Preparing your Journal for the New Year

Is your journal ready for the New Year?

I recommend starting a new journal for the New Year. 

Why? You might ask. Well, the answer is simple. It's the new start of a new year. It's a new beginning. start a new year with a blank slate. It's time to let 2012 go and start afresh.

Start with this blog post: 

http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/12/journaling-preparation-for-2013.html

Then, the moment you can, journal on the 1st of January your first blog entry. Stay up late and journal at midnight if you want. OR, write when you first wake and greet the New Year. 

Start the 1st blog entry with: "Welcome  New Year" as a journaling prompt and welcome her in and talk about your hopes and dreams for 2013 and of your journal. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

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

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

How to Do a Mind Map in List Form

Do you know how to do a mind map--or what that is? Check out this link if you have no idea what I am talking about or how to do it: 

http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/make-mind-map.htm

This blog post is on how to do the lazy person's version. It's the mind map simplified  you might say. 

It's like doing a SOC (Stream of Consciousness) Journaling, or Free Association,  but it's in list form. 

MIND MAP LIST: HOW TO DO ONE

* Figure out a word you want to focus on and journal more about at this time. It can be anything really. 

* Write the word at the top of a page in your journal. 

* Then, write any word or short phrase that comes to mind after that word. 

* Keep writing words or short phrases as they come to mind, as long as it applies to the original word.

* When you get stuck and cannot figure out what else to write, re-read your original word.

* Do this for ten minutes or more. 

* Then, pick another word from this original list and do a Mind Map List of it.

* Make sure to journal about each of the words you used in this list. There is a reason why they came to mind and why they came to mind when they did. 

SAMPLE:

2012

Old year

New Year is 2013

Tough year was 2012

Lots of news

Summer Olympics

Elections

Aurora Movie Theater Shooting

Jamestown 

Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting

Andy Griffith died

Kate Middleton is pregnant

2012

Whitney Houston died--shocker, but not

2012

12 months

2012

Vacation

2 visits

Busy year

Recommitted to journaling

Hurricane Sandy

TV Shows Revenge, Grimm, Once Upon a Time

Neil Armstrong died

Felix Baumgartner and his jump (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Baumgartner)

Kindle Fire HD 4G

Samsung iii

Tim Tebow

Payton Manning

Denver Broncos

Storykeeper 2121 blog

Family Tree

You get the idea. That's how to do a mind map list. 

Priorities and 2012 and 2013: A journaling exercise or prompt

* List the priorities in your life for the year 2012. 

* Put them in priority order. Number them.

* Go through each item and review and analyze how you lived up to keeping it  it your life. What did you do well in keeping it a priority--and in its rightful order? What did you not do so well?

* What would you want to improve next year? What will you want to repeat next year? What do you want to change for next year? 

* What are your priorities for 2013--in numerical and priority order? 

* Why is each item your priority? 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper, Writer, & Author

Letter from your journal about 2012 journaling exercise and prompt

If your journal could write you a letter, what would it say to you about your 2012?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

How to get the most out of your journaling

Do you want to know the secret about how to get the most out of your journaling?

The answer is simple: Journal every single day.

Journal as often as you can throughout the day.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

One of a kind journal and journaling

Do you know what I love about journaling? Well, besides everything, this is what I love:

Each journal is one of a kind.

Every journal entry is unique.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Write a letter to your journal journaling exercise or prompt and 2013 preparation

Before 2012 ends, take some time to do this journaling exercise or prompt in preparation for 2013.

JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT
Write a letter to your journal and tell it what you expect of it for the year 2013. Be very specific and thorough.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

2012 Journaling: A journaling exercise or prompt

Think of your journaling in 2012.

JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT
* What do you think of your journaling overall in 2012?
* What does your journal mean to you?
* Describe your 2012 journaling.
* What did you like most about your journal in 2012?
* Did you journal enough in 2012?
* What do you want to do more of in your journaling in 2012?
* Who, besides you, did you journal most about in 2012?
* Where did you journal in 2012?
* When do you journal the most?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Sandy Hook Journaling Exercise or Prompt

How are you today--one week after Sandy Hook?

Have you mourned enough? 

How has the loss touched you and changed your life? 

How are you living differently now after Sandy Hook?

What does your life mean to you now?

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

Journaling Retreat: Stirring Up the Memories

Journaling Retreat

Well, we are about halfway through our second day of our journaling retreat. I just thought I would check in with you.

JOURNALING EXERCISE AND PROMPT:

* So, how are you really? 

