&nbsp; Sanity Journals

Suzanne, a Journaling Lounge member posted this today and I had to share! Enjoy her inspiring and timely journal entry! Be sure to check out who she is and what she does - AMAZING! http://www.timeforu.net

I'm all about reflection and mappping this week, looking at where I've been and consciously deciding where I want to go next. Tonight I am meeting with a friend for vision boarding. First, we plan to have a review of each other's 2010 vision boards. It's enlightening for me to have a trusted friend inject her perspective into my perception of my experiences. Then, we will set out to create our 2011 vision boards.

I've been playing around with how I feel about 2010. To put it as PG-13 as I can... it was a bitch of a year. At the close of this time, I can be in a place of extreme gratitude about how things turned out and where my life is in this present moment, but living through the last 365 was, at times, crushingly difficult. I almost wrote "soul crushing" but that's not right at all. "Ego crushing" would be more accurate, I suppose. Nevertheless, I've been doing a little journaling in my recently procured 2011 Goddess Guidebook (Big thanks to Syda, for turning me on to this amazing creation) and in the section Celebrating & Releasing 2010 at the prompt that read: "I know myself now more because...", I found myself writing:

I was stripped bare and all alone and I not only survived but thrived (at times). I played in my fears and everything really was okay.

Then, this morning I called SARK's inspiration hotline (as she posted on facebook that a new message awaited there) and something she said further clarified... no... solidified my thoughts and feelings about 2010.

IN THE LOST AND BROKEN PLACES, I FOUND MYSELF.

Big thanks to SARK (I so love her).

Moving on to 2011... My Numerology has me moving into a three year which I'm fairly excited about and I've decided that I shall endeavor to exude and bask in joy... to feel exuberant and supported... to invoke and create in sacred space over and over and over again. It's a tall order for me and I am committing to supporting myself on this journey.

This week, in preparation, I changed my ringtone to Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World"

JEREMIAH WAS A BULLFROG
WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE
NEVER UNDERSTAND A SINGLE WORD HE SAID BUT I HELPED HIM DRINK HIS WINE...AND HE ALWAYS HAD SOME MIGHTY FINE WINE

JOY TO THE WORLD
ALL THE BOYS AND GIRLS
JOY TO THE FISHES IN THE DEEP PLUE SEA
JOY TO YOU AND ME

So fun!!! I think it's a good start.

SARK also talked about the New Year and traditional thoughts about New You. She thinks it's just as important to focus on the Old You. The terrific parts of you that you bring forward into the New. I love this. There are certainly things about myself I want to work on... improve... grow into AND I am willing to recognize there are many things about who I am inherently that I cherish and now am prepared to fully acknowledge.

All my newness (new ideas, new projects, new plans, new aspects of myself emerging) are all supported and enhanced by the parts of me already here. I honor the old and the new.

Happy New Year Loungers!

Suzanne Wigginton
Time For You...Wellness Experiences
http://www.timeforu.net

Thank you Suzanne!

The Insanity of "I Don't Know"... 12/16/2010

Do the words "I don't know" ever paralyze you...keep you from doing the things you truly want to do...leave you stuck and afraid to move forward? These words I tell myself have kept me from doing so many things in my life. When I relate to these thoughts in my head as the truth...I stay stuck. Lately, I've taken on the practice of "knowing" - trusting that I do know and taking action even if it turns out to be something other than I expected. I've discovered that RISK and FORWARD STEPS feel FAR better than wondering and staying stuck where I am.

I get to see the "I don't know" thought show up in my head now and recognize it as a symptom of fear. I've taken it's power away because I can see through it's disguise. It doesn't paralyze me anymore. I've learned I can step through it even when it feels scary. When I go one step beyond "I don't know" I'm finding all sorts of hidden treasures!

What if for today you DO KNOW? When you feel stuck, say to yourself - If I did know, what would the answer be? And...go with that! (might be a good prompt to take to The Journaling Lounge ;-))

How does "I don't know" show up in your life and how do you get past it?

Tugged and Pulled and Pulled and Tugged... 12/12/2010

Things to get done…..busyness…..material things….greed…..wanting…..desire……giving from the heart…..pull to buy gifts….desire to give meaning…the long to do lists…..the anticipation of family gatherings….money worries….tugged and pulled and pulled and tugged in many directions….with little time left to feel centered, peaceful and grateful for the amazing time of year that is upon us.

Could you stop the whirlwind of thoughts in your head for just 15 minutes today? What if pausing for just a moment could take you 10 steps back and reveal a vivid picture of what's happening and what you truly desire this season? Christmas lives inside of you. What if you could give your heart this season without any obligation to give anything else? What if you could let go of the “have to give" and find the “want to give"? What if despite everything you have going on in your life you could choose happy right now for no other reason but to choose happy? What if this year you could look back and know in your heart that you celebrated Christmas in full expression of who you are?

