Writing Exercise
DESCRIPTION
Keep a journal of drawings or words.
INSTRUCTIONS
Buy a notebook or drawing book. If you want, buy a special set of pens or pencils -- something that helps you be more expressive. Find a time of day and a setting that allows you to write or draw undisturbed for at least twenty minutes. Find a safe place to keep your writings -- it's best if no one else reads them (Journaling ).
Write about the past, present or future, expressing your deepest thoughts and feelings. Write out the details of any past traumatic experience. Put down all the thoughts and feelings you have that you are afraid to share with anyone else. Remember, you cannot be wrong in your journal. No one else will see it to judge or criticize. No one will correct your spelling, punctuation or grammar. There's no need to question whether or not your feelings are justified or valid -- just express them. If you are too angry to write about something, find a safe way to dissipate some of the energy first (see SLAMMIT in Arts & Crafts). If you are too sad, grab a box of tissues (and a sad movie if you need an excuse) and cry for awhile. It's okay to have an occasional pity party -- just don't get stuck there.
Give your ideas a place to come alive. Ask questions and then try to answer them. Pretend you have all the resources you need, and describe what your idea would like when turned into reality. Describe the type of people you want to have in your life, and the sort of energy you want to express.
RELATED IDEA
Make a set of Journal Jumpers. Here's how. Buy a package of unlined index cards. On each card draw a picture or write a word or phrase (SYMBOLISM). Now, add three questions that relate to the picture or word. When you feel stuck on a topic to write about, randomly draw a card from your pack, and use it to jolt your memory and jump-start your thoughts.
JOY'S JOURNEY
Whenever I get really stuck, I grab a notebook or notepad and my favorite pen, grab a carry-out cup of coffee and head somewhere scenic. I settle myself into the privacy of nature, and simply write down everything and anything that comes into my head without pausing. I ask questions and write down the immediate answer that occurs to me then dispute the answer myself. I write down observations -- a bird just flew into the tree next to me -- and day dreams -- if I were a bird where would I fly? After fifteen minutes of unedited and continuous automatic writing, my answer is usually somewhere on the page. I'm always amazed that the answer to getting unstuck was already somewhere inside of me.
QUOTES
the more there is in life to celebrate.
Oprah Winfrey
We are the hero of our own story.
Mary McCarthy
The words! I collected them in all shapes and sizes
and hung them like bangles in my mind.
Hortense Calisher
Dr. Joy is available to present playful workshops (playshops) at your corporate training retreat, non profit organization gathering, or club membership meetings. She is located in Denver, Colorado, and travels throughout the US to deliver Serious Fun ™ Programs for personal growth, wellness, and inspiration. Please see the program pages for details and contact information.
This playful meditation activity is COPYRIGHTED. If you are a professional trainer, coach, human resources person, counselor, or therapist it is not ethical nor legal for you to use it or share it with your clients or those you supervise/train as part of your job. See the copyright notice on the front page of this e-book. Remember, character is what you do when no one is looking. Please take the high road, and pay me appropriately to use these materials professionally, even if you work for a church, school, non-profit or the government.
© Copyright 1999-2008 by Joy Koenig. All Rights Reserved.
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