SunflowerSky Journaling

The candidates

Ok, are you now as confused as I am about these candidates?  I should have been journaling about them from the start of this election, but I haven't.  Maybe because I think journaling is a peaceful, reflective, calm experience.  But journaling about these candidates, well, it might just make me not want to journal anymore!  This whole election has gotten more about public relations and being able to say the right thing, at the right time and with the right tone and expression.  It's all quite amusing in a bad way.

I wouldn't go into who I think is better or worse, as that is not the purpose of this post.  It's really to share the frustration of the candidates changing their tune to reflect what they think a particular audience wants to hear.  Some candidates are amazing at it.  I actually respect their PR skills better than their presidential skills.  Gosh, that is not a good sign!

Superbowl - What a Great Game!

Everyone thought it would be no contest.  With the Patriots undefeated, who else could win!  What an upset... I still can't believe the Giants won.  Awesome game.

If you weren't watching the game, I hope you were having fun.  This is a great time of year to start reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.  A superbowl party is a wonderful venue to do both!

Well, a new week ahead... but now it's already Feb.  The year is flying by. And if you didn't hear last week, the groundhog saw his shadow, so there are six more weeks of winter.  Ugh!

Have a great start to the week!

January is finally over!

January is such a tough time for so many folks.  Reality seems to set in, whether that be how tired you are from all the holiday celebrating, seeing your credit card statement and feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing the cold, dark days of winter, knowing Spring is not anytime soon.  It's that time of year where journaling is great, as we can get lost in our own feelings, fears, hopes and dreams.  It's our excape.

Grab a glass of wine, or a soft drink if you prefer, sit in your most comfortable chair, turn on your favorite music in the background, and excape in your journal.  Write about what you want to do this year, your resolutions, what your life will look like 12 months from now, etc. Write about your goals and what you're doing or will do each day to get there.

Or maybe you'd like to write about the most recent holidays, your thoughts and insights about them, and what your enjoyed most.  Writing about a special loved one always feels great.

It's amazing how writing in your journal can make even the blahs of January disappear.  And if that doesn't work, tomorrow is February 1st! 

Journaling About Your Parents

We've heard quite a bit about children's journals or kid diaries, but no one ever talks about journaling about your parents.   I was thinking about this recently as it would be fun to capture all the thoughtful, fun, interesting things they do in my life.  Just thinking about it, well, I could write volumes.  My parents are wonderful people,with habits, mannerisms, sayings, hobbies etc., that make them special and unique .  I wish I would have written all these things down and the special times we have been blessed to share together.  Living far away, I don't get to spend much time with them, but I could still write a journal about them.  We talk quite a bit, and yes, my mother is still a mother.  Lectures, advice, well they are not in short supply.  Sometimes I wish I wrote all those words of wisdom down, as it might have kept me from repeating my mistakes.  Gosh, that should be enough of a motivator for me to start journaling today!!!  Get ready Mom and Dad, your journal is in the making.

Thanksgiving Journal

As Thanksgiving fast approaches and you're getting ready for the occasion, have you stopped to think about what you are thankful for and appreciate in your life?  Yes, I know.  You're very busy and it's not even Thanksgiving yet.  Exactly... that's my point.  Let's get ready.  As I've been writing in my pesonal journal, I've thought about this question and maybe the response is much bigger than a one page entry that I do at Thanksgiving, sharing my thoughts and feelings about what I'm most thankful about.

I came up with something I'm very excited about... a personal journal just about "Giving Thanks". I'm going to start a personal  basic journal at www.sunflowersky.com and label "What I'm Most Thankful".  I'm going to start it the day after Thanksgiving and end it the following Thanksgiving.  Each day I will write in it a short paragraph about something in my life that I'm so thankful about and then at the end of the year print it out and have it as a keepsake for years to come. 

It might even be a nice gift for members in my family.  I'll keep you updated on how the journal is coming.  But for now, I hope you have taken a few moments in preparation for Thanksgiving to really think about your blessings and how thankful you are for them.  Gobble Gobble :)

Teenage Diaries/Journals

Teenagers these days seem to embrace the speed at which life moves, with their cell phones, mp3 players, and numerous other gadgets, etc., but still crave above all else, the simplicity of love and acceptance.   

If you're a parent of a teenager, trying to find ways to communicate with your child, show your love and support, well... that can be challenging at times.  Teenagers are not into communication, except for a few words here or there.  Nor do they really want to talk with you - as their friends well, let's face it, are much more appealing - they can relate.

There are many ways to communicate with your teenager, one such way is through a diary.  What is so amazing about teenage years, as I can remember mine, is that although you desperately want your independence and believe you know more than your parents, the truth of the matter is that they hold so much power over you, whether it be your emotions, decisions or outlook on situations.  You crave their acceptance and love, but don't know how to meet them half way to welcome it.

A teenage diary is a wonderful way for a parent to meet your teenager "half way"... connect.  Writing an entry in it about something you love about them, something they said, did or shared... well, that would bring tears to their eyes when reading it, as they crave that kind of love and support.  A teenage diary can be done for any time period, whether it be for a few months, a year, or many years.  Maybe do one every year and give it to your child at his or her birthday, or perhaps as a christmas gift.

If you'd like to learn more about teenage diaries and how you can create one, or have your whole family create one, please visit www.sunflowersky.com.

New Things to Write About in Your Personal Journal

Do you ever feel like you're not writing anything of "substance" in your journal.  Like it's just a datadump with little meaning.  Not every day can be a great journal day, but there are some things you can do to trigger some interesting thoughts and contemplations. 

Below are a few ideas to generate new, insightful thoughts that may be interesting to write about and reflect on later. 

• What is the one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?  Why?  What will happen when you accomplish it?  How will you feel? What are you doing today to get there? 
• What was the last thing that someone did that made you "smile" inside?  Describe it.
• Who is the one person in your life you wish you could improve your relationship with?  Why?
• What are you looking forward to today?
• If you are contemplating a decision,  how will either option play out a year from now, two years from now, ten years from now?

Ok, these ideas should definitely get you into journaling... !  They are already making me think about things and wanting to write.  Hopefully they have the same impact on you.

Other great ideas for personal journaling... please share!

My First Post!

I've finally joined the online world with starting a blog.  Hooray, as I'm better late than never!  My blog is about journaling and each day I will provide tips on what to write about, pose questions that make you think and reflect, plus share some funny stories.  Let's have some fun.  I'm be back tomorrow with my first journal tip.  Stay tuned!