JOURNALING STUFF 2015 #9

JOURNALING STUFF 2015 #9
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Written Monday, January 19, 2015
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IT'S BEEN A WHILE
It's been a while since I journaled on this blog. As you know, this is a time of transition for me and I've been trying to keep myself busy with writing. I had to get some other writing out of my system, as I wait for the news of what is going to happen and when--as far as moving and putting in an offer on a house.
Now, I am ready to edit Journaling Stuff 2014 and do writing on this blog--as I can. Again, for the next several months, I will only write (blog or journal) here as I am able. I will be able to do quite a bit over the next few weeks. Then, I will get quiet for a while as we do the moving across country thing, take some vacation time, have some time with family, and then move into our house and get it set up and get to know the new town we're moving to in Wyoming.
I will try to keep you updated as I am able--and blog journaling hints, tips, and prompts. I imagine come April, things should be calmer and I cannot wait to share the journey with you.
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CHANGE
Change is something that people find stressful and intimidating. We make it far worse on ourselves because of our thoughts and attitude toward change. (Journaling prompt: Have you noticed this in your life? In the lives of others?) This does not help us one iota. Why make things harder on ourselves than they need to be? Why not find a way to turn change into something useful in our lives instead?
Change is a fact of life.
There are few guarantees in this life, but change is one of them. Change will happen. It's just a matter of time.
So, shouldn't our goal be to learn how to appreciate change and find the blessing in change? (Go ahead and journal your answer to that question, along with your thoughts. A Journaling Prompt.)
How is it possible to make change a benefit and opportunity in our lives--versus something to dread and feel anxious over or about? (Go ahead and journal your thoughts and answer regarding that question. A Journaling Prompt.)
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UPCOMING BLOG POST SERIES
In the next few weeks, I will do a few different blog posts series which go together, but can also be separate journaling topics (subjects or thoughts).
1 These are just a few of the thoughts I want to explore over the next few weeks. So, welcome to a new blog post series called: "CHANGE BRINGS BLESSING."
2 I will also talk about how to move in such a way to bring blessing ("THE BLESSING OF MOVING").
3 How to create a home of blessing in upcoming blog posts ("A HOME OF BLESSING").
4 "A SET APART LIFE: LIVING A LIFE OF FAITH IN TODAY'S WORLD"
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MY RYP JOURNALING STORIES 2015: MY PERSONAL JOURNALING
Written Monday, January 19, 2015, 202 p.m.
I will be doing a lot of personal journaling in 2015 on this blog in an effort for it to be a journaling prompt for you. Furthermore, I hope it will inspire you with your journaling and help inspire you to find the blessing in your life.
Therefore, I will call my personal journaling "MY RYP JOURNALING STORIES 2015."
I hope to write my journaling memoir in 2015 and that's why it has the title of MY RYP JOURNALING STORIES 2015.
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WHAT TIME, EXPERIENCE, AND MATURITY HAS TAUGHT ME
I turned four decades old in September 2014 and it's made me quite reflective. It's made me think and do a great deal of soul searching. Never mind how 2014 was a tough year for me.
One of the things 2014 has taught me is one that 2015 has taught me so far as well. It's what time, experience, and maturity have also taught me:
A life without journaling is shallower, does not have full meaning or purpose or perspective, and is more self-centered (regardless of what we tell ourselves when we don't journal).
In other words, a life without journaling is one that is lacking.
Now hold on. I'm talking about myself here. So, please do not think I am pointing a finger at you or someone else you know. Rather, I'm looking in the mirror and am being absolutely honest with myself.
When I do not journal, I live an aimless life.
This is why I have to admit that journaling is a way of life for me and is the way I fully live.
Journaling helps keep my life simple and less complicated.
Journaling helps me to order my steps and find the blessing in my life.
A life of journaling is the most blessed life I can live.