* How has today's journaling retreat been for you?

* How is it for you to remember the memories--the good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifferent? 

* Has stirring up the memories been a good or tough thing? 

* What are your favorite memories that you've listed?

* What are the most powerful memories you've listed?

* What are the most life-changing memories you've listed?

* What has surprised you?

* What memory snapshots do you want to do? 

* What have you learned through writing your memory list?

* Is there anything you want to share?

* What do you want to write more about? (Which memories?)

WHAT NOW?

So, what should we do now that we are almost halfway through our day? 

* Keep doing whatever journaling prompt or style you want to associated with this memory list retreat. 

* Do some memory snapshots.

* Write a paragraph of journaling of 7 different memories.

* Write 1-page for 1 memory.

* Etc. Etc. Etc.: Do whatever you want to do. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journaling Retreat: The Day After

Journaling Retreat

Why don't we grab our favorite beverage and some food, if we haven't done that already? Then, while we are at it, we should probably grab our journals so we can start our day of journaling.

In this case, we are on Day 2 of our Journaling Retreat. However, this blog post can be used in the future for the day after a journaling retreat. It was a retreat in which our goal is to get as many memories down on the page from our lives as possible: the good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifferent--all of them. Today, we will spend another day doing much the same. However, there will be a few differences.

Therefore, whether you have a 1-day journaling retreat or a 14 day one, this blog post will provide more information for having a journaling retreat of your own--or joining me on my planned journaling retreats. 

JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT:

* So, how did your journaling retreat go yesterday? What did you think about it?

* Did it go as well as you hoped--or not so well?

* How many pages of journaling did you get done? (But, remember  it's about quality--not quantity. I am asking this question merely as a point of reference.)

YESTERDAY

I had several thoughts yesterday as I made my memory list:

1 "Wow! I forgot that."

2 "That reminds me."

When I would write or re-read my memories, they would remind me of other memories.)

3 "What perfect timing before Christmas."

I get sentimental at Christmastime very year. this year is no exception. It was a wonderful time to focus on memories. It gave me a big warm fuzzy on the inside for the most part. (Note to self: Do this every year just before Christmas. It was worthwhile.)

3 "I'm stuck."

I would get stuck. I would get to the point I didn't know what to do, think, or write next.

4 "I'm tired." 

By the end of the day I was exhausted. I could not write another word until I took a break.

Yesterday went better, and worse, than I imagined at the start of the day. I do not know about all of you. Also, I had never done such an intense day of memory listing. Never. Not like that. The truth is I would do it all again--and will today. But, I learned a few things I will do differently today, which I will share with you in a moment.

MY STORYKEEPER ODYSSEY OF 2013

My goal for 2013 is to get all of my memories down on the page and in my journal. I also want to write about each of those memories and focus on writing a great deal on a few of them. I want to look back at these memories from today's eyes and see where I have come, where I am, where I am headed, and where I want to go from here. 

I want to look at how my experiences, memories, and stories have shaped who I am today. I also want to make sure I write the stories of others' in my lives as well--since their stories have undoubtedly shaped mine. 

TODAY'S JOURNALING RETREAT

Our goal of this 2-day journaling retreat is to get as many memories listed from our lives as possible in our journals. We want to try to write enough of a description that we can look back it a year from now and know what memory we referred to as we listed our memories. 

Make sure to get as many memories down on the page as possible, using the prompts described in this blog post:

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

I also recommend doing as many of the prompts as possible, and a few of your own, so you don't get too tired, too bored, or get to the point you are tried and need a break. Keep it fresh.

If you do get stuck, pick one of the memories you have listed and write more about it. In fact, you might want to do a Memory Snapshot of the memory. 

MEMORY SNAPSHOT JOURNALING: 

It's okay to do steps 1-5 with just one memory. You can also just do #1-2 for one memory or #1-5. However, just remember how the more you do, the more you'll get out of this exercise. What you want to do exactly is up to you. 

~ 1 List in your journal at least 5 memories you have or haven't mentioned previously. Give each of the 5 memories a memory title, date (or at least approximate season or month as well as year), how old you were, a paragraph description, and how it's shaped your life.

~ 2 Choose 3 of the memories and write about a page about each. (Do one paragraph or 10 pages--depending on your time and your drive that day). List each of the 6 senses of: discernment/intuition, smell, sound, taste, touch, and sight regarding each memory. Also, answer who, what, where, when, why, how, and what-if questions in regards to that memory. (You may also choose to do a SOC about them as well.)

