RYP Stories

Monday, February 6, 2012

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.

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

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