exercise or prompts listed.

Also, search my blog for more journaling ideas if you get stuck and are not sure what to journal. There is lots of material you can find on this blog. Trust me. As it is, while this is a new blog, there is enough material here to keep you busy for years and years.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journal Keeper & Memoir Writer

Surprising: A Journaling Exercise or Prompt

What has surprised you, and captured your attention in your journal this month?

This week?

Today?

Please answer all three questions. Then, say why. Be thorough. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

January 2013 Memories: A Journaling Exercise or Prompt

List 20 memories you've made this month.

What are you top 10 memories from January 2013? Put them in consecutive order with the most powerful memory (good or bad) on top.

Write about at least three of them in particular. If you already have  write more about them. You might even want to do a memory snapshot, or anything else you would like. Make sure to answer who, what, where, when, why,. how, and what if questions of each memory. And, include all of the senses: taste, smell, sight, sound, and touch.

Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

The Journaling Path Blog Network: http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

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

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

28 January-01 February 2013 5-Day Journaling Retreat

Welcome to a 5-Day Journaling Retreat. This week is meant to help us focus more on our journaling and taking time to refresh.

Let me start by saying, it does not have to be these dates for you to take part in a 5-Day Journaling Retreat. Take one whenever you can and read these notes and instructions.

Ideally, we will be out of town. However, how likely is this? If, however, we have put it on our calendar 5-years out, we might be able to be out of town, holed up somewhere, enjoying journaling for fives days and nights.

I put it on my calendar and have it planned out even more than 5 years in advance, but that doesn’t mean I can afford to get out of town whenever I desire. Also, there are some obligations I have to meet at times. But, I can take those 5 days off of work.

And, if I cannot, then, this is what I can do--and I assume most of you reading this are in the same boat. So, here is what you do:
~ What is the average amount of time you spend journaling each day? Make sure to journal more than that the next 5 days. At a minimum, you will journal for at least an hour longer than you normally do--and do so for the next 5 days. Ask your family to give you the time. Do not answer emails, do not answer your cell, and ignore all social media as well during the time you journal.
~ Journal how much you can.
~ Journal when you can.
~ Do this for 5 days.
~ It does not have to be these specific dates that I am writing for this retreat. Pick any 5 you can.

A SELF-PACED RETREAT
See the previous paragraph.

WHAT DO YOU JOURNAL FOR 5-DAYS?
1 See the section below for some suggestions. Read EACH of the links, please. And, do as many of them as possible. Also, make sure, no matter what, you add the journaling retreat suggestions made on your calendars/in your planners for at least the next 5 years.

2 Journal about anything you want.

3 Write about 5 memories at least and get as much on the page about them. That’s one per day for 5 days.

4 Do at least 10 items on your Future Journaling List--that’s two per day for 5 days.

5 What is something that keeps coming to your mind? Write about that.

6 Write about your plans for this week, this month, the next 3 months, the next 6 months, the next year, the next 5 years, the next 10 years, the next 20 years, the next 25 years, and beyond.

7 HOW are you? Write about this.

8 How is your journaling coming along? What are you getting out of it? What do you hope to get out of it this week, this month, the next 3 months, the next 6 months, the next year, the next 5 years, the next 10 years, the next 20 years, the next 25 years, and beyond.

9 Review your journaling and do this link:
http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-of-your-journaling-with.html

JOURNALING RETREAT SUGGESTIONS
Take a look at these blog posts and apply to a 5-day journaling retreat:

~ http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/11/journaling-retreat.html

~ http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-journaling-retreat-part-2.html

~http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-storykeeper-odyssey-journaling.html

~http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/12/another-memory-snapshot-or-mining-your.html

~http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/12/journaling-retreat-stirring-up-memories.html

ARE YOU PARTICIPATING?
It does not matter when--January of 2013 or November 2050, please let me know if you are participating in this retreat.

For those of you who are participating in January 2013, I would love to dialogue with you at the Journaling & Storykeeping Google + Community, or on blog post comments.

ENJOY!

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

2013 and January Journaling and Memoir Writing Classes Notes and Homework

REMINDER
If you are interested in either one of these classes, it does not have to be January, nor the year 2013. Read this for your time-frame.

2013 STORYKEEPER ODYSSEY CLASS NOTES
Can you believe that for the 2013 Storykeeper Odyssey Class that the first of 12 months are coming to a conclusion? Wow. Time flies. I hope that this time has been worthwhile and that you’ve been able to dive into your 125 memories and are remembering even more by the day. I also hope that you’re writing them down to the side in your “Future Journaling List.”

Read the January Class Notes now, along with the rest of this blog post.

JANUARY MEMORY LAUNCHPAD CLASS NOTES
Can you believe that this is the last week of this journaling and memoir class? We’ve listed our 125 memories and have started to write about each of them in detail. Of course, we will not be able to write a long journaling entry of each in 30 days (unless we did nothing else in our lives, of course). However, by the end of the year, you can have at least 3 types pages of each of those 125 memories. Make this your goal. Or, do more memories if you want. We have a year to cover 125 memories so that we can leave our legacy. That’s one memory every 2 days or stretch it into a 2-year project and write about 1 of those 125 memories every 4 days instead. That way, you can do other journaling and writing as well. Just a thought.

MEMOIR WRITERS
January has been the time to get 125 memories down on the page.

Notes and Homework: Read the January Class Notes. Ideally, you’ll spend this year writing your memoir. Therefore, ideally, you would write and journal  about those 125 memories, every day for 125 days. Then, you can get to the organizing and writing of your memoir for the rest of the year. After all, your first draft or your memoir is actually journaling, particularly with these 125 memories.

CLASS NOTES AND HOMEWORK
If you read the above notes, you know what to do.

Recap: Flesh out your 125 memories. Write them out to at least 3 pages each over the next year. And, make sure to write daily 3 new memories you’ve made each day and put them on your Future Journaling List. And, make sure to add to your Future Journaling List any other memory that comes to mind. Then, once a day, write a few sentences at least of one of those on that list. Once a week, write even more about at least 3 memories.

OPTIONAL HOMEWORK
Participate in this week’s 5-Day Journaling Retreat--even if it’s just your normal journaling time. Read the blog posts and do what they say.

RECOMMENDATION FOR YEARS AHEAD
I recommend doing this every January with a new set of at least 52 memories, one per week, for 2014 (and every year thereafter). After all, you’ve put 125+ on the page already through your daily journaling and since you took items from your Future Journaling List. So, you do not have to do so much this year. Although, the ideal would be to do 125 and start it all again--so you can leave as full of a legacy as possible.

THANK YOU
Thank you for participating in each class. I hope you’ve been able to to get a great deal out of them.

COMMENTS
So, what did you learn this month? I would love to hear from you.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Reminder of the 5-Day Journaling Retreat

Do not forget that tomorrow starts our 5-Day Journaling Retreat.

Stay tuned to this blog and in the morning, you will receive information about it and what that looks like.

Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013