These are the thoughts that have been going through my head this Christmas.    I feel the pull of having to buy gifts and the urge to buy stuff for the sake of buying stuff. And then...something stops me. I actually can’t just buy to buy this year - it goes against every grain of my being. So I am rethinking and creating something new by combining simplicity with giving something that feels good. I like this….it feels better and when I remove the pressure of "having to give" I discover just what it is I want to give.

This reminds me...My friend Elizabeth Hartigan, Gratitude Girls and I know the power of journaling and gratitude and are creating something yummy to be revealed in the New Year. It’s not “stuff”…it won’t clutter your home or your life….it WILL fill you up inside with the good stuff you desire!

More details coming soon!

Tie a Knot and Hang On... 12/03/2010

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Have you ever wanted to quit something, give up in the middle, set it aside and move on to something new? Have you ever wanted to stop doing something that you absolutely love because evidence doesn’t seem to support moving forward?

If you watched Survivor this week you know two people quit with only 11 days left and a 1 in 8 chance to win. I was shocked, disgusted and left thinking about this whole idea. My thoughts raced…how could they quit, they appeared fine, they looked healthy, they weren’t sick, but, they couldn’t find it within themselves to carry all the way through. They had convinced themselves in their minds that the answer to whatever they were struggling with was to jump ship. While that might have been an immediate, quick-fix solution I can’t imagine that it won’t come with later regret. But, perhaps that’s just my own opinion and a clue into my own life that it’s time to call upon my inner strength to press through my circumstances.

This theme rings loud in my life today. We took the boys to breakfast with Santa this morning and while waiting in line I looked up on the wall of the gymnasium and it says in big, bold, green letters

QUITTERS NEVER WIN.

The stories that I love and that deeply inspire me are stories of people pushing through when the odds are against them, people standing up for what they believe, mavericks who march to their own beat and trek where it's uncomfortable and unfamiliar for the sake of fulfilling their mission.

I see questions all over the place. In the face of changing and uncertain circumstances who will I be? What story do I want to tell? I know why the Survivor plot hit me so hard - it’s because I am faced with the same decisions in my own life and do I have what it takes to keep going beyond who I know myself to be? Who am I in the face of adversity? Am I someone who takes the safe, conventional path or someone who digs in, rolls up her sleeves, leans on her faith and courageously steps forward aligned with who she is and her purpose.

The truth of the matter is sometimes the idea of quitting has an alluring effect. What has us keep on in the face of no agreement? What keeps us in the game? When do you know if it’s time to throw in the towel and when it’s time to dig in, have faith, muster strength and push through for the sake of something greater?

After writing through this, I can see now how the events of this week are all intertwined. I am clear now why my husband said “ If there was ever a time to dig in, muster up strength and step forward - it’s now.” The story I want to tell is one of a woman who loved and lived life with her whole being and charged forward for the sake of the dreams in her heart and what she believed possible.

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Pieces of Me... 11/19/2010

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She hangs in my sisters yard…isn’t she amazing! She was brought from Haiti by my niece, Becca. The locals craft these out of recycled oil drums and Becca brings them home to sell and raise money for her non-profit work in Haiti. (Destined for Grace) http://www.destinedforgrace.org

She looks to be an angel mermaid to me. She is free, carries her purpose and passion, and dances forward with life and all it brings. She holds tight to her faith wherever she goes and is surrounded by friends flying side by side helping to lift her wings and soar. I imagine we are all surrounded in this beauty and we lose sight in the face of life challenge. I am reminded today to open my eyes to the angels that surround us in every moment in the shape of sisters, friends, children, spouses, strangers, moments of grace, love and so much more.

My sister is an avid joural junkie herself. We find it sort of crazy that we both ended up journalers. It's not something we ever talked about or were exposed to growing up yet became a huge part of each of our lives. These are pics of my sis’s journals. I love to see and hold her journals. Her writing is symmetrical and beautiful on the page. She always uses pencil and fills notebook after notebook. They stack on her table by the fireplace. She writes beautiful prayers and is always willing to share her journals when I ask. I cozy up next to her on the coach and she reads them aloud to me.

These are two of the loves of my life. They teach me everyday to let go, not take life so seriously, to stand up when it matters, to laugh a lot, to live according to my word, to model what I believe so they can see it, to slow down, to listen closely, to live for right now, to eat with my hands, get messy, play a lot, eat snow cones with 3 seemingly odd flavors, and to be happy, just because.