Journaling makes me stop, look around around, and take note of the beauty and helps me to focus on what matters instead of on that which doesn't. It helps me to see how much blessing there is in every moment, if only I would stop and look for it and count it.
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A JOURNALING QUOTE
A life of journaling is the most blessed life I can live.
{A Journaling Prompt: Journal your thoughts.}
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JOURNALING STUFF 2015 #9d
MY RYP JOURNALING STORIES 2015
Written Monday, January 19, 2015, 325 p.m.
MY THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES SO FAR IN 2015
My life is in a constant state of hurry up and wait.
I could not help but get a mischievous grin as I typed and journaled that last sentence. After all, I think change and waiting are two perpetual themes of life. Never mind the theme of the unknown--of not having answers and wondering who, what, where, when, why, and how. These are all constants in life.
My husband, B, and I have been in the hurry up and wait stance for a few months now and this is no different. We are still waiting on the same ol' same ol' and know that things will happen, just when they are supposed to, and in the way they are supposed to. We know that everything will come together. It always does. I cannot think of one time in my life when anything has come together the way I wanted or how I wanted, so it does not help to think, or wish, this time will be any different. That being said, my reaction to this is something I can control. I have a choice with how I react to this time of waiting and this time of transition and change.
It looks like there will be some time between moving from Virginia to Wyoming that we will be able to hang out with family in Denver. Hence, we will have some down time and a time of vacation. Words cannot even begin to tell you how thrilled we are for this opportunity. When we are able to move into our house, things will be crazy busy for a while as we unpack, get settled, lay roots, find the ol' comfortable rut, and get to know our new hometown.
Yes. We are taking a time of change and transition, a time of stress and anxiety usually, and are turning it into a time of opportunity and blessing. I cannot wait.
B and I learned this lesson when in the first three weeks we moved from Nebraska to Virginia, we had a major earthquake and were forced to evacuate for a hurricane. We packed out stuff, and all of our critters, into the car and headed for the Blue Ridge Mountains and turned a time of stress into a time of blessing, for we turned it into a vacation. We knew we could lose everything in the hurricane. The possibility was there. It was not likely, however, things happen and we tried to prepare ourselves for either scenario. But, what good would it do to be stressed? That's what we asked ourselves. So, we enjoyed our time away and made some special memories. We figured if we did lose everything in the hurricane, we would be able to handle it better if we were refreshed. Or, if we didn't lose anything, we gained by relaxing and getting refreshed.
So, this is no different. We are taking a time of stress and are refusing for it to be stressful. (Sure, we may have our moments, but we refuse to linger there. What good does it do to remain stressed? Does it make anything any easier? Uh--no.) Instead, we are turning this into opportunity and blessing. And, in doing so, we will make some incredible memories, build our marriage, and grow in faith. This makes everything worthwhile and it makes me count my blessing that this is happening so we can experience this blessing. This is life at its sweetest.
Life will always have stress. And, it will always have change. We chose to make it an opportunity of and for blessing.
Thank God. What a blessing.
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MY BLOG POST SERIES
1 JOURNALING STUFF 2014
2 JOURNALING STUFF 2015
3 CHANGE BRINGS BLESSING
4 THE BLESSING OF MOVING
5 A HOME OF BLESSING
6 A SET APART LIFE: LIVING A LIFE OF FAITH IN TODAY'S WORLD
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Topics: #BlogPostSeries #Journaling #Journal #RYPJournaling #PersonalJournaling #JournalingMemoir #Memoir #Diary #Autobiography #LifeStory #LifeStories #Blessing #Blessings #StoriesOfBlessing #Change #Transition #Moving #NewBeginning #StartingOver #StartingAgain #BlankPage #CountingOfBlessings #JournalingPrompt #JournalingHintsTipsPrompts #JournalingQuote #TheJournalingLife #ALifeOfJournaling #JournalKeeper #JournalKeeping #JournalingStuff #JournalingStuff2014 #JournalingStuff2015 #RYP #RememberingYourPresent
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STORIES OF BLESSING #8

PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING

Please share your stories of blessing. It's what this blog is for. It's meant to act as a platform for us to leave a legacy of blessing, to share with others and encourage and inspire them and bring them hope.

Share your stories of blessing because a blessing shared is a blessing doubled. You will be blessed as you count the blessing and everyone who reads your blessing will be blessed as well.

How can you share your stories of blessing?

Answer: Attach a comment at the end of any blog post.

It's that simple. It can be one sentence to 1000 words. The choice is up to you.

Please note that if you do share your story, I will post it on this blog and will most likely publish your stories into a book since I want to put this blog into book form.

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STORIES OF BLESSING WRITING PROMPT

What are you thankful for?

Who are you thankful for?

Where do you feel thankful?

When do you feel thankful?

Why do you feel thankful?

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TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING

Written 2014-10-22 16:22:38, Wednesday

Every moment has multiple blessings, if only we would stop and look for them--then write them down so we can remember them.

Try to write down three blessings from every moment--past, present, and future.

So, why don't you take some and do so right now in this moment?

Then, why don't you try to find three blessings three times a day at least of: morning, noon, and night?

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STORIES OF BLESSING, VOL. 1

I will turn these blog posts into a 400-page book, each time there's enough material for me to do so. Here is the cover for the first book, which is still in the process of being written:

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THE BLESSING OF BEING STILL

Written 2014-10-22 09:50:08, Wednesday

Being still is a lost art.

Let me prove it. When was the last time you took some to sit, be still, and not do anything? And, I'm not talking about the last time you did nothing other than watch TV or played a game. Rather, I mean literally, being still.

We've forgotten how to do so.

Try it right now. Set a timer and be still for ten minutes.

I'm not kidding. Do not read ahead until you do.

I bet you felt awfully uncomfortable, and maybe even a little bored. Or, if it felt comfortable to you, try a little longer.

Being still is essential to our overall health (mind, body, and soul) and it helps us to have more to give/offer our family, friends, and work.

Whether you believe in God or not, the Sabbath was and is for a reason. It's one day off per week for rest, refreshment, and a time to reflect. If we are refreshed, we have more to give and offer.

Let me phrase this another way. I want to repeat what I've already said, for the more I repeat, the more likely we will remember this and the more likely we'll actually do it. If we were to be still, then... We would all be a great deal healthier in mind, body, and spirit, if we actually took some time to rest and be still. Never mind how much more we would be able to accomplish because we took the time to take care of ourselves.

Being still frees us. It lets us unwind. It helps reduce stress and anxiety. It give us time to think. When we are go-go-go, we don't have time to think. It give us time to reflect, analyze, and figure out how we are, who we are, where we are, how we got here, and where we are headed.

Being still increases the chances we will hear God. For we are still. Not busy. The noise is ceased so we can actually hear Him.

Being still give us time with Him.

Being still is healing in mind, body, and soul.

Being still has nothing but positive ramifications. There is nothing negative in being still. You may come up with excuses, but that's all they are. They are the way we justify not doing what is right--that's an excuse. Being still makes us better.

We should try to be still at least morning, noon, and night for a few minutes, each and every day--and once a week.

We have far more to lose in not taking a day to be still once a week, and a couple of times per day, than not doing so.  

Being still is one of the greatest blessings in our lives--if we would only take the time and do it.

When was the last time you did this--and were still?

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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THE BLESSING OF INFERTILITY?

Written 2014-10-22 13:49:55, Wednesday

Could not having a child ever be a blessing? This is the question I open with in this story of blessing. It's a question I ask myself since it is a very personal one to me.

Ever since I was born, I wanted to have a child. Every day. There has never been one that I didn't want one--until Monday, October 13, 2014. (Now, if you look back at my previous blog posts, you wills tart to put things together.) Having a child has always been on my heart.

Five years ago, the journey started.

I cannot even begin to tell you how painful Mother's Day and Father's Day are. They are glowing billboard reminders of what I cannot have.

It was finally Monday, October 13, 2014 that I finally asked my husband the question: "What if God doesn't want us to have a child?"

I never thought those words would come out of my mouth. Never, ever, ever. It was foreign as I heard them and it was foreign when god started asking me about it the week before. And, I admit, it's still rather foreign to me. But, I really believe this:

Our infertility is a blessing.

I'm not anyone else's infertility. I'm referring to B and I alone.

How?

I will be honest. I have no idea how. I just know. And, I know beyond all doubt that this is the case. I would stake my life on it--that's how confident I am of this in my life. I am sure our infertility is a blessing. I just know it.

How?

Everything that happens for a reason. Everything. There is a purpose.

I cannot help but realize that if B and I were to have a child, particularly at our ages, we would give our attention to them almost at the exclusion of all others. Not to them, but to raise them.

