experiences – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

From Journaling to Blogging

LatishaJanuary 27, 20199 Replies

Journaling, Blogging, Pink Flower, Reflection, Journal Prompts — pexels

The past is your lesson. The present is your gift. The future is your motivation. – Unknown Author

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today, I want to discuss the process from journaling to blogging. As a start, it’s important to know that journaling is whatever you want it to be. You are in control and can define what journaling means to you. For example, I chose journaling to express myself while grieving the death of my mother. Simply put, journaling can be your creative way to record life in general and all its amazing experiences.

JOURNALING SNAPSHOT

Journaling can be done online or using a journal notebook. Journaling is a form of expression and is always a personal journey to help cleanse one’s soul. For example, when you choose to write in your journal, you can begin the healing process to release various emotions, such as pain, hurt, or guilt; feelings, such as sadness, happiness, or loneliness; practicing self-reflection by designing your journal pages using colorful markers, stickers to add a personal touch, or including pictures and quotes.

Remember, journaling holds all of your emotions, thoughts, and feelings in one sacred place. Journaling has a way to uncover parts of yourself you never thought existed. Journaling can be fun, but also can be a serious process to help you cope with many life’s challenges, such as depression, grief, or loneliness. The most important fact about journaling is you have total control throughout the experience. You can keep it secret or share it with others.

JOURNALING TO FIND YOURSELF

Your life only gets better when you do. Work on yourself and the rest will follow. – Unknown Author

Now, let’s take the journaling process to the next level. How about using the journaling process to find yourself? Journaling is a way to capture ideas and keep your dreams alive until you can put them in motion. We have to be ready and willing to do what’s necessary to grow, to learn, and most importantly, to find yourself.

1. To ponder and pen your big dreams – Your journal is an ideal place to write out all of your desires and dreams. If there were no limits, what would you want to become? Who would you want to meet? What would you have? Where would you go? Write it all down, describing in detail what your success would look like. By doing this, you can begin to put the laws of success attraction into motion.

2. To get clarity and solve problems faster – When you are unable to see a clear path in your life, it’s better to jot down all those thoughts swirling around in your head. Writing things out gives you the accurate perspective necessary to attract the right solutions. Take a moment to write down questions related to your problems. In fact, you should have an attitude of expectancy that you will find the right answers.

3. To chart what works – Journaling about your ideas, successes, and even failures empowers you to backtrack to see what’s working in your life and what’s not. It’s important to be honest with yourself and be willing to make the necessary adjustments where needed to live a rewarding life.

4. To track your past victories – Take a moment to celebrate your victories and write when and where you have excelled in life. It’s easy to remember your every mishap, but also make an effort to note what’s going right in your life as well.

5. To plan and strategize – Use your journal for both short-term and long-term planning. This process will allow you to work through specific strategies on how you will accomplish your goals. Plan everything from the week ahead to the entire year in your journal.

6. To create a success action routine – Your success action routine should consist of time for meditation and visualization, speaking positive affirmations and reviewing your goals. Visualize yourself completing your goals and feeling the benefits and rewards of doing so.

7. To take control over your future – Journaling about your ideal life and begin to act as if you have that life right now. Be descriptive and detailed in your writing. This will help you prepare for an opportunity that doesn’t exist yet, and ready yourself for the victory to come.

8. For self-improvement – Your journal is a safe place where you can truly be honest with yourself. This is your book, your story, your journey. You have no limitations or boundaries. Your journal is private so you can express yourself and get to know who you really are and what you truly desire.

9. To help you through the decision-making process – In your journal, you can list pros and cons when you are faced with having to make a difficult decision. Write out every possible outcome and use this to guide you through the decision-making process.

10. To keep you in a state of gratefulness – As you go through the process to find yourself, stay grateful throughout your journey. Express gratitude in your journal. Slowing down to make note of what you’re thankful for can relieve you of anxiety, stress, and help you to enjoy life to the fullest. In addition, the act of gratefulness also draws more positivity your way, helping you to create a cycle of success.

