It's a great time of year to be practicing reflection. As I've mentioned, the past few weeks have been a bit intense for us, AND full of blessings. In my recent journal entries, I find I'm going over the past. Sometimes when I feel this happening, my instinct has been to fall in to guilt or regret. But lately, I have a desire to see my challenges as learning experiences. I'm determined to see the good.⠀
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One of my journal exercises that helps me maintain a grateful and proactive outlook is to write about the experience in 3 different ways. First, spend 20-30 minutes just writing about the experience. Say anything you need to say and don't edit yourself. Do your best to keep the pen moving and attached to the page for the entire time. Let it all flow without judging what you write, how your write it, or what you think it's supposed to look like.⠀
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Next, go through what you wrote down and pull out all of the positive words and phrases. Once you've made a list of the positive words (aim for about 10 if you can), see if you can re-write the story of your experiences seeing only the good. For me it can be hard to turn something challenging into feelings of gratitude and motivation, but this tool helps a lot. I made not have an immediate solution, but my perspective shifts from feeling overwhelmed to curiosity and faith. I don't know how it will work out, but I know that it will. It's amazing how quickly situations begin to resolve themselves when we raise our vibration.⠀
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#grateful #family #familyof4 #writing #amwriting #journaling #realmoments #fortitude #author #momblog #journalwriting #personalgrowth #reflection
I’ve been working on a big poetry based project, and so I was inspired to pick up some poetry books for my kids at the library last week. We have enjoyed reading them. We giggle a lot, the poems often prompt questions from my children, and they want to repeat and recite their favorite parts. Exposing children to poetry has many benefits.⠀
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Poetry builds reading, speaking, and listening skills through the repetition of words and sounds. It offers the opportunity to explore language and vocabulary. Poetry often uses a few words to explain a bigger concept, evokes word play and rhyme, and by doing so, it takes language “out of the box.” Also, poetry is fun and inspiring. It can inspire writing and creative activities and encourage creative thinking.⠀
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Today on my blog I've posted a round-up of our favorite children's poetry books. Check it out at the link in my bio "recent blog posts." 📙 📚 ⠀
Which one is your favorite?⠀
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#family #familyof4 #readingwithkids #lovereading #poetry #kidspoetry #kidsbooks #librariesareimportant #gratitude #joy #lovelife #amwriting
I've been a little quiet on social media the last few weeks. After traveling to 3 states since the beginning of June, replacing two vehicles and doing a significant home repair from storm damage - this mama has been feeling a little overwhelmed. While this summer has been full of blessings so far, it's been intense to say the least!⠀
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I came across this quote again today and it was a great reminder. Even when life feels chaotic, I know that the energy in my home starts with me. If I'm able to find the calm and joy within myself despite my surroundings, my children will respond in kind.⠀
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Here's to a happy, wild, chaotic, joyful, imperfect summer. ⠀
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#family #familyof4 #summer #realmoments #joy #gratitude #fortitude #momblog #realmama
A few months back I posted a weekly article series about inspiration in which I explore what keeps us connected to our creative spark and how we maintain a lifestyle that is generative and fulfilling. This is one of my favorite topics of discussion. I love learning about how people I admire are inspired, and it is one of the ways I maintain my own creative energy.⠀
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This week, I am re-launching my article series on a bi-weekly basis. To kick things off, I’ve asked my friend, Adriana Morales, to share what keeps her inspired. Adriana is a gifted massage therapist, meditation instructor, and spiritual seeker. ⠀
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Check out the link in my bio "recent blog posts" to read what she had to say when I asked about what keeps her inspired.⠀
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#inspiration #creativity #blogger #creativeblogger #author #selfpublished #massagetherapist #meditation #joy #gratitude #wonder #imagination #shinysparks #fortitude #healing
I've been in a poetry mood lately. Working on the second addition of my first children's book, and making serious headway on the second book in the series (coming soon!), I find that I'm seeing poetry all around me. I took my kids to the library last week and they gravitated towards the poetry books without prompting. It amazes me how when we are working on something, the energy of that thing or idea surrounds us, and if we are open to seeing them, the signs are there for us. I call these experiences "cookies." Like the universe is leaving little cookie crumbs for me, letting me know that I'm on the right track.⠀
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Do you know what I mean? Do you ever experience that?⠀
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Earlier this year I published a small chapbook of poetry. It's something I've always wanted to do, and so I just gathered up all of the poems I've been working on for the past few years and put them together. It's called This Morning I Woke and it's available on Lulu dot com. If you're interested, you can grab a copy for yourself at the link in my bio "poetry chapbook."⠀
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Today, I wanted to share one of the poems from the chapbook - just because. Reading and writing poetry makes me feel connected to the magic of creative work, humanity, and I find it so heart opening.⠀
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How about you? Are you a poetry fan? What are your favorites? ⠀
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#mondaymotivation #startyourweekright #momonamission #simplethings #inspiration #positiveenergy #appreciate #joyful #patience #fortitude #poetry #poemoftheday #poetrychapbook #selfpublished #poetsofig #amwriting #writer #author #blogger
