Nothing changes if nothing changes

Imagine how boring a vacation would be if the scenery didn't change from one mile to the next. A ship cannot sail without the wind blowing from one place to another.  There is something special about how we arrived at the point we are in our lives today. It is not the same as yesterday. The day has changed. We have changed in some small way, or to the degree that we want to change. For some, that is a quantum leap. Others are not comfortable with the uncomfortable nature of things when they are new. 
And taking on something totally new has challenges yet unrealized. I say, "Bring it On. Full steam ahead."

Tried and True Blessing

This week we once again share globally a grand blessing that applies to all. It is my wish for all I know, every traveler I encounter, and for my friends and family, near and far. It represents all things changing and in contrast, the one thing that never changes. It is a wish for all the worth it inherently possesses. To the degree I am able to wish it so, it is for you. All of you. It is my hope that you soar with all the air you wish for under your wings, and correct your coarse if needed for safe passage.

Report back the experiences you have from time to time. I hope your journaling experience is growing and your awareness is revealing much that perhaps you missed before your conscious awakening. This practice contributes to your wellness by connecting your heart to your hand. Where many things are accomplished at these two extremes, look for the revelations. You will find them in the winds of change.  

On my peace platform, think about peace of mind, and your contribution. 

Are you set up for direct deposit when it comes to your peace of mind? And what of your contribution to the peace in your family, your co-workers, and your friends? 

“Live now, enjoy Life now! Love now, for this now is the precious moment that is creating our lives. Each now is unique -- it won’t come back in time. In it we leave a footprint, and within that impression are the actions we leave behind. Each step we take, we leave a mark. The path is created by the steps a person takes while walking it.” 
― Jacqueline Ripstein, The Art of HealingArt: The Keys to Power and Awareness

This is the direct deposit of which I refer to. The legacy that you invest in today. Right now! Will you write it as you live it? How will you describe your current peace of mind? And what do you aspire to? Where is the source of your peace of mind? I have a deep belief that when you journal about your peace, you are investing in it. I believe it gets released to find it's way to others. Can you imagine having plenty to go around? 

In the coming year, I will answer the 'organize or storage' question. In my life, I want to apply it to consistency. As my professional and personal lives converge, it is important to me that my behavior is constantly improving to the benefit of all concerned. The question to be answered, as I pursue de-cluttered spaces is, "does what I pick up have a storage need or and organizational need." My team at work thinks that my office could be organized better. Step one: Admit there is a problem, and that it is unmanageable. As I looked looked it over this past week, I have concluded that it is no longer my office, but the ground floor storage room. Each item I touch will either command a safe place or a trip to the dumpster. I feel pretty confident that I could get my week's daily exercise making that many trips as I create new space in my office. 

I will have to learn to shut the door also. One of the hazards of my open-door management style is that people walk in all day, every day. Often with something in their hands. Replace, replenish, new standards for various items that have not yet lost their use. There are the sentimental things that represent what we have worked hard for. You know what it is like to move after you have lived in a house for a few years? You find things that make you ask, "what was I thinking when I decided it was THAT important to keep this?"

I am mirroring the same organizational approach in my personal spaces at home by focusing on a different area challenge each week. You can find the list by clicking on The 52 Week Challenge below. At home, I know it is so refreshing to find a solution to organize individual concerns that occur in particular spaces. The presented items below offer simple, inexpensive ways to bring about some order for the challenges on the list for these first few days of the year. I am ordering two of the recycle bag holders in preparation for the bathroom organization challenge that will eventually be presented.

So, what does this have to do with journal writing?

As part of the exercise I suggest that a few ideas be jotted down in the journal to prepare the mind, almost as a coach would lead the next play. Prepare the mind and the brain may not depart to places it has always gone before. This is an exercise in peace of mind. Create the space in your mind. Create a plan to manifest the change with whatever it takes to match the vision you have of a well-balanced, uncluttered space, where ideas and confidence flow. Spend a few moments with the pen and the paper before tackling the project. Then, step back and look at the success of a job well done and journal how it feels to make this positive change. Even if it is only a step at a time, record the progress that you can return to as many times as needed to manifest the desired outcome. There must be a reason the change is important. Write about that. After it's over and if you look around to see that the wheels are coming off the bus again, review the journaling notes to see what built the success and then do it again. And again, if that is what it takes. 

All of the positive growth and awareness will flourish if it has a sacred space to do it in. This is my heart's desire all year as I answer the question, "Organize or storage?"

December Goals and Visions 

It is time to create a 2014 Vision Board. I created 2 last year. One for personal, spiritual growth and one for the entrepreneur, author, creative side of my life. It was the first time that I did one that others could see. I know the powerful energy that comes from releasing what is in your head and heart, as well as capturing it for future review. I am thankful for this exercise that stands like a soldier in my squad (on my wall) to remind me of what is important and help me focus on my goals.

This year I am going to use the help of others to guide me and grow deeper in my understanding of how powerful that energy can be. Deliberate, intentional focus on what my head and my heart are longing for is a process that grows continually, as each layer of our life unfolds to reveal the next level of understanding needed. Of course, journaling plays an important role in staying the course. This is where I see the rubber meeting the road. Distractions and derailments are almost always made visible in the words on the journal page. 