Then, after a few months, I decided to move from journaling to blogging. Remember, you may go through this same process, but for different reasons.

BLOGGING SNAPSHOT

There are many reasons why people start blogging. Some people start blogging as a hobby and for some people it’s a career. Blogging can be defined as a website containing a writer’s or group of writers’ own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other websites, a single entry or post on such a website.

For example, setting up my Renew Inspiration blog was a challenging experience, but yet rewarding at the same time. Through this experience, I found my true passion, inspiring my supportive audience (that’s you) through writing in the form of blogging. So, thank you for believing in me and taking the time to visit my blog often. Remember, this experience is not complete without you.

The blogging experience improves your life in the following ways:

• Help you become a better writer and thinker

• Lead you to a healthier lifestyle and choices

• Inspire other people with encouraging words

• Allow you to network and meet new like-minded people

• Create awareness or getting your voice heard

• Satisfy your creative side and gaining knowledge through research

DOWNSIDE TO BLOGGING

Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience. – Unknown Author

Blogging is popular because it is a great marketing tool and helps you make money, but it also has a downside.

• Blogging requires a commitment and takes a great deal of time to manage. For blogs to be effective at SEO and engaging readers, it needs to be updated regularly.

• Blogging involves creativity and you having a passion to write about things you enjoy. To keep the content flowing, you have to keep the readers engaged with awesome ideas, tips or suggestions.

• Blogging can provide income for some people, but the payoff is not immediate. One of the biggest frustrations with blogging is that it is time-consuming with little payoff in the beginning. It takes time to build up a readership and momentum.

Whether you are journaling or blogging, it is important to remember, ideas to write about can be found all around you. Take a moment and look around you right where you are. Inspiration is not required to knock at your door twice so enjoy the process as you help find yourself through the experience and inspire others at the same time.

Journaling, Blogging, Writing, Pink Flower, Life Experiences, Reflections — pexels

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

I am blessed. I am beautiful. I am brave. I am bold. I am strong. I am enough. – Unknown Author

Journal Prompts are given to inspire you to write freely about your life and to help you find yourself.

• What does a successful life look like to you?

• What do I want to accomplish in my life today?

• How can I create more acceptance in my life?

• What feels like a struggle at the moment?

• What is your biggest regret?

• How have I been holding myself back?

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?

• How can I take a step forward?

SHARE YOUR JOURNALING AND BLOGGING EXPERIENCES

I aspire to be a giver. A giver of love, a giver of good vibes and a giver of strength. – Unknown Author

Do you enjoy journaling and/or blogging? Please share your journaling and blogging experiences. We can learn from one another and grow through one another’s learning experiences.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Moving, but Standing Still

LatishaSeptember 27, 20189 Replies

waterfall, woman, stillness, still, peace — pixabay

Be not afraid of slow going, be afraid of standing still. – Chinese Proverb

Special Thought – Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Since we last spoke, have you taken time to renew your inspiration? Are you inspired to become better than you were yesterday? What drives you to push forward when obstacles arise in life? Who inspires you to reach for your dreams throughout this journey?

As you’re thinking about the previous questions, I have another one for you to think about. Have you ever felt like you keep moving and moving through life, but you are standing still? Yes, you are busy with life, spending time with your spouse, family and friends, caring for your children, working, shopping, cleaning, enjoying your favorite hobby, etc. But when you really think about your internal happiness, health and spiritual well-being, you have to be honest with yourself. Your life is really not changing in a positive way. There is no personal growth. You’re scared to be spontaneous and have fun. You never want to leave your comfort zone. There is very little sparkle within your circle of friends.

Now, if this sounds familiar have no fear. Just keep reading and I promise you will receive an inspirational word that will not only help you overcome this moving, but standing still season in your life, but you will be able to make a mental connection with your body and spirit as well.

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. – Lao Tzu

10 Steps to Stop Moving, but Standing Still

Step 1. Make sure to be realistic while putting your thoughts into perspective honoring your personal beliefs.

Step 2. Don’t be afraid to prioritize things that matter most to you in your life right now.

Step 3. Remove all negativity, both people and things.

Step 4. Don’t be afraid to say NO to others and think positive thoughts throughout your day.

Step 5. Start using a calendar or planner to organize your appointments and errands.

Step 6. Create a separate To-Do List daily to stay organized and stress free.

Step 7. Treat your body well and with respect.

Step 8. Exercise daily and eat a well-balanced diet to include plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Step 9. Set realistic goals, create a plan to reach your goals and track your progress.

Step 10. Spend time in prayer, meditation and reading God’s Word to receive the proper guidance in your life.

The fact that I’m still standing on my own two feet, in a world that has tried its best to knock me down over and over again, proves only one truth; I am unbreakable. – Stephanie Bennett-Henry

Still Standing – Written by Latisha Porter

Note – This poem was written based on Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.

Despite what my life may look like from your perspective, I am still standing.

I have endured heartache and pain, but yet I am still standing.

I have been broken time and time again, but yet I am still standing.

I have known hardship and I have lost myself time and time again, but yet I am still standing.

I have experienced hurt like no other from a defiant child that I chose to adopt, but yet I am still standing.

I have suffered the loss of my parents which put a huge hole in my heart, but yet I am still standing.

I have struggled through the grieving process, anxiety and depression, but yet I am still standing.

I am standing on God’s Word which gives me inner strength to move forward in life and my faith which gives me these inspiring words to encourage you as well.

Remember my friend, God will make a way for you and me, we need only to be patient and be still.

Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts

• What do you think about you?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What are you feeling right now in this very moment?
• What makes you happy inside?
• What makes you smile?
• What brings you joy?
• What are your values?
• What do you believe in?
• What are you grateful for? List at 5 things and tell why.
• What are you having a hard time accepting? Why is it hard to let go?
• Write yourself a love letter. Make sure you talk yourself through a struggle.
• How can you create space for self-love in your life right now and in the future?

My dear readers, I sure hope you have read something today that has given you a boost of positive energy and some ideas to help you stop moving, but standing still throughout your personal journey. Please be so kind to share this blog with others who may need an encouraging word. Peace and blessings to you!

Time for Action
Please leave a comment and share what you have chosen to do differently in order to better organize your mind, body and spirt. Remember we learn from one another, so don’t be shy. I look forward to reading your comments.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Renew Inspiration is a participate in the Target Affiliate Program which is an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Target.com

Pure Worship Experiences

LatishaSeptember 22, 20186 Replies

worship, experiences, fall, leaves, autumn — pixabay

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

Special Thought – Worry traps our hearts. Worship sets them free.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s welcome FALL today with an inspiring word: WORSHIP. I still cannot believe that it has been a whole week since I have published a blog post. Believe it or not, I have been working on this piece since last weekend. I don’t know about you, but time seems to get away from me with appointments for the boys and unexpected school meetings that are never positive. Nevertheless, here is a spiritual blog post that will enrich your life in more ways than one if you allow the process to take place.

Despite everything that LIFE throws at you, we have to spend time in pure worship. Would you agree? Well before you can partake in pure worship, it is important to know what it is, right? So, how do you define pure worship? Well, pure worship can be defined differently for each person. I honestly believe when you experience God on a personal level while praying, talking to God, meditating, singing spiritual songs, praising God for all He has done, dancing, or reading God’s Word, you are practicing pure worship. This is your personal time with God where you pour out your heart, clear your mind, and strengthen your soul.

Worship is simply giving God his breath back. – Lou Giglio

To take it a step further, do you realize how important corporate worship is as it relates to our spiritual growth? Corporate worship can be defined as time designated to assemble with fellow worshippers to praise God, encounter Jesus, fulfill God’s purposes in us as His Church and participate in our eternal spiritual experiences using our gifts to help glorify God.

Do not forsake meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25 NIV)

Here’s some examples of corporate worship:

• Praise Team & Choir
• Praise Dancers
• Praise & Worship Music
• Reading God’s Word
• Corporate Prayer
• Tithes & Offering

Think of it this way. Corporate worship allows God to give His graces and blessings to church congregations across the world. In addition, there is a benefit for worshipping together with other believers as well.

Here’s some of the benefits of corporate worship:

• Awakening – A fire is kindled in our hearts which helps us through our difficult times.
• Assurance – A sense of community which helps our desires for belonging to a group.
• Advance – Spiritual growth within is being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
• Accepting Another’s Leading – Embrace being led by someone else during worship.
• Accentuated Joy – Our own adoration and joy increased during worship services.

Finally, corporate worship plays a huge role in rekindling our spiritual fire and keeping it burning within. In addition, corporate worship brings together God’s Word, prayer and fellowship among fellow worshippers. Corporate worship, in most cases, will strengthen your own pure worship experiences as well as you become one with God.

Worship is an act of war against the enemy of our hearts. – Holley Gerth

journal, writing, feelings, emotions — pixabay

Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts

• Define your own pure worship experience(s).

• How often do you experience pure worship and/or corporate worship?

• How important is worshipping God in your life?

• Where can you improve with your pure worship experience(s)?

• What is your favorite way to worship God?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Back to School Anxiety

LatishaAugust 26, 20185 Replies

Together may we give our children the roots to grow and the wings to fly – Unknown

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Where did the summer go? I cannot believe my boys return to school tomorrow. In preparation for my boys returning to school, I could not help but think about back to school anxiety that some children experience. Some children may feel anxious about going back to school after a long summer break or others may be nervous about starting school for the very first time. Nevertheless, it is our responsibility as parents to comfort our children as much as possible during this difficult time.

girl, crying, sadness, lonely, anxiety, school — pexels

Here’s some tips to ease back to school anxiety:

Tip 1: Organize your home for back to school and allow your children to decorate the space. For example, you can create a comfortable homework area to make them feel more in control and relieve some of their anxious feelings.

Tip 2: Get your children involved in the back to school process. For example, allow your children to make their own lunch, choose their own snacks, pack their own backpacks or choose their own school clothes.

Tip 3: Help your child feel more comfortable about his new school environment and routines. For example, plan to take your children to visit the school and talk about the basics, such as teacher name, room number, lunch time, recess, etc.

Tips for Anxiety Relief – FREE TIPS

Tip 4: Highlight the things that make school great. For example, making new friends, scheduling playdates, becoming more independent, getting new school supplies and clothes. Most importantly, allow your children to talk about their feelings. Remember, don’t talk, just listen.

Tip 5: Try to be home more during back to school time. Plan to spend some quality time talking with your children about their school day. Discuss any concerns and answer any questions that they may have.

Tip 6: Make sure your children gets enough sleep and eats a balanced diet. Getting adequate sleep and eating a healthy diet is important for brain function, mood, and the ability to focus and pay attention during school hours.

girl, meditate, breathing, anxiety, school — pixabay

Panic/Anxiety Attack

Use this breathing exercise if you or your child experience a panic/anxiety attack:

• Breathe in for 4 seconds
• Hold your breath for 7 seconds
• Exhale breath for 8 seconds
• Repeat once or twice more

Remember, back to school anxiety is real, normal and understandable. Try to remind yourself that any anxiety your children may be feeling is only temporary. Before you know it, your family will be back in the groove and planning for a successful school year. If for some reason parents cannot help their children cope with back to school anxiety, make sure to seek the help from a health professional or a local support group.

Back-to-school deals. Valid 8/26-9/1.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
How do you help your child cope with anxiety? How will your family’s routine change during back to school time?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Peace in the Midst of a Storm

LatishaAugust 5, 20181 Reply

Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions. – Pema Chodron

Thought for today – At the end of the day, I am at peace because my intentions are good, and my heart is pure.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! It seems like it has been so long since I have shared a blog post with you. Unfortunately, life happens to the best of us, right? Today, I want to talk about the “Peace in the Midst of a Storm”. Whether your storm is BIG or small, it takes internal strength to overcome many obstacles in life. After all, as long as we are living on Earth, we will always experience some type of storm. So, instead of living your life worrying about the “what ifs”, spend time preparing your mindset with peaceful thoughts, such as scriptures, prayers, positive affirmations, inspirational quotes, uplifting words, etc.

Peace

Today I choose: calm over chaos; serenity over stress; peace over perfection; grace over grit; faith over fear. – Mary Davis

Today, I am totally safe and surrounded by love, light, peace, and joy. Today, I invite peace and harmony to dwell in me and surround me at all times. Today, I have the freedom and power to create the life I desire. It is important to speak peace into your life every day. How about you? Can you honestly say these statements with confidence? It is important for you to know that you already have peace within you, right now, in this very moment. Just because you may be struggling right now, does not mean you are failing life forever. Keep believing in yourself and good things will happen in the near future.

Back-to-school deals are here. Valid 8/5-8/11.

In the Midst

In the midst of life’s greatest storms, do not forget your divine heritage as a son or daughter of God. -Ronald A. Rasband

In the midst of it all, what do you feel? What are your thoughts? How do you cope with every day struggles of life? Now, I realize my struggles may be different from your struggles, but can we agree that it takes a strategy to not only cope with the struggles of life, but to overcome such struggles?

Let’s face it, painful life experiences often leave heart-deep scars within us. Even though danger is long past, fear still lingers around us. It affects our present relationships and experiences, and even our perception of God. We may never know why it has happened to us, but we do know that we can and will survive it. We also know that God has given us a new day and a new season to reach out for His blessings in joy and gratitude. Painful experiences leave scars within us, but they also leave strength and wisdom in the midst of the storm, giving us the opportunity to help those enduring similar trials.

Storms of Life

Your storm is bigger than you are, but your Jesus is bigger than your storm. -Ron Hutchcraft

Even in the midst of life’s many storms, we have the capacity to stand in the center of our own peace. Now, let’s think about that for a moment before we proceed. When you are faced with the storms of life, think about how God is your strength and power; God is your protector and He will guide you through the storms of life if you let Him. Needless to say, it is always our choice. Will we allow God to lead us or will we try to handle our storms ourselves?

Here’s some storms of life examples:

• Stress
• Health Issues
• Financial Difficulties
• Unemployment
• Wayward Children
• Divorce
• Lack of Transportation
• Mental Illness (Depression, Anxiety)
• Imprisonment
• Grieving the Loss of a Loved One
• Various Addictions

To Overcome Life’s Obstacles

God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life. (Romans 8:28)

When was the last time you not only experienced a storm in your life, but you push through the storm with your inner strength? If you struggle in this area, please follow these tips to overcome life’s obstacles:

• Stay focused on positive thoughts instead of negative thoughts
• Don’t ever give up
• Challenge yourself and try new things every day
• Each day you should choose happiness
• Choose to shine and smile
• Don’t compare yourself to others and find time to celebrate your little accomplishments

pink, flower, journal, book, write, pen — pixabay

Journal Prompts – Time for Reflection
Are you ready to write yourself into a peaceful state? If so, grab your journal and let’s get started. Journaling should be a safe place for you to write how you feel and to reflect on your heart felt thoughts. This is your personal journey so make sure you are honest throughout the process.

MIND – Meditate on peaceful thoughts. Define those thoughts in detail and write about them.

BODY – What do you feel right now in this very moment? Listen to your body and write about it.

SPIRIT – How do you cope with struggles? What set a spark in your soul? Write about it.

Remember, my storm may be different from yours, but at the end of the day we both are in the midst of something that makes us uncomfortable. Instead of ignoring and judging others, let’s be more supportive to others who may be experiencing difficult life situations. Sometimes just lending a listening ear will do wonders. Life is not about weathering the storm, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Please share what brings peace into your life. How do you find peace within? How do you overcome obstacles in life? Can you write yourself into a peaceful state? I look forward to reading your comments and feedback!

Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Target Affiliate Program which is an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Target.com

Journaling: Get Ready, Set, Write

LatishaJune 29, 201813 Replies

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Did you know that there are journals for just about everything that goes on in your life? Well, I want to spend some time discussing just a few journal types that helps me cope with the lost of my mother (the grieving process), the emptiness that I feel inside (depression), the various stresses of life that I experience often (looking for part-time work and parenting children with hearing loss) and allowing my creative juices to flow while writing (Renew Inspiration blog and HubGarden articles).

Journaling is my safe place, my time to just write how I feel and scream on paper and no one will ever know. Let’s take a moment to define journal. A journal is a personal reflection of who you are, it’s a repository for all the things that interest and inspire you. A journal provides a safe environment to experiment with your writing style and technique. Simply put, when you write in a journal it becomes your personal journey of creative and heart felt thoughts.

Benefits of Journaling:

• Reduce stress – Expressive writing has been shown to lower stress levels.

• Improve your memory – Regular journal writing can improve your short-term memory.

• Stay organized – Keeping a journal such as a weight loss diary lets you maintain an organized record of your progress and journey.

Journaling Tips:

• Keep a regular writing schedule so journaling becomes a habit.

• Don’t over think your written entries, just write honestly.

• Be creative. Add photos and positive quotes to enhance your written entries.

Types of Journals:

Bible Journal – Bible Journals can provide you with a therapeutic way to better cope with everyday situations, understand your feelings and establish a connection between your life and the biblical content. Include notes, scriptures, life lessons and examples, pictures, quotes, questions, etc.

Bible Journal Prompts:
• What is your favorite scripture and why?
• What values do you want to live by? Find a scripture to support your values.
• In what area of my life do I need to improve self-discipline?

Gratitude Journal – Gratitude Journals allow you to recognize, appreciate and record pleasant occurrences in your life. Also, you can include blessings, special moments of authentic happiness and contentment. Include what you are grateful for, personal thoughts, quotes, stickers, etc.

Gratitude Journal Prompts:
• What are you grateful for?
• What would my ideal day look like?
• What is one thing that I can do to change my attitude?

Prayer Journal – Prayer Journals allow you to deepen your relationship with God by writing down your prayers every day. Learn by reflecting on prayers that have been answered, and others that haven’t. Include prayers, scriptures, personal thoughts, self-reflection notes, quotes, etc.

Prayer Journal Prompts:
• What is one thing I could do this month to improve my prayer life and spiritual walk? Hint – Start a Prayer Journal.
• What is one thing I can do today that would promote a gentle and quiet spirit within me? Hint – Read a scripture, pray or meditate.
• Do you think God will answer your prayers? Why or why not?

Reading Journal – Reading Journals can be a place to store your personal reactions to what you’re reading. Writing down your responses will allow you to discover how you feel about the book itself, the characters, scenery or plot. Include the book(s) you are reading, personal thoughts, emotional responses, connect the book to your own life, questions you may have about the book(s), connect with the characters, etc.

Reading Journal Prompts:
• What is your favorite book and why?
• What is one book you’d like to read before the end of 2018?
• If I was given the opportunity to write a book, I would write about….

Scrapbook Journal – Scrapbook Journals is a cross between scrapbooking, journaling, collaging and sketching pictures to tell a story or to highlight a special memory. Include pictures, personal thoughts, quotes, stickers, etc.

Scrapbook Journal Prompts:
• Do you consider yourself being a creative person?
• How do you like to retell a story or special memory?
• What is one thing that I can do this week to improve my creativity?

Travel Journal – Travel Journals are a place where you can write about trips you have taken, what you learned during and after the trip. Include adventures, stories, memories, pictures, personal thoughts, culture, customs, the people you met/saw, favorite places you visited, quotes, etc.

Travel Journal Prompts:
• What makes this trip special to you?
• What are you planning to do on this trip?
• Take time to reflect on the location, people, the customs and the food.

5 Tips for Capturing your Best Journal Ideas:

1. Take your journal everywhere you go to capture those special thoughts or moments as they happen. If your journal is too big, you can always buy a small notebook to use while you are on the go. Then, transfer or glue your notes in your journal at a later time.

2. Select a journal that feels right to you. You can purchase a beautifully crafted handmade journal, a hardcover book with unlined pages, a softcover notebook with lined pages, a 3-ring binder with loose paper, or just a spiral notebook. It really doesn’t matter your style, just make sure that your journal feels right to you and you can comfortably use it to capture your thoughts.

3. Handwrite your journal entries so you are unable to edit your thoughts. Handwriting keeps things more spontaneous and gives you clues about your emotional state. If you’re anything like me, you can tell what you’re feeling just by analyzing the state of your writing.

4. Create an informal table of contents in the beginning of each journal. Number each page and try to list the topics covered as you go along. This makes finding stuff a lot easier down the road or when you just want to reflect on some of your past writings. Don’t worry about doing this each time you journal, but make sure to complete this step before starting your next journal.

5. Don’t worry about format, grammar, or spelling. Remember, this is your personal space and a written account for how you feel right now in this very moment. Don’t worry about following your traditional writing rules, just write.

So, whether you are currently writing in a journal on a regular basis or you would like to start, these journaling highlights should help you on your journal writing journey. Go ahead and grab your journal and write your ideas so you’re able to retrieve your thoughts whenever needed. Your journal holds your pertinent life information, so you can remember and reference at any time in your future. Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
If you do keep a journal, please share some of your writing experiences or the types of journals you like to keep; organizing tips and techniques; pros and cons of journaling; journaling tips that help you continue your journey. We learn from one another, so your comments are necessary for all of us to learn and grow. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates and Target Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Target.com

In the Midst of it All

LatishaMarch 30, 20188 Replies

In the midst of life’s greatest storms, do not forget your divine heritage as a son or daughter of God. -Ronald A. Rasband

JOURNAL PROMPTS:
• Find a quote to live by and write it down. Then, write a journal entry.
• What book has influenced your life?
• What are you grateful for?
• Define your struggles and create a plan to overcome them.

Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions. -Unknown

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM

Sometimes I feel tangled up in my emotions. Trying my hardest to break free. Emotional freedom is almost at my fingertips, but it is difficult to trust myself to move in the right direction. Can I control my emotions or do my emotions control me? I ask myself this question every day. How about you?

Emotional freedom is what we all strive for while on this journey called life. Trying to live a healthier lifestyle. But let’s be honest my friends, the struggle to emotional freedom is real and sometimes scary. The temptations and challenges are real, such as unhealthy foods, drinks, not enough time to exercise, health issues…the list can go on and on. But once again, I ask myself daily…Can I control my emotions or do my emotions control me?

I am a survivor, a fighter, a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a friend. Yes, I am all of these things, but most of all, I am strong enough to overcome this emotional struggle. I am strong enough to make a commitment to not only myself, but also to my loved ones. I am strong enough to control my roller coaster of feelings, desires, and personal choices in life. So, I ask myself and you should ask yourself…Can I control my emotions or do my emotions control me?

Emotional freedom is within our reach, but we must stay focused and keep pushing toward our ultimate goal…to be at peace, happy and free of all negative feelings that sometimes hide within.

