tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83423624023123605882024-03-15T21:10:11.002-04:00The Journal SeekerA Blog about Journaling, Writing, and Accessing our Own Inner Voice...journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-4506749128294586972022-06-22T17:37:00.000-04:002022-06-22T17:37:18.105-04:00Raw Emotions...<p>Emotional Flooding -a term often used by psychotherapists where raw emotions are triggered and the person if filled with out of control stressful feelings and thoughts. This is precipitated by something negative that has happened when one feels out of control and feels almost helpless. These raw emotions range from anger, shame, pain, guilt, deep sadness and can result in destructive behaviors and lapse judgment. A past event can trigger the emotions, a current event can trigger these emotions. </p><p>Raw emotions can leave you feeling very vulnerable. Raw emotions can make words come out of you that didn't know existed. Raw emotions can ruin your sleep patterns. Raw emotions can make you very defensive. Raw emotions can make you extremely overprotective. We don't even know when we are feeling what we are feeling. </p><p>We all at some point in our lives experienced these sort of emotions. What do we do when we have been in those situations? Do we suppress them fully so that we don't allow ourselves to feel any of the pain, the loss, the fear, the anger, the resentment? Or do we sit with all these feelings one by one as if we are moving from one passageway to the other? In my past life i intellectualized everything, i rationalized everything so I didn't have to feel anything. I didn't want to feel - b/c feeling meant I had to deal with things and I just didn't want to deal. Over the years things have shifted perspective for me and I have begun to give myself permission to feel - the good, the bad and the ugly. To feel is a good thing - but to get stuck in the feeling that is problematic. So when I find myself reacting to a situation I use that awareness to go inside to explore the feeling I am experiencing. Where does that feeling stem from? What in my life has got me so worked up about this? And where am I feeling out of control? </p><p>Feeling these emotions is no joke- but surprisingly by feeling them with awareness, it can also be liberating. I have taken it out of my system and i can just let it go into the air like a balloon. I spend alot of time with my son talking about his feelings that he gets so mad at me sometimes- saying - mom i don't want to talk - and for me the answer is talking is good- its important- u get things out of your system and you find better ways of coping. Sometimes we don' t know what to do with our feelings - and we don't even know what we are feeling and we just are frozen. That is what we need to tune into -so we can be better at recognizing our emotions. </p><p>What helps me? mindfulness, breathing movement-walking - drinking water- all of this has helped in tapping into what i am feeling and processing that.</p><p>In the world today we are constantly being bombarded with news of heartbreak, war, shootings, poverty, etc plus we have our own individual lives that are out of control and our loved ones either sick, depressed, or experiencing trauma - So what helps you? How do you deal with your emotions? </p><p>I often say this to myself - "this too shall pass." Today I discovered an artist who has created a beautiful picture book that speaks to emotions that we all have as humans called <b>The Boy The Mole The Fox and The Horse </b>https://www.charliemackesy.com/#the-book and it simply spoke to me. Pick one of these illustrations just write nonstop for 5-10 minutes non stop. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQx9EInh3jAf9XbQh5y5Bl3zPeUL1nSQcvGg-JVN1ubG8qXW6fuCQhfR1Oeu35hthWsHoHKC38mIJIowT8vtZfo6pUGFm-5e9Ig-XiACQwVCoAowz-KzGclft0tdM0WNUtSE08ggVPbmlAU5os6LFDXhPaHhrxjTxcQzD845btjlMFGwWQ2g4ocik" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="224" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQx9EInh3jAf9XbQh5y5Bl3zPeUL1nSQcvGg-JVN1ubG8qXW6fuCQhfR1Oeu35hthWsHoHKC38mIJIowT8vtZfo6pUGFm-5e9Ig-XiACQwVCoAowz-KzGclft0tdM0WNUtSE08ggVPbmlAU5os6LFDXhPaHhrxjTxcQzD845btjlMFGwWQ2g4ocik" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvA8hQScspeJPfcFMWlp0o_qTKSiEDHQgZEOtHT2sQtSIBoyGFIvWKRvk1dKzs7ynbVtjnzqjavG8e3CecOCp6Bze4tYNz1AtvWopFwc_hAgveKXmfw1NKweCFHRX4B7bM7imdu4UmU5Z0R3GmRYPhcVFgUB1PbpX7L4RVFh-IFJbB5FUrsvqU4IA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="403" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvA8hQScspeJPfcFMWlp0o_qTKSiEDHQgZEOtHT2sQtSIBoyGFIvWKRvk1dKzs7ynbVtjnzqjavG8e3CecOCp6Bze4tYNz1AtvWopFwc_hAgveKXmfw1NKweCFHRX4B7bM7imdu4UmU5Z0R3GmRYPhcVFgUB1PbpX7L4RVFh-IFJbB5FUrsvqU4IA" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u style="color: #0000ee; text-align: left;">https://www.</u></div><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>.com/charliemackesy/?hl=en</u></span></span></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Journaling!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-62170675603933423642022-04-28T17:02:00.000-04:002022-04-28T17:02:06.438-04:00Sea Green moments....<p>The Pull...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqj_sahHwewF-5LkSsUMoXwib9I2lJFWyH_zru8sO8jN8pd-1gEhEcZ4uFl6c-Wut0EEmZyURhx9aiKjkhnWNvwBgOwlIZTrXf2JqcJ_R4WoFDlCjnL2mQKjJelgWI4X6WmiZNhz7KlJpIPGiMjjgy2NMQXPFI2iRGva_lJuHKupGK8zpOYz8Ay4/s640/IMG_3044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqj_sahHwewF-5LkSsUMoXwib9I2lJFWyH_zru8sO8jN8pd-1gEhEcZ4uFl6c-Wut0EEmZyURhx9aiKjkhnWNvwBgOwlIZTrXf2JqcJ_R4WoFDlCjnL2mQKjJelgWI4X6WmiZNhz7KlJpIPGiMjjgy2NMQXPFI2iRGva_lJuHKupGK8zpOYz8Ay4/s320/IMG_3044.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>I feel myself being pulled to the sea as we walk toward the beach</p><p>It almost speaks a language that can only be understood between us</p><p>come come to me it says </p><p>the mind starts to get in the way - its too cold, or maybe the waves will be too strong</p><p>but this time I don't care</p><p>I have been waiting for a long time for this - this is perfect, the waves are low and not rough </p><p>the long winter days have made my body stiff, and my bones hurt.. and this is the perfect remedy</p><p>So without wasting any time, I drop all my belongings and walk toward the water.</p><p>The sand is soft, white, and clean. </p><p>There is a nice breeze</p><p>The sun is strong and shining - my bones feel good to get the warmth of the sun on them</p><p>The waves come to the shore and my feet feel the coolness of the water against my skin</p><p>oooh, that feels good...</p><p>I walk in slowly knowing that at any point, I can be standing on the bed and next minute not feel anything underneath my feet...</p><p>I simply allow myself to get welcomed by gentle waves</p><p>and there I am in this vast pool of a sea</p><p>Sea that when I look down, I can see clearly the algae, and the bed of the sea</p><p>A color my eyes just cannot stop getting enough of - that crystal clear turquoise blue almost sea green </p><p>who created you? I wonder...how can you be so gentle and so scary at the same time </p><p>Today you are calm serene and you are inviting me to swim deeper and deeper into you</p><p>yesterday you were scary because I thought the waves were going to take me away</p><p>but yet I felt I wanted more of you...I wanted to feel your full energy </p><p>Call me crazy, but your energy is the only thing that can heal me </p><p>and I take it all in bit by bit </p><p>so that whenever I am away from you, all I have to do is close my eyes and voila I am transported back. </p><p><br />Journal Prompt:</p><p>Vacations bring rest and calm back to you - but when you get back to your routine it is easy to get caught up and it almost feels like we didn't even go there - so how do we capture that moment or what can we do to get replenished when we are feeling depleted. I wanted to have that feeling linger on for a while so I did a writing prompt about it. Think of something, someone, an experience that you don't want to forget because of how it made you feel - you felt invigorated, you felt light, you felt inspired. Close your eyes and go back to that scene - then write about it for 10 minutes nonstop. When you are done, close your notebook and keep it away. The next time you feel depleted, go back to that page and read it. </p><p>Happy Journaling! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-76831992212405340142022-04-04T19:12:00.000-04:002022-04-04T19:12:10.315-04:00Comporda <p> If I had to pick one of my most happiest times of my life it would be last weekend - 7 of my cousins including my sister flew from different parts of the world and met in a remote place-quaint resort outside lisbon. We talked a lot, laughed a lot - not one tear, ate well, and walked a lot. From being cooped up during the pandemic for two years to being in open fresh air surrounded by rice fields, birds of all different kinds, the sound of the ocean, and soft sand, it felt a little like heaven. Family no matter how different we are from each other, is still family - and that what makes this trip so special. We haven't seen some of us in years, but we picked back where we left of - and it was truly beautiful to see. I was not worried about the dynamics because I knew it would be okay, but I knew there were some of us that wondered how it would go and if all would go well, and it did. We can see each other and amidst the peculiarities and quirkiness and be okay with one another. It is such a beautiful thing. These are cousins we saw growing up so there is a connection from childhood. But those couple of days, age didn't matter- I still felt like I was back in one of our old family vacations from our childhood- only this time we were the adults. It reminded me of how I used to watch my parents with their cousins and siblings and stay up and laugh and laugh with one another- and I would say to myself "I want that." I feel lucky to have that and the whole experience was like a dream. </p><p>There was one particular experience during this trip that will always remain with me. For those of you who know me I am not the most physically active person. I love my walks but nothing rugged or challenging per say. So on our last day, we decided we would go for a walk on on a path by the rice fields. The hotel said it is a nice easy walk and apparently there is a way to get to the beach. I was excited to do so - but little did any of us know what was in store for us. My sister rented a bike and so did my cousin - and off we embarked on our walk. This was the walk that never ended. And not one of us brought a water bottle. One of my cousins who is extremely organized brought sunscreen -we didn't think we were going to need it but the sun came out to greet us and boy was it nice and hot. We walked and walked thinking our destination was near, but every time we thought we were getting close we were no where near our destination. To top it off, some of us had taken another way only to find out it was a wrong way so we had to walk back and continue on our path. I can get grumpy when I don't know where I am going and annoyed -but i didn't - and we just kept going - until we came to the path that would take us to the beach. Only it wasn't what I was expecting. We had to climb uphill on sand dunes and go down a path to get to the beach. At one point I didn't know if I could do it - but I had encouragement from my cousins and they even found me the perfect bamboo stick to use for balance in case I feel unstable - and we did it. We reached the beach and boy was it a sight to see - the point being that in the company of those that love you and you love, even the unthinkable can happen - and I had good support. To top it off we had to walk the whole thing back - so you can only imagine how tired we were. But it was definitely worth it. </p><p>When I was younger I used to look forward to our summer vacations because I knew I would get to see my cousins - and those were some of my most favorite happy moments. As we got older, it was weddings or funerals that brought us together - the work life, and other responsibilities took over and we just didn't make the time to meet - it was only if we made a trip to a a city they lived in or vice versa that we could meet. But its not the same- its not the same because as kids- it was just us- us bonding and talking and laughing and just being ourselves with no frills or care in the world. And that's what this weekend was for me - transporting me back to the time when we had our summer vacations and felt free again. for that one split second we were all just in the moment with each other - not on our phones, not on our laptops no distractions -like the old days- music playing in the background ( music was big growing up for us) and we had a nice variety of music that was played this weekend. And set the intention that hopefully we wont' have to wait a lifetime to have more moments like these. </p><p>Journal Prompt:</p><p>Go to your happy place as a child. where were you? Who were you with? What are the colors you remember? Scents? Is there a particular memory that comes to you - write about it as if you are reliving it. Allow yourself to get transported back to that time. Write for as long as you can. </p><p>Happy Journaling! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IrwJ6xVmUin-5jdkL__ZkbM2dhXKxu9fZ48j5EZ6TLnXa7CC3lkG9ShVx117MNfDHA24OkCMJ4lBmCQDjUZ1Jg7v4FqhkSREj2RIg-u1emw_ajZTSJ2ugJ0dwC2GXFx9WdMEZ9cVOtWuOS2O7zccOtOiKfFe6bYZWLwsG--rZWx4aWtzjccBBUc/s2048/5465FEFA-926B-4C0F-BBD1-56C1957CC99E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IrwJ6xVmUin-5jdkL__ZkbM2dhXKxu9fZ48j5EZ6TLnXa7CC3lkG9ShVx117MNfDHA24OkCMJ4lBmCQDjUZ1Jg7v4FqhkSREj2RIg-u1emw_ajZTSJ2ugJ0dwC2GXFx9WdMEZ9cVOtWuOS2O7zccOtOiKfFe6bYZWLwsG--rZWx4aWtzjccBBUc/s320/5465FEFA-926B-4C0F-BBD1-56C1957CC99E.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-7966089408541516512022-03-22T18:23:00.004-04:002022-03-22T18:23:55.103-04:0050 years!<i>Tomorrow I turn 50. As I look back on my life, I cannot believe that I have made it to this age. Like Thich Nhat Hanh says, "Everything is possible because I am alive." So today more than ever I feel immense gratitude for the precious gift called life. Does it mean that this life has been a glorious easy ride? Not at all - and to quote : <b>"most of life is hell, it is filled with failure and loss. People disappoint you, dreams don't work out, hearts get broken, and the best moments of life when everything comes together are few and fleeting, but you will never get to the next great moment if you don't keep going, so keep going."</b> </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I think that sums up my life. I have kept on going through all the trials and tribulations that the universe has thrown at me. I have seen dreams not come true, and instead of beating myself up about it, I hold my head up high and move upward to perhaps a new dream. I have seen and felt deep deep loss in this lifetime - and despite that loss, I still have the energy to wake up and face the day. Every single moment in this lifetime has been a turning point in the development of myself. If I had to describe what it is that this life time has brought me it is this:</i><div style="text-align: center;"><b>- <i>to forgive over and over again</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>-to be compassionate </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>-to let my voice be heard </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>-to know that the phrase "this to shall pass". really means that - it will pass - you just have to play your part and it will pass</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>- to learn to pick my battles- b/c drama is wasted energy</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>- to be able to say no and be totally okay with it - </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>- to learn to set boundaries </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>- to become my own advocate and not looking at the outside world to be my advocate </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>-to be my own cheerleader- it took me so long to get to that - always looking outside of myself for that when it is always inside. </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>- to allow myself to be loved unconditionally and accept that love fully- in all my flaws and craziness- but knowing that I am loved just the way I am. </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>-to be comfortable in my body -</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>- to have utmost faith in God/Higher Power in every step that I have taken - </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>- to be able to make the same food that I grew up on from my mom and my grandmother</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>- if i don't make mistakes how will I break the habit? </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>that patterns are created and i must recognize the patterns so they don't repeat themselves and pass down generationally. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Trauma is real!</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>-to realize that if I "don't ask", I may never know the answer and so always ask. The worse that they can say is NO. </b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>So as I reflect on this - I know I will take this wisdom to help me in the next stage of my life - post pandemic with all the challenges and craziness that awaits us as I prepare to move back to in person work. I will use this wisdom to make decisions so that I can live life on my terms. Happy Birthday to me! </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Journal Prompt:</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Write a letter to your younger self in a particular time period. How old were you? Where were you at that time and go into detail about the environment. Write about the smell, the colors, the place - let the memory take you places that you allow yourself to. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Happy Journaling!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div>-</div><div> </div></div>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-23718225978836928792022-02-22T16:43:00.002-05:002022-02-22T16:43:22.534-05:00Mindful Writing<p> About a week ago, I participated in a 5 day mindfulness and journaling challenge where I would receive a daily audio recording and a journaling prompt. I haven't done one of these in a while, so it was the perfect opportunity to start. Keeping a practice of writing takes effort and I have over the years gone back and forth on it - usually the prompts are self-guided -either by reading something or just free form of writing. This challenge was different because the facilitator provided us with breathing prompts, mindfulness prompts and poetry prompts. It was timed for no more than 15-20 minutes and I made a deliberate effort to carve time in for the day. Something I don't do regularly - as much as I would like to. We all know the importance of connecting with our breath, of setting intentions and just being in the moment. But actively making the decision to quiet the mind, to do some breathing exercises before journaling made the experience all the more enjoyable. I found myself more playful with my words, the writing was lighter at times, sometimes the prompts led to a poetry type journal entry format , and really enjoying the process. And for 20 minutes I found myself coming out of a retreat setting rejuvenated. </p><p>How do I keep it going? Unless I pay into the program and have unlimited access to the journaling recordings- I don't know if it is sustainable for me. But for what its worth - it has helped me tap into another form of journaling which I find extremely therapeutic. At least once a week, I can try to carve time out for a mindful journaling experience so that I am allowing myself to experiment with different writing forms, and also to quieten the mind and ground myself. Over the last couple of years with remote work, I have found that because I have been multi-tasking more than ever working virtually- the mind is never at rest - I may think it is- but it is constantly going. I notice it when I am meditating and paying attention to the ways of the mind -it never ceases to amaze me to see how I am constantly thinking. I am supposed to just be silent - why is that not happening? The need for silence is there -yet when I have it my mind is a mile a minute. I think it has gotten worse over the last two years - which is all the more reason to focus on mindfulness. To pay attention to my breath -what comes in and what goes out - and allow that to be my anchor. Even when writing to let the breath be the anchor so as not to let my mind wander - so focusing on the process of writing rather than letting the mind divert into different things while writing. And there you see the true connection between body and mind. </p><p>Thich Nhat Han focused on walking meditation as a mindfulness practice. Each step is a way of connecting with the earth. Breathing in you connect with the earth, breathing out you connect with the earth. Walking in mindfulness is a process of connecting us with the earth. We like to think of walks as brisk and cardio oriented - but these walks are for the soul - so that this suffering can stop. It is another form of mindfulness. I leave you with this poem By Thich Nhat Han as a writing prompt. Say the poem out loud, I urge you to focus on your breath before beginning and then allow the writing to flow:</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Take my hand.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">We will walk.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">We will only walk.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">We will enjoy our walk</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">without thinking of arriving anywhere.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Walk peacefully.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Walk happily.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Our walk is a peace walk.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Our walk is a happiness walk.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Then we learn</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">that there is no peace walk;</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">that peace is the walk;</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">that there is no happiness walk;</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">that happiness is the walk.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">We walk for ourselves.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">We walk for everyone</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">always hand in hand.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Walk and touch peace every moment.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Walk and touch happiness every moment.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Each step brings a fresh breeze.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Each step makes a flower bloom under our feet.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Kiss the Earth with your feet.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Print on Earth your love and happiness.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">Earth will be safe</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PV Sans Serif", sans-serif; font-size: 20.25px;">when we feel in us enough safety.</span> </p><p><br /></p><p>Writing Prompt: Think about walking - and write about waking - where do you walk to? with whom? </p><p>Some words to help you: Happiness, Walk, Earth, Safety, Learn, Peace</p><p>Happy Journaling!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-1475172547959202872022-02-14T12:25:00.003-05:002022-02-14T13:41:54.347-05:00How Do I love thee? <p> It's the day of LOVE in all its truest forms. Think about the ways in which we love and how much we love and who we love. We love our partners, we love our parents, we love our kids, we love our siblings, we love our cousins, we love our family, and we love our friends. Love is the source of energy that makes us want to live more. It is expansive and brings out the best in ourselves and in others. I still remember one of the first gifts I received from my aunt and it was a framed quote by Juliette Drouet in Les Miserables which read:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi72AFFJ-fFdKVD5SVoM5DOfnbeseIOvAOZWhukZYY3auKGWHOLmL53zCeNHcMWzAHBrZzJt3XE-MaOKI68kKlyULw4oqBPJ6byD2AfFpMA_zBEKFVaTwchgB07KMdhaD75r7XQTjpX7FjbkMEOhIpio86cnvJeXc20RT2yJGx6kZu-G36I-aoLmBM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi72AFFJ-fFdKVD5SVoM5DOfnbeseIOvAOZWhukZYY3auKGWHOLmL53zCeNHcMWzAHBrZzJt3XE-MaOKI68kKlyULw4oqBPJ6byD2AfFpMA_zBEKFVaTwchgB07KMdhaD75r7XQTjpX7FjbkMEOhIpio86cnvJeXc20RT2yJGx6kZu-G36I-aoLmBM=w424-h223" width="424" /></a></div><p><br /></p>And that's what Love is. We love just because. We cannot imagine our lives without the ones we have loved living or deceased. We love passionately, devotedly, piously, unconditionally, fiercely and gently. <br />Love is a feeling, and the feeling is so vast that we cannot contain it - we want to spread it. If we made a list of all our loves, what would it look like? In all its different forms? Mine would be a long list . Each in their own way have shown me how to love a little more deeper and a little more stronger...and where would I be without this very long list. I like to think of love as a mirror - we sometimes wonder how we could be loved so much - what do they see in me that I don't see? Love allows us to be the best version of ourselves - and Love teaches us to love ourselves a little more. In my life, I have learned that one can't truly love if one doesn't learn to love themselves fully. Loving oneself without judgement and with acceptance in all its flaws and glory. Think of our partners, our parents, our kids - we love so fiercely and yet they do are flawed -but yet we love...so why not for us? Why not love ourselves a little more. <p></p><p>So today - love yourself- love your faults, love your weaknesses, love your strengths- love all of you - because when you do - then u can truly learn to love those close to u fully. </p><p>Today's prompt is: </p><p>How do I love thee? You have two options - u can choose to write a love note to yourself or you can write about the love of your life (whoever that may be). </p><p>I love thee with ........