|
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
JournalingLife.com's Monthly Newsletter
December 2004
Issue Eight - Volume One
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Creating Christmas
Memories
It seems that time passes more
quickly these days, a perception directly
tied to the aging process, no doubt. Wasn't it just Christmas
03 the other
day? Now it's coming up to Christmas 04 in less than a month.
Help! I've
become my father and I making comments about how fast time flies
by! All
kidding aside, I don't mind, and besides, resolving yourself
to these
realities only saves time.
Ever since I can remember, I have
loved the Christmas season. Most of those
memories and feelings have their origin in the religious ideology
of the
Season. For those of you who share the same belief in the Advent
of the
Christ, I'm sure the theological aspect is very important to
you as well. In
addition to the religious implications of the Christmas season
are the
joyous memories of family get togethers, festive meals, exchanging
of gifts,
raging snow storms (if you're lucky), scented candles, and Christmas
music.
I can see scenes of Christmas past as I write this newsletter.
What sweet
memories they continue to be.
So, what's so important about creating
Christmas memories? First, and most
importantly, good memories are plain and simply healthy for
each and
everyone of us. We are creatures that instinctively look for
hope and desire
a positive life. Even those who we might call pessimists, deep
down, want
positive things to happen in their lives.
Children need positive memories,
and a great place to start is with the
holidays and all the positive energy this time of year generates.
My
favorite memories of Christmas take me back to the many Christmas
day
celebrations we had at my Aunt Eleanor's house in Grosse Point
Woods,
Michigan. I always knew I was going to see my older Cousin Don
who, most the
time, was off protesting the Vietnam War. What memorable heated
political
discussions went on every time he blew back into town. But most
of all I
remember the traditions and the joy I felt with all the merriment
and family
love expressed. Christmas 1968 was the most memorable one for
me. The events
that unfolded had great comic value as well as near tragic results.
My aunt
Eleanor ask my Cousin Don ( who earlier had been waxing eloquent
on his
experience at the Chicago Democratic Convention in August) to
build a fire.
He obliged her and commenced to build a wonderful Christmas
fire, one that
we wouldn't soon forget.
The fire started in a blaze with
the help of wrapping paper that had been
savagely torn from the gifts. Smoke began to fill the house,
and it was now
apparent that either the trap in the chimney was closed (and
wouldn't open),
or the was something stuck in the chimney. My older brother
Doug tried to
tell me Santa was stuck in the chimney, but he failed to remember
that I had
given up belief in Santa years before that, and besides, the
Easter Bunny
told me Santa was a myth anyway. Now, picture the scene, three
logs
completely engulfed in flames, smoke filling the house rapidly,
people
running outside in the sub-zero temperature, and the neighbors
now coming
over to help. My cousin ran out to the garage and grabbed an
empty trash can
and a coal shovel, and brought them in the house and began scooping
the
flaming logs up and into the trash can, as my dad put the lid
on the can.
Sparks flew everywhere, and just why the entire house didn't
go up in
flames, I don't know. Every year, my kids ask me to tell them
the funny
story of the fire and the trash can, and they laugh until they
cry. This has
become a memorable Christmas story for them despite the fact
that they
weren't yet alive. What power stories have to captivate our
imaginations.
When my two older children, Kurt
(19) and Sandra (18) were little we had a
tradition of driving around Roseville, Michigan looking at the
holiday
lights. Kurt and Sandra would have a contest to see which side
of the car
had the most lights. We did this for many years and we all looked
forward to
it with excitement. The other day my son Kurt asked me if we
could go back
to Roseville this year and look at the lights. The power of
good memories
goes without saying. He said that was one of his most joyful
memories of
Christmas. With Weston (11) and Vonnie (8) the holiday traditions
are
different. In fact, most of the traditions we had with the two
older kids,
seem to bore Weston and Vonnie. Every year, the day after Thanksgiving,
I
take Weston and Vonnie to Frankenmuth, Michigan for the annual
holiday
Lighting Celebration and Candle walk. We walk around Frankenmuth
holding lit
candles, and singing carols. Another tradition includes the
holiday events
at the Henry Ford Village and Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
By mid-November
the decorations are up, and the Museum and village are buzzing
with holiday
events, including crafts and caroling. The kids get very excited
when I tell
them, "Okay, time to go to Frankenmuth" These are
traditions we've created
in out family that are creating memories for all of us.
Creating good memories can help
overcome the bad memories we carry with us.
