Tag Archives: journaling

Ken and Barbara Stahura

Journaling After Brain Injury

JT_Ken_Barbara_Stahura

Barbara Stahura’s life was turned inside-out the moment her husband Ken was struck by an automobile.  The first four minutes of this episode, Barbara tells the story of how she turned to journal-writing to cope with the myriad of stressful details, and to create a path toward healing from the trauma.

The rest of the episode, Barbara shares why she is grateful that it happened.  Today, she is a Certified Journal Facilitator with The Center for Journal Therapy.  Her unique journal-writing workshops have been made into a workbook: “After Brain Injury: Telling Your Story”, a guide for people (re)shaping the stories they have of themselves and what’s possible. Barbara gives practical examples of writing exercises she uses in her workshops.

Barbara has also written a memoir, What I Thought I Knew, a heartfelt collection of stories, full of humor and insight, sharing life’s uncertainties and fears, bravery and joy.  Barbara also writes a blog and publishes articles on the subject of journaling and brain injury.

I especially enjoyed this episode because of Barbara’s love and passion for her work, and the difference she is making one workshop at a time.  (JournalTalk, Episode #17, October 14, 2013)

Credits:
Music: AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Journaling for Authentic Refreshment

Those of you already familiar with Dawn Herring will find this episode a special treat.  She is even more inspiring and engaging than you’ve come to expect from her years of hosting the weekly Twitter chat room she calls #JournalChat Live! Your “Refreshment Specialist” shares bountifully from her years of experience and hundreds of interviews.

Dawn Herring

Those of you meeting Dawn for the first time: get ready to meet a Wonder Woman in the field of journal writing.  Dawn Herring is a talent scout for journaling tips and techniques.  If you’ve published an article online about the many virtues or approaches to journal writing, chances are Dawn will find you!  And soon you’ll find yourself invited to the world’s largest chatroom arena on journaling, a Twitter event that she hosts on the first Sunday afternoon of each month at 1:00 PM Pacific / 4:00 PM Eastern (updated 12/8/13).

Our lively and profound conversation weaves in and out of personal stories, journaling tips, and a whole bunch of amazing projects that Dawn is up to.  From her fine art in pointillism, to a blog on electrical safety she maintains an aura she calls Authentic Refreshment for herself and those around her:  “Appreciate Yourself For Who You Really Are, Validate Your Feelings, and Nurture Your Soul.”  (JournalTalk, Episode #14, September 1, 2013)

Credits:
Music: Paul Mottram, ”Easy Bean Swing” and “Short n Sweet” (AudioNetwork.com)
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Ten Journaling Prompts for Self Love

Guest post by Carrie Leigh Sandoval

Journaling is an act of self love. Each time you choose to explore your inner reality, you are sending a powerful signal to your subconscious mind – “I am worth knowing.”  Many of us grew up believing it was our job to please others, to be selfless and not speak up about our opinions. This is one of the reasons I began journaling in the first place. It was the one place I could just be and feel at peace. What led you to journaling? Think about it for a moment. Then feel why it is so valuable to you.

The reason many of us start a new habit and don’t follow through with it is because we don’t feel worthy. We may say we don’t have time or energy, but the truth is, underneath all that is actually “I’m not worth the time and/or energy.”

But you are. I am too. And when we cultivate love for ourselves we give others permission to do so too. That’s how we change the world!

If you notice you’re breaking a commitment to yourself, recognize it, acknowledge it, forgive yourself and decide to do something different. You could spend the time you would have spent beating yourself up doing something more productive — like journaling! 🙂

Speaking of journaling, here are 10 prompts to fill yourself up with love:

  1. The top ten things that bring me peace are:
  2. When I am at peace with myself I feel . . .
  3. Ten ways I already show love for myself are:
  4. Ten new ideas to show myself I am worthy and deserving of love . . . (then, commit to doing at least one of these things today)
  5. I acknowledge my successes. Here are 20 things I’ve accomplished that made me feel awesome:
  6. Oops, I made a mistake. I forgive myself for:
  7. Here’s how I know I’m on the right track:
  8. Here are all the reasons I deserve love:
  9. I’m so great because…
  10. When I am feeling confident, this is how my world looks and flows:

By choosing to write on a regular basis, you are literally retraining your consciousness. Sometimes our brains resist change, but know it’s just something that happens naturally. Yet, each time you choose something different you are reprogramming your mind for success and abundance because you’re telling it – “I am worthy of love.”

