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Archive for the ‘Journaling Prompt’ Category

Journaling Prompt #24 – Remember Your Teachers

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Teaching Math or Something

Illustration By: foundphotoslj from Flickr

A teacher affects eternity;
he can never tell where his influence stops.

Henry Brooks Adams had said and I agree. Our teachers define us and make us the individuals that we are; and by saying “our teachers” I do not necessarily mean the traditional school teacher.

The most valuable lessons I have learned didn’t come from my school-teachers. [Though I have had my share of inspiring school and university teachers as well.] My best teachers were the ones who have touched my life in some way.

I have recently shared with you the lessons I have learned from my nephew who has autism and a while back I have shared the way my grandfather, of blessed memory, had taught me some great lessons, which I have come to appreciate only after he passed away.

Similarly I have learned a lot from my parents, my friends, colleagues, public figures, bloggers I have been following and sometimes even complete strangers who have striked a chord in me while passing through the street.

For this week’s journaling prompt I ask you to remember your teachers.

While documenting the teachers in your life you might want to record the following things:

  • Who were the most memorable teachers in your life?
  • What were the most valuable lessons that you have learned?
  • Which lessons do you wish to pass on to your children?

Share –

Leave a comment and share who were your most treasured teachers and lessons with me.

I would like to mention two of my readers who have already written about great teachers in their lives:

  1. Kim Mailhot.
  2. Kristin Saegaert.

I hope you will enjoy reading their posts as much as I did.

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Journaling Prompt #23 – The One And Only, YOU

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

The one and only, YOU! I have noticed lately, that I say: “X, the one and only” very often. (The ‘x’ naturally stands for a different person each time.) This figure of speech has made me ponder…

Aren’t we all unique individuals? Isn’t each of us “the one and only”?

Every person is born and keep on growing and forming into a unique person. Everyone has a special set of skills, traits, thoughts, aspirations and looks. No one is the same (and thanks god for that 🙂 .) Everyone is one of a kind. Everyone has something he/she is particularly good at. Everyone can contribute a different outlook or a distinctive set of mind to a conversation. Everyone is unique.

A while back I have written a post on the importance of being authentic. Being authentic means to stay true to yourself and to believe in your own way. While authenticity is something you need to nurture, uniqueness is something you inherently have.

For this week’s journaling prompt I ask you to embrace your uniqueness.

Grab your journal and start writing:

  • What are your strongest traits?
  • What are your best skills?
  • What would the following people answer, when asked to describe you in a sentence:
    • Your colleague.
    • Your friend.
    • Your kids.
    • Your husband.
    • Your parents.
    • Your sibling.
  • What differentiate you from others? What makes you special?
  • What makes you, ‘YOU’?

Be nice to yourself! Write a long list or a short list, it doesn’t matter – as long as you are taking the time to observe and embrace your uniqueness.

Share –

Leave a comment and share your uniqueness with us.

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Journaling Prompt #22 – You Are Tagged

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

My childhood I was tagged by Hagit and by Anat, both are very talented Israeli artists (who also have another day job…). Even if you do not understand Hebrew, I highly recommend visiting their blogs for the visual inspiration.

The rules of this meme are simple:

  1. Link to your “taggers” on your post.
  2. Include the rules of the meme in your post.
  3. Write 7 random facts about yourself.
  4. Tag 7 other bloggers and notify them by commenting on their blog (I’ll skip this part, sorry, I’d rather leave an open invitation).

As I am trying to keep this blog as useful as possible for you, I will write a few words about this “tagging meme” and why I think you can benefit from playing along with it.

I am a great advocate to preserving life’s stories. I have even suggested to precede the stories to the photos. I believe we should give as much attention to the memories and the stories behind the yellowing photos as we give to taking and keeping the photos. I would even go further more and bluntly say I believe we should give more attention to the words.

However, saying it is much easier than actually doing it… If we are not used to recording our life’s stories than we have a life time of catching up before us… So many stories to tell and no idea where to start.

The “tagging meme” is an excellent place to start. By choosing 7 random facts, you are starting the documenting process. You can have several “tagging” sessions and add more and more random facts, as you are coming up with them. The first set of random facts would naturally be the most memorable and maybe most defining and you can go on from there.

So, for this week’s journaling prompt I challenge you to start documenting your life’s story by picking 7 random facts about yourself and writing them down.

