​HOLIDAY JOURNALING AND END OF YEAR JOURNALING

HOLIDAYS: DEALING WITH PAIN AND BEING AWAY FROM HOME​

Written December 22, 2014, Monday, 1254 p.m. 

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A PAINFUL TIME OF YEAR (DEALING WITH PAIN)

The holidays can be a painful time of year. It reminds of what was, what should be, who is missing, what we're missing, and how life just isn't fair. It reminds us where we should be, but aren't, where we wish we could be, and where we've come. 

So, how do we deal with painful holidays?

We journal through them. We get the emotion down on the page. We vent. We throw-up on the page, so we can get it out and then--then we can find some logic. Then, we can see that there is a lot more to life than this single moment in time. And, in this single moment in time, there is so much more going on than our pain. 

In our pain, there is still blessing. Lots of blessings. Abundant blessings. 

The question is, have we worked through our emotion, and gotten it out, so we are no longer blinded through those emotions? Have we gotten our emotions down on the page, so we can then see clearly, with proper perspective, how our lives are bursting forth with blessing, even in the pain? Journaling makes it so we can see that this is true. But, we have to first work through the emotion and get it out, so we can then see. 

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A JOURNALING PROMPT

How are you feeling this week of Christmas?

Are you feeling any strong emotions? 

Are you experiencing any pain? If so, what? Why?

Count 25 blessings. Quick. Count more if you so desire. 

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BEING AWAY FROM HOME OVER THE HOLIDAYS (OR MISSING A LOVED ONE DURING THE HOLIDAY) 

Spending a holiday away from home can be tough. It stirs up all sorts of emotions and can make us sad, angry, or numb. Being away from home tends to magnify this pain. The same goes with having the empty chair (literal or figurative) of someone who isn't there. 

If you are away from home, or have an empty chair this year, read the previous section {"A PAINFUL TIME OF YEAR (DEALING WITH PAIN)​"}  and do the journaling prompt. 

Now, do this journaling prompt:

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A JOURNALING PROMPT

What are you missing?

Who are you missing?

Do you think your loved one(s) would want you to be upset this holiday? 

How can you turn this holiday into something memorable in spite of all of this?

Count another 25 blessings. Fast. 

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​A END OF YEAR JOURNALING PROMPT​

Written December 22, 2014, Monday, 120 p.m.

NOTE/INSTRUCTIONS: Again, look at the last twelve months in your life, no matter what time of year it is for you. 

List 25 memories from the last 12 months. 

List 25 blessings from the last year. 

Take 25 snapshots/photos from the last year in your memory. Then, list them and explain them in your journal. 

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