</p><p>(Write for five minutes non-stop)</p><p>OR </p><p>Pick one of your favorite love poems and begin journaling with the first sentence of the poem or the last sentence of the poem.....</p><p>Happy Journaling! </p><p> </p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-59533173146362998772022-02-06T09:02:00.002-05:002022-02-06T09:02:23.800-05:00Decisions Decisions Decisions<p> <span style="font-family: georgia;">Decisions decisions decisions - how do we as humans come to make them? what goes into making a decision? Some of us are wise enough to look at our wants and needs first and that helps them make a decision. Others want to make sure everyone's opinion is valued and that's how they come to a decision. It is a combination of our emotional and intellectual faculties that allow us to be able to say out loud the decision we have made. But it is a process to get there. There are so many of us that may not know what we want - more so because it is clouded by our loved one's opinions- we want to make them happy too and so we subconsciously operate in that manner. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are so many times when I have heard the words "you do what you want." But its not that easy to do what you want. Maybe when I was younger it was easy to make decisions impulsively because i wasn't responsible for anyone - but the last 20 years or so circumstances have changed - so asking myself what "I" want really takes a lot of digging. I have to really work though my mind that if I verbalize what I want -that I am not being selfish - that its okay to say what I want - and those around you will understand. They may not agree but they will understand. And there will be those who will not understand and not forgive you because of ur decision. How do u live with that? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Everything we do has a reaction -it is how we respond to it. This past week, for the first time in a very long time, I really had to take some time and make a decision - it was not a life changing decision or anything like that - but I write about it because of how hard it was for me to really visualize what "I want." I just couldn't because I wasn't thinking about me and my wants, I was thinking about "us and our wants/desires." Sometimes we want it all - and that too can be difficult - because having it all doesn't always mean that its actually what "I" want. Sometimes having it all can simply just be because you are a all about keeping the peace and making sure everyone is happy. And then you let go entirely of what is going to make you happy for the higher good. I realize I do that alot - and so when anyone asks me what I want - i have a very difficult time answering that question. I don't know what I want. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">What techniques did I use to figure out what I want? Our body talks to us in ways that we don't realize. So paying extra attention to my body and cues to look for when I began thinking or visualizing others wants vs. my wants. I started to feel more tired/just want to shut everything out - some weird feeling in my stomach. Then I did an exercise on what I actually want - and the body felt lighter - relaxed - and that helped me come to my decision. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I also wrote - and that is my go to source - and it started with the prompt </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">What I really want is .......</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I ideal vision is......</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I hope to.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sometimes it was writing like a stream of consciousness at other times it was a couple of sentences. But it was a process to get to and it helped identify what I wanted and give me the voice to say it out loud without guilt or any other type of emotion. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you are ever in a situation like mine try these prompts to help you make decisions!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Happy Journaling!!</span></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-56150240584123962192022-01-30T13:17:00.001-05:002022-01-30T14:48:08.485-05:00Wellness at Work Post pandemic<p> Ever since companies and organizations started making plans to go back to in person work, I have been thinking alot of wellness in the workplace. Never before has something like this been more needed in the work environment. The need to adjust to being in close proximity to one another, to spending the whole day in a mask, the constant cleaning up and making our spaces are clean, and adjusting back to the culture of the workplace and the fast paced routine. When we worked from home, even though the nature of our work didn't change - our environment was controlled - we learned to create spaces that would allow for balance, concentration and wellness. I look back at our home and how in the last two years how it has changed - all so that we could function optimally - and not feel burned out. But as we go back to in person - we won't have the luxury of creating a separate space- our cubicles will still be there - and the same lunch room - and unless leadership start thinking of the kinds of adjustments that staff will need to make or implement we will see employees struggle with the return to work. As someone who is responsible for running a program I am always checking in with my staff to make sure that they are doing okay. We will be approaching two years in march of being remote - and throughout this time, my number one priority has been to make sure the staff is not over burdened. Whether it be offering a support group for them to adjust to the pandemic, to hosting laughter session nights, to just creating a space for them to vent - it has helped in surviving through the pandemic in a virtual setting. The work we do is emotionally exhausting and especially in a virtual setting makes it extremely challenging. Our advocates listen day in and day out to stories of pain, shame, guilt and provide that emotional support, advocacy and time for our clients and it is so important that they are provided with the right coping tools and that they know that they are being supported in their workplace. </p><p>What does this have to do with journaling? Thinking about getting close to two years working virtually is scary - and I noticed that with the never ending recurrences covid variants and continued restrictions - it is starting to take a toll on staff. So I thought to myself - what can I do for them? What can I offer to help manage their stress levels? I started thinking of journaling as a writing tool and how it is extremely cathartic, and can also be fun with the right prompts. So i started a monthly journaling group for staff - a space to write and carve out self-care time. We had our first one this past friday and I am so glad we did it. We talked about the many benefits of journaling and then provided them with guided writing prompts and shared. It was a safe space and a time of healing. And I could see from the look on their faces that they were enjoying it. That gave me great satisfaction - and reaffirmed my need to do more of this. I may not be able to bring about organizational change but what I can do is provide pathways for those I work with to make time for wellness and self-care. </p><p>I hope that companies begin taking a look at the their employee's mental health and emotional health as we return to in person. I hope they take the time to have honest discussions about how awkward, difficult and uneasy this is - and I hope they give employees the space to find the normalcy once again. </p><p>I leave you with a journal prompt that I think really helped me remember how much has changed over the years...</p><p>- Think of life pre-pandemic and where you are now - what has changed? What hasn't? Begin with the prompt: I Remember.....</p><p>Write for five minutes nonstop!</p><p>Happy Journaling! </p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-40315673015818071932022-01-21T16:19:00.003-05:002022-01-21T16:19:53.924-05:00The Book of Regrets<p> I started reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. I am half way through it and I am thoroughly enjoying it. For anyone that loves books and has spent hours in the library, the thought of being in a library filled with books about your own life is pretty incredible. I remember spending time in my library after school and also while I was in college - I loved being surrounded by books - very comforting. So this book was very easy to get into because the author creates that space for you to cozy up and start reading. And that's how the book starts-I won't give much away but I will say this that it is about life and the paths we take and the paths we don't. The main character is at a state of no return with the way her life is unfolding. Sunk deep down in depression, she gets transported to this world which is The Midnight Library. She is looks through her book of REGRETS and it is a big heavy book. And she looks through different books of the many lives she could have lived had she taken that path. </p><p>How many of us including myself have gone that road of "If only" - if only we had followed this, maybe my life would be different. Then we keep building up this bucket of regrets and what does that really do to us? only more miserable. What if we looked at our lives that everything that has happened to us has led us to the point that we are in today - we are a cumulative result of our experiences - would that create more regret? Or would that allow us to be more compassionate with ourselves and more understanding? Does it mean we just accept and don't make changes? No- but its more an introspective look into the whys and hows of how we operate. So that if something comes our way the next time around, we are more prepared with how we respond, welcome, and /or reject it. I have lived my share of regrets- from career decisions to financial decisions to personal decision - to parenting decisions - and I can say from personal experience that it is very easy to get drowned in the abyss of the other "possible lives" or to get lost in the fact that my ability to make decisions is impaired. Having come to a point at one point in my life to regretting every decision that I made, I had to force myself to take a step back and view it from a camera lens. Reading through my book of regrets is not therapeutic - it only adds more shame and blame and guilt to the fire. And I dd not want to live with that anymore - I don't need it. And so the real work began. I have had to work through and journal about these experiences to come to a place of acceptance -and it is hard work. It is painful -but it is so worth it because then you are free - free to be u - with the whole works. There is a quote in the book by Ms. Elm the librarian " <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: ltc-bodoni-175; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0.18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">“‘You don’t have to </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: ltc-bodoni-175; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.18px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">understand</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: ltc-bodoni-175; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0.18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> life. You just have to </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: ltc-bodoni-175; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.18px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">live </em><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: ltc-bodoni-175; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0.18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">it.” </span> and that's exactly what life is about - living. </p><p>A journal prompt for you this week is : Pick one regret and write a letter to it. Pour out whatever it is in your heart. Let it all come out - and be compassionate with yourself. After that, treat yourself to something nice - a nice cup of tea, a small cookie, whatever will give you some sweet pleasure. You deserve it. </p><p>Happy Journaling!