This blog has a new home!

Come follow the new blog at http://www.sanityjournals.com/the-sanity-blog.html 

See you there!

Awkward & Wonder-Full Growth...

Ironic, that my last post was the Stops & Go's of Journaling - maybe a future post could be the Stops & Go's of Blogging LOL ;-).

I'm growing and it's awkward...
I'm back!  Growing Sanity Journals is a strange, wonderful, and at times uncomfortable experience for me as I find myself morphing and changing as it alters size and shape.  In order for it to go to the next level, it means I have to shift (often reluctantly)in some new way and get uncomfortable as I stretch into what is next.  Well, I am happy to say I made it through and now I have been spending much of my time at The Journaling Lounge and creating what's next (oh no, that might mean another growth opportunity is on the way ;-))

The "creative bubble" burst!
I want to share what has transpired at The Lounge!!!!  It blasted off on November 3 and members were joining at midnight!  It was thrilling to see people logging in and "getting" the space that it was all created in - love, creativity and inspiration!  They immediately felt it!  It was thrilling to see what was in a creative bubble for so long come to life and open up in ways far beyond what I had imagined.  Our community is 109 and growing - and we come from all different places in the world!

What's the scoop, really?
It's about taking YOUR writing to a new and different level.  Even for me, trying this online journaling was awkward at first.  I find now that while I still often prefer pen to paper, there is a time for both and both can be insightful!  Ok, so The Lounge it's this "inspiring" place to hang out, where you want to stop by often just to see what's happening and get up to date on what's transpired in the lives of fellow Loungers.  You can even show up incognito ;-) - posting anonymously or for your eyes only for comfort's sake till you feel more daring!  It's about amazing stories that you can relate to on so many levels.  It's about people reaching out, letting others know "I have been there too".  It's about people being real, vulnerable and willing to put themselves out there for the sake of something greater.  One of my dear friends describes it as...."a delightful fresh alternative to mental and emotional "fast food"!!"
 
Creative bubble bursting again soon...
It's an alternative to traditional journaling, it might be a place to take it to the next level for you while being surrounded and supported by like-minded people!  And...I will be announcing new releases from the "creative bubble very soon"! Some super cool new stuff is coming to The Lounge in the next week or two!   
 
Thanks for letting me share!  Enough said...come on by!  I'll meet you there!

Day 7: The Stops & Go's of Journaling

On the journaling adventure you might encounter bumps, hills, stops and even roadblocks along the way!  At least I do!  Rest assured, it's normal and I'm here to inspire you and encourage you to pick yourself up and carry on...the rewards are well worth the journey!  This was the perfect topic for today's blog as I got stopped in my own blogging and haven't showed up in awhile!  I could give you a list of excuses (road bumps) for why I haven't been here...and I will - because they will be the perfect start to the things that might get in your way!
10 Potential Stops (excuses that get in the way of what you truly want)....

1. I have too many other things to do
2. I don't have time
3. I don't "feel" like it
4. I don't have anything to say
5. I'm not a writer
6. I'm not seeing the rewards
7. I'm afraid someone will find it
8. I'm afraid of opening the flood gates (emotion)
9. It feels selfish
10. I don't know where to begin
11. I'm afraid of what I might find

10 Reasons to keep on going...

1. Your sanity - you will have more fun and feel better doing all you do!
2. By taking time for you - you will actually find your energy elevates, your focus increases and you have more time to do all you truly want to do!
3. You will feel better and sigh relief by just clearing thought
4. Clear the clutter, negativity and the mind chatter that clouds your perspective
5. Reap the rewards of clearing the mind - and BE fully in the moment!
6. You just might discover your "voice" - your unique expression and view of life
7. Keep showing up and the rewards will knock your socks off!
8. Discover what stirs your heart, and makes you feel alive and inspired
9. Shift focus...Let go...Embrace change
10. Make time to find your quiet center, where you feel calm and confident amidst everything else!

Remember, there's no right way to journal, just YOUR way!

The Journaling Lounge is Open!