Our hearts are in serving. I want to spend the rest of my life online, and going to nursing homes and hospices, and some hospitals, and listen to others as they share the stories of the blessings in their lives. And, I want to record them forever, on this blog, their legacy of blessing (if they allow it) for others to read, learn from, and share. I want to help them remember their blessings and how blessed their lives have been and are.

I want to record stories of blessing to inspire and encourage.

If I were to have a child, I would not be able to devote myself completely to this endeavor. This is my ministry of serving.

And, my husband wouldn't be able to do what he's called to do with his ministry.

I cannot what happens.

I do not see it now, but I know our infertility will be a major blessing.

It will just take time.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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THE BLESSING OF A HEART-SHAPED FLOWER

Written 2014-10-22 14:15:31, Friday

As I turned over at one point last night, counting the blessing of my new pillow and how I was not sore in my back or neck, other than a little residual, I heard thunder in the distance. This happened more than once. Then, about the time the alarm went off the first time, and I was counting my blessings for my new pillow and the first really good night's sleep in weeks, when the torrential downpour began.

We've needed the rain. It's been dry for so long.Therefore, I counted this blessing as well.

When it was time for me to leave to go meet my husband for a flu shot then lunch, I stepped out my house and saw a beautiful flowering bush and how the light was just right to get good pictures of it, as I intended to for a couple of days now, but never got around to it. Needless to say, I couldn't pass up this opportunity and took out my cell and started to snap a few pictures.

You know how there are times because of the sunlight, and how it shines, you cannot see what you're shooting? And, how you could be taking pictures of your shoe for all you know? Well... This was one of those times for me. I tried to take several, and at different angles, and hoped one would turn out. I didn't think anything of it until later, when I got back home.

I had a feeling I should check the pictures, so I did. I never dreamed I would find what I did. I discovered I took one of my most favorite flower photos ever. The photograph captures perfectly the shades of pinks of the smaller flowers with rain sprinkled on the flowers, which gave it a stunning shimmer and added depth to the flower.

The flower is a hydrangea. And, as you know, each flower ball is made of hundreds of smaller flowers. Hence, the rain effect on the pink was dazzling.

I couldn't help but stare at it for a moment and thought, this is the next cover for the next book in the Stories of Blessings series.

It wasn't until after I sent the flower photo to my mom I noticed how the larger flower was in the shape of a heart.

Talk about a blessing.

This made me stop and think of how often we act out of a blind faith at times, trusting the Lord will lead us along our journey of life. We only see the smaller picture of where we are at the time. But, later on, when we take a few steps back, and we see the fuller and more complete vision that we realize the beauty of the journey.

Perspective is a major blessing.

Seeing things from a new and different angle, with fresh eyes is essential.

I am deeply touched by the blessing of this flower because I sure didn't expect it. I also didn't expect an item of such unseen beauty at the time. Nor did I expect to find a new blessing every time I looked at just the photograph.

Flowers are a blessing.

Beauty is a blessing.

Color is a blessing as well. Pink and green are blessings.

Blessings come from the least expected places, at the least expected times, and our lives are changed because of them.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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WRITING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING TIP

Sit in any room of your home. Write a list of all of your blessings from that room that come to mind.

Then, write a list of every memory you can think of.

What three blessings do you think of with each memory?

Then look around and find at least three objects. What three blessings come from each object?

What memories come from each?

What three blessings come from each memory?

What three new blessings have you thought of now?

Pick three more objects. Do the same. (Repeat.)

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UNKNOWN BLESSINGS DURING A SEASON OF CHANGE

Written 2014-10-22 15:21:11, Wednesday

It seems as though change is in the air.

I feel it. Deep within my soul and deep within my bones. The winds of change are blowing at a gale force and I am doing my best to find solid ground and something steady to hold onto in the meanwhile.

Big things have happened in my life over the last couple of weeks, and in the lives of those close to me.

It's a season of change--where nothing will remain the same.

For some, change is terrifying. But, it does not need to be anything to fear. Change just means something will become different. Different is not bad. It is just--different. that is it. In fact, most of the time, the change leads to something better. At the time, we can

not necessarily see it, but it does not change the fact.

Change usually gets us out of our comfort seats. It makes us move and try something new. We then have the choice to think of the new as something better or something worse.