</p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-40802838038184113782022-01-09T15:28:00.001-05:002022-01-09T15:28:24.199-05:00My Body My Friend <p> For as long as I remember I have had a love/hate relationship with my body. I have spent my whole life trying to make friends with my body because I know that self-love is the key to accepting my body. But yet this body doesn't shape itself according to my vision of what I want for myself so I continue to have this love hate relationship. It only got worse when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and part of my treatment was to take Tamoxifen post radiation. </p><p>For the last three years I have been on Tamoxifen to prevent the breast cancer from coming back and I would say these last years have been the greatest tests of my life in accepting the body or rather to stop fighting with it. This drug does something that I had no idea it could do- it stops the level of estrogen from being produced in your body - but what does that do to a premenopausal woman? It does a whole lot of craziness and more. And it has been a journey in getting to understand my body and not fight it. I have learned to identify triggers for hot flashes, I have learned to make friends with pains in all parts of my body that I didn't even think existed, and last but not least I have learned to come to terms that yes my metabolism has slowed down like never before and that I will need to move 5xs as much if I want to eat the things that I enjoy eating. It is a journey of ups and down for me. I hated taking this drug when I started it. I hated the mood swings, I hated the pelvic pains that would appear that would make me scared - could this me uterine cancer? I hated my annual visits to the gynecologist because I knew it meant that I would have to do more than my routine pap smear. I hated weighing myself because no matter what the pounds just don't come down. I hated that i couldn't move as fast i wanted to because of pain in my joints. So much hate going into yourself is not good - i had to make a choice - either i learn to live with it and love it or it will eat me alive and I am the one that will suffer. I do believe that 2021 was the year that I finally began seeing a shift with myself and this love hate relationship with tamoxifen. I was not going to stop taking it - so I had to make a choice - find ways to live with the side effects to make my life better. But stop the hate. But to stop the hate I must name it. I must own up to it, name it and be aware. Awareness and opening up is a freeing exercise because it relieves one of shame and guilt and fear and anger. And that is what it has taken. </p><p>Do i still have the same problems yes? But what has changed is the relationship with my body- learning to take care of it because it is in pain. For example, I have severe pain on my ankles and feet and this is due to tamoxifen because it does affect the joints - but i need to move - so instead of getting angry at myself for not being able to move, I find ways to move that I enjoy that I know will alleviate the pain. I also go for acupuncture which has been a life saver for me in energy and symptom management. There is a very common saying in my house, that they hear me say a lot - "We all have pain - emotional and physical but we have to work through the pain, It doesn't go away but it makes it less manageable and we have to find the tools that work for us." </p><p>I have been reading Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown - this book as I may have referred to in the past is about naming your emotions rather than shutting it down. By naming how I have felt with my body in the last three years =it gives me more power to be my authentic self. The truth is ugly sometimes but the truth can also help see thing clearly and make us more open to being fully authentic with ourselves. This will not be the last time I refer to this book - I believe there will be more blog posts on several aspects of this book - we are now in this society where it is not enough to just keep on living for the sake of living. The pandemic has pushed us to want more out of life - to be better versions of ourselves- to love our imperfect self and to be true in thought word and deed - so I leave you with this quote:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W2_yvIMm8p0yoy00hCnNR8Q4jAbiNgI993uThT4p1p3POHzWh1HaDJGcDbs-WE9jYKiMO85jdWJfRtTueDmCbG8C5z4ul9e5eWQr9NIX-5pzC0mSPRKS_BheoLrE-VdllwYHOamGU3A/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1948" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W2_yvIMm8p0yoy00hCnNR8Q4jAbiNgI993uThT4p1p3POHzWh1HaDJGcDbs-WE9jYKiMO85jdWJfRtTueDmCbG8C5z4ul9e5eWQr9NIX-5pzC0mSPRKS_BheoLrE-VdllwYHOamGU3A/" width="185" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What does it mean to you to be brave and afraid all in the same moment? Where have you showed vulnerability and courage and it has set you free?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Write about it as a stream of consciousness with a timer - maybe for 10 minutes or even five if 10 is too much for you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Journaling!<br /><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-80898417034624066072022-01-01T15:20:00.000-05:002022-01-01T15:20:48.310-05:00January 2022<p> It is the first day of January 2022. A new year, and another chance to make amends, to mastering a craft, to check off something from that bucket list. Another year to do it right again. Another year to give ourselves the opportunity to becoming the better version of ourselves. Yet isn't that so much pressure when you think of it? We create lists and then end up becoming overwhelmed when we don't get them done and then we end up in a rat race with ourselves. I have this ritual of looking over my old journals and I realize I daydream alot -I let out a big chuckle as I read through these fantasies of where I would be during the end of 2021. Who would have thought that we would be right where we were from 2020? Not me. I decided that I was not going to do any resolutions. This was not for me. But I was going to write and that the right prompts will come to me at the right time. So our family did not sit around and do our intentions or our year in review or the journaling prompt of where we think we are going to be at the end of 2022. We are simply just going to enjoy the last day of the year by being together and that the universe will send me the prompts that I am supposed to write. So what we did instead was walk it out - we went on a long walk during the day so we could get out whatever we were feeling - each of us - in our own way. We didn't need words yesterday because we each are dealing with some aspect of how the pandemic has affected us and continues to do so. But what we did feel was gratitude. Gratitude for being safe, for being covid free, for being somewhat healthy and for being together. I like looking for signs - I always ask for the universe to show me signs - sometimes they are right in front of me, sometimes it is very difficult to see...but yesterday while walking, we came across a mural that was put together for a better tomorrow. And it was the perfect perfect way to start the new year...the mural was titled " What I wish for..." It brought joy to me in that moment. A mural about a better society, a mural that was filled with color, artwork depicting our dreams and wishes. A perfect encounter on our walk- totally unexpected and I was so happy. And a beautiful picture of just how beauty can be found in our universe. </p><p>This morning, I was checking my inbox and was reading through the latest posts by Suleika Jaouad. https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/p/the-five-lists -yet again anohter message from the universe for me. This was not about setting intentions but they were the five journal prompts that I was looking for. </p><p>Journal Prompts to help get stuff that is stuck out of us so we can have more clarity. You see there is a lot of fear about having hope - We don't know if our dreams will come through. The amount of people that we have seen pass away tragically, suddenly this year, all this leaves us feeling a little icky - so when I read this quote by Pema Chodron that says "ABANDON HOPE, " I loved it -it frees me of all expectation for myself and frees me of disappointment. So these prompts were the perfect antidote to feeling hopeless - it allowed me to sit with what is real, what is ugly, what is beauty, and simply just sit with it. No expectation nothing and that made me even more grateful.</p><p><br /></p><p>So I share with you on this new year the five writing prompts that Suleika Jaouad presented us with and yes this time our family did sit around and we did this together. A beautiful way to begin the new year....I wish you all peace, good health and moments of pure joy. Happy Journaling! </p><p style="background-color: #fef9f4; color: #3a3026; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">In place of resolutions, journal your way into the New Year with five lists.</p><ol style="background-color: #fef9f4; color: #3a3026; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="margin: 7.5px 0px 7.5px 15px;"><p style="color: var(--print_on_web_bg_color, #1a1a1a); line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px;">What in the last year are you proud of?</p></li><li style="margin: 7.5px 0px 7.5px 15px;"><p style="color: var(--print_on_web_bg_color, #1a1a1a); line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px;">What did this year leave you yearning for?</p></li><li style="margin: 7.5px 0px 7.5px 15px;"><p style="color: var(--print_on_web_bg_color, #1a1a1a); line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px;">What’s causing you anxiety?</p></li><li style="margin: 7.5px 0px 7.5px 15px;"><p style="color: var(--print_on_web_bg_color, #1a1a1a); line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px;">What resources, skills, and practices can you rely on in the coming year?</p></li><li style="margin: 7.5px 0px 7.5px 15px;"><p style="color: var(--print_on_web_bg_color, #1a1a1a); line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px;">What are your wildest, most harebrained ideas and dreams?</p></li></ol>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-45547562776563989192021-11-24T16:45:00.000-05:002021-11-24T16:45:04.833-05:00I remember when<p> 20 years ago today my father left his physical body to move onto another realm. It doesn't feel like 20 years, but when I see all the events that have taken place in the last twenty years, I take in a deep breath! marriage, child, cancer treatment, the pandemic - all this while he has not been physically around - but does it make sense when I say that I felt his energy at every step? Because although he wasn't physically there, there was an invisible presence through all these phases. So who was this man that everyone so greatly loved? </p><p>Suresh Tirathdas Nankani aka Tommy was born on January 26, 1948. He was even born on an important day in Indian History - Republic Day - a year after India Pakistan Partition. He was the oldest of six siblings and responsibility was thrust onto him I believe at a young age. He came from a tight knit family - extremely close to his siblings and his cousins. What I remember as a young age was family always being around him - he was surrounded by uncles/aunts/cousins- always. My father became a dad at a young age - he married young. An added responsibility in addition to being in charge of the family business. He worked very hard. He had a strong work ethic. He loved life - he would be out on the dance floor dancing, he introduced me to the Beatles and the Bee Gees, and even though he didn't go to college, one could mistaken him for a college professor. He read a lot in his spare time. All sorts of books - in his later years he read self-help books. He was a world traveler and he could always tell where a person is from based on their accent - i loved playing that game with him. And he was always right - in today's age it would not be politically correct to say that - but it just shows how much he traveled. He introduced me to Indian cinema, and world cinema. The family owned cinemas in Kumasi, Ghana