~ 3 Choose 2 of the memories which stand out to you the most and take 3-7 snapshots/photos of the memory with your imaginary camera. If the memory is crystal clear and you remember lots of detail, make it 7 snapshots. If it's foggy, make it 3. If it's in-between, you decide how many snapshots. Then, describe each in your journal. This will add about a paragraph per snapshot per memory.

~ 4 Take 1 snapshot from each memory and write it from the perspective of a stranger who's looking into the moment. Remember, the stranger doesn't know any of the people or events in the snapshot until the stranger sees this snapshot for the first time. Be descriptive.

~ 5 Plan on what future memories you might want to do this with later. 

IT'S THAT TIME

Shall we get started on our journaling retreat today? I will write more blog posts periodically to help us along. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journaling and Therapy (or Counseling): Journaling through life's challenges

Most counselors would be put out of business if people journaled--or journaled more.

Just a thought.

Why do I say this? 

If we journaled through our emotion so we could reach rational thinking, we wouldn't explode at people in rage, say something stupid,  do something we regret, or break down. Journaling gives us a safe avenue to get out our emotions. Then, when we work through our emotion, we can see things clearer and with a fresh perspective. We then have insight as to how to overcome our challenge and can then see the light shine through the clouds. 

Journaling through a problem is the best way to live--and it will help us avoid some of our problems and tough times. 

But, in those instances, when the tough times come, and we cannot do anything to stop those times, journaling helps us get to the other side so we can live again and move on--stronger than before. 

We may find at the time that journaling does not help. Inf act, it can make things worse for a bit. But, it will help. We are just in the rawness of the experience. We are hurting and cannot see clearly yet. In hours, days, or weeks, we will--and we will see that journaling helped us through in a way nothing else has or can.

I guarantee this. EVERY time I have had a rough time in my life, journaling has helped. EVERY time. Without fail. 

Look at this week for me. The shooting at Sandy Hook reminded me of how my cousin was shot and murdered. I have come through it--thanks to my journaling and working through my yuck so my yuck doesn't work on me later. (In other words, I dealt with the issue, so it didn't deal with me later.) I headed the yuck straight on. I didn't have to go anywhere else for the answers. Most often, the answer is time and a new/fresh perspective. Do I still hurt? You bet. But, I can approach the pain differently. I have a clear head because I dealt with emotion and found the logic. My pain is now a companion and not an enemy. 

Since I journaled, I was able to work through, and deal with what I was feeling, a great deal quicker than I would have otherwise. 

That being said  there are times it is essential to talk with the professionals. If there are ever feelings of suicide or homicide, it's critical to seek advice from the professionals immediately. This is also true when we cannot see our way through the yuck on our own. Another point-of-view can help. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

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

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Sinan My Writing Helper

Note where my mouse is. When I went to move it, I got pawed by my helper. 

I do not know if my writing was terrible and he was saving me from myself. Or, if he wanted to get my attention. Then again, maybe he was just being cat. Enough said? Lol.

THE END OF THE WORLD: A JOURNALING EXERCISE AND PROMPT

Some say the end of the world is right around the corner, on 21 December 2012. That's else than two days away. So, what a perfect time to do this journaling exercise and prompt.

Let me say that I do not believe the world will end in two days (see Mark 13:21.). However, let's be real. 14 December taught us something very real and true. Life changes on a dime. We could very well die in two days. Aren't we supposed to live every day as if it was our last anyway? 

JOURNALING EXERCISE

It does not matter if you believe this to be true or not. Let's say that it is true--or we are told we have only two days to live. Answer these questions with that frame of mind:

* What would you do to prepare for the end of the world?

* What would you want to tell your loved ones?

* What would you want to do?

* What would you want to journal--in case there were any survivors? 

* What were your most powerful memories? Describe each of them. 

* Give a summary of your life. 

* How does this change how your live today, regardless? 

* Journal anything else that comes to mind.

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Journaling for spiritual growth

It's possible that when you journal, you grow spiritually every time you pick you the pen (or type on the keyboard). 

JOURNALING EXERCISE:

How is journaling a means to grow spiritually in your own life? How can it bring you closer to God? How can journaling get you to interact with the mystery of life? 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease)

Journaling as a Sacred, Spiritual Act: A journaling Exercise or Prompt

JOURNALING EXERCISE:
How is journaling a sacred, spiritual act in your opinion? What makes journaling sacred? How does it connect you with God? How does it fulfill a spiritual need?

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease.)

