Sunday Journal Prompt

When the Dalai Lama was asked what surprised him most about humanity, he answered, “Man, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then, he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then, he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die and then dies having never really lived.”

 

When have you pushed yourself so hard that you got sick? What were the consequences of that? What specific steps can you take to avoid this?

Sunday Journal Prompt

“What you seek seeks you.”

 – Rumi  

 

The universe is not out to get us, though it may seem that way at times. In this quote from 13th-century Persian poet, philosopher and theologian Rumi, the Sufi mystic tells us that what we want is what wants us. So what is stopping us from getting what we want? What’s delaying the ability for what we want to find us? Often it’s ourselves.

Is there anything you’re doing or not doing that’s blocking you from getting what you want? Perhaps it’s a counterproductive action or belief. How can you reduce obstacles or shift your beliefs so that what you seek can find you?

Sunday Journal Prompt

“Writing down the energy drainers and boosters helped me see the things I need to cut out of my life.”

– Kaitlyn Ambrose, Ohio State University student

 

We spend time with people and participate in activities daily. Some inspire us, and others drain us. By interacting with them on the page, you’re likely to come to new discoveries.

Make two columns on your page. On the left, list the things that drain your energy—such as tasks, activities and people. (My list includes sugar, lack of sleep and negative people.) On the right, list what gives you energy—tasks, activities and people. (For me, those include laughing with my children and writing in my journal.)

Choose a few items and do a freewrite about them—which means that you keep writing for a few minutes even if you’re not sure what you want to say. Afterwards, answer these questions: How you can spend more time with energy givers and less time with energy drainers? Continue to think about and contribute to this list over the next few days. Keep considering this: What can you do more or less of to regain energy—to stoke the fire within you?

Sunday Journal Prompt

Nature can heal our nature.

A walk in the woods always lifts my mood. According to Japanese religion Shintoism, a divine spirit dwells in all of nature and brings joy and bounty to life—which connects to a positive state of mind. The Japanese practice Shinrin-yoku, “forest bathing,” has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and blood pressure while raising energy, according to scientists at Chiba University in Japan. And breathing in phytoncides, compounds trees release, may boost our immune system for more than a month, according to an Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine study.

How has being in nature benefited you in the past? What can you do today to benefit from nature’s healing effects?

 

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?