Here are seven random facts about me:

  1. When I was a baby I was abducted from the supermarket (and was found shortly afterward). A crazy, childless, woman just grabbed my stroller and ran outside the supermarket, while my mom was picking up vegetables 🙂 I guess I was a cute baby 😉
  2. I have just celebrated my 28th birthday in Barcelona (I was born in 20.Oct.1980).
  3. As a lawyer I used to spend every free lunchtime I had (with no meetings or other obligations) reading scrapbooking and writing blogs and buying supplies I had never had the time to use.
  4. I have an addiction problem. I do not drink, do not smoke and never did/do/will do drugs – BUT I am addicted to Pringles. I am especially addicted to “Rice Infusion Sweet BBQ”. Yikes. (Any tips for a quick withdrawal, anyone?!?)
  5. I cannot hide resentment (particularly when someone lies to me), however, I have no idea how to cut myself off from a negative/harmful/annoying friend.
  6. I used to believe in magic and fairies. I especially remember a story my sister used to tell me about a magical typewriter that fulfills all your wishes, when you type the words ‘I wish’ in it. I used to spend a lot of time looking after the secret recess in the wall in which the secret typewriter is hidden…
  7. I have an obsessive compulsive need to wash my hand after touching a mop or a bin lid… (and I can’t stand when people are throwing the cleaning cloth in the sink after they are done. Arghhh.)

Share –

Tell me 7 random things about you, I’m curious 🙂

More memes on Creativity Prompt:

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Journaling Prompt #21 – Failure

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008
En la orillita...
Image by MariClick via Flickr

This week’s journaling prompt is an exercise in self reflection that prepares the ground for next week’s Inspiration prompt – so stay put and make sure to come back on Monday, October 20th

Failure is a natural and integral part of our lives. Failure is an intrinsic part of learning a new skill or mastery. We try and we fail. Sometimes we try again and sometimes we are so discouraged from our failure that we stop and move over to the next challenge, or stop and fret about it…

For this week’s journaling prompt I want you to set aside at least half and hour and reflect about what you consider as your failures in life –

  • List 3-5 things you are considering as your personal failure.
  • Why do you consider these things as failures?
  • What do you think is the cause of these failures?
  • Do you consider those things as a small or a big failure?
  • What have you learned from these failures?
  • Have you given one of your challenges a second try after failing at it?
    • If so – what happened after the second (third, fourth, etc.) trial?
    • If not- why haven’t you tried again? What stopped you?

Share –

I know it is a difficult and a very personal subject, but if you wish to share your thoughts about it, I’d love to hear what you have in mind, so leave a comment.

The winner is…

The winner of the book: Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino is:

.

Her comment was:

I am celebrating the new year by reflecting back on the joys of being a mother and seeing the rewards as my children launch their independent lives. It’s my first year as an empty nester and as painful as it is, I know I’ve done my job and that my children’s success away from me is a true blessing.

Congratulations, Elizabeth. Please send me your address so I can send you the book. (I’m sorry but If I don’t get your address by Wednesday, 22nd October (2008) – I’ll have to choose another random winner – so make sure to send it ASAP 🙂 .)

The process of choosing a winner was very high tech, as you can see for yourself:

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Journaling Prompt #20 – Write A 25-Words Poem About Connecting

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
Won't know when
Image by Jon Jacobsen via Flickr

This is a lovely project initiated by Liz Strauss which I have stumbled upon on Amy’s blog.

Memes are a great way to dissolve a writer’s block. The rules and the structure of the meme act as a guide. It shows you the way that crosses the block and helps you create something new. Usually after you have created something – from start to finish – the dam is breached and an avalanche of ideas comes through.

Try that, it’s exhilarating.

Going back to this meme’s subject – “Connecting” – it is a great subject to dwell upon by itself, whether you are tackling a writer’s block or not or whether you are into memes at all.

The rules are: (As stipulated on Liz’s initial blog post)

  1. Think about connections, connectedness, being linked together, synchronicity, serendipity, community, oneness.
  2. Write a sentence about it.
  3. Count the words you have written.
  4. Edit the sentence until you have 25 words exactly. Notice how your idea changes as you edit and how your feelings change with each rewrite.
  5. Add a picture if you can.
  6. Post your 25 words on your blog by October 16th.
  7. Link back to Liz’s post.

My 25-words:

When you are far away
and out of my reach,
I know we breathe the same air
and watch the same sky;
I’m happy again.

Share –

I will be happy to read your 25-words.

Either link to your blog or write your 25-words at the comment section below.

I am also interested in your thoughts about “Connecting” in general.

Psst… You have one more week for a chance to win a copy of the book: Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino.

Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment here. Just follow the instructions and secure your place at the raffle.

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Journaling Prompt #19 – Affection

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Affection

I took this picture at Dublin’s zoo. The closeness and gentleness of the Orangutans were overwhelming. The female Orangutan stroked the little one gently and softly looked at his eyes. However, what really got me was something I’ve noticed only after downloading the pictures to my computer – the way the monkeys held their hands together. I guess the need to be touched affectionately is deeply rooted…

Look at the sadly looking eyes of the baby-monkey. Can you see the way it conveys his feelings to his mother monkey? The way it asks and receives the mother-monkey’s sympathy and affinity? The touch – a mere holding of the hands – is so simple yet the impact is so immense. It is absolutely enchanting.