Journaling daily: A lesson learned the hard way

A lesson learned long ago, and the hard way, about journaling was to journal immediately when I go through a rough patch in my life. Journaling helps me get through the difficult or dark time. There have been times in my life when the pain is so acute because of a situation that I have not journaled--and I regretted it deeply later. I've had to pay for it, as a matter of fact. I seem to have the God-given talent for making things far more difficult on myself than they need to be in the first place. Hence, when I journal through these times, I am able to gain a clearer, fresh perspective, where I can think more with logic ad lean less on emotion. 

Therefore, I've learned to journal through the tough stuff--as well as through the sunny days.

During the sunny days, the happier ones, I tend to get so focused on them that I put off journaling and then only journal when I can fit it into my schedule. This bites me as well because I am only journaling part of the time and missing a lot of journaling material in my life. 

Journaling, for me, is a daily MUST do--and I journal all day long as I do whatever it is I am doing. It makes life simpler, more focused, and I leave my legacy in the meanwhile. 

JOURNALING EXERCISE:

How about you? How often do you journal and what happens when you don't journal? 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease) 

Journaling through the tough stuff of life: A Journaling Exercise

I do not know about you, but I've been in a funk ever since I heard about the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. I've been in mourning and grieving for family I do not know. I count them as family because we live in the same country, the USA. (We are supposed to be united, after all.) 

You also might have noticed how I have received pinpointed point-of-view--where I have analyzed my life, along with that of our nation. (That will be talked more about on a later day.) But, I also haven't talked much about journaling. Sure. I took some time off to do nothing but pray and journal. But, I haven't talked much about how to journal or how to journal through, most importantly, hard and unfathomable times like this. 

What do you do when something so awful and nightmarish happened that you do not have the words, let alone the comprehension of the situation? How do you handle when the unspeakable happens? How do you handle when real-life is worse than the stuff in nightmares?

How do you handle the tough stuff of life? 

The answer is simple: You journal.

I am sure you noticed that was my first inclination after I received the news about Sandy Hook. I immediately went to my blog and said I was shutting down to pray and journal for the day.

That is precisely what I did. 

And that is what I did all day and night Friday. 

The weekend was full of stuff to do. But, the radio was on all the time, playing in the background. I was in a funk all weekend, needless to say. And it carried through yesterday as well. Yesterday was another day for me to journal and try to process what happened, my reaction to it, and what it meant in my life. 

Yesterday, I kept flashing back to Shar's shooting when she was murdered. I also kept thinking of Columbine--and the students I knew who were there that day. I also cannot help but think of the Memorial Service of Columbine--and that of Shar's. Then, that reminds me of the Aurora Movie Theater Shooting. My husband and I spend two weeks back home in Colorado and were by that theater three times or more. I even knew a couple fo people who were going to go see the movie that night, but didn't go. 

Flashbacks. The sense of loss. Mourning. Praying. Trying to find my way.

Today, I am coming out of the funk. I am no longer just going through the motions. I am coming back to life. But, I still realize I have a lot of journaling to do. A lot, a lot, a lot. A lot. 

So, how do you journal through the tough stuff of life?

JOURNALING THROUGH THE TOUGH STUFF OF LIFE

When the unthinkable, unspeakable happens, first turn to God in prayer. Then, turn to God and pray in your journal, if you are a Christian. If you are not, turn to your journal anyway and do whatever spiritual thing that brings you comfort. 

How do you do this?

JOURNALING EXERCISE:

1 Grab your journal.

2 Write the time and date. 

3 Write what happened.

4 Throw-up on paper. Write everything, and I mean EVERY thing, that comes to mind. Put all the ugly stuff you have boiling up inside. Put it on the page so it doesn't have to spill forth on anything or anyone else. Get it out. Do this as long as it takes. Take minutes to hours to days to weeks or even months. Just make sure to get it all out and capture it on the page. 

How do you know when you get it all out? You don't feel like crying, smashing something, or yelling. You get to the point where you have a sense of peace--where you surely do not understand anything, but you can think clearly again. Keep throwing-up on paper until you get to this point. And, make sure to throw-up on paper again later if you feel like crying, smashing something, or yelling. 

5 When you come to the point that you feel a sense of peace and can think again, move to this step. Ask yourself what got to you so much? What caused the reaction in your? How did this impact you and why? Is there something you need to deal with? Did something from your past rise up and demand attention? Were you reminded of something? Spend a lot of time on this as wlel. Make sure to do lots of SOC (Stream of Consciousness) Journaling -where you write anything and everything that comes to mind. 

