Monday, November 4, 2013

Out of My Head, Onto the Paper

I live too much inside my head.
Thoughts run through my head like the TV news tickers that run across the bottom of the television screen.  They are never-ending and seem to recycle themselves, running over and over through my mind.  I realized that a key to moving on is releasing those thoughts, getting them out of my head and onto the paper. 
Journaling is a struggle for me.  I have always been envious of those girls who kept one of those little diaries with the tiny locket key.  Try as I might (I had MANY failed attempts) I could not tackle the discipline of writing daily in one of those small books.  I struggle now with my morning reading ritual.  When stress hits, out it goes!

I completed one of my books, Choosing Happiness; Life & Soul Essentials by Stephanie Dowrick.  Upon finishing the book I realized I’m not any happier and I’m not any more pleasant to live with.  How can this be?  Because I don’t take action!  I read it, I write out what inspires me, and then I shelve the book on my desk until the next morning when I do my reading.  I don’t take any action towards what inspired me.  The list of things I have to get done pushes out that inspiration and replace them with stress.  So with the starting over from page one I am going to journal differently.  The main goal is to stop living in my head and take action.  I need to get my thoughts out on paper; making myself journal them instead of letting them continuously recycle like that news ticker tape at the bottom of the TV screen.  Every day I need to take one action step in the direction of my life’s purpose.  I need to give up worrying whether it’s in “right” direction and trust that the angels are guiding me towards the right path.

This is what my old journal looks like: 








 Here’s my new journal:






Linking today with Monday Mugshot over at A Year in the Life of an Art Journal:

10 comments:

  1. Ooooh! I like that mug!! :) Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. I love that mug! when I saw it and knew I had to buy it! I need to figure out what I did to lighten the shot as it truly was dark when I took it. I am having fun with this bi-monthly project.

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  2. Gee, seeing your journals makes me feel so uncreative. Most of my journals contain plain writing - at least one has a small doodle of flowers here and there. This gives me something to think about - I've been getting bored with journaling, after doing it for more than 30 years in the same way.

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    1. Thank you for the compliment! Know that I am struggling with my journaling and am still working on finding the right style that fits me. My inspiration comes from Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/midteacher/journal-keeping-inspiration/ While many of these are beautiful and inspiring, their style doesn't fit me. I believe journaling will always be "a work in progress". As long as it is releasing, I know I'm on the right track.

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  3. Hi Diane, I just love your description of the effect of the book ... It's not working because we do not act upon the things we read or are inspired by! And your art jpournals are so pretty and inspiring ... makes me want to start also one. I have a journal / scrap book I could continue ... just a page every now and then ... I better get started - to get some action behing the wish :-)

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! Journaling only works if it's not "pushed". I was inspired by the gluebooks people were creating over at http://artsyville.blogspot.com/ Glue it Tuesdays. I did a couple of pages but a gluebook just wasn't for me and I ended up shelving it for. Trying to force it made it not fun. I hope you can find a way to work in your journal/scrap book that fits for you. I would love to see some pictures.

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  4. What a beautiful journal! Thank you for stopping by my blog, I wanted to return the favor. Now following through google and pinterest :)

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! I had fun reading your blog. The M & M's and Kit Kat Cake looks yummy.

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  5. Great ideas! and love your journaling. I have also been blessed many times with what i call MONKEY MIND. Isn't it such a mixed blessing??? LOL. One thing that has helped me is a little mantra that I once had on an audio tape, and listened to over and over... ;while i was kayaking. It said things like I AM ENOUGH. Simple, but yet, so true, and helps to calm your mind. What you have done today, IS ENOUGH, no matter how small the accomplishment was. It was all you meant to accomplish. also helps me to just tackle small things for the day, have fewer goals. I keep a small notebook in my purse, writing down what i need to accomplish, then crossing it off as I go. Knowing that eventually, although the list grows, I will also have accomplished alot that I can actually see from my "cross offs". LEXAPRO helps too. LOL. Love your journal and this is such a wonderful way to see the path that you are to take!

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  6. Thanks for visiting my blog, Diane where I posted the butterfly ATC. Yes, it was a S-B swap so it flew away. Taking pix is the only way I can send things off once I've made them.
    I like your altered composition book. It's one of the things on my list to do.
    Cheers, Coleen in Ukraine

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Thank you so much for stopping by. Please share your insights.