As I awaken throughout the year, following my "Awaken" calendar prompts, I expect this new vision board to evolve. What I will do differently this year is define my vision statements more. Focus briefly. Allow the moving on to what is next as I create a 2014 vision board all through the year.

My 'gentle' journey continues today as my Concordance suggested Titus' teachings where Paul instructs Titus to "be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men"; being gentle and humble in heart. 

As a character trait, humility is elusive, and often misunderstood. Often confused with  'humiliated', which can send a negative shudder throughout the spirit. If we can have an honest estimate of ourselves before God, humility is a gracious gift. Sober judgement is advantageous. 

Thinking more highly of anything projects negative worth on ability and effort. Pride gained from inflating the value of efforts serves naught. "Recognizing that we have succeeded in an effort need not be pride," as stated in the Life Application Study Bible Commentary.

This was a lesson learned for me over this past year, and I am very thankful there is peace in my heart about many efforts. Pride and achievement have been task-masters in the past. I have found that journaling the way an accomplishment 'feels' has been very beneficial. Then reading it out loud for the greatest impact to see how it sounds to others. Boastful? Arrogant? Self-importance? Superiority? Rewrite it if you must until these are settled, and peace returns because you are now gentle and humble in heart.

I am thankful from the start of each day for my pen and ink. Here is where the creative juices begin to flow. The moment the pen touches the paper, that's when the miracles begin. 

I wanted to explore 'ink'  with you. What follows is my commentary on the information that I gained from wikipedia.

"Ink is a liquid or paste that contains pigments or dyes and is used to color a surface"…When I write, I chose the words that I use to create or inspire you to create a vivid mental picture of the thoughts on our mind, desires in our hearts, or feelings we are experiencing. Often, this is hard to express in words, and an effort must be made. 

"Ink can be a complex medium, composed of solvents, pigments, dyes, resins, lubricants, solubilizers, surfactants, particulate matter, fluorescers, and other materials"…These ingredients are often translated into the influence of the words, from within and without. As above (spiritual influence) and so below (earthly connections). What is holding the thoughts together (goals) or attempting to separate them(distractions)? Smoothing them over or making them stick together or to something? Shining for attention? Solid in my convictions? I see these ingredients in the flow of finished writing for the day. I am usually amazed at what the words reveal to me about the way I am prepared to face the day, or how the day has influence the words in the similar fashion. I love how the answers motivate the questions.

"The components of inks serve many purposes; the ink’s carrier, colorants, and other additives affect the flow and thickness of the ink and its appearance when dry."…The very foundation of what I hope to inspire is legacy…the 'dry' ink, with all of the history, influence, creativity, hope and peace that writing serves in living your legacy.

The button above contains the complimentary PDF for Week 3 for my Journal Writing e-class and encourages you to write about your 'Plenty', from your point of view. As one of the words I chose for the tagline for Artful Acknowledgment, it can mean many things to many people, depending on the point of view.

The harvest of plenty can relate to the gathering of things you have grown.  No everyone is a farmer and we grow things like relationships, businesses, hopes and dreams. In the exercise, I prompt you to consider 'share' from the 'plenty' perspective. What have you gathered, whom will you share the bounty and with what will you measure the portion to be shared? 

Why on earth would anyone care about such things? 

Discovering what is deep within your heart about such matters will point you in the direction of the opportunities when they arise. Knowing the answers along the way puts the energy you use to do the sharing to it's fullest and best use...no time wasted on wondering, pondering, removing the 'whats'. If you have answered the 'whys', the reasons it matters at all; the harvest becomes plentiful, in its own right. I am thinking loaves and fishes here. A story that was written a long time ago that continues to teach us. I urge you to begin or continue writing your story. Think about that event so long ago as it unfolded and someone thought it was important enough to record. It became a shared experience, a treasured story, and a legacy of what it possible. No matter what your beliefs are, from your point of view and in the context of 'Plenty",  the principle is what I am addressing here. Plenty. Sharing. More. Enough. Adequate. Abundance. Consider what they mean to you. Discuss them with your children and your families. Grow together and prepare for 'Plenty'.

I look forward to your comments about this post. I hope you enjoy the e-class and look for the fourth and final one in this series coming next week. 

It is that time of year when we have to decide to fear no evil. The end of October ushers in Halloween, and with it signaling to some the end of summer. I still prefer to call it the 'change of season' and 'harvest time'. This 'holiday' (?) brings with it the baggage of things past, hauntings that linger and hide like cowards and suggestions of frightening places with deathly effects in our visions and imagery, still playing out, refusing to go away. 
I suggest making a joyful noise and show the dark shadows who is boss!

And this is how I decided to decorate for this upcoming Halloween. I am more of a thinker than a decorator. I understand that journaling open channels of thinking where creativity flows. The creative thinking connects us deeper to our decisions and what really matters to our soul, our spirit, the inner essence of who we are. As a journal coach, I encourage your connections to those parts that already exist and crave to be revealed. No special skills required to do what I do, save for answering the call to be the encourager. 
Let me know if I can help you. It may be very scary to encounter some of the inner aspects of our lives. 
Some of you are afraid to begin all by yourself. 

The Good News is: You are never alone. 

As the season continues to change, 
Week Two of my Journal Writing e-class is available by clicking the download button.