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CarrieSandovalCarrie is a loving momma, journaling expert, law of attraction coach and author of “Journals Have Feelings Too: A Guidebook for Writing Your Way Back to Sanity.” Her healing journey began at the age of 14 when she had nowhere else to turn, but her journal. The discoveries she made about herself during this trying time later became the fuel for her passion. She is now guiding young women and their parents to transform their beliefs about themselves and the world so that they can live confidently and joyfully.

Connect with Carrie at her website for awesome blog posts and journaling prompts + sign up for a free chapter from her book!

Lynda Monk on JournalTalk

Journaling in Groups

JT_Lynda_Monk

It’s one thing to achieve personal transformation through the act and habit of journaling.  But there’s a new trend emerging among journal-writers: taking that transformation to the level of community.  My guest this episode is Lynda Monk, who has been journaling with her friends for several years, and ready to launch a book on the experience, Writing Alone Together:  Women Journaling for Creativity, Compassion and Community.

Lynda has been a Social Worker in Canada, for over 20 years, including 10 years of crisis intervention and counseling work.  In 2000, she founded Creative Wellness — a coaching and training business specializing in supporting the stress and burnout prevention needs of helping and healthcare professionals.  In 2009, Lynda became a Certified Co-Active Life Coach, and turned her passion for the transformational and healing power of therapeutic journaling into the heart of her business.  She offers “Writing for Wellness” workshops, presentations and coaching programs to  helpers, healers, caregivers and conscious-living enthusiasts.

Her company provides access to a wealth of resources for both the individual as well as organizations that seek enlivened practice and healthy living.   Her “Writing for Wellness: Getting Started Guide” (available for free on her website) is an impressive introduction to the art of therapeutic journaling, and is just one of the free resources she offers.

As you listen to my interview with Lynda, we’ll explore a powerful dynamic of journaling within the context of community.  Lynda touches on the power of storytelling, and encourages us to consider beginning our own journaling circle, for many of the same reasons a book enthusiast would join a book club.  I also appreciated the way Lynda so beautifully acknowledged how this podcast series itself is a project of community-building amongst journaling advocates.  (JournalTalk, Episode #11, July 22, 2013)

Credits:
Music: Alexander L’Estrange / Joanna Forbes ”Ooh Yeah” AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Journals Have Feelings, Too!

JT_CarrieLeighSandoval

This podcast series is a way to create and share within a community of people who have remarkable stories of growth and healing through journal-writing.  And the more I look for examples, the more incredible and numerous they come!

This week’s guest is Carrie Leigh Sandoval, author of Journals Have Feelings, Too!  In this episode, we discuss her book and the ways that journaling helped her through the dramas and traumas of her adolescence.  It’s no wonder that Carrie’s passion is empowering youth, showing them how to find, release, and heal past wounds, and replace them with new beliefs.  She also offers online coaching for teens and their parents.

Carrie is also a Law of Attraction coach, and after she shared what that means, she took me on a short journey to fulfill an intention of my own creation.  In turn, I used that as an example for another journaling exercise together!  So grab your journals and tune in as Carrie shares The Law of Attraction!  (JournalTalk, Episode #10, July 8, 2013)

Credits:
Music: Alexander L’Estrange / Joanna Forbes ”Ooh Yeah” AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Episode #9: Kids Can Journal Too!

Kids Can Journal Too!

For the past four months, I’ve been sharing my reasons for creating JournalTalk.  But I also want to share how JournalTalk is creating me!  In this episode, I discuss four profound lessons that I’ve learned since starting this project, along with a whole variety of other stories:

Nathan with Niece and NephewAll this, and more, on Episode #9 of JournalTalk!  (June 24, 2013)

Credits:
Music: Philip Guyler / John Stax “Bliss” AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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here.
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Episode #7: Journaling Out of the Whirlwind

Journaling Out of the Whirlwind

I am consistently impressed with each person I meet in the field of journaling; we are authentically glad to share our secrets, techniques, and we sincerely want to work in collaboration with one another.  My guest this week is Michael Pearlman, M.D., and while he is exceptionally gifted in the area of journal therapy, he is no exception to the generosity I have found among journaling teachers.  What sets Dr. Pearlman apart from others is the unique system he developed for transformative journaling he calls Out of the Whirlwind.  It’s free, online, confidential, and easy to use.

JT_Michael_Pearlman_OOTWWThis episode, Dr. Pearlman walks me through the five writing prompts of his online journaling tool, after I choose an area of focus.  The five prompts: APPRECIATION, KNOWING, MY VISION, CURRENT REALITY, and ACTION.  Listen as I transform a nerve-wracking dentist visit into “loving my mouth and all its inhabitants”.  You can also receive free training in this tool with Dr. Pearlman himself, on “Free Coaching Thursdays” once you start using the online journal.

