I think we all have been guilty of concentrating too hard on how writing looks on the paper without thinking really about the content of what is being said. Writing conventions do matter, but let’s teach them in context.
C onventions occur within context.
O rganization is paramount.
N ever give up on success for all.
T each the writing process.
E xpand ideas and vocabulary and engage the audience.
e X amine your own writing to improve.
T echnology is used as a tool.
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We had our “Journaling Through Grief and the Holidays” event last night which was a joy in itself. Twelve of us gathered in the living room after a light meal to absorb all the nuggets of information that Cheerful Hearts Ministry shared. A special moment for me was hearing that it is ok to cry and to feel…really feel… as we walk out our stories and that there is no grief without love. I looked at the precious faces of all that were gathered and was reminded that we can find small, simple joys even during times of hurt and rebuilding. No one had the same story or reason for being there, but it was evident we all were there to heal or to aid in the healing of others.
My small, simple joys of last evening:
* Steve’s renditions of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”
* Pimento Cheese
* The aroma of fresh, warm coffee
* A hug from a new friend
* A new magnet for my frig
* A warm coat
* A new idea for “Being Still and Knowing that He is God…”
Until next time,
SL
Have you ever thought, really thought, about all the little things we take for granted? I seem to do that more these days.
I awoke at 4:00 a.m. this morning tossing and turning, wishing I could get just a couple more hours of sleep before heading out into the day. Straightening the covers, turning my pillow, counting sheep (in my case, counting all I needed to do…)…nothing seemed to help. I gave in hesitantly, crawled out of the warm bed, and decided it was too early to make coffee but made it anyway.
My new book, Devotions from the Kitchen Table, and my “Always be Grateful” box had been calling my name for a day or two, so I sat down at the small, round table to read and write, still wishing for a few more hours of shut-eye. The wonderful aroma of the coffee filled the quiet, peaceful kitchen, and I began to settle in to the idea that I was awake and needed to take advantage of this extra bonus of time.
I read two pages, then another two, and two more until I had accomplished quiet a bit of reading for these tired eyes. I then began to write my gratitude list and found I had so much more to say than I thought. The coffee was ready, so I grabbed a Christmas mug and decided I wanted milk in my coffee though I usually drink it black. As I opened the refrigerator, there in front of me sat a container of eggnog that I hadn’t opened because, according to the label, it has 190 calories per 1/2 cup! Who wants to ruin a diet before 5:00 a.m.! I decided to open it.
I poured a little of this thick, warm-yellow lusciousness into my cup and brought it to my lips wanting to savor every little drop. Then it hit me. I wanted eggnog in my coffee! I added a little more eggnog, poured in the piping hot coffee, stirred the mixture slowly, and sipped. I sipped again…and again…
Before I knew it, I opened my gratitude box and added “Eggnog in my coffee” to my morning list and decided maybe I woke up for just this small, but significant, joy that I would’ve missed in the usual rush of the morning.
* Simple, often unnoticed moments of joy
* If only…
* Best advice I ever had…
* What makes a good friend?
* God’s creation …
* My best quality…
* I wish I could…
* If I could go back…
* I can’t go back, so…
* I feel at peace when…
* I remember when…
* My happiest memory of _____ is…
* The greatest lesson I have ever learned is…
* I have talents to share…
* The things I miss the most are…
* A color that makes me think of…
* A memory that makes me cry…
* A memory that makes me laugh…
Our first event went well with ten in attendance on a cold and rainy Monday evening. We are looking forward to the December event when we work through how to best grieve through the holidays. We will have a speaker, hot soup, and Greta will be back to sing again. She blessed us all with her Lauren Daigle song and “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles.
If you can’t make it to the meetings but want to journal where you are, I want to remind you that there is research to support the benefits of journaling. Writing seems to have a bigger effect than typing on a keyboard, and some research suggests men reap more benefits than women (maybe because they bottle up their feelings…) I found this interesting.
My next post will include journal prompts that might help.
We are so excited to be co-sponsoring our first Journaling through Grief event on November 12. Grief wears many faces, so providing a monthly opportunity for folks to fellowship over a light dinner and speaker warms my heart. We all have experienced grief in some form…death, divorce, loss of a friendship, moving away from family, sickness, life as it once was…so everyone is invited to participate. We will also discuss ways to cope daily, including journaling. More information is included on the Morgan County Chamber of Commerce (GA) website.
Writing is such a therapeutic activity, one that is often taken for granted. Research is available that supports writing. especially journaling, even going as far as to explain how it can strengthen our immune system, help us sleep, manage depression, and facilitate our thinking through problems. It’s also a way to grant immortality by leaving behind our stories. We all have stories in our hearts that need to be shared. Journaling with a favorite pen and cup of coffee nearby can be a very beneficial activity for all of us.
We begin with asking what we want to write about in this journal. Will we be reviewing or reflecting? Be still. Calm down. Focus.
Investigate in your head your thoughts and feelings about whatever you choose. Set a time limit and just start writing. Read over what you’ve written with introspection. Sum it up.
Like most new skills, journaling takes practice, but it can be so helpful to those going through the grieving process. It is well worth the efforts.
Until now, this blog has been geared toward educators, but now topics will be any and everything about literacy and will be for everyone!! It will be a mosaic of book discussions, opportunities available, tips for improvement, and whatever else related to literacy that hits my fancy. I do have to warn you that I love writing and discussing safety plans, so there is a good possibility you might read a bit about that topic, as well.
I took several years away from updating this site as I concentrated on my work as Assistant Superintendent. I have officially retired now from so many wonderful years as an educator in school districts, but I have not retired from my life as an educator…Studio WISE was birthed from WISE Writing Consulting, and one day I might share that story .
Talk with you soon…
SL