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Posts Tagged ‘Journaling Prompt’

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 #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.

Giveaway Reminder

Time is running out. Only 5 more days are left for a chance to win a free copy of “Unleashing The Creative Child Within You”. Leave a comment here with some feedback to enter.

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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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Journaling Prompt #14 – Express Your Gratitude

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008



Expressing gratitude has a ton of positive effects on you.

  1. It helps you calm down.
  2. It makes you feel happier and more optimistic.
  3. It gives you a clearer view of the big picture in your life, a reminder of all the good things you’ve got but haven’t paid much attention to.
  4. Listing all the things you are grateful for can also give you an energy boost and put you in a good mood – no matter how you were feeling before.
  5. Another benefit of listing your gratitude and thinking positively is manifested by The law of attraction. According the the scholars of the “law of attraction” you attract what you think about into your life. Thus thinking positively brings positive things into your life.

There is always something to be thankful for. Always. Mostly the list of things to be thankful for is bigger than we can actually write or recollect in one sitting.

This week’s journaling prompt is to sit down, relax and start expressing your gratitude.

There are many ways to do so but in my opinion it is important to write it down, here are some ideas on how to write about your gratitude:

  1. Write down a list of things you are grateful for.
  2. Write about a person you appreciate in your life.
  3. Write a letter of gratitude to someone, expressing why and how you are grateful for him or her.
  4. Set a goal to express gratitude on a regular basis – daily/weekly/monthly… etc.
  5. Start a gratitude journal.

what are you grateful for? What is your favorite way of expressing your gratitude? Feel free to share your thanks by leaving a comment.

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Journaling Prompt #13 – Write A Handwritten Letter

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

My parents have recently received a letter addressed for me. A friend I haven’t seen or heard from for 10 years sent it to my parents’ house, which was also my home 10 years ago … I cannot express how excited I was and how happy I felt receiving that letter.

Truth be told, I would have probably been very excited had I received an e-mail from that old friend, rather than the old fashioned handwritten letter. Having said that, receiving an handwritten letter felt different. It brought me back 10 years and made me feel like my friend and I were saying our goodbyes just yesterday. It felt so real to see her familiar handwriting scribbled on the white paper with vibrant blue ink. Ten years have passed and I still recognize her handwriting and it still evokes the same emotions in me.

A handwritten letter is different. It is more engaging. It is more magical. It brings back old memories. It seems more personal. It is different.

This week’s journaling prompt is to write a letter to a long lost friend and mail it to him or to her.

Beware, magic can come about!

Check out these cool letter writing related links:
1. Letterfu
2. Calligraphy goodness
3. Visual inspiration

Last but not least, please share your letter writing experience with me.

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Journaling Prompt #12 – Summertime

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

This prompt begins with a magical song by George Gershwin, the first thing which comes to my mind when I think about summertime:

George Gershwin, Summertime

Summertime,
And the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’
And the cotton is high

Your daddy’s rich
And your mamma’s good lookin’
So hush little baby
Don’t you cry

One of these mornings
You’re going to rise up singing
Then you’ll spread your wings
And you’ll take to the sky

But till that morning
There’s a’nothing can harm you
With daddy and mamma standing by

Summertime,
And the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’
And the cotton is high

Your daddy’s rich
And your mamma’s good lookin’
So hush little baby
Don’t you cry

Gershwin’s summer is laid-back and tranquil. The summertime scene is so comforting, as a matter of fact, that it is used as a calming lullaby. Needless to say this song portrays much more than what is on its surface, but still it uses the summertime as the epitome of peace of mind and relaxation.

The warm weather evokes special emotions. It brings a promise of recreation and of taking time off the daily routine and into togetherness. The children are out of their schools. The parents are taking their yearly vacations and everyone seems to be on hiatus at a certain point during the summer.

Summer can be rainy in some places and smoldering hot in others, but it always brings along with it a shimmer of leisure and pleasure, entwined.

This week’s journaling prompt is all about the summertime. What does it mean to you? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment to this post or link to your blog.

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Journaling Prompt #11 – Picking The Less Obvious Point Of View -or- Being The Devil’s Advocate

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

I grew up in an affectionate and liberal household. My sisters and I were raised upon the virtues of love and respect and in my humble opinion, these are great values to grow up by.

I was taught that these values are measured not in times of peace but in times of war and despair. This life lesson is not easy to put into practice, but I am trying to follow it, the best way I can. I have found lately that writing can help me to follow through and practice love and respect in times of frustration and anger.

When you stumble upon a grave injustice in life, it is natural to get mad and let all the dark hatred loose. It is easy to see the wrongs and the faults in a vicious act – because it is wrong. It is much more difficult to look at the evil act through the eyes of the evil who has done it. Trying to find a purpose or a reason to something which is beyond understandable to us. Caution is essential, as you are going down a slippery slope here. You are not supposed to find justice in a bad deed. You are not supposed to accept it and understand it but you can look at it with a different set of eyes.

I find that writing about a horrible act of viciousness from the eyes of the villain can help me discharge my anger and inherent hatred. Mostly I feel better after that exercise for two main reasons:

  1. First, I am free to write whatever I wish, so I can give the villain a proper background that can somehow explain why he did what he did (abuse, indoctrination… etc.) and I can also take care that the villain receives a due punishment.

  2. Second, I can check out my own moral compass. By finding it extremely difficult to sink down the villain’s abysses I can see that my own moral compass is intact.

This week’s journaling prompt is to write about something extremely wrong which has happened recently from two different perspectives – your own perspective and the villain’s perspective.

Please share your writing through commenting to this post.

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