This week’s journaling prompt, in light of the Jewish holidays, is “Affection”.

  • Have you been enamored by an expression of affection lately? Describe it. Who was the affectionate party and who was the recipient?
  • Are you into showing your affection in public? If so, how do you show it?
  • Do you show your affection only behind closed doors? If so, what is the reason for that?
  • What is your favorite expression of affection?
  • Who would you like to show his or hers affection towards you? Has he or she done it lately?
    • If so, when and how was it?
    • If not – what do you think is the reason for the frostiness? Are you conveying your needs and feelings clearly enough?

Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment on this post.

Psst… You have a chance to win a copy of the book: Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino.

Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment here. Just follow the instructions and secure your place at the raffle.

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Journaling Prompt #18 – I am

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

Me at 4
Another meme for this week’s journaling prompt. This time the subject is a neglected – yet an important one – “I am me. Who are you?” by the brilliant Amy.

Using a list is actually a great way to journal about a subject which doesn’t come easy to you (like writing about yourself). Use the meme to paint a pretty decent picture of where you are at right NOW with your words:

I am: the accumulation of moments I have had so far. People I have met. Places I have been to. Experiences I have had.

I think: too much about too many things.

I know: very little and have lots of room for learning more and more.

I have: plenty.

I wish: I will always feel I have plenty.

I hate: lies. It’s an immediate deal breaker.

I miss: My family.

I fear: being alone in the dark. (sometimes I fear being alone. Period).

I hear: the voice of reason and shut it off…

I smell: the air freshener… What can I say, I live at the city center, there are no flower fields near by.

I crave: Rice Pringles. Arrrrr. (I’m telling you, they are putting something in it which is highly addictive).

I search: for my muses.

I wonder: What will be our next step in life…

I regret: Ever regretting about anything, though I know I’ll keep on having regrets every once in a while (so often…).

I love: My loving and supporting hubby.

I ache: There are still people in the world who lives/thrives on hatred.

I am not: There yet…

I believe: in miracles.

I dance: like no one is watching (and being told off…)

I sing: like a crow (though I was on my elementary school’s quire)…

I cry: not only in movies but while reading as well…

I fight: my demons and win.

I win: whenever I believe in myself. It works like magic.

I lose: when I stop believing.

I never: smoke.

I always: change my mind.

I confuse: politeness with friendliness too often.

I listen: to way too eclectic music…

I can usually be found: in close proximity to my e-mail…

I am scared: of getting it all wrong.

I need: a real, not-through-skype, hug from my niece and nephews.

I am happy about: following my dreams.

I imagine: a day without a single worry.

I tag: YOU!!!

Pleases share your own list – either write a post on your own blog and post a link at the comments below, or leave a loooooong comment with all your answers. I would really like to hear all about you.

While you’re at it, take a peek at Joce’s take on it. It’s both hilarious and moving at the same time.

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Journaling Prompt #17 – Regrets

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
two paths.  choose one.Image by Ryan B. Schultz via Flickr

There are infinite forks in life’s road. You are constantly obliged to make decisions and in today’s fast pace living you need to make your choices quickly. Each decision you make is also a path you choose to go through and a path you choose to abandon…

All these paths you have not chosen to take can lead you to the notorious, yet inevitable question: “What if…”

Sometimes the “what ifs” in our lives are wrapped in a misty veil of daydreaming about parallel lives. Sometimes the “what ifs” are smothered with the ugly bitterness of regret.

Crying over spilled milk is useless. We have established that, haven’t we?! But somehow we do not manage to actually apply that rule… The temptation of regret is too great (I have failed to understand why. It might have something to do with the part of brain who’s in-charge of Pringles related thoughts 😉 ).

Regrets can show up in our lives over minor things (like spilled milk…, a photo not taken, a missed train) and sometimes we can regret an entire journey we have taken or not taken in life.

This week’s journaling prompt is to write about your regrets.

Today, for instance, I regret opening up the door to a total stranger and letting him fiddle around with the intercom… (It might be well worth regretting… I hope a follow up post won’t be necessary 😐 ).

I have also other, more profound, “what ifs” on my mind at almost any given moment. It isn’t healthy and it is totally futile, but if the regrets are occupying my thoughts anyway, why not to spill them over on a piece of paper and get over with them?

So, what are your “what ifs”? What revolving doors are you daydreaming about? What are your regrets in life? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment on this post.

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Journaling Prompt #16 – Impossible Achievements

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

You can do anything you set your mind into doing. I know you can.