and as a child we would go to the cinema halls and watch Amitabh Bacchan on the big screen and there became my love for Hindi Music and Cinema. </p><p>Family was everything to him - we used to call our house "The Nankani Hotel." he taught us hospitality - and the meaning of family - going out of his way to make each visitor feel special even if he didn't have the time. He always made time- we would always be at the statue of liberty, or south street seaport, or driving through neighborhoods. He was a good tour guide - giving us history as we drove through the city. </p><p>He was a good writer - and as children he kept us happy by writing letters to us that were like fairy tales. You see we lived apart for a while - again that was because he wanted us to have a good education. So we saw him every couple of months. In the meantime we would receive letters by mail. </p><p>He was always in meetings and people were always calling, or coming to meet him. At first I thought they were business meetings - but people came to him for help with his problems - financial, whatever it may be and he was always willing to help. He would be on the phone calling someone asking if they can help this person or that. He had a big heart. In 1985 he made one of the most important decisions in his life - not for himself - but for his family - he decided to move to the U.S. - and that's how we came to New Jersey. He was in for a shock of his life because all the hardships of this country he had to face- he had to be the one to do it all on his own - and he did. A large part of my teen years was watching him create his business - a men's clothing store in the West Village called Man Plus. He taught me to love NYC - and through him we explored the village- Man Plus was our second home. I would spend my time there either on the cash register or in the back or with him in the accounts. I watched him in action and learned the traits of being a good manager - when I look back on my years there, as much as I complained about having to be at the store - I realize that in effect it was a training ground for me in leadership, management and teamwork. I would accompany him on trade fairs and watch him pick merchandize for the store, I would watch how he would bargain with the prices. I would watch how everyone liked him - so they always gave him a break. But boy did he work sooo hard. And for what- for us- so we could fulfill our dreams - so we could have the life he didn't have. </p><p>He was not very ritualistic - but he had faith. His silent prayers, his meditation, and his trust in the will of the Lord - helped him prepare for the biggest battle of his life - facing cancer. If there is one thing I can say about him is that he has the strength of a 1001 lions and more put together for the amount of pain and mistakes doctors made and clinical trials that he underwent. He could not give up because he was only 50 when he was diagnosed. That is too young to go - so he fought till the very end. But he knew that it was time - he knew that he had to start planning for his family and that's what he did - silently, slowly, and asked for more time till his affairs were in order - and when it was time for him to go - he gracefully surrendered into the Hands of the Divine. </p><p>So you see - that's who my father was - a man none like I have ever met - and I am so blessed that I got to be his daughter. </p><p><br /></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-70118243195575170042021-10-07T12:20:00.002-04:002021-10-07T12:20:22.036-04:00Anti Bucket LIst<p>I recently discovered Katie Bowler and her writings. One piece that especially struck me was that of "Your Anti Bucket List." She talks about making our "finitude count" and how she discovered that when she was suggested to explore creating bucket lists and dreams and aspirations. This piece so resonated with me - more so after having undergone cancer treatment and always living with the uncertainty of our precious life. </p><p>The pandemic brought this further into our reality and often wondering when normalcy would begin again. I have always created bucket lists - places I want to travel to, things I want to accomplish, and dreams and aspirations. They have helped me try to set goals for myself and move towards that goal. Post cancer treatment, you would think that my list would have started getting longer and longer - but surprisingly it didn't. I found that my "wants" decreased and instead my focus was more on what life was presenting to me. It was how and what I made out of life - rather than trying to accomplish a goal before a milestone. That feeling of pressure of needing to complete the list was gone. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/06/opinion/letters/bucket-list.html</p><p>What came instead was gratitude and amazement on abundance that I had been given which surprisingly stopped me from wanting more. Katie Bowler says " <span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>T</b></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-size: 16px;">he problem with aspirational lists, of course, is that they often skip the point entirely. Instead of helping us grapple with our finitude, they approximate infinity. They imply that with unlimited time and resources, we can do anything, be anyone. We can become more adventurous by jumping out of airplanes, more traveled by visiting every continent, or more cultured by reading the most famous books of all time. With the right list, we will never starve with the hunger of want.</b>" She calls this "the anti-bucket list". and until now I had not been able to give a name to this technique- it was more a feeling and having read her works today's piece is about finding my anti bucket list. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Below is the prompt that Katie Bowler provided: </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fef9f4; caret-color: rgb(58, 48, 38); color: #3a3026; font-family: Spectral, serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 19px;">Make an anti-aspirational bucket list. Fill it with the things you’ve done, the places you’ve gone, the people you’ve loved, the moments that made your life feel full. Record whatever it is that makes you ache for more.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p>My Anti Bucket List...</p><p>Looking far ahead at the future, I can't help think of the steps and stones getting me there...</p><p>Memories of my strongest influencers- parents, grandmothers, aunts - strong female voices showing me repeatedly again and again to be true to myself </p><p>Showing me the power of faith through their devotion and through their story telling</p><p>Showing me unconditional love even though I didn't love myself as much</p><p>Cousins they say are our first friends and will always be our first true friends- </p><p>late night talks, first crushes, travel buddies, and music brought us together </p><p>Our bond strengthened because we promised to keep in touch - the power of letter writing</p><p>Memories with my father - going with him to work, traveling with him for work, watching his ways of interacting with people, being a witness to his compassion and wisdom, sharing his love of nature, and enjoying food - sumptuous food. Long Drives, taking scenic routes, and learning the meaning of courage and strength from him</p><p>Cousins influenced the love of travel...we lived in different continents and thanks to our parents we saw each other often - fondest memories - Casablanca 1988, Torre Molinos, Spain, Ghana Reunion and India- </p><p>Traditions continues as we got married and weddings allowed for us to get together....Rome, Barcelona, Mexico, Mumbai, Pune.....</p><p>Then there were pilgrimages that took me on a spiritual journey - time for self-inquiry, silence, and stillness. Friendships formed, discipline instilled, and developing a personal relationship with the higher power. All these gave me strength for where I am today. </p><p>Friendships that are not bound by distance - that at any moment we pick up where we left off- friendships that last forever...</p><p>more moments of laughter with my better half - laughing till i can't control my tears, laughing because it is better to cry, laughing because it is healing....</p><p>and last but not least - being a witness to the the unfolding story of our son - from when he was a little boy to now a little man - and seeing him become a whole person - that I never want to stop being a part of - that I hope for more stories, more adventures, more teaching moments, more pure joy....</p><p>What is it that I ache for? More moments of laughter, more moments of togetherness, more moments of stillness, more moments of seeing just how vast this universe is and the interconnectedness of it all.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">What is your Anti Bucket list? Try creating one based on the above prompt..</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Happy Journaling!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p><br /></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-34953829628695503432021-09-08T12:52:00.003-04:002021-09-09T11:32:38.621-04:00Saris & Memories....<p> I've often been asked the question - "what do I do when I don't know what to write about." Prompts are wonderful ways of providing a que for writing, but often it is our senses, our memories that can take us back to a place and be just the right answer when we are stuck. Something about summer can take us back to memories from childhood - it could be eating our favorite ice cream - it could be the smell of the ocean - it could be the hot sweltering sun - any of those can take us back to memories that can be a great way to begin writing. I read something the other day by Erika Veurink - titles "Getting Dressed." Clothes have a way of taking us back, can make us feel powerful, sexy, too self-conscious, playful, and the list goes on. This is a prompt from her essay which I would like to share:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTy4f100lIaxhrGN43orCzgdvOwZnx4fRP3fU-NKhcIxOKnvNOHnyTohLrwow3fazlCKRNjEBHrN7RY7aiVYYRcmeAVvkuhbi8APKTftO2_lrfBgKIs3pJKYdHxGx0KcaoWdeWE3L4GM/s1080/FB_IMG_1630852199416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTy4f100lIaxhrGN43orCzgdvOwZnx4fRP3fU-NKhcIxOKnvNOHnyTohLrwow3fazlCKRNjEBHrN7RY7aiVYYRcmeAVvkuhbi8APKTftO2_lrfBgKIs3pJKYdHxGx0KcaoWdeWE3L4GM/s320/FB_IMG_1630852199416.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is my prompt:<div><br /><div>Long flowing saris </div><div>9 yards to be exact</div><div>when I was a little girl I would wrap myself up in a long flowing scarf</div><div>pretending that I was living in the country side by the water,</div><div>I would "play and pretend" to have earthen clay pots that I would put on top of my head and walk to the riverside to fetch water</div><div>The comfort of the material made me feel so warm and safe</div><div>It was almost freeing</div><div>I would watch my aunt every day drape her sari and watch with awe and amazement at how fast and perfect she did. The pleats were perfect. The "paloo" the part that drapes around the shoulder was not too long. And within seconds she was ready. So fast. And she would always finish it off with a red dot on her forehead. This used to be the favorite time of my day. </div><div>Saris were natural to her and maybe if I had continued to live in india they would have been to me too. I have memories of my cousin wearing saris to work - elegant and beautiful so nicely draped...</div><div>Flash forward 15 years later and I find myself at an ashram with a group of girls to attend a summer course on indian culture and spirituality. The uniform were saris. From morning till we evening. This was a feast for the eyes - silk, cotton, georgette, chiffon - and the colors were vibrant</div><div>orange, fushia, blue, baby pink, red, sea green</div><div>We had to be quick to get dressed - a comraderie of women together - such a powerful bond</div><div>Another memory - my cousin's wedding and so began the search for the perfect sari for many of us </div><div>what would we wear?</div><div>There is an experience in sari shopping. From entering the store, to being greeted by the salesperson, to be offered some chai and then to be led to a large display of materials. The salesperson takes out one after another different types of saris - solids, prints, embroidery - and then he drapes it around himself, and then if you like it you - quite an experience....and when you find the right one - its like cinderella - it is perfect. </div><div>The sari has taken me on a train ride, making stops - exploring, reliving, and celebrating important moments in this thing that we call life!</div><div><br /></div><div>What is your clothing memory?