I am so excited!  The Journaling Lounge is open, alive and real!  It opened at midnight!  The idea surfaced in my journal, incubated in my journal, and grew in my journal.  Writing supported the entire process from conception of idea to action plan, to writing through doubt, fear, and uncertainty.  It's where I searched and found the courage to carry through on many a day.  And...now it's alive and real, taking on a life of its own where others can write, share stories, be inspired, stretch and grow into their magnificence!  Write it down, make it real...it works!

Come join me and others at The Journaling Lounge writing our way!  It is a community of people inspired to write, to turn up the volume on happy and take surviving to thriving!  You can create your online journal for free....and then from there sign up for Guided Journaling Experiences that will take you into various areas of life with guided prompts to ignite the writer in you!  Go to http://www.sanityjournals.com/ to create your free online journal!  See you at The Lounge!

Day 6: Journal Through Big Feelings...

I have journaled through the many faces of being human.  Next time you encounter BIG FEELINGS, pause and DO something different.  If possible, hold off on reaction and GRAB A JOURNAL, QUICK!  Write your way through the emotion.  Embrace it, HONOR IT, ALL WITH THE INTENTION TO MOVE THROUGH IT! 

ANGER....move through the feeling - voice it, get it out.  Stand back, remember your commitment to the situation at hand and make a choice from there.  Get clear about what, if anything needs to be communicated. 
OVERWHELM...write down everything that has you overwhelmed.  Stand back and prioritize.  Just getting it out of your head will make you feel better.  Then, prioritize and put into today, tomorrow, next week and next month categories.  Sign relief...
TAPPED OUT...take 5 minutes to write...unwind, relax and get present once again to the big picture.
HURT...write it out and try on taking responsibility and care for the hurt part of you! 
INSPIRED & ENERGETIC...have a journal handy for the funnel of ideas that come your way!

and so many more....for another day!
Feelings are just feelings...it's what you do with them that MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.  Next time, you encounter BIG FEELINGS grab your journal, sort it out, and ACT based on your commitments (what you truly want) and see what happens!

The Journaling Lounge Opens in Two Days!  I can't wait to see you there!

Day 5: A Glimpse into My Journal

So...on Day 2 of this series "Into a World of Journaling" I created "cheering myself on in life" as my focus.  This was a far-out concept at one time for me and even today feels a tad daunting.  I take this on knowing that if I could be successful part of the time I would greatly shift my reality.  Here's a glimpse in my journal from yesterday...

Cheering myself on...what does that mean for today?  It means being there for myself, telling myself "I can" accomplish what's in front of me, that "I can" complete all I need to do to launch the Journaling Lounge next week!  It means being diligent with my thoughts and steering them back on track when they want to dive into the gutter of negativity and self doubt.  It means I will write through worry and doubt when they show up.  It means when I fall down, it's not an opportunity to criticize, but a chance to pick myself up and carry on.  It means I will hold the vision of what I am up to in front of me and keep my eyes on what stirs my passion.  It means communicating with my loved ones when I need help.  It means taking care of my well-being even when it feels like I don't have time.  It means doing the things that I say are most important in the face of a long to-do list.  It means seeking and honoring the truth, even when it means taking a risk.  What if I could cheer myself on, just as I would a dear friend?

Have you declared a focus in your journal?  Are you willing to share?  I'd love to hear!

Day 4: An Imaginary Conversation...

I used to process things over and over in my mind...looking for the "right" answer or solution often to my own exhaustion, not to mention my missing out on the moment at hand because I was lost in my head thinking. I now almost always go to my journal when I catch myself in that processing mode - because I know from experience the power and purpose that takes place when I write. I can move through issues and feelings with more focus, intention and velocity - the truth surfaces and I can see things with intense clarity and wisdom.

Try this...

An imaginary conversation...it happened in my journal one day - I was stewing over a challenge in my life and had the thought, I should call my friend - I knew she would have great advice for me.  Without thinking any further, I began writing - asking the questions I had of her and realized the answers were right there - I was able to work out the situation through my imaginary conversation with her in my journal - sounds kinda crazy I know - but, IT WORKED!

Try it!  Bring a challenge you are faced with, or something that sits heavy on your heart to your journal today.  Think of someone you trust for great, honest advice. 

Have an imaginary conversation with them in your journal.  Ask questions, and then write down what they would tell you.  Share your experience!