6 What emotions did you feel or are you feeling?

7 What keeps running through your mind?

8 What do you want to do in response? 

9 What should you do in response?

10 How has your life been changed because of this event?

11 What lessons have you learned?

12 What has God said to you through all of this?

13 What have you said to God? 

14 How can you help others through this--or a situation like this--now and/or later? 

15 What does this mean for your life in the future? How does this change things for you? 

16 Write a summary. 

17 Anything else you want to journal about regarding this situation. 

Do all of that and you will start to heal. 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease.)

What has happened to the USA?

The country I live in is not one I recognize.

We are more than lost. 

We are so selfish and me oriented.

We do not pursue excellence and embrace mediocrity.

Chrisitians sit by silently as the USA goes against the Bible and God in every way.

Elementary School students are gunned down.

Socialism is accepted.

Handouts are expected.

Abortion, the murder of babies, is fine.

Step on everyone you can to get to the top.

Division is welcomed and unity is pushed aside.

We do not keep our priorities.

We believe lies people say rather than learn the real truth.

We have forgotten the lessons learned the hard way in the past.

We live in denial. We actively choose to ignore what is in front of us.

We excuse immorality.

We take a stand on nothing or on things that are wrong or do not matter.

What has happened to us? How have we gotten to this place? How have we sat by idly and not stopped it? 

When are we going to realize this is our business? 

These are the thoughts of a woman with a broken heart and lots of questions... who realizes she is part of the problem. 

JOURNALING EXERCISE

What gets to you? What grabs your heart? What makes you question things? 

-- Stacy Duplease
Writer
Sent from my cell.

Journaling Exercise after the Massacre

Yesterday is another day I will never forget. 

I refused to blog or do anything other than pray, listen to the news, and journal.

I know my life was changed. I do not know about you. But, when 20 elementary school students are gunned down, and the innocence stripped from others, this is inevitable. Reflection and prayer is the only proper response.

How my life was changed, I am not sure. Time will tell.

But, the one thing I know for sure is I will not be silent. Not any more. 

JOURNALING EXERCISE

* What happened yesterday?

* What does this do to and for your faith?

* What are you going to do in response?

* How has this touched you and your life?

* What are your thoughts?

* How are you feeling?

-- Stacy Duplease
Writer
Sent from my cell.

PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR

2013

It's hard to believe, but it's true. It's the time of year again, when we need to start to prepare for the New Year.

I've always loved this poem:

I AM THE NEW YEAR
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Life, I am the new year.
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.

I am your opportunity to practice
what you have learned about life
during the last twelve months.

All that you sought
and didn't find is hidden in me,
waiting for you to search it out
with more determination.

All the good that you tried for
and didn't achieve
is mine to grant
when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do,
all that you hoped but did not will,
all the faith that you claimed but did not have -
these slumber lightly,
waiting to be awakened
by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity
to renew your allegiance to Him who said,
'behold, I make all things new.'

I am the new year.


The original source of this poem is: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/poetry.cgi?record=101

The New Year provides us with a blank canvas in which we choose how to fill and create. The choice is ours.

However, we should not even think of starting the New Year until we evaluate the past year and from there, we can then choose what we want from the new year.

Shall we start to prepare for the new year? It's that time, after all.

JOURNALING EXERCISE
* If you could live the perfect year next year, what would that look like? Describe in great detail. Take at least 1 day, preferably 2-3, in order to look at this fully.
* What would it take for you to do it?
* Make sure to write out an actual plan for the new year. Be thorough and specific. Write an 1-sentence, a 4-sentence, an 8-sentence, 3-paragraph, 1-page, and 2-page plan.
* Put your plan into action. Write out a goal for the entire year. This is your mission statement.
* Write a goal for each of the things you mentioned previously in order to live the ideal life.
* Write out a goal for each month.
* Write out a goal for each week.

* Put it all on your planner/calendar/schedule.

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

ITALIAN SAUSAGE, PASTA SAUCE, AND RICOTTA CHEESE LOW CARB RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs ground Italian sausage

1 can Progresso Starter Sun Dried Tomato or 3/4 of a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce or marinara

1.5 cups ricotta cheese

HOW TO MAKE

Cook Italian sausage and break into tiny chunks.

Once cooked, add sauce. Add your own spices and maybe 2 T of your favorite red cooking wine (or wine you have on-hand). 

Simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour--depending on how patient you want to be. (Can even cook for another hour if desired.)

Add ricotta cheese. Simmer 5 minutes.

Serve.

