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JournalingLife.com's Monthly Newsletter
October 2004
Issue Six - Volume One
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Holiday Journaling
I don't know about the rest of
you, but for me it seems like time is passing
by faster and faster. I used to think that was such a cliché,
but now I
understand the reality of it all. This reality, by the way,
does not scare
me, but instead reminds me of the wonderful opportunities to
create
memories, and grow in wisdom.
What is it about the holidays that
we treasure so much? As a child, in
addition to getting "stuff" on Christmas morning,
I used to love seeing
cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents as we'd get together
for a turkey
or baked ham dinner. For me they are memories filled with warmth
and
happiness, and they've played an important role in my hopeful
outlook on
life. I was raised in a devout Christian home; hence, the story
of
Christ's birth was always at the helm of both Thanksgiving and
Christmas.
My dad would always read the Nativity story to us on Christmas
Eve and then
ask us questions about it and quiz us on our basic understanding
of its
importance. Thanksgiving was always a time to articulate sincere
felt
thanks and gratitude for life and the gifts we had. Despite
the fact that
things were far from perfect and consistent in my family, I
never felt that
the holidays were commercial or phony in the way we observed
them.
There was a span of time when I
was growing up in which my brother and I got
very little in the way of presents. My father was a minister
for a number
of years and we just couldn't afford much for Christmas, but
I was always
grateful to have a stocking stuffed with brownies and candy.
Putting it in
context, that was a great deal more than many other kids got
for Christmas.
I was always taught to be grateful for anything I had received.
My mom told
me a story, not long ago, about how she and her cousins used
to celebrate
Christmas back during the Great Depression. They were poor folks
from east
Tennessee and typically received only an orange and a couple
of candy sticks
in a worn out old winter stocking. These poor mountain kids
had nothing to
compare their Christmas stocking to since all the other families
in their
community were in the same boat. There simply was no abundance
by which to
compare. Mom said that the greatest value during the holidays
she remembers
was the love and commitment her family had for each other. What
they lacked
in physical abundance, they made up for with a great deal of
love.
It wasn't until many years later
that I actually wrote in a journal about
the holidays. I wanted to make sure that I included the holidays
in my
journals since they were, and are, times during the year when
we stop what
we're doing to focus on things that are most important to us
like faith,
family, and our hopes and dreams. Not everyone takes the time
to reflect,
however, and in fact the holidays are times of great strife
and turmoil for
many families. Instead of slowing down and
Ignoring the clock, many of us
find ourselves even more exhausted and
pressed for time. When I journal about the holidays I like to
reflect on
the differences between what I really need and what I only want.
These are
qualities and areas of reflection I want for my children. I
journal about
the holidays to remind myself about what is most important,
and to record
the insights and lessons learned during those set aside times
for
reflection. I have a tendency, unfortunately, to sometimes limit
my
journaling to deep, philosophical reflections, and I have to
often remind
myself to lighten up. Sometimes the greatest (even deepest)
insights we can
find are right in front of us in the simple things life has
to offer.
One of my favorite memories of
the holidays (which I did journal about at
length) was the Christmas of 1989, one I will never forget.
I was working
as an administrator at a small private college, and this year
there was a
particular student that had experienced and number of tragic
events
including the death of a child, by-pass surgery, and the break-in
and theft
of property that included all of the family Christmas presents.
On top of
it all he had been laid off of a job he had held for twenty
years. Bills
were piling up, and creditors were hounding him with threats
and all. The
college secretly raised not only enough funds to cover a few
remaining
medical costs, but also the bills for his little boy's funeral,
and to get
caught up on his other bills. The frosting on the cake was that
one of the
members on the College Board, who owned a company, gave him
a job. When
this gift was presented to the student, I remember watching
him fall down on
his knees and weep like a little child. I was the only one to
witness this
moment besides the administrator who presented it to him in
the privacy of
his office. I think for a moment I actually got a glimpse of
divine grace.
I reread my journal entry about
this event every Christmas season because
it's a wonderful reminder to keep out in front of me what matters
most,
namely, other people. That is why holiday journaling is important.
The
holidays, particularly Christmas, is a time of year where we
are all
reminded of the reality of those who have, and those who have
not. It
should give us opportunities to act upon our better natures
and to show our
gratitude by showing compassion to those who are not as fortunate.
These
are the memories worth recording. These are the memories worth
passing on
to our children and family. That being said, I think it's important
to
reflect and act upon these things all year long, not just on
Christmas.
This holiday season take the time
to record your thoughts about the events
around you. Sometimes the mere smile a little child is enough
to convince
of what matters most. We all have particular things we value
about the
holidays. What do you value and why? These are a couple of things
to
ponder during the holidays. Here are some ideas that you can
use to start
some holiday journaling.
What is you favorite holiday and why?
Do you have a particular holiday
event that stands out in your mind?
How do you spend the pre- holiday
time?
What are your children's thoughts
(if you have kids) on the holidays
What are your Christmas Eve traditions
(or holiday traditions in general)?
Do you have any special decorating?
These are just a few prompts to
help encourage you to think about holiday
journaling. We encourage you to create wonderful memories and
traditions
with you family and friends. To remember them in the years to
come is a way
to live joyously and in continued hope for a better tomorrow.
-David Russell, Ph.D.
Editor, JournalingLife.com
David@westvon.com
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Please feel free to share this
newsletter with all of the people in your
life that you feel might benefit from learning about journaling.
Invite
them to come and visit our website and we will strive to offer
you a
wonderful visit as you explore the wonderful world of journaling.
http://www.JournalingLife.com
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Question of the Month
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We added in a reader commentary
column to the website and we
would like to post a question or two about journaling and memory
writing and
we hope that our great readers will write in to share their
thoughts on the
questions. If you have something you would like to share, please
send them
along! We will be offering a drawing for a great product each
month from
those who will take the time to share and add their ideas, comments
and
suggestions to our website!
November's Question:
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I want to leave my history and
information about my life to my children and
my grandchildren but I'm not sure how to start or how to get
it all down on
paper. I'm not so sure that I can video tape myself and talk
without
sounding foolish. How do I go about this now that I'm almost
70, this year?
- Frank C., Iowa
Direct your comments and suggestions
about November's Question of the Month
to:
question@journalinglife.com
Also, if you have a question for
our next newsletter, please write!
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October's Question:
I have recently gone through a
bittersweet divorce and though it's been
about 8 months since finality, I still can no find time or desire
to begin
scrapbook journaling again. I loved making memory books and
have done over
18 albums which my family adores. Especially my two young daughters.
But
now, I find I am unable to sit down and work with pictures during
this
painful chapter in my life. What can I do? Will I ever be able
to record
this time period of my life without sitting and angsting over
the past? Are
there ways of getting past a painful time of your life in conjunction
with
scrapbooking? Any suggestions would be so helpful!!! I miss
working with
the photos and papers and the creative sense of journaling my
family's life,
but I can not get started again after such a painful situation!!!
Sherri C.
(Yes, I'm the webmistress here at JournalingLife.com)
(Sherri can't wait to hear what
all our wise readers can offer to get her
cutting and trimming and pasting in her beloved scrapbooks again!!!)
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October's Winner!
I relate to this dilemma you are
having, though my pain or trial is of a
different sort. I scrapbooked with my first child and had so
much fun doing
it. I had planned on doing the same when my second son was born,
but I never
fully recovered from childbirth. I was diagnosed with lupus
within 6 months
of having the baby. It has taken me 3 years to even have an
inkling of
desire to do those things again. I have not started, but the
little flicker
has returned. With taking of care of two small ones, I do not
have the time
or energy to devote to my once loved hobby. But as I've been
getting better
each year, I think time will help and bring back that desire
more fully.
I write to you only to tell you
this situation you are having is not unique
(you're not the only one who's felt this way!) It is completely
understandable! Mine is more of a physical limitation, and since
yours is an
emotionally painful situation, I would suggest taking new pictures
of things
you love, sunsets, landscapes, animals, your kids, your garden,
maybe a day
trip. And make a fresh start - a new and unique album, not focused
on
relationships, at least not yet. That will come later when your
heart has
healed more. For now, just get out and do something you have
always enjoyed
or something you've always wanted to try and document it with
photos...
Start small...a gorgeous nature photo book would be a GREAT
start -- just
some ideas...if none of these sound good to you, I'm sure you'll
receive
many ideas to choose from. Just thought of another -- make a
gift album for
someone, an elderly relative, maybe volunteer at a nursing home
to help
others make scrapbooks and the act of doing something for someone
else might
spark you back into your cherished hobby.
If no "tricks" work,
than you know time spent in prayer and reading the Word
is the Lord's desire for you. The Lord Jesus wants to heal your
heart; He
wants to be the source of your comfort and joy; He wants your
light to shine
so all the world can see that He is indeed alive and at work
in your life.
And, in time, those desires may return. If they don't return,
then enjoy the
memories of doing memory albums and find a new enjoyable hobby
-- I hear
beading, jewelry making, is a FABULOUS hobby and one that therapists
often
prescribe patients with depression. The best online source for
beads and
jewelry making is www.firemountaingems.com <http://www.firemountaingems.com>
-- get the catalog - it's free and it's HUGE and inspiring...
Take care and I am praying for you and your time of grieving
this loss. As a
child of divorce myself, I can just imagine what you must be
going through.
Sincerely,
Krista E.
Thanks so much Krista - Great advice!
Krista wins a lovely portfolio
for writing letters...
This lovely folio has a writing
pad with 100 lined sheets, a roomy pocket to
hold letters, stationery, stamps, and ten oversize postcards
(five designs,
two of each) from Chronicle Books, San Francisco
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We have a favor to ask!
We've just about hit our 6 month
anniversary with the JournalingLife.com
site and newsletter and we're so pleased to announce that we
have 137
readers! YEAH! Thanks so much for giving us the opportunity
to come into
your email box each month!
Here's our favor... can you let
us know how you like what we're doing?
Since we've had only one person unsubscribe, we hope you are
liking this
newsletter. Does it help inspire you to write? Do you like the
topics?
Any suggestions to help us make it even better?
We really really would like a little
feedback, if you have a moment and we'd
love to know what you think.
Thanks!
Dave and Sherri
Dave@Westvon.com
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Journaling Life
Email: Dave@westvon.com
Phone Contact: (419) 250-1096
P.O. Box 501 - Maumee, OH 43551
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