Journal Thursday

Freestyle journaling day. Pick up your pen and paper and start writing whatever comes to your mind. After you're done set done your pen take a day or two and return to what you wrote.

Journal Thursday

"Love is in the air". A saying we hear all so frequently during this Valentine's Day time. But what does this mean? What comes to mind? Take a moment and write your thoughts.

Is what you wrote the way love is in your life right now? How would you like to see love demonstrated in your life? Take a moment here and write down your answers.

Are you loving the same way you wished to be loved? What might you change in what you are doing? Continue journaling your answers.

Now take a moment and reflect on your journal entry.

3 Ways Music Impacts Our Mood

What is it about music that sets the mood? Or what mood sets the music? Music has great influence in our lives.

Weigh in on these 3 ways it impacts / influences...

1. Empower us-- To take courage, stay the course, be strong, motivate to thought, feeling, and action
   
2. Stir / Influence us-- Moves us to a particular mood or action (whether negative or positive) as well as entertains us
3. Soothe us-- Bring comfort, peace, calm and revival to a weary soul.

Whatever reason or reasons you listen to music and any particular genre, recognize what mood you are in before, during and after the music. How do you feel? What thoughts are stirred? What action/s are you finding yourself doing?

Journal Thursday

What mood are you in? Happy? Sad? Angry? Energetic? Frustrated? Peaceful? Jealous? Content? Etc... Write it down.

Take a moment and begin to hum.

Now, consider what music genre, group /artist or song you would like to sing or listen to? Write this song title or genre down. Pull up the song or group/artist off your "techie device" (mp3, CD player, website, etc), pick the song and listen to it.

Did the song you listened to match your mood? Or was it a song to counter (change) your mood?

Journal a bit about this choice and your reason/s.

Sanctuary

What comes to mind when you hear the word "sanctuary"? Perhaps, a sacred building, temple, cathedral, or mosque or a place of refuge, safety or harmony. Do you have a place you go to find that "sanctuary"? Maybe home, or a quiet outdoor spot, or possibly a chapel to go and pray. If you don't have a place to go consider some options. Now this is a place that may be an escape from life's problems but look at it as more of a retreat...a place to relax, yes, but to recharge, reflect and seek guidance. This guidance can come from inner reflection, a friend, family member...yet there are many times we could use a "higher power" perspective that goes beyond natural reasoning or knowledge. Give yourself time during your sanctuary and with many times of "calling out". Seek the Lord while He still may be found.

When there is time you want to give up, throw in the towel...remember "SANCTUARY"!

Journal Thursday

What a day!

For today's (this week's) journal...

1. Close your eyes and take a deep breath...in through the nose and then out through the mouth....then repeat the deep breathing exercise once more.
   
2. Now, open your eyes and write the first 3 words that come to your mind in a vertical (up-and-down) row.
3. For each word, write about what each of them means to you at this moment.
4. Review what you wrote...if anything seems negative or out of sorts with you, give yourself a few moments to reflect on how you may improve from the thoughts and feelings that flowed out in your words.
   

If things seem overwhelming, then find a trusted friend to talk to or consider setting up a counseling session or 2 with a counselor to sort things out in a private, confidential setting. Go to our pathways website for more information.

Feelings...nothing more than feelings

Feelings, feelings, we all have them. Some of us express them more than others but we all have 'em. Are feelings right or wrong? Good or bad? No. It's about what inside of us that triggered the feelings. It's what we do with our feelings. They are invaluable to us and act as an internal barometer telling us what's going on inside us.

What do your feelings tell you about yourself? Do you tend to avoid or ignore them? Tell everyone around you about how you feel?

If there's times you can't seem to make sense of them or them keep coming up with internal turmoil or distress, then it may be time to seek some help with a counselor to sort them out and get some peace of mind back in your life.