There are many times when you (and I) are questioning our abilities and not realizing how powerful we really are. In these days stories of heroes like Dick & Rick Hoyt, a father and son also known as “Team Hoyt”, can motivate us and remind us that we can!

I was about to write a different prompt, but the Hoyt story had inspired me so much that I decided to change my original journaling prompt for today. I wanted you to be as inspired as I have been.

Tremendous achievements like this one of the Hoyt Team are keeping us in awe, but we must not forget our achievements – small ones and big ones alike. Our own achievements throughout the years can not only inspire us on bad days and respark our motivation, but can also inspire our posterity. Both objectives are important enough for us to take the time and write down our accomplishments.

This week’s journaling prompt is to make a note of our achievements.

5 Ways To Keep Track Of Your Achievements:

  1. Make a list. Jot down a simple list of all your accomplishments. List everything that comes in your mind. Do not belittle any of the things. Do not criticize them and do not consider whether anything is worthy of being listed. If you have done something that pops into your mind when you are thinking about you life’s accomplishments, than it belongs there.
  2. Use a time line. Different stages in life call for different challenges and also bring along different achievements. Make a simple thematic, as well as chronological, time-line. From childhood/through your teens/college/university/career/family and so on. Let the time line guide you through memory lane and write what where your achievements on each step. This process can provide an interesting outlook on life and on your personal development.
  3. Concentrate on 3 main achievements. Personally, I prefer to remember both small and big achievements. Many times things which are considered small now can take a turn later on and become much more appreciated. However, if writing down your entire history of achievements sounds too tiring and time consuming, than concentrating on the major ones is better than nothing. Think about 3 things that you are most proud of and write everything you can remember about them. Choosing just 3 accomplishments enables you to take your time and thoroughly document all the relevant details as well as the emotions which were involved – before/during and after the deed. Don’t forget to also mention how did that personal success contribute to you on the long run.
  4. Write a letter. Try a different take on commemorating your greatest accomplishments. You do not have to actually send those letters, but the different format might yield different set of emotions and a new perspective that you may appreciate afterward.

    • Write a letter to yourself. That method works well with recent accomplishments that you might forget in the future. Write down one major thing that you are proud of or a list of your recent accomplishments and mail it to yourself or tack it in a place you don’t frequently go to. You will be happy with the boost of confidence you will get once you reopen that letter.
    • Write a letter to your child or to your future child. In the letter include some of your main accomplishments. Describe the struggle you had experienced in achieving them and how the process itself, as well as the end result, had helped you to evolve.
    • Write a letter to the people on your journey. Write a letter to the supportive husband, friend or colleague who had helped you to achieve what you have achieved. Write how much you appreciate their help and support. Write a letter to someone who stood in your way. Write to your boss or to a former boss who did not believe in you and brag.
  5. Start a habit of awareness. One of the first posts on Creativity Prompt called for paying attention to “the little things” in life. If you haven’t done it already, adopt a new habit of awareness today. Start or finish each day with journaling about all the things you have achieved that day (or the day before). Write everything down and amaze yourself with how well you have actually done. Writing down everything from the day you were born may be overwhelming, but don’t let this staggering feeling stop you from starting a new habit from now on. After all – you deserve it.

What are your greatest accomplishments? Is it the little things in life or the huge successes that you are mostly proud of? Please share your thoughts with me and leave a comment.

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Journaling Prompt #15 – New Beginnings

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Time to begin something new

September brings along many new beginnings. The new school year (for the students, teachers or parents among us). A new season. A fresh post-vacation start at work – whether at the office or at home. New releases of TV schedules and products as well as the beginning of the new year by the Hebrew calendar.

New beginnings are inherently flooding us with contrasting emotions. On the one hand we are filled with excitement and anticipation of the opportunity to start afresh; but on the other hand feelings of fear and apprehension are flooding us as well. The fear of change and the end of former phases in our lives.

A great way of dealing with the avalanche of ambivalent emotions is to write them down. Take your favorite pen and your favorite notepad and journal (am I the only one who has favorite pens + notepads?!?) and convey all these mixed feelings into the blank paper.

Writing everything down is not only therapeutic but can also help you to brainstorm a better beginning for yourself and your loved ones.

This week’s journaling prompt is to write about your beginnings.

  • What new beginnings are you facing at the moment?
  • What feelings does the new beginnings provoke in you?
  • What lesson would you like to teach yourself or your loved ones about dealing with beginnings from your past experience?
  • How are you going about your new beginnings? Do you have any special plans? Have you got some new resolutions for a fresh start?
  • What do you wish for yourself on your new beginning?

I will be very happy if you shared your thoughts about new beginnings with me. Please leave a comment to this post.

Do not miss your chance to win a free copy of my new e-book. Leave a comment with some feedback on this blog here to preserve your place at the giveaway.

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