Dr. Pearlman invites me (and by extension, all journaling coaches, and JournalTalk fans too) to participate in the expansion and co-creation of the future of this tool.  Check out this powerful method for getting to the heart of any issue.  Let us know what you think, and how you could use it in your own journaling practice!  Your comments below are encouraged!  (JournalTalk, Episode #7, May 27, 2013)

Credits
Music: Alexander L’Estrange / Joanna Forbes ”Ooh Yeah” AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Tami Egbert
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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To Listen:
Click on the “play” button > below.

Journaling for the Next Generation

JT_Sam+Son

In case you thought I only interviewed beautiful women, I had to prove that there are other men who enjoy discussing their journaling habits!  This episode, I’m pleased to introduce Sam, nick-named the “Digital Journaling Guru”.  Sam’s perspective is unique on several levels. An accomplished Civil Engineer with strong family values, he speaks about helping people ensure their writings safely reach future generations.

Sam and his wife Tiffany, started EasyJournaling.com for people who feel they journal better on a keyboard than by hand.  In fact, Sam has diplomatically settled the debate between those who type and those who hand-write, by stating it depends on your goal:  If you’re looking to preserve your writing for the future, using the latest technology is your key.  Sam has formulated a free online selection tool called BestJournalApp.com to help you figure out which journaling application should suit your needs best.

Sam is barely thirty years old, and yet has as much experience journaling as I have!  He’s been documenting his life (at the wise prompting of his parents) since the tender age of eight!  Now with children of his own, Sam advocates journaling as one of several effective ways to capturing life’s lessons and precious memories.  For writing prompts and guides, Sam respectfully points his followers back to myself and other journaling coaches.  But Sam is delighted to offer expert advice on best practices for digitizing, editing, securing, backing up, and printing your journal entries.  In our conversation, we discuss his brand-new podcast, Capturing Life Through Technology, as well as his plans for an upcoming Digital Journaling University!  Along the way, we discuss his book, 101 Reasons To Write a Journal, and exchange ideas about family newsletters, upgrading videos, photography and more.

Credits
Music: Alexander L’Estrange / Joanna Forbes “Ooh Yeah” AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

Juliet Platt with Handbook

Sailing the Seas of Self-Discovery

Juliet Platt with Handbook

The JournalTalk podcast goes international in this sea-voyaging episode!  Meet Juliet Platt, a creative journaling coach from Blunsdon (a village about one mile north of Swindon) in the southwest of the United Kingdom.  She’s the author of The Journal Writer’s Handbook, published in December 2012.  The Handbook is a complete journaling workshop in seven chapters, and Juliet explains how she uses the book in her coaching practice.

As usual, JournalTalk host Nathan Ohren takes the opportunity to highlight some powerful writing prompts and exercises, while touching on the many benefits of journaling.  In this episode, we explore why Juliet believes writing by hand is so helpful in self-discovery.  She gives us three favorite reflective writing techniques that you are sure to enjoy trying out.  Also: Juliet gives us cause to rethink the stereotype that journal-writing is an isolating, self-indulgent activity.  She shares how journal-writing can instead energize us to be more authentically self-expressed, more involved in our communities, and engaged in the world around us.  (JournalTalk, Episode #5, April 29, 2013)

Ambidextrous Journaling

Mari@CreateWriteNow.comIn this episode, I interview Mari McCarthy of CreateWriteNow, a bold, successful business woman and inspiring journaling coach.  Mari has been referred to as the “Oprah Winfrey” of journaling, leading hundreds of people to self-discovery, healing, and celebration with her straight-talk advice and upbeat wisdom.  In this interview, we learn where Mari stands on the debate between typing vs. hand-writing a journal.  We also get to hear a few of the many phrases Mari has coined for journaling motivation, such as Journaling for the Self of It.  

Best of all, Mari shares the amazing story that started CreateWriteNow.com.  About thirteen years ago, Mari suffered an episode of Multiple Sclerosis, where she lost sensation and function of the entire right side of her body, including her writing hand.  Being the pragmatic and disciplined person she is, Mari began a daily journaling routine as a method of physical therapy, to teach herself to write with her left hand . . . Only to uncover a buried memory that she actually had always been a lefty from early childhood, but had suppressed the inclination thanks to her Catholic school teachers. Today, Mari credits M.S. not only for her ambidextrous journaling practice but also the inspiration for launching her business.  WriteON, Mari!