Good memories help us grow in love and fondness with family
and friends. As
we reminisce about good times, we are reminded of things that
matter most,
and the people we love. They add smiles to our faces, and give
us hope for
tomorrow.
What kind of memories are you creating
now? Every day is a new opportunity
to create new memories, not only for ourselves, but for our
kids, and loved
ones. If you don,t have a tradition (or traditions) take the
time this year
to create some of your own. Find a memorable place to visit,
perhaps an old
town nearby that has an annual tree lighting, or beginning of
Christmas
celebration. Some communities have Christmas caroling nights
where families
can get together with other families to sing the carols of the
season. The
opportunities to create holiday memories are almost limitless.
Keep these
memories in your journal, and each year make sure to read through
your
reflection on those memorable holiday times. These are stories
you can pass
on to your kids, who in turn can pass on to their own kids one
day.
With the Christmas Season now upon
us we have the maximum opportunity to
take time off and reflect on things that matter most like family,
faith, and
the direction of our lives. I encourage you to take time this
season to
fill those journals with your thoughts and memories. A steady
diet of
journaling this way can be a tool to help transform the way
we think, and
also transform the interior of our souls. Take good care one
and all.
-David Russell, Ph.D.
Editor, JournalingLife.com
David@westvon.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Question of the Month
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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!
December's Question:
******************
I have a lot of sorrowful memories
of my past. My father was not present
much and now that I am a new father I want to leave my child
good memories
and traditions. I am having a difficult time writing my feelings
out. What
should I be focusing on? How can I write in my journal without
sounding like
I'm just feeling sorry for myself?
Thanks, Allen G., Knoxville, TN
Direct your comments and suggestions
about December's Question of the Month
to:
question@journalinglife.com
Also, if you have a question for
our next newsletter, please write!
This month's lovely prize is a
really cool LIGHT UP LED journal! Perfect for annoying people
in the dark and for something silly to do when you're not sure
what to write about. Kids love this and the young at heart will
surely find this journal prize to be a delight!
http://www.journalinglife.com/jl-question.html
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE JOURNAL SHOP.... Goodbye!!
If you are wondering...., yes,
we have done away with the Journaling Shop.
We tried it, but no one really seemed to embrace the idea. We
think buying
journals is a touchy-feeling event and perhaps that was the
problem.
We will have a couple great deals
on journals to offer soon... we just
couldn't pass on these beautiful journals!
And stay tuned... Dave is working
on some great e-books to offer specific
journaling prompts for life's issues. No more wading through
vague prompts
about "If I was president, I would..." or "Write
about your childhood..."
Dave's prompt books will guide you through tough times and other
areas of
real life that we all cherish, struggle with and seek true reflection
upon
such as relationships, death and loss, parenting, dependency,
spiritual and
career issues. Stay tuned!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We'd like to introduce to you a
new website and product we are very proud of
here at Westvon Publishing.
It's called History Scribe, and
it's a fun and exciting way to get your
children fired up about writing and drawing about history.
History Scribe is designed to help
your children augment what they are
learning in school about history, in a fun way, drawing and
writing what
they have learned in their own words. It's almost like a history
journal
and kids love it.
Developed by Sherri Chekal and
Dave Russell, the History Scribe books and
CDs are available for over 20 topics and more are in the works!
Give your kids an edge on writing
and drawing to learn!
http://www.HistoryScribe.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Journaling Life
Email: Dave@westvon.com
Phone Contact: (419) 250-1096
P.O. Box 501 - Maumee, OH 43551
The information presented in this
online newsletter is Copyright © September
2004 by Westvon Publishing, LLC.. All right reserved. You may
forward this
newsletter to anyone, though please include this copyright and
contact
information in all forwardings.
If you would like to receive our
monthly mailing of this newsletter, please
send an email request to:
info@westvon.com
If you would like to NOT receive
this newsletter, please send an email
stating "REMOVE" And you will be promptly deleted
from our list.
info@westvon.com
We will not mail anything other
than this newsletter at the first of the
month and we do NOT sell our mailing list to anyone, not even
for a a brand
new Mac laptop! Or a rock mine, or even a big litter of hammies!!!!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our Websites of Interest
http://www.TheHomeschoolShop.com
http://www.TheMasterPlanner.com
http://www.TheParentTeacher.com
http://www.Rockhoundkids.com
http://www.Chekal.com
http://www.JournalingLife.com
Also, as a bonus, recieve our
useful PDF file entitled:
30 Journaling
Prompts to Get You Started...
FREE when
you join our newsletter!
Visit
our Newest Site... Journaling Prompts for a month of writing!
|
