Random Acts of Kindness

Since I've been a little stuck for what to write in here I've been plundering the journal writing prompts at Creativity Portal again.

When I came across this one: "What's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for you?" I had to stop and write about it myself first. It was an interesting journal writing prompt, but it lead me to what is the nicest thing I've ever done for anyone. I know the things I think have been nice, but it's always surprising to learn what things those same people recall. Usually, it's those unattainable things, not so much what we gave them, as in physical things. It's the act of kindness that is long remembered over the object given.

Spend some time writing about random acts of kindness. What are they to you? Who deserves or doesn't deserve them? Has anyone done something for you that changed your life? Write about what they did and if you would be willing to do similar for another person.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Freaky Friday #15

Today is Friday and that means it's Freaky Friday. If you need to know more about this journal writing challenge please read Freaky Friday #1.

Today I was thinking about pioneer diaries. I'm sure you've read at least one, possibly more, journals from people making a start in just about any country, new or old. If you haven't, try these links and read a few for yourself.


Historical Pioneer Journals
Pioneer Journals
Emigrant Narratives & Biographies

The challenge today is to write as if you are a pioneer. Write a journal entry as if you are there making a new life with your partner, or family. Try to leave out any references and knowledge of the day you now live in. Write down all the things you would love a future generation to know. Answer the questions you've had on reading pioneer journals. What will you include in your journal that you never read in previous journals?

If you come across some good websites with pioneer journals, diaries and letters for readers to view please let me know. I'd love to add to my list. I didn't seem to come up with too many results tonight.

Heather
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Struggling

If I'm perfectly honest I have to let all know I'm stuggling with several issues in my life right now. I've been feeling a bit like giving up on a lot of things. While I am still unsure exactly what to do I have been writing in my journal. It's been a journey of discovery. There's also a certain element of depression creeping into my soul. I am most often good at dealing with this, but lately I haven't been. For me winter is the most difficult time of the year. Here in Perth, Western Australia we've had days and days of rain and wind and cold. It really gets to me. When the sun shines I can be found sitting out absorbing the great light into my life.

What about you? How do the seasons alter your mood or general well-being? Are you aware of this at all? Spend some time rereading journal entries from other seasons to compare. When I began tracking my moods in my journal I began to notice a pattern of low moods during winter. Write about this in your journal, but please share your thoughts in the section below, too.

Heather
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Freaky Friday #14

Today is Friday. That means it's Freaky Friday. If you need to know more about this journal writing challenge please read Freaky Friday #1.

With the popularity of TV series featuring cartoon characters I felt it might be good to slip into the shoes of one of them for today's challenge. Check out the character bios for The Simpsons, Futurama and The Family Guy. I'm sure there are others, but you will need to do your own research as I'm just sticking with the ones I can think of right now.

Pick a character and write a journal entry in the voice of that character. You might like to write specifically about a problem you're dealing with. Have that character let you know what they think about the problem and how you're handling it. If you watch the TV programme the characters are from you should find this easy.

I hope you gain insight into an area of your life by allowing these cartoon characters to help you gain a fresh perspective. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Coloured Pencils

While reading my email I came across the Wet Canvas link to their monthly challenge in their forums. This month the challenge is on using coloured pencils. I was certainly inspired by some of the work in progress on their blog & in the forums. If you aren't already a part of their community you might find it useful to join. They have loads of info and endless inspiration for any artistic endeavour you might like to begin.

Do you make use of coloured pencils in your visual journals? If so, how do you use them? I tend to prefer crayons and watercolour pencils. What about you? Share you visual journal ideas when it comes to using coloured pencils. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Sex Diaries

On Saturday night our church screened parts of the DVD called Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage. I really enjoyed it and we did laugh a lot. What I really liked was how the information opened a door for hubby and I to have a frank & rewarding discussion about our own marriage and ahem... sex life. Which was even more interesting when I came across a study by Australian sex therapist Bettina Arndt where 100 couples were asked to keep intimate diaries about their sex lives.

The article makes a fascinating read, especially if you've been in a long term relationship. Make sure to check out Bettina Arndt's volunteer page, too. You might be interested in helping her out, or simply find the questions posed as usual prompts for your own journal writing, or perhaps to spark open discussion between you & your partner.

I hope you find something useful for your own journal in this entry. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
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Letters to the Editor

One of my favourite parts of the weekend newspaper is always the letters to the editor. There's something about reading what the people think on certain newsworthy topics. I will often read these letters with my journal beside me and jot down thoughts in response to the comments people make. If I'm stirred enough I will write my reply there, too. I've been known to form these into actual letters, too, and have had some published. Often, though, the exercise of responding to my thoughts in my journal has been enough.

Read some letters to the editor in your local newspaper. Clip out the ones that strike a chord in you for whatever reason and put them in your journal so you can write about them at your leisure. First write in response to the original writer, then address the topic with your views clearly stated, lastly try to see how the other writer came to their point of view. Put yourself in their shoes and write more about their point of view. It's amazing how much this will help your understanding of what other people suffer.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng