#JournalChat Live Facebook Group Event: Part III Day One of Your Journaling: Just Say Yes! with Special Guests, Sue Ekins, Beth Terrence and Jennifer Morris

Dawn Herring

Yesterday at 2:25pm

Beth shares: One of the things I learned awhile back was how writing it down really is a way of bringing the shadow aspects of ourselves into the light. I was challenged to write a part of my story for a shamanic training I was doing. It was incredibly difficult and incredibly healing. When we put things on paper we are making it more real than when it is floating in our heads. This is key in problem solving and healing, too.

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  Ang Mus, Andrea Lewis and Beth Shekinah Terrence like this.
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  Beth Shekinah Terrence I think this is why sometimes it's really hard for people to step onto the page, especially in the beginning.

  Yesterday at 2:27pm · Unlike · 3
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  Sue Ekins Yes, Beth Shekinah Terrence, many of us do feel that resistance to the page.

  Yesterday at 2:28pm · Like · 1
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  Andrea Lewis It is scary to face the truth, our truth which is the messes we create and the not so wise choices--we rather deny because we want life to be perfect. I do something similar--I dialogue with my ego to get to dismantle core limiting beliefs and fears. It's empowering!

  Yesterday at 2:28pm · Unlike · 2
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  Sue Ekins Some people would rather not face their demons but it can be freeing.

  Yesterday at 2:28pm · Unlike · 2
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  Dawn Herring That's a really good point, Beth. Some are not ready to deal with what is revealed and do something about it. It takes courage to put it on the page.

  Yesterday at 2:29pm · Like · 2
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  Dawn Herring Dialogue with your ego, Andrea. Oh my goodness, I love it! And you know the difference, don't you? I find mine nags and annoys.

  Yesterday at 2:30pm · Like · 1
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  Beth Shekinah Terrence One of my favorite journaling tools is to use alternate writing with the dominant/non-dominant hand to create a conversation with conscious & unconscious or adult & inner child.

  Yesterday at 2:30pm · Like · 2
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  Sue Ekins I haven't done that lately but I remember when I did do it, it was enlightening.

  Yesterday at 2:31pm · Like · 1
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  Dawn Herring That's one of mine too, Beth. I alternate hands daily.

  Yesterday at 2:31pm · Like · 1
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  Jen Mor I think it's really important to openly acknowledge the parts of ourselves we want to hide. I try to practice this on my blog: when I'm feeling a bit low or unwell I try to be honest, because I think embracing the negatives in my own life will help others to do the same. Sometimes in my journal though, which is kind of funny really, I resist talking about the 'bad stuff'. Then I realize and end up just spilling it all out. I have to make sure my journal is not a precious place where I can only share good things - otherwise it's not really me or a reflection of my life

  Yesterday at 2:52pm · Like · 3
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  Dawn Herring I know what you mean about the Honesty part on your blog,Jen. I think that's part of why I find your content so real and relevant. Thanks for being brave and Journaling dangerously!!

  Yesterday at 2:53pm · Like · 2
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  Andrea Lewis I get that Jen! I do the same, but it doesn't feel intentional--just not ready and I take the baby steps to get to the difficult parts. In time it gets easier to just spill it out on the pages and release it for healing.

  Yesterday at 2:54pm · Like · 1
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  Dawn Herring Gentle and easy. Journaling can help us take it slowly if that's what we need.

  Yesterday at 2:56pm · Like
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  Sue Ekins I agree, Jen, there's nothing wrong with getting the bad stuff out and being honest. For me, though, I have to then stop and say, "Enough of the pity party! What's going right in my life?"

  Yesterday at 2:57pm · Like
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  Dawn Herring I understand your pov on this, Sue. Good stuff indeed! That's when I STAR my list.

  Yesterday at 3:00pm · Like · 1
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  Jen Mor I like that Sue - after going through the bad stuff, then thinking to yourself, right! What's good about my life? A nice way to keep focused on the things to be grateful for.

  Yesterday at 3:07pm · Like · 1
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  Sue Ekins It's just that I've occasionally caught myself in a victim mode. "Poor me, everything is so awful." Yes, I get all that on paper. But then I have to reassess.

  Yesterday at 3:11pm · Like · 1
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  Dawn Herring We can't be victims and empowered at the same time. There's a place for validation and then there's a place for nurture, which brings it all into balance.

  Yesterday at 3:36pm · Like · 2
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  Sue Ekins That word "nurture" is a great one, too. That seems like a great prompt: How can I nurture myself today?

  Yesterday at 3:38pm · Like · 1
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  Dawn Herring It is a great prompt; My three keys to refreshment are 
  Appreciation, Validation and Nurture. http://www.dawnherring.net/ You can see those three words on the mocking bird photo on my website.

  

  Refresh with Dawn Herring: <​br />For a Fresh Perspective in All of Life's Dimensions

  www.dawnherring.net

  self care with refreshment, personal empowerment and positive change with journal writing

  Yesterday at 3:39pm · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
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  Sue Ekins I forgot about that. I hope any of our listeners who haven't seen your great website will go to it after the discussion and check it out.

  Yesterday at 3:41pm · Unlike · 2
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  Jen Mor I like that word 'nurture' too - I like Sue's idea of asking ourselves, how can I nurture myself today? Would make a great prompt in the morning.

  Yesterday at 3:44pm · Unlike · 3
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  Dawn Herring Why, thanks for the kind word, Sue. I appreciate that. 

  Yesterday at 3:46pm · Like · 2
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  Sue Ekins We discussed a little bit about whether one can vent "too much" or not. Maybe one solution is to do what Beth Shekinah Terrence suggests and have a separate journal dedicated to self-care or gratitude. Then we wouldn't be negating the writing we do to angst on the page.

  Yesterday at 4:37pm · Edited · Like · 1
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  Dawn Herring Great idea, Sue. Thanks for pointing that out.

  Yesterday at 4:38pm · Like
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  Beth Shekinah Terrence Love the conversation here! I will often do a fire ceremony around those things that feel like they need to be released. I may pull pages out of my journal or write them on a separate page. I find this very powerful and healing.

  19 hrs · Like · 1
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  Dawn Herring I'm sure that creates deliberate focus which is what we need sometimes when addressing challenges directly.

  6 hrs · Like

Dawn Herring

Yesterday at 2:27pm

Beth shares: I would say I have seen direct and indirect results and continue to be amazed by the many benefits of journaling. I have used journaling as a way to explore how I can listen to and support my body and create self-care plans that work for me. Also, as Andrea shared, I find it a great way to get to what I am feeling on a deeper level.

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  Sue Ekins and Andrea Lewis like this.
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  Sue Ekins I unfortunately can be a little hard on myself--sometimes ruminating on where I fail to live up to my goals. Yet I teach self-care. I like this idea, Dawn, of using journaling as a way to explore how I can listen to and support my body and create self-care plans.

  Yesterday at 2:35pm · Like · 1
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  Dawn Herring I think one of the greatest things we can do is Be GENTLE with ourselves; that can make a difference in our physical and overall well being, Sue.

  Yesterday at 2:37pm · Like · 3
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  Beth Shekinah Terrence I wanted to share this post on holistic self-care,which offers a short journaling exploration at the end. I use this as an opening to create a new self-care plan with my clients and I use it as part of my personal self-care regimen by doing it at least once a month or more if needed. http://theheartofawakening.wordpress.com/.../exploring-a.../

  

  Exploring A Holistic Approach To Living & Well-Being

  theheartofawakening.wordpress.com

  “To be great, be whole; Exclude nothing, exaggerate nothing that is not you. Be ...See More

  Yesterday at 2:40pm · Edited · Like · 1 · Remove Preview
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  Jen Mor That is so true, Dawn. I am actively trying to practice being gentle with myself, it is something I sometimes forget to do. I try to remind myself, how would I speak to a friend who is in this position? I would always be kind. We need to be kind to ourselves too!

  Yesterday at 2:56pm · Like · 1
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  Dawn Herring That's a good point, Jen. How would you treat a friend? We should treat ourselves just as well!! It's a way to love ourselves from the inside out!

  Yesterday at 3:02pm · Like · 1
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  Sue Ekins I've done that with my journal. Pretend I'm talking to a friend about my current issue. What would my friend say? Or my wiser self?

  Yesterday at 3:03pm · Unlike · 3
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  Dawn Herring I like that, Sue. What would my friend say? I may try that!

  Yesterday at 3:06pm · Like · 3
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  Nathan Ohren Great way to frame the "dialogue" technique, Sue. I will be sharing that one in my next workshop.

  Yesterday at 3:07pm · Like · 3

Dawn Herring

Yesterday at 2:28pm

Journaling is a way to listen to our bodies; and you know what's really amazing? When we listen, it talks! And when we pay attention and truly take care of our bodies as we know to do, we will greatly benefit.

And once you get started, you'll want to stay connected, even on a daily basis. Listen Learn and Live!

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  Sue Ekins, Andrea Lewis and 2 others like this.
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  Sue Ekins I really need to focus on my body more often! What am I feeling right now? Normally I'd answer that with an emotion, but answering it regarding my physical self should be enlightening.

  Yesterday at 2:33pm · Like · 1
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  Sue Ekins Ha! This made me realize I've got a little headache. Maybe a tad tense from never having done this before. Deep breath, drink some water, feeling better.

  Yesterday at 2:46pm · Unlike · 1
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  Dawn Herring Okay, Sue, Breath!  I trust you're also having fun...

  Yesterday at 2:47pm · Like · 2
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  Sue Ekins Oh yes, Dawn! Such an exciting topic and fun to chat with everyone and hear their views and expertise.

  Yesterday at 2:50pm · Unlike · 2

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