</div><div>Happy Journaling </div><div><p><br /></p></div></div>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-25217606939587170462021-08-13T17:23:00.010-04:002021-08-13T17:26:52.339-04:00I surrender....When life throws you lemons, make lemonade. <div><br /></div><div>I never knew what that really meant - my first instinct was when life throws you lemons- throw it right back - until i got it. Make lemonade is an art - the right amount of lemons, the right amount of sugar, water - not too sour, not too sweet. Squeezing out the lemons is like squeezing our negative emotions - getting rid of it , so that we can enjoy that nice cool refreshing sip. </div><div><br /><div>That is how life is when we are put in situations that come unexpectedly. We can either take the long road of fighting back, of projecting the future outcome, of becoming overwhelmed, of giving up and expecting the worse. Especially when the "lemons" keep being thrown at you one after another. How many of us want to react and hit right back when we are put in uncomfortable situations or unexpected situations. Life transitions, job transitions, medical issues, the list can go on - our first instinct is to react or be numb. I for one am known for reacting - not responding. And I made a decision a while back, that if this was what life is made out of - why not learn to respond mindfully. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5tjft50YNqe87WYslS-NVmohpJ_X8XJ_qI9VzTmQqRMmUej-Ke7qEUvxOH1kNXkhoFgpgE2Pbl-HHoLGqGZAqe-fal9DWIMbk5ussaZl1-vJ9F2glHi5ENXgBYi6b8UNebQ8xTMccLQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5tjft50YNqe87WYslS-NVmohpJ_X8XJ_qI9VzTmQqRMmUej-Ke7qEUvxOH1kNXkhoFgpgE2Pbl-HHoLGqGZAqe-fal9DWIMbk5ussaZl1-vJ9F2glHi5ENXgBYi6b8UNebQ8xTMccLQ/" width="262" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>What does that involve? It involves taking stock of the situation - seeing your role in it and responsibility and being in a position to open it up to a higher power or the universe to take over. Whatever your spiritual belief system - there is a sense of security when you know that you are supported by the universe, God, Higher Power, spirit - whatever you want to name it. And that has been my practice lately because it allows me to learn to let go of things that are beyond my control. It is an actual affirmation that I repeat to myself that I offer this to you and ask you take care of it - and guide me in the right manner with wisdom and compassion. There is a pose in yoga called Child's Pose....which is the ultimate act of surrender....bowing your forehead to the ground and allowing your body to let go and simply relax....this pose has taught me to practice letting go....</div><div><br /></div><div>The moment I do that, I feel light, because it is not my problem anymore and I have handed it over. What does one do with the thoughts that keep surfacing or ruminating that is beyond one's control? I practice deep breathing to center myself and I have also begun to physically remove myself from a situation - like go for a walk, or call a friend, or read a book, or cook something - to get my mind of the topic. So my attention is on something else. I have found that that period of inactivity - or activity actually has been helpful because ideas begin forming and it is as if there is the inner guidance that is showing me the way and the path. </div><div><br /></div><div>Learning to trust the inner guidance takes courage because often I have to do things that is out of my comfort zone -but like everything else it take practice and courage. The more I do it the better I become at it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Journal Prompt:</div><div>When life throws me lemons I .......</div><div>You can use this in different ways -Make a list, write for five minutes nonstop ,or if you want to be creative write your own meme....</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Journaling!!</div><div><br /></div></div>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-18761109051711920722021-08-04T16:48:00.006-04:002021-08-05T11:42:20.254-04:00Owning your story<p> Over the last couple of weeks I have been listening to Brene Brown's Podcast on Gifts of Imperfection with her sisters. This is hard work, which requires honesty, vulnerability, courage and the willingness to be open to change. What I have loved about it is the dynamic between the sisters and the connection they share. A bond- a beautiful bond - very candid and raw. As kids we are all exposed to some level of dysfunctionality within our family. Some of us have high level trauma and many of us don't really spend the time as a family (as adults) to talk about it. We deal with it in our own individual way or we totally shut it out. These three sisters have taken the time to work on themselves and the trauma that impacted them as children into adulthood and are open about it. It is so refreshing to see such honesty and authenticity. It is an invitation to learn to accept our own worthiness with all our flaws and imperfections. And it has been the perfect piece to listen to at this point in my life. </p><p>I am at a point in my life where i am continuously working to be myself - i see my flaws, but i don't want to lose myself. I think the pandemic and lockdown allowed me to go deeper into that space without any judgment. It has meant being vulnerable at work when the workload felt too much for me and my staff and I had to voice it. It meant setting boundaries at home so that I could have me time. It meant asking for help in the home because I am one person and I don't need to prove to myself that I can do it all. You see my mother did it all - and on some level I want to prove to myself that I can be her - but I am not her - so I had to let go of that too. It meant saying no things I don't want to do anymore because it does enriching to my soul. It is about choosing who I want to surround myself with and whom I don't. It meant taking my exercise and lifestyle issues into my own hands and creating a routine for myself so I can feel good about myself physically- and it is because I finally want to - not because of what others want for me. All of that is work, and it takes a lot of time. And then there is a the concept of play - allowing ourselves and giving ourselves permission to relax and play. For some like myself - that is a very difficult thing to do - this strong work ethic that if I am not constantly busy I am not productive is ingrained in my head - and if i just allow myself to sit there is a sense of guilt that crops up in me ( well it used to) - I am getting better and better at it - The world today needs compassion - but compassion starts within us - if we cannot be compassionate with ourselves - how can we expect to do that with others. We must start within us - so it can be a ripple effect to those around us. We become more forgiving and more tolerant. If you are interested in listening to this here is the link...https://brenebrown.com/unlockingus/</p><p><br /></p><p>Journal Prompt: </p><p>Read the quote below and write about your story? What is the story you want to own? </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnxZ1SkZPJfOlvTMOkUCk7QbBmpBzBzlyEF8-GoGMW_L8BJCiMg1n6C0vslQmN7BexUT96N-Q41OMuaOr5HPBWf4ka1fxhpvMwfYGpLF1gQU3-nEC0t4KBIwta9Yfs2h1jrU_GgWT-6A/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnxZ1SkZPJfOlvTMOkUCk7QbBmpBzBzlyEF8-GoGMW_L8BJCiMg1n6C0vslQmN7BexUT96N-Q41OMuaOr5HPBWf4ka1fxhpvMwfYGpLF1gQU3-nEC0t4KBIwta9Yfs2h1jrU_GgWT-6A/" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Happy Journaling!!</p><p><br /></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-4233625816471565212021-07-23T17:13:00.000-04:002021-07-23T17:13:13.506-04:00Weekends<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fHHpWbB5qUhSyzfXqSlgqzA8_lnVn-AwbtrgL1u9KQYKHf2eKGgoLk4WDmYHQbOJkH6-wqHIco45kQFMRvzeyKUrpoakRmx0z4Q6DD3IuTPuub6HazIFj88u1xuxEr8Cv5HE5tFV4HM/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fHHpWbB5qUhSyzfXqSlgqzA8_lnVn-AwbtrgL1u9KQYKHf2eKGgoLk4WDmYHQbOJkH6-wqHIco45kQFMRvzeyKUrpoakRmx0z4Q6DD3IuTPuub6HazIFj88u1xuxEr8Cv5HE5tFV4HM/w305-h176/image.png" width="305" /></a></div>The end of the week <p></p><p>Friday has come</p><p>time to close shop</p><p>time to recoup and recharge</p><p>Fridays are special </p><p>Plans get made</p><p>a sense of relief </p><p>a feeling of accomplishment on a job well done</p><p>for some it is how to put an end to the day's work</p><p>work never stops </p><p>it can go on and on </p><p>it is we who must stop </p><p>and Friday is just that -create a separation between home and work </p><p>Friday comes with a message that says "its me time"</p><p>catch up on sleep</p><p> some good movies</p><p>spend time outdoors</p><p>catch up with friends and family</p><p>Friday is taking a break from the routine </p><p>The weekend is for a change in routine </p><p>Friday o sweet Friday</p><p>I let out a deep exhale as the clock strikes 4:30 </p><p>my body starts to unwind</p><p>everything is lighter around me </p><p>So grateful I am for the weekend</p><p>Happy Friday everyone!!!</p><p><br /></p><p>Journal Prompt: What does the weekend mean to you? How do you spend your weekend? Do you look at it as a recharge so you can face the week ahead? Or is it a weekend with to do lists? Take some time to reflect and write about it for 10 minutes non stop</p><p>Happy Journaling! </p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-13244613998265133602021-07-12T16:40:00.001-04:002021-07-12T16:40:48.086-04:00The mountains are calling....<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTjTOeXxGDMDePbYNDTGhvaWS6GpfUE3luLnIfsyP870-evxD7NrsVrLF-SN8GsJqz87V0cN_oBOi8J8mKEVwIG8gpUM_pH18HuX6tTQ1qSX6yCyza0IyxOaUT3EBier8PBC-_O6MeMw/s2048/856BA354-967D-429D-A5BA-5259C024A7A0.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTjTOeXxGDMDePbYNDTGhvaWS6GpfUE3luLnIfsyP870-evxD7NrsVrLF-SN8GsJqz87V0cN_oBOi8J8mKEVwIG8gpUM_pH18HuX6tTQ1qSX6yCyza0IyxOaUT3EBier8PBC-_O6MeMw/s320/856BA354-967D-429D-A5BA-5259C024A7A0.heic" /></a></div><br />We took our first real vacation in over 18 months. We played it safe for the first time. We drove. We were dropping off our son at a sleep away camp and I had all sorts of anxiety. It was a process of learning how to trust and how to practice being safe. The rational side knew that as long as he is vaccinated and wearing a mask in an indoor setting he should be okay - and he was. But that is the nature of the human mind - it can't help but worry. Where I live, people are still wearing masks indoors - driving through different states that was not the case. Signs for shops and restaurants - wear a mask if ur are not vaccinated. The honor system -that understanding that we are all in this together so lets practice social responsibility. I respected that but have to admit was a little perturbed in the beginning. <p></p><p>This is a vacation - i said to myself - i am going to enjoy it - I will not allow fear to control me. You see i have been confined to my home for the most part so this was a big adventure for all of us. Once we got over these issues we finally allowed ourselves to enjoy - to relax - and do what vacation is supposed to do for all of us - escape from reality. </p><p>Our escape were the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenondah Valley. We were at a elevation of 3000 feet and it was absolutely breathtaking. It was the first time we were so close to nature - and we couldn't take our eyes off the view and soaked in all that energy. I am often reminded of John Muir who writes about the mountains.and spending time in nature. I chose one of his quotes and decided to do a writing prompt with it. The quote reads: "And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul." My prompt is </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vyntWqd8U1KLaieQHd4LuoW-fOhRM-Dz2KD8af8FFicxrikhGi62iRVjJxBGzwzLOnaOks5BvSovhCMaWFI-2CyA1yP_csf33J91_itXU6Abd4iNNvnQ5sIjAGjGtCoAEHKGVWJMiyc/s1440/8C6381D1-0C36-44E9-B9FE-E1B06AE82D3B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vyntWqd8U1KLaieQHd4LuoW-fOhRM-Dz2KD8af8FFicxrikhGi62iRVjJxBGzwzLOnaOks5BvSovhCMaWFI-2CyA1yP_csf33J91_itXU6Abd4iNNvnQ5sIjAGjGtCoAEHKGVWJMiyc/s320/8C6381D1-0C36-44E9-B9FE-E1B06AE82D3B.jpeg" /></a></div>I find my soul....