Sunday Journal Prompt

“What creative work are you doing that has no goal?” 

 

- Writer and college professor Dr. Kirsten Ogden

During our three-state drive to a writing retreat, my friend Kirsten and I talked about our many projects—books, articles and essays in progress; curriculum changes and new grading strategies we’re working on to improve our teaching; and our business-building ideas linked to promoting the health of others.

Then this dear, long-time friend—who knows how goal-driven I can be—asked me what else I’m doing creatively. What am I creating just for fun? I loved this question and felt myself take a deep, fulfilling breath.

During the past year, I’ve experimented with new recipes, feng shui and glass blowing without expecting results—a rarity for me. I also consider my daily journal writing as creative work without publishing goals. On a recent park outing with two of my nieces, we set up our art supplies in a playhouse where we drew, colored and painted together just for fun.

This playtime has become just as important, if not more important, to who I am and who I am becoming than my resume will ever reveal.

 

What are you creating just for fun?

What would you like to create?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Journal Prompt

“The time to take the cookies is when they’re being passed.”

 

– Cicely Clark O’Donovan, my grandmother

 

My cousins and I often repeat our grandmother’s words: “The time to take the cookies is when they’re being passed.” In other words, seize the day. Don’t let an opportunity pass you by but rather assert yourself in the moment.

My husband has taught our sons to step up when an opportunity arises. When we visited NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center, the tour guide asked for volunteers when our group entered a mock newsroom. For a split second people looked at each other. Yet before I could even process what we might be in for, my boys, at ages 12 and 14, shot up their hands. “I’ll do it,” Alex shouted. “Me too,” Michael said. They were all in. And I treasure the videos of their mock newscasts, an experience that enriched our trip to New York City. 

I tend to think too much about opportunities that come my way. I ask countless questions to know exactly what to expect. Of course, in some cases, this is a wise move. Before moving four states away, I wanted to know as much as possible about what the new job would entail and what the city had to offer. But other times I know I’d benefit from taking a chance, from taking those cookies when they’re being passed, even if I don’t know exactly what they’re going to taste like.

When have you hesitated and when have you jumped at opportunities?

What were the results?

 

Sunday Journal Prompt

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”   

 

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Often we blame others for our unrest. Have you heard yourself say phrases like these? “He drives me crazy when he _____________.” “I hate it when __________.” “I wish she would _____________.” I’m not saying that what other people do isn’t annoying or frustrating, but we are the ones who determine how we react—externally and internally.

When I don’t take care of myself, my defenses are down. That’s when I’m most likely to get bent out of shape by the behaviors of others. I let external factors alter my sense of peace. But when I go to bed early (which enables me to awaken on my own without an alarm), eat wisely (avoiding sugar and processed food), practice yoga, read inspiring literature, write in my journal and meditate daily, I am fortified. I can better weather life’s annoyances, promoting peace within myself and sharing it with those around me.

What’s one way you can

promote peace for yourself today?

 

 

 

Sunday Journal Prompt

“The strong, calm man is always loved and revered.

He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land or a sheltering rock in a storm.”

– James Allen, English writer

 

This quote describes my husband Robert, who manages stress well and keeps the big picture in mind. He is my rock, my shade tree. My emotions tend to fluctuate, often in response to a temporary crisis. During these times, he offers sound advice that helps ground me. It’s as if he’s lived life before and knows what’s important and what’s not. I’ll admit that while I’m in the midst of some drama, I don’t always want or take his advice. In these cases, I typically see the wisdom of his guidance after the crisis has passed. 

What makes him the way he is? While nature and nurture play a big role, I believe his habits do too. He prays nightly, often expresses gratitude for his blessings, has a deep, unwavering understanding of his priorities, and doesn't commit to more than he's able to take on.

Who is it that offers you stability?

What can you learn from him or her?

 

 

Sunday Journal Prompt

What story are you telling yourself?

 

Often we tell ourselves a story so much that we believe it and live it: I’m not disciplined enough to lose weight, I’m not a good enough wife/mother/daughter/sister/friend, I’m not smart enough.

In a study about personal story editing, researchers gathered 40 college freshman at Duke University who were struggling academically and who felt their intellect was not on par with other students. Those who watched videos of older students who talked about how their grades improved as they adjusted to college not only did better on a sample test, but also boosted their GPAs and were less likely to drop out than those who received no story-changing intervention, as reported in Tara Parker-Pope’s New York Times article, “Writing Your Way to Happiness.”

What’s your self-defeating story?

 

Give yourself a story-changing intervention session by writing down a new story—one in which you will succeed.