Sending you moments of bliss, grace and may gratitude fill your heart to overflowing this week. Delight in family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Stand tall, shine bright, keep believing - Carla

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Happy, Sad, Stressful?...Choose 11/12/2010

Life is simple...our thoughts make it complicated. I remember the time in my life when I lived in auto-pilot - completely exposed to the mercy of external events. I was like a twig blowing in the wind easily toppled over by the words and actions of others and in chronic worry of what people thought, if they liked me, and if I measured up. The impact was exhausting.  I spent way more time in my head than in my life. I created enormous amounts of suffering all in my head and internalized it as though it was the truth. I worried incessantly about things I had no control over.  On the surface everything looked great, but inside I didn't know who I really was, I lived to please others and I craved and eagerly lived my life for everyone's approval.

Sadly, it wasn't until after I went through a divorce and fell flat on my face that the journey began. I woke up to life.  I remember the day walking on the green belt when I knew in my heart life was going to be different forever. I could actually SEE everything around me. The sky was brighter, the plants greener, and I could hear wonderful noises and sense everything within and around me as if for the first time.

I realized that I had say in how I felt at every given moment. I made friends with CHOICE. I began choosing my experience of what was happening. Things happen, people say things and for the first time I realized that my power lies in how I choose to experience what is happening.

So, as the holidays approach be mindful of what you are creating. How could CHOICE give you freedom? Our holiday experience doesn’t have to be stressful or exhausting, depend on who's coming, what we are going to do, whether we have money for gifts...none of it. Your holiday experience exists within you. You bring your "holiday" wherever you go.   A magical friend of mine, Megan Monique and I are super excited to bring to you a Virtual Retreat next week that will set the pace for our holidays. Gift yourself one hour to reflect, create your experience and cultivate the wise, quiet place within where you will hold your peace all season long. Will you be there? I hope so! Save your seat!

Journal Junkie Love 11/08/2010

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who joined the celebration and helped to share good journaling vibes about The Journaling Lounge & The Journal Junkie Shop this past week!

Drum roll.....and the winners are! Follow the gals on Twitter!

Laura Lynn - @lauralynnsings - Free Virtual Retreat Holiday JuJu
Suzanne Wiggington - @delightedsage - The Sanity Journal
Cynthia Hanna - @creativARTItude - Journal Junkie Tote

Congratulations & Happy Journaling!

"Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world." – George Bernard Shaw

Honoring One Year in The Journaling Lounge! 11/03/2010

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Celebrating today a full year of self-expression, journaling, magical stories and new friends!

We are celebrating the one year anniversary of The Journaling Lounge today! I want to thank each and every person who has left and will leave their imprint in The Journaling Lounge. YOU are The Journaling Lounge and bring it to life!

Thank you...
for sharing who you are
for being authentic
for uplifting each other
for your courage
and your willingness to stretch and grow!

Let's Party! Celebrate and WIN the Goods!
Help  spread the good journaling vibes for a chance to win! Engage in one or more of the following for a chance to win must-have Journal Junkie Gear!(see below)

1. Share Your Story! Post a journal or blog sharing your "When Life Gets Crazy...JOURNAL" story! How has journaling touched your life? Include a link to The Journaling Lounge! and email me a link. (2 Entries)

2. Invite Friends to Join The Lounge! Email me their names so I can send a personal welcome! (1 Entry for Each Friend who joins)

3. Tweet this! "The Journaling Lounge Celebrates One Year Anniversary!
Join the MAGIC of @sanityjournals! http://tinyurl.com/2dqtyhg "(one entry for every tweet)

4. Share on Facebook! "The Journaling Lounge Celebrates One Year Anniversary! Join the MAGIC! http://tinyurl.com/2dqtyhg" Must send me a screenshot or tag Sanity Journals in the post (One entry)

Win the Goods! Prizes Include...
A Journal Junkie Tote (NEW! Launches in Shop on Friday!)
Your Very Own Sanity Journal
A Free Pass to the next Virtual Retreat- Holiday JuJu 2010!

Contest Ends on Saturday, Nov. 6th.  Three Fabulous Winners will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 7th!

Let's Party! Be part of the magic...join The Journaling Lounge today!

Stand Tall, Shine Bright, Keep Believing   - Carla

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All I Need is...PERSPECTIVE 11/02/2010

PERSPECTIVE...When life stuff seems enormous...I am reminded to step back and zoom out to see the bigger picture. This humungous tree rests outside Hollyhock Cottage in my home town of Carpinteria reminding me of the much bigger picture at hand.

When the little things want to take our attention or drag us down…we can be gently reminded of the bigger picture of what truly matters. Sometimes this means stopping, stepping back, taking a giant belly breath and bringing awareness to what is right in front of us. My pep talk for today...All there is for me to do is bring myself to this very moment. When I am here…I have everything I need.