<p></p><p><i>I find my soul as we gaze up high into the mountain peaks</i></p><p><i>it soars high just like the red tailed hawk gliding in circles </i></p><p><i>a reminder of the ever circle of life</i></p><p><i>it expands just like the never ending trails of wooded forests</i></p><p><i>taking me on paths unknown </i></p><p><i>catching my breathe, watching my step carefully as I </i></p><p><i>climb high to a peak </i></p><p><i>I don't know how much I can go up further</i></p><p><i>I push and I push with my might like the little engine that could because I want to see the end</i></p><p><i>the end that is a beautiful gift from the universe </i></p><p><i>Majestic, Grand, Green Mountain - I come to gather the gifts you hold for us </i></p><p><i>at 3000 feet, I have found escape from the hot sun</i></p><p><i>A nice cool breeze to wake me up </i></p><p><i>Feeling so close to heaven </i></p><p><i>all i have to do is extend my hand and grab the clouds who will take me up high</i></p><p><i>I find my soul up in the mountains</i></p><p><i>I find my self up in the mountains</i></p><p><i>Silence solitude and reverence for this magical gift to us humans</i></p><p><i>and immense humility as my small self stands before thy presence. </i><br /><br /></p><p>Think a place that you recently visited and begin writing about it for 20 minutes non stop. You can even begin with the prompt: I Found my soul in...</p><p>Happy Journaling1 </p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-50257814411245925092021-06-25T08:12:00.002-04:002021-06-28T08:12:28.145-04:00What the children saw<div> </div><div>What the children saw....</div><div><br />Over the last 18 months or so, I can't help but reflect on what the kids have seen through these months. I began reflecting on it more lately because my son was to write a speech for his 8th grade graduation. And we were going down the list of things that made a permanent mark for him - example - the Australian fires -Kobe Bryant's death, Chadwick Boseman death, the end of a trump presidency - and then he said the word "COVID." In between that George Floyd's murder and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement - It was an interesting exercise to go down memory lane with him - but definitely not the kind of memory lane that is normal. Their last 18 months were either confined to a screen, family time and also being exposed to the numerous current events that continued to shape their young minds. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's just so much and I can't help but wonder how that gets processed in their brains. Does it make a child to want to do more to change the world? Or does it make them indifferent? That - this is the way of the world and there is nothing we can do about it? Or does it make them live in fear that something bad is going to happen? I feel for these kids - b/c even though i had my share of current events while growing up - this is a slightly different. This can seriously alter the way a child internalizes or externalizes the world around them. I went to visit someone the other day - and her daughter who is 6 said to me "I have missed you". Her mom said, " but u see her on facetime". and then her daughter said the most profound thing " But there is a difference with the human connection- and seeing someone live." yes there is!!! She is so right and coming from a young one who spent 18 months in lockdown and on zoom classes because school was virtual. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then I think about the moms and dads who have little ones who are doing absolutely everything to entertain their kids so they are not glued to a device - from arts and crafts, to dance parties to playing dress up - and I give them kudos - because it is not easy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Children are resilient that is for sure- they survive and come out stronger -some better than others. But we have an obligation to provide safety and a normal life for them as we come out of this pandemic. We owe it to them since they are the ones that I feel have suffered the most. I think about the ones that are living in silence and unable to call out for help - I think about the ones who were isolated and began having symptoms of anxiety and depression as a result of this pandemic - and then I think about the ones who decided that they are going to make the most of their time and do something creative or challenge themselves. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope especially as summer has officially begun kids of all ages get to feel carefree, happy, and just get to be kids no matter what stage they are in their lives. School will come again in the fall and they will go back to the daily grind - but hopefully this summer - they just get to play - like they used to before the pandemic. </div><div><br /></div><div>Journal Prompt: What does it mean to play for you? Write about playing in the sand. Write about playing in water. Or you can begin with the sentence "I play to .....</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Journaling!!</div>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-37294379624929398342021-06-05T08:04:00.000-04:002021-06-05T08:04:25.430-04:00Switching Gears<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXuA-377zDpZ3E9SE-SzfBVs8ENML0beiMsuggCWj4JsZW7J4zNOAIYRaESPcjrjd70nqzkY40L2gRhh_Kj85G0bApZdKqZEnznhPap1BCLw82_nlvrfkJZ2SPQ3G6x3sKcId922vln8/s2048/E0E8780D-D764-4ED6-AF33-80A633AA8895.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXuA-377zDpZ3E9SE-SzfBVs8ENML0beiMsuggCWj4JsZW7J4zNOAIYRaESPcjrjd70nqzkY40L2gRhh_Kj85G0bApZdKqZEnznhPap1BCLw82_nlvrfkJZ2SPQ3G6x3sKcId922vln8/s320/E0E8780D-D764-4ED6-AF33-80A633AA8895.heic" /></a></div> Last weekend was the beginning of what we would say is summer in the US. It was a long weekend and a much needed long weekend considering that last summer we were in lockdown mode. This year with mandates and indoor restrictions being lifted, we were all looking forward to our past beginning of summer celebrations. For us it would be going to our swim club, for others by the beach, and then there are more who decided to travel and get that much needed break. For those of us who decided to stay local, we were in for a surprise - it rained the whole weekend - and it was cold. Luckily for me, I had signed up for a retreat online so I was able to use that time for personal growth and reflection. It was almost as if the universe was saying - "Stay PUT" don't go anywhere just stay and be. And instead of fighting it, I decided to just go along with it. How many of us are put in the situation when things just don't go as planned. Actually much of life is just like that - it just doesn't go according to plan. And so we have two choices - switch gears or get stuck. For me I have chosen to stop feeling stuck in situations because a year of pandemic lockdown has given me way too much time to see how stuck I really am in some ways. So i switch gears every time something doesn't go according to plan. It has made my life so much easier and I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier. <p></p><p>Switching gears I believe allows me to move forward - and feel in control of something even if I have no idea what the outcome is going to be. I think I largely owe this to yoga - During the entire lockdown for the last 14 months or so - every morning my husband and I would start our day with a yoga class from Yoga International. It became sort of a routine. A routine we both knew saved our day because we had no idea what was going to land on us. That was our saving grace. It centered me, it taught me to look fear in the face rather than retreat and it allowed me to rest in moments of activity. Who would think that you can actually come to a resting point in a flash of a second if you just learned to breath the right way? And the power of how that same breath can save your day. So every day we did that and if weather permitting every evening we went for a walk. That was our activity. It became our routine because we were forced to come up with something that would allow for some physical activity in our lives. </p><p>So this past weekend when I woke up on Saturday morning and saw what the weather forecast was - I knew it was okay to not do the things we normally would like to do on a long weekend. With my retreat in hand, and knowing how physically tired I was feeling - this turned out to be a self-care weekend. A much needed self-care weekend. </p><p>There are silver linings to this pandemic and one of them is teaching us to slow down, teaching us to be more flexible and teaching us to be more tolerant. As my husband says jokingly - "we didn't get divorced by the end of this and thats a big deal." Yes it is a big deal because we have seen the rates of divorces go up dramatically because of covid. I was forced to find that one thing that would save me. At that time it was yoga - not writing - but yoga, meditation and what we call "bhajans." Bhajans are spiritual songs in hindi/sanskrit and the house was filled with bhajans during this lockdown. They give me energy, inspiration and joy. These three saved me - and even if my husband won't admit it - it saved him. </p><p>So when things don't go the way you want - you have to find that one thing that will get you to center, that will give you the courage to switch gears, that will allow you to learn to accept without resistance. So much fighting only creates more feud and at the end of the day its not worth it. I found mine -And by finding mine - one year later, it has taken me on another journey. I ask if you found yours. If you did write about it. Write about the process. Write about the joy. Write about the frustration. Just write. </p><p>And if you are stuck, here is a prompt:</p><p>What saved me was......</p><p>Happy Journaling!!!</p><p><br /> </p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-5477618015275836172021-05-25T19:26:00.005-04:002021-05-25T19:26:43.908-04:00Meditation Prompt <p> Today's prompt is from author Suleika Jaouad, Isolation Journals https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/p/hand-on-my-tender-heart</p><p>The prompt reads: Write a meditation that you can return to in your most difficult passages. This is my meditation...</p><p>I am surrounded by love</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlKSNviEGJ9sO8CN2HZwKYBaK2O5uvFzupOmWpGUkKSalOwUZ3Mf1fm21JuD0yAx1hQHl0MezbcGblqWwSCdBJGDUMKqbjA5qSRqTqnzCytR_Ie40_vaycYvLKhLXMpGZz1Eoiw42q0Y/s2048/C7E7354E-F6F1-4D83-A336-18D97ABB69EE.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlKSNviEGJ9sO8CN2HZwKYBaK2O5uvFzupOmWpGUkKSalOwUZ3Mf1fm21JuD0yAx1hQHl0MezbcGblqWwSCdBJGDUMKqbjA5qSRqTqnzCytR_Ie40_vaycYvLKhLXMpGZz1Eoiw42q0Y/s320/C7E7354E-F6F1-4D83-A336-18D97ABB69EE.heic" /></a></div>I may not feel it<p></p><p>But I believe it </p><p>I am surrounded by peace</p><p>I may not see it</p><p>But I believe it</p><p>I am surrounded by Light</p><p>Divine Light</p><p>In my moments of despair, in my moments of darkness - it is Your light that gives me comfort and courage</p><p>The light that reminds me that this too shall pass</p><p>The light that reminds me that I have been there before and look where I am now</p><p>The Light that shows me the compassion of others</p><p>The light that shows me mercy</p><p>The light that allows me to be grateful </p><p>Let me always be surrounded by this Light </p><p>so I never lose sight of the WAY and Purpose!</p><p><br /></p><p>What is your meditation in times of despair? Create one for yourself so it is something you can go to whenever you want. </p><p>Happy Journaling!