Would be really good, if you don't care about calories or carbs, over your favorite pasta. Or just eat from a bowl. 

SERVES

Serves at least 4. 

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

Journaling Matters: Personal Journaling

Journaling matters a great deal in my life. I would not be the woman I am not if not for journaling.

As I have taken time to reflect on my life over the last year in particular, I've come to realize something. I have not journaled to the degree I wanted or to the depth I need.

Then again, if I am completely honest, I would have to admit I have not done so in 11.5 years.

Wow. What an in-your-face acknowledgment.

For the record, I have not realized this, or put it to words until now, in this moment, as I write this blog post. When I started this blog post, it was to let you know how much journaling means to me. But, I see it's metamorphosized into something bigger. I am being authentic with you--so you know how everyone has their struggles. No one is perfect. And life sure isn't fair and never has been and never will be fair.

I have journaled. Yes. I have journaled a great deal at times, and not so much at other times.

However, I allowed what I thought was a dream sidetrack me from what was truly important in my life. (Pardon me as I stop and re-read what I've typed so far. It's quite profound. This is an AHA moment. It's a time of conviction, eye-opening, and dream adjustment. It's a change in my overall point-of-view. In other words, this is a HUGE life-changing moment for me as I become aware of some truths I have not vocalized or even realized--in my journal or aloud.)

By the way, yes. As I journal, I will often times go back and re-read what I have journaled so that it penetrates deeper. So I can allow myself to chew on the new discoveries. So I can be changed because of what I have written--and been told by God.

Also, you will see I violate all sorts of grammar and writing rules as I journal. I write for impact and not to impress anyone. (As I publish, it's another thing.) Also, on this blog, I want to share the rawness with you--not be something I am not. My journaling has flaws.

I make mistakes. I am human.

But, my journaling transforms me more into the woman who lives her passions and is: A memory-maker prayerful wife, and journalkeeper.

Okay... Now that I got sidetracked... and I tend to do that when I journal--and have to bring myself back to the heart of the matter.

I think fiction has been a way to sidetrack me from living my true dream and passion--from God's purpose.

That's why I stopped taking place in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). That's also why I decided to write memoirs, and books on how to journal, rather than fiction.

I recommitted to journaling, and teaching journaling, on 14 November 2012. This is a big day in my life.

However, I must be honest--with you and with myself. I do not think I have journaled as deeply as I could--even the last 2.5 weeks. This needs to change. I think I have finally started the process as my eyes were opened as I wrote this blog post.

Here is another confession. I do not journal as much as I would prefer or as much as I need each day. and, often times, I forget to take my own advice... And, I get sidetracked and distracted too often.

The last year, as a matter of fact, I have done mostly--nothing but spin my wheels. In many ways, I think I wasted the last year. (Ouch.)

I've tried to make several things work that haven't. (Then again, that
could really be said about the last four years. Another ouch.)

So, what now?

Do I kick myself? Do I hold this over my own head? My answer: No and no. What good would that do? Can I change the past? Nope. However, I can sure change the present--and plan for the future. I will analyze things a lot more for a while and see how it could have been avoided and what to change. I will share my new wisdom with you. And, I will carry on. I will make my dreams come true: To leave a legacy and live a memorable life. Every day. And, I will teach others to do the same.

Now, I will go back and re-read this blog post/journal entry a few more times and journal some more about it.

So, how about you? Have you ever thought you were aiming to make your dream come true, only to realize it was the wrong dream? And, do you journal as much, or as deeply as you should or want?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

It's the time of year for reflection

I do not know about you, but I cannot help but take the time every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas to reflect on the year. This year is no exception.

Have you taken some time to do so in your life?

By the way, at the beginning of every year, I make goals for the following year to help make my dreams come true.

I've done this every year for almost 20 years. It's a tradition in my life and is one I really value. That's what I love about journaling. I am given the chance to do so in a deeper way--and often reflect more often as I journal.

Let's take some time to reflect on the last year, the last 2-5, 5-10, 10-20, and every decade thereafter. It's the perfect time of year for it. Want to join me?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Journaling Exercises in General

I want to make something perfectly clear. Any journaling exercise or prompt I mention in this blog is a mere suggestion. It's something to help you if you get stuck or want to do something different.

However, with that being said, these exercises are proven to work well. If you want to get the most out of your journaling  I would try each. Figure out what works for you and how to tweak it to your preference. 

The point of this blog is to help you get your life on the page--the past, present, and future--so that you can leave your legacy and your story is remembered to the year 2121 and beyond.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

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

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)