JOURNAL PROMPTS:
• How do you see the world? Describe it in detail.
• Share a vivid dream.
• How have you changed in the past year?
• What are your priorities in life?

Peace comes through hope. -James E. Faust

BEING AT PEACE & FINDING GOD’S PURPOSE

There is one sure way to know that you are doing exactly what God wants you to do, you will be at peace. Not every day, not all the time, but even in the midst of hard times and confusion you will feel good about what you are doing. Even when it seems like you are getting nowhere, you will know there is absolutely nothing else on earth you can do other than what you are doing. It’s called being on purpose. There will be times when you want to walk away, but you won’t. You can’t. Perhaps the money will not show up fast enough, but some way, somehow, you will have just enough to handle the task at hand.

Every day, every hour, and every minute has a purpose. God has a plan for you. Continue to trust that. He is taking you great places. -Unknown

When you are doing what God wants you to do, nothing else matters. You will be willing to stick it out in bad times. You will ignore people who tell you that you can’t or that you are crazy. You will be so intent on finding the happiness and success you know you deserve, you will be at peace. In peace, you find God’s purpose for you.

Simply put, your peace is God’s pleasure – Now let’s go find it – Are you ready? Ready, set, go!!!

JOURNAL PROMPTS:
• What do you feel strongly about?
• Something you are proud of.
• How would you like people to describe you?
• Discuss one way you would like to grow in the next year.

Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light. -Yogi Bhajan

TRAVEL LIGHT

woman, stillness, meditation, light — pixabay

If you know that your life is a journey and if you want to make it to your divine destination, you must learn to travel light. Shake off all of the unnecessary baggage and negative thoughts. Unpack the abrasive attitudes, addictive appetites, belittling burdens, conflicting confusion, and frivolous fears that you have packed away in the crevices of your heart and mind. Pack a tidbit of truth, a capsule of courage, a fistful of faith, and a pocketful of prayer, and be your way to a healthier and stronger you!

JOURNAL PROMPTS:
• What do you love about yourself?
• If you could change just one thing about yourself, what would it be?
• What do you want people to remember about you?
• What do you need to be content?

Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life. -J.K. Rowling

SOLID FOUNDATION

A solid foundation is the most important part of a building. Without a solid foundation, the building won’t last very long. Unfortunately, the building could crumble or fall apart at any time, especially if stress is placed on it by a storm.

The Bible encourages people to build their lives on the solid rock of Christ, rooted securely in Him (see Matthew 7:24-27 and Ephesians 3:17). If you try to build your life on what people say and think of you, how they treat you, how you feel, or your past mistakes, you are building on sinking sand. But if you trade that old, cracked foundation for a solid foundation, one based on Christ and His love, nothing can shake you.

JOURNAL PROMPTS:
• What is your favorite scripture that you have hidden in your heart?
• What or who gives you comfort during difficult times?
• What can you do to nurture your mind, body, and spirit more?
• What has been going well in your life lately?

Journaling is like whispering to one’s self and listening at the same time. -Mina Murray

JOURNALING – TIME FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

journaling, book, flowers, writing — pixabay

Journaling helps you make sense of your emotions and pinpoint patterns. Journaling helps to reduce stress, solve problems more effectively and even improve your overall health.
One way to practice journaling is to write about a good life experience. Not only does this remind you that there’s life beyond bad feelings, but it also serves as an emotional anchor. When you describe a happy memory in your journal, you will be mentally reinforcing that memory so that it might occur to you later in life while you’re going through difficult times.

Now, let’s practice this exercise to access your anchor:

I remember a good feeling _______ [when]. I simply felt ______________ [describe the feeling in a few words]. I was __________________ [where], and I remember noticing _________________ [something sensory]. It was a time in my life when I was doing ________________ [an activity or a general description]. I’ll never forget ________________ [people, weather, environment, etc.] around me. I’ll never be right there again but I know I CAN feel that way again.