Journalkeeper

DEEPER THAN A BLOG
Even though a blog is in essense a journal, there are somethings that I personally don't want to put out there on the internet that I know can haunt me for the rest of my life because the internet makes things permanent. My journal is one of those facets. I might share stuff with you, but trust me... My deepest parts are only meant to be shared with my best friend, my close friends, and my journal.

MY JOURNAL, THE KEEPER OF MY MEMORIES AND THOUGHTS
I know a couple people in my life who have problems with their memory. Therefore, I've learned through them how critical it is to put stuff down on paper (or in a computer file) in order to make it a lasting legacy. I don't want to lose my memories. I want them to be carried into other generations. I want my hard life lessons learned to be something they can learn from vicariously and hopefully save the anguish I've had to go through in my life.

THROWING UP ON PAPER
I also journal in order to vent. Sometimes, we need just to get it out and I call this cathartic practice, Throwing Up on Paper. (Please forgive the reference, but it makes a strong point.) After all, there are times once I empty my stomach, I feel a billion times better and probably better than I had in a long time. It's the same with journalkeeping. Sometimes, I just have to get it all out of my system and throw several temper-tantrums with my pen, but them I am far better on the other end. Also, I tend to be less emotional drive those closet to me a little less nuts.

WRITER'S NOTEBOOK
I write my thoughts down on new book ideas, how to break through with old book ideas, and write storyline in my journal.

BLESSINGS JOURNAL
Some call it a gratitude journal. For me, it's where I count my blessings instead of sheep, as the song goes from "White Christmas".

TRAVEL JOURNAL
That's something I'm about to start since I'm going to do a great deal more traveling in my life. Plus, it will document memories and my thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Do You Journal?
One thing I know for sure is my life would be DRASTICALLY different if not for my journaling through the years. I would not be the woman I am, the wife I am, or the writer I am if not for my journals.

So, tell me. Do you journal? Do you want to start? Do you want instruction with journaling? Let me know.

Have a blessed day.

Prayer and Support

I hope that this blog can also be a way to help people connect and pray for one another and to support one another. Do you have any prayer requests? Let me know.

Motivation

What motivates you? What keeps you plugging along when times are difficult? What keeps you after your dream?

Let me know your thoughts on the subject.

For me, my faith and patriotism are what make me passionate about life. They help motivate me in difficult times and are what bring me joy when I'm going through a happier time. If it was not for my faith, I definitely would not be the woman I am, doing what I am, or writing what I do.

What keeps me after my dream? My faith and my husband's prodding when I need it.

What keeps me editing when my eyes go blurry? Lots of breaks so I don't miss anything.

Writers

Does anyone want to form an online writing group? Let me know. I would love to start one of our own where it's all led by one another. What do you think?

Slow Down

It's the weekend. Finally. I cannot help but think about how busy our lives are nowadays. Why do we think that a busy schedule gives us worth and validates our existence? How silly is that? We're worn-out, stressed to the core, weary, and tired. Yet, we still push ourselves. We have to do it all. We refuse to rest.

How different our lives would be if we stopped to smell the daisies, tiptoed through the tulips, and sat on our patio to enjoy the fruits of Spring. Make it your priority to SLOW DOWN your schedule so that you can actually enjoy life for a bit. So, you don't die an earlier death. So, you can be more fulfilled and happy.

Slow down. Curl up with your pet, a cup of coffee or tea, and a book (or maybe blogs like this). Journal maybe for a while. But, stop. Halt. Rest. You don't have to be busy. Enjoy the blessing of the life you've been given it and don't squander it with busyness.

Rest for a while. It's okay.

(For the record, this is as much for me as it for any of you.)

Enjoy your weekend.

Blog Number One

Today is the first day of my blog. I hope I don't bore you. I've never done this before and am a little apprehensive. So, bear with me, please.

My goals with this blog are:
1. To share stories with you. I will talk about all of the books I'm in the process of trying to get published, am writing, or are in the process of editing. I write several different aspects of the drama genre. I write thrillers, murder mysteries, speculative fiction, and romance. There's always a romantic theme, a lesson learned, and I show how life is real and raw.
2. To help you escape for a while.
3. To help you look at life from a different perspective.
4. To help you learn how to leave a lasting legacy or create a way to preserve your memories.
5. To develop a stronger interior life.
6. To share my process of making my dream of becoming a published author come true.
7. To talk about writing.
8. To share how I am in the process of moving to a different state with my husband and hope to start our family soon and how that impacts life.
9. To show how life is difficult, but it's what we put into it, the lessons learned, guard our hearts and minds, and how we hold fast to our faith that makes the difference.

What lofty goals I have and wish I could make it simpler. However, in order for me to be realistic about life, faith, relationships, and dreaming, I am forced to recognize that I cannot put it in a pretty box with a pretty bow. Life is complicated. However, we can find a simplicity in it and I want to share how I've learned, and am learning, how to do so.

A wise man in my life taught me a long time ago to focus on making my every today and tomorrow better than my every yesterday. Even though life sends me curve balls, I can look beyond them and life a life focused on leaving a meaningful lasting legacy to future generations of how to live life fully and simply through the sharing of stories and the lessons learned. I would love to hear how you've learned to do the same.

I want this blog to be interactive. Write me. I will choose what gets put on my blog and ask for no profanity, but beyond that, I welcome differing perspectives as well. Life is hard enough without learning from one another and helping each other through things.

I also welcome critique on my stories. I will share my writing with you. Again, I have the choice as to what to apply and what to ignore, but I welcome it.

How do you plan to live a meaningful life and leave a lasting legacy? What's your story?

Blessings to You,

Stacy D.