Why do we choose change, the something different, as bad? This just does not make sense. Life is challenging. Why make it worse on ourselves and choose to see something different as bad when it can be something good?

Sure. We may not know where the winds of change are taking us, or where we will end up. The winds of change can be filled with many unknowns and questions, without a doubt. But, why do they have to be for the bad? Why do we actively make this choice?

Change can be good--if we allow it to be and if this is what we choose.

Change can be the biggest blessing of our lives--if we choose to view it as such.

Change is a blessing. It means something different. Not something worse.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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BIBLE BLESSINGS FOR THE TIRED #1

Written 2014-10-23 08:39:54, Thursday

Today, I'm going to start a new series of Storied of Blessings. It's called,

BIBLE BLESSINGS FOR THE TIRED:

REST AND STILLNESS FOR THE WEARY

Are you tired?

Has life been relentless and brought you to the point you are exhausted in your body, mind, heart, and/or soul?

Have you forgotten the benefit of rest?

If you've said yes to any of these questions, then this new blog post series is for you. I hope you get a great deal out of it.

I realized in the middle of the night last night how I am tired. No. I am not just tired. I am weary and exhausted. Needless to say, I an desperate for relief.

What makes me so crazy tired? Life is just so busy and full. It is also stressful and relentless at times. Then, there are the storms that come in and leave, but even when they are gone, there is still the damage left behind that needs to be cleared out and removed. This includes the storms of life.

Change is another factor that makes me tired and wearied. While I am a firm believer change is good, because I choose to look at it as good, it can also take a lot out from me.

Also, have you noticed how times of big decision can be so exhausting? There are also a variety of other factors: lack of a full night's sleep of eight hours, finances, unknowns, questions, what others are dealing with in my life, etc.

Ugh. I need a break! How about you? (I'm sure you're there as well.)

The truth is I could go on and on about how tired, exhausted, bone dry, spent, drained, burned out, empty, fatigued, dog-tired, etc. I am--in my body, mind, heart, and soul. This tired feeling and experience seems to be a bottomless pit right now, where everything is sucking my energy. There are days I feel like this, but sometimes, it feels like weeks or months. I realize, however, for me it's been the last year and a half or so, but particularly since April this year. {Note: I'm writing this in late October.}

Tell me I'm not the only one. Do you know the feeling? Or, have you? Or, do you want to avoid feeling this way? Then, this blog post series is for you.

So, where do we go for relief and for healing?

Matthew 11:28-30 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

28 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

Topics: Bible, Bible Blessings, Bible Blessings for the Tired, Tired, Weary, Rest, Still, Stillness, Stressed, Anxious, Anxiety, Burdens, Burdened, Stories of Blessing, Blessings, Encouragement, Inspiration, Hope, Faith, Christian, Exhausted, Exhaustion, etc.

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BLESSINGS FROM ELLEN OF DENVER

Getting much needed sleep.

Walking down my hall reaching kitchen to turn on coffee maker.

Feeding for the first time my cat Molly, Tuna.  Anticipation arising, would she eat it?  She did!!!

Not knowing what this day brings, but looking forward to what it does.

Listening to my stomach growl, telling me to feed me please.

Thanking God for all my blessings.

-- By Ellen of Denver

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NANOWRIMO PREPARATION

Written 2014-10-23 09:54:09, Thursday

November marks National Novel Writing Month, or in my case, 50,000 words of Stories of Blessing. I've been preparing for it for the last several days and my preparation continues today as I practice writing 2,500 words per day so I can sustain that every day in November (Monday through Friday). I hope to make 2,500 words (M-F) per day a habit, though, even after November.

So far, I haven't been very successful. We shall see.

I think now that I have the blog post series of: BIBLE BLESSINGS FOR THE TIRED, I will find success.

Here is the link to find my project:

http://nanowrimo.org/participants/remembering-your-present/novels/stories-of-blessing-a-series-of-stories-for-encouragement-inspiration-and-hope-vol-1       

So far, I have about 17,000 words or so. But, for November, I will add 50,000 to whatever word count I already have written. Hence, as of right now, on November 30, 2014, I would need to have a total of 67,000 words written for my goal.

Stay tuned.

-- Stacy

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