Positive Journaling

Do you keep a journal?  What style do you use: bullet, creative, art, prayer? 

My daily journaling is usually stream of consciousness.  A mental regurgitation of whatever is on my mind.  I might write about things that are currently causing me discomfort, stress, or anxiety.  Things that are bringing me joy.  Ideas, inspirations.  Or just random things that are rolling around in my head.  

As I learn more about neural connections in the brain and how they grow, become stronger, and even change depending on where we focus our thoughts regularly, I have started to wonder...

Can writing my complaints, annoyances, etc. have the same or a similiar effect?  

If so, would focusing on more positive journal entries for say - 30 days - have a positive effect?  Could it lead to more positive thinking?  And perhaps a more joyful outlook in general? 

It's worth a try!  AmIright??

Here are a few prompts to get you started:

• One thing I really like about myself is...
• My favorite way to spend the day is...
• Name 5 things you did right today.  (no matter how small they seem)
• Write about a time you were able to brighten someone else's spirits
• Make a list of 10 (or 20, or 50) things that make you smile
• Write a thank you letter to your body
• Describe yourself using 10 positive words
• Write about something that makes you feel energized
• Write about your favorite vacation or day trip
• Write about something you would like to learn more about
• Write about a hobby or activity that brings you joy
• What has made you smile in the last 24 hours?
• What is your favorite holiday and what do you love about it?
• Do you prefer a shower or bath?  Why?
• Write about your favorite food.

Happy journaling!  

Friday Favorites: Pens, Planners and Notebooks

I think everyone has their favorite thing.  That they can't get enough of.  That one thing that others may not fully understand.  And that's ok, others don't have to get it.  It just makes them happy. 

For some people it's shoes. Or handbags.  Or some sort of figurines.  Or electronic gadgets.  Or... well, you get the point.

My thing is pens, planners and notebooks.  It's no big secret either.  Which is probably why I received three different kinds of pens for my birthday! From three different people. 😂

I adore a good colorful pen.  Felt tip, ball pint, gel pens.  I love them all!  Who wants to write with a plan ol' black or blue pen unless they have too?  Not this woman!

I also received 3 planners and notebooks on my birthday!

I don't know what it is about planners and notebooks.  But I love them.  I use them for journaling, making lists, keeping track of events, orders and blogging plans.  Obviously, the cuter the better.  But even a good ol' spiral notebook can make me happy.


What's your favorite thing?

Sometimes, There's Cake

This is a very short fictional piece I wrote based off a daily writing prompt from Sarah Selecky.  The assignment was two parts over two days.  First, make a list of 10 unrelated sentences.  Second, each sentence became the first sentence of a scene.  Then you write for 10 minutes. Here's what I came up with:

Sometimes, there's cake.

A rich chocolate.  A moist carrot with tangy cream cheese frosting.  Or maybe something decadent: a red velvet or a black forest cake.

Sadly, today is not one of those days.

Cupcakes.  I'm so tired of cupcakes.  Tiny little pre-portioned nuggets of cake.  When what I really want today is a big slice of overindulgence.

I make a face at the cupcakes as I pick one up for a closer look.  White cake.  Vanilla frosting.  With Sprinkles.  Sprinkles?  Are we a bunch of eight-year-olds gathered for a birthday party?

With that image in mind, I stick a finger into the mound of fluffy frosting and swipe it into my mouth.  The sugar hits my taste buds and clings there.  Immediately I begin to concede my former opinion.  Cupcakes might not be so bad after all.

I peel back the paper and take a bite. Cupcakes are technically cakes.  Just smaller.  Mini cakes.  But cakes all the same.  Another bite melts the last of my resolve, and my grumpiness.  

The cupcakes win.  For today. Tomorrow, there might be cake.

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September Goals

September?  Is that right?  September?  I keep thinking it must be wrong, because I JUST typed out the list of goals for August - like yesterday or the day before, right?  Right? No?  I was afraid of that. 

Oh well.  A new month = new goals.  And here they are.

September Goals:

• Finish "About" page for Queen B's Busy Work
• Continue making new items for Queen B's Busy Work
• Do SOMETHING to start organizing crafting area!
• Schedule a September date night with The Man of the House
• Make more time for reading
• Write everyday - either blogging or writing journal (or both!)
• Start making at least 2 Christmas presents
• Take some relaxing time for me each week (give myself a pedi, take a bubble bath, etc)

3:30 am

3:30 am.  Wide awake.  Sort of.  Ok, not really.  Sort of half awake.  Not sleepy enough to go back to dreamland.  Not awake enough to get up and do anything productive. 

This seems to be becoming a regular thing for me.  It's not always 3:30.  Sometimes it's 2:30.  Or 4:30.  The exact time isn't really that important.  What ever the time, there I am in the wee hours of the morning.  Awake enough that it does not qualify as rest.  Sleepy enough not to qualify as awake.

The brain churns at 3:30 am.  I feel pretty sure I am at my most creative in those pre-dawn hours.  There in the dark waits ideas for blog posts, writing journal entries, short stories, and perhaps even a first novel.  I'm a literary genius!  It's not just writing either.  The projects for my Etsy shop, home improvement and decorating, even gift ideas.  It all flows like the wine at a bacchanalia. 

Sadly, they never last.  For, at 3:30 in the morning, my mind is still asleep enough that it can't hold onto the brilliance it creates during that time.  Sleep comes, and washes it all away.  The sun rises and my mind strains trying to recapture even one of the ideas it had in the dark.  But they remain elusive, like forgotten dreams.

Moments In Time: July 1 - 6

The past week in pictures



Sunday July 1:  You can't really see it, but that says 99 degrees.




Monday July 2:  Fresh raspberries, just picked!





Tuesday July 3:   I baked a Lemon-Blueberry cake




Wednesday July 4:  The grand baby's first swim




Thursday July 5:  I had a visitor while sitting on the back porch in the morning




Friday July 6:  My pretty new writing journal