</p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-31334639309614368562021-05-13T16:44:00.003-04:002021-05-13T16:44:31.391-04:00Return to Normalcy <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HHovxhfsr_Td92TzY0OelelXzzPRgZg-VbasduLHKzr9GfotQeIivSh7GZLND9vInQXptIDbuPdJ5t4mBL9vbCVlw5tkprHYLbIpjhj2pDpsJh9Hgcv95cUPVgZRw1Wv85hyek-tIw8/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="750" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HHovxhfsr_Td92TzY0OelelXzzPRgZg-VbasduLHKzr9GfotQeIivSh7GZLND9vInQXptIDbuPdJ5t4mBL9vbCVlw5tkprHYLbIpjhj2pDpsJh9Hgcv95cUPVgZRw1Wv85hyek-tIw8/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>There is a sense of urgency all around me to return back to normal. Schools are reopening, vaccines are being made eligible for kids ages 12-15, masks are no longer required in indoor settings or outdoor if you are fully vaccinated and in the state that I live in everything will be normal by may 19th. Everyone except for me. I'm not ready. Yes I want my life back but I am not ready for everything to return back to normal just yet. I somehow don't trust the system yet. Is it really possible that we could be mask free? Are we fooling ourselves into believing that the pandemic is over? Or maybe its the other way around and this is just a tease. We have been living for a year and a little extra in isolation, in our little bubble and just like that there is an expectation that we are just going to snap out of it and return to what it used to be. That's like saying that I have a wound but refuse to see it. How can we just turn a blind eye to the transformation that has happened to all of us? We have lost lives, we have changed our way of working, we have spent time in the confines of our homes in extremely close quarters with no space, some of us isolated, we have juggled house work, office work, school work all in one and become pros at multitasking. And while we yearn for all of that to go away in one way or the other we cannot just stop and pause on how this has changed us. We have all changed in some way or the other. For me I have come to value and treasure the non-stress environment that was my physical space of work. I feel more in control within "my space" rather than in an office space. How do I incorporate these changes in my "new normal." I worry if work environments will allow for hybrid methods now that we are returning to normal. Professions such as crisis intervention workers, social workers, teachers all of these had to take a step back during the pandemic and create methods that would enable for the virtual work to begin. And we were surprised at how we succeeded. Who realized that we could do our work effectively remotely? It changes everything about our work and it changes everything for the families we work with. Shouldn't we as a profession look at lessons learned and see if we can incorporate those lessons rather than going back to old ways? </p><p>When i hear news that indoor dining restrictions will be removed, masks are not needed indoors if u are vaccinated - I worry. We must learn from the past so we don't repeat it. Yes we have been cooped up and so much frustration on many levels - but in these we have found lessons of courage, of hope, and of resilience. We have all grieved in some form as a result of this pandemic. And how does one every get over grief? It stays with you and forever transforms you - we never forget no matter how much we may try. And so when I hear about all this reopening, it feels very rushed to me. And maybe it is my issues that need to be sorted out so that I feel fully comfortable in returning to normal. Maybe because since last year there has been no breaks - we have kept on going and going and going - I want to be able to pause. Pause not for a minute, but for longer than that - pause so that my actions will be based on the quality of life I want for myself. Pause so that my decisions will be wise and sound. Pause to see if this is true and if it will last. I want to believe with all my heart is over. But I don't want to fool myself. I want to believe that my days of traveling are near - but not at the cost of risking our lives. The trauma of this pandemic is real. It has scarred each of us in ways beyond words. It is time to heal. Each of us need the time to heal. That is what returning to normal is - finding healing to create pathways for normalcy. </p><p>Journal Prompt: What does normalcy look like to you after the pandemic? What are some things that you look forward to? What are some things that you will miss? </p><p>Write for five minutes non stop. </p><p>Happy Journaling!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-1111399140583528492021-05-01T18:26:00.007-04:002021-05-02T08:07:36.016-04:00Full Bloom<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmf_ypD3j03BCl1SAnZStaiseD7WW3WuEjs2NQsW3PVVc43ysSbTNS8G81XECcGzG0faMs3JsVLnPGb1cBC2DtmX6z2Ie1MccN0vLzUj96AA529tSx9IefdB6j8Joqja6D0a9gzgnfaC0/s2048/IMG_0481.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmf_ypD3j03BCl1SAnZStaiseD7WW3WuEjs2NQsW3PVVc43ysSbTNS8G81XECcGzG0faMs3JsVLnPGb1cBC2DtmX6z2Ie1MccN0vLzUj96AA529tSx9IefdB6j8Joqja6D0a9gzgnfaC0/s320/IMG_0481.heic" /></a></div>Over the last couple of weeks I have been watching in amazement as spring comes to full bloom. It starts of with tiny buds, and every morning little by little a little more green is splashed onto the canvas. Till one morning you wake up and everything around you is in full bloom. I feel like I am watching a Monet painting coming alive. When I wake up, as I look out the window, I wonder what part of the painting will be in color - The trees have their leaves back on their branches, the flowers are opening up in full colors and the birds - oh the birds are they so ever happy. Every morning I am greeted by their calls - I believe in this season the birds are my alarm clock. I hear them but i don't see them. They fly so fast hidden in their nest or up high on a tree in between the branches but they bring a certain sense of lightness to the day. If I am having a busy day and have not had time to pause, the birds bring me back to center. Their tweeting and chirping calling out to me to just pause and look outside. Observe the beauty and take it all in. I take it in so I can feel one with the natural world. It brings me a sense of balance. The sky takes on a new look in this season too. Sometimes it is is full blue without a trace of clouds, and sometimes its dark with the sun trying to peak out, and then at times it is just a puffed up cloud day. Each moment takes me back to a memory from my past. A sky filled with clouds takes me back to when I was a child and we would play the game "guess what shape am I." The song "puff the magic dragon" comes into my head and I begin humming it as I begin the game. I see a heart, something that looks like a bird, a big cotton ball...and as I look up at the sky surrounded by large and tall oak trees, I remember the book I used to read as a child " Jack and the magic beanstalk." Always wondering if could really reach up and grab something from the sky.... I am transported to a memory from my childhood with me and my sister running around in our backyard in Ghana, on the swings and plucking hibiscus from the garden surrounded by lush fan like trees. Did you know that if you blow into the hollow stem of the hibiscus flower that it makes a whistle sound? Nature transports you to moments in your life and in the last couple of weeks that's exactly what has happened. I am remembering pieces of my childhood and I realize that each moment from the past has been a stepping stone that has shaped my connection with nature. The sound of water from a nearby brook, the shades of greens around me, the sky as it seeks to bid goodnight to the sun, and the moonlight as it lights up the dark sky. A treasured piece of art that is there for you over and over again amidst the chaos and pain in this world. It is there that we can find comfort, peace, silence and stillness knowing that it never leaves you. It is with you whenever you need it. All you have to do is call out, look out and embrace it. <p></p><p>Journal Prompt:</p><p>Think of a moment in your childhood that you would like to write about that takes you back to nature. For example Begin writing with one of the following prompts:</p><p>- Seashells</p><p>- Summer nights</p><p>-Tulips</p><p>Happy Journaling!</p><br /><p><br /></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-20806729156280761742021-04-22T17:29:00.000-04:002021-04-22T17:29:04.540-04:00Cherry Blossom <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4UzHi91PYMW2gHaQI5Cq1UrHrr21eFjGfqSBjXMhLUYA70NjWy_bH8TyLJIKYzuR4Wjsimkx3icMznKZw9LG3jLHNuI7NHu_ilk4N6nUL_sskcM9hPgcugtSoW3ajjZJVUYtLUqkB50/s2048/IMG_0400.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4UzHi91PYMW2gHaQI5Cq1UrHrr21eFjGfqSBjXMhLUYA70NjWy_bH8TyLJIKYzuR4Wjsimkx3icMznKZw9LG3jLHNuI7NHu_ilk4N6nUL_sskcM9hPgcugtSoW3ajjZJVUYtLUqkB50/s320/IMG_0400.HEIC" /></a> Cherry Blossoms full bloom everywhere</p><p>hues of pink, white and fuchsia</p><p>a feast for my eyes </p><p>almost like a warm welcome to brighter days</p><p>babies, brides, lovers flock to see your beauty</p><p>holding onto branches, feeling the softness of your petals</p><p>clicking pictures left and right so as to capture the memory</p><p>laughter, giggles, oohs and aahs are sounds I hear </p><p>of everyone coming out to see your majestic presence</p><p>Your arrival sends an energy into the air that is lighter</p><p>Bird sounds chirping to wake us up way before the sun rises</p><p>And to bid us good nite as the sun sets</p><p>There is a celebration all around </p><p>An appreciation for earth's bounty</p><p>letting us remember the promise of hope</p><p>Though your beauty is short lived</p><p>it creates an imprint in our minds </p><p>to be love in action</p><p>and Simply just to BE!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Journal Prompt:<p></p><p>Today is Earth Day! Write a poem in honor of Earth Day. What can we learn from mother earth?</p><p>Happy Journaling! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342362402312360588.post-34121364867184497582021-04-07T13:57:00.000-04:002021-04-07T13:57:15.641-04:00Glorious Sun<p>Each season brings its own set of beauty and we can take inspiration from nature through each season. Spring is officially surrounding us and we see its beauty in so many different ways. For me the sun is special because its warmth brings me alive and gives me energy. The birds chirping in the early hours of the morning is another sign of spring. It is almost as if they are calling out to us to get along on our day just like they do -and make the most of the day. I could sit for hours just listening to the birds chirping. I wonder what are they saying to each other? Is it a birds song just for us? Every morning, the first thing I do when I wake up is look outside my window to see what kind of sunrise there will be for me today. I wake up saying "good morning sun and good morning world". This is my journaling piece on the Sun as we move into spring.... </p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Glorious Sun shining down on me</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">A burst of energy<br /></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C4C2wfx4vSxZzPWSTl9Nx5f33Bs8LtcDsHn0Y4UE-QSYEzp7FlR0Oe42nJqQgEb8ycgI4CZAkMfD2IBlmP2HHqLs7VzjOwcy75OBEwkhyphenhyphenC2WL1uEgcWdFtBvBe4MvWJ4s02dmS2tvPc/s2048/220A35EF-0A0D-43FD-942E-468E79D76097.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C4C2wfx4vSxZzPWSTl9Nx5f33Bs8LtcDsHn0Y4UE-QSYEzp7FlR0Oe42nJqQgEb8ycgI4CZAkMfD2IBlmP2HHqLs7VzjOwcy75OBEwkhyphenhyphenC2WL1uEgcWdFtBvBe4MvWJ4s02dmS2tvPc/s320/220A35EF-0A0D-43FD-942E-468E79D76097.heic" /></a></div><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Winter holding us captive </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">keeping us in hibernation</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">You bring a sense of release</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Your rays spread like a sunflower </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">bursts of yellow everywhere</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">birds singing your glory</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">so they too can come out and enjoy your warmth</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">glorious sun pouring your light on my head</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">no more heaviness </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">just delightedness</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">no more lethargy</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">just movement</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">no more feeling cold</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">just feeling warmth</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Glorious Sun you bring life to the flowers, to the trees, to the plants</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you awake, so too do the buds of the leaves begin to form</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you awake, even the streams and waterfalls take on a new form</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">when I wake up you greet me</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">you spoil me with your sun rise</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">sometimes pink, sometimes orange, sometimes hints of purple</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Glorious sun, immense gratitude for ur divine energy</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">u peak through the clouds showing a glimpse of what you are</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">but when we see you in your full glory </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">we are in awe of your being</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Stay with me so I can share your light with others</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Glorious Sun I welcome you to spring! </span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>Journal Prompt: Look out the window or your patio or your front door - what do you see that stands out to you in the spring? Is it a bed of flowers? Is it the cherry blossoms? Pick something and write about it - let if flow in poem form or let it flow in prose. Take inspiration from nature....</p><p>Happy Journaling!!</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p><br /></p>journalseekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17920884738383007495noreply@blogger.com0