One Little Word 2011 Introduction, Bible Verses and Webster Dictionary Definition

c h o o k o o l o o n k s - the beauty of different - journaling 101: a primer for those who'd like to start a practice for the new year

Occasionally on Own Your Beauty, I've mentioned pulling out your journal to do some of the prompts, which may have led you to believe that I am an avid journaller. You would be correct.  However!  Despite appearances, I only started journaling in earnest for about a year and half now.  Before that, I would not have been caught dead journaling.  You see, originally, I assumed journaling was about writing very lofty thoughts in beautifully bound journals every single day, for the purposes of baring one's darkest and most emotionally-wrenching secrets from the depths of one's soul for all posterity.  You know, like Anne Frank, except more profound.
You can see why perhaps I found the thought of journaling a little daunting.
And while, obviously, there's nothing wrong with journaling in that way, a conversation with my friend Jen Lee a year-and-a-half ago made me realize that there really is no right or wrong way to journal at all; and in fact, it might possibly be far more rewarding, and freeing even, to look at journaling as merely a way to capture the ephemera of your life.  By journaling this way -- just capturing your messy, imperfect life, with no thought about how you want the final product to look or read -- the result, of course, is that you'll have an accidentally beautiful record of your life and times.  Since that conversation, I've journaled almost every day.  And honestly? It has changed my life.  My journals have kept me very organized with respect to my daily schedule and life, but have also provided me lots of inspiration for my work as well -- things I'd like to photograph or write, or projects I'd like to tackle, or even future goals to whch to aspire.
Over the months my journals has evolved from very simple books to something quite a bit more complex, but each time I've added something new, it's just been about whatever I've felt like putting in the pages, as opposed to What Is Supposed To Be Recorded In A Journal.  And so, today, I thought I'd share with you the various sections in my journal, from the very basic to the more elaborate.  If you don't journal, as we begin the new year, I'd strongly encourage you to give it a go, and just see what comes of it.  You can do as many of these levels that you want, or just stick with Level 1 -- it's entirely up to you.  And you never know: just starting a practice of handwriting things down might help you discover and more deeply appreciate your Beautiful Different.
The Rules and the Tools:  As I mentioned above, journaling should be completely freeform and generally rule-free; that said, the only rule for myself (and I would suggest, for anyone just starting out), is that you are not allowed to rip out any pages.  In other words, if you make a mistake, or you try doodling something you don't like, or you don't think it's neat enough, or heck, of someone rests their coffee cup on the open page leaving a ring stain, it stays in the book.  I know this might feel very frustrating at first, but just trust me on this.  Years from now, after you've forgotten about it, you'll come across the scribble, or the coffee stain, and might actually be charmed by this.
So, since this is my rule, I never buy spiral-bound journals, since the temptation to rip out a page is too strong.  Instead, I buy tightly-bound journals -- Moleskines are great (hard to rip out pages), and I started using those, but then I found a more eco-friendly version, and have been using those instead.  And I always get the unlined versions, so that I can write as big or small as I want, but it doesn't matter, really.  And also, since you're going to want to have it on you as much as possible (you'll see why, below), be sure to get a size that's big enough to write in, but portable enough to throw into your handbag or backpack.
In addition to the journals, I have a favourite pen that I always use.  Make sure to pick your favourite -- you'll want use it a lot.
Okay, so that's all you'll need.  Here we go:
Level 1: The most basic journal -- the to-do list and scratch pad.
Every day, whether I write or include anything else in my journal, the one thing I do make sure to do is to write down my to-do list for the day.  There is something just so satisfying about scratching through the items I have to do as I get them done; in addition, having all of my to-do lists in one place is convenient:  I can go back and remember when I did something, or if I fail to do something one day, I simply move it to the following day.

Then -- and this is the part that might be unlike how you've ever heard journaling be done -- I keep my journal with me for the rest of the day, and use the pages following my to-do list like a scratch pad.  Someone calls and leaves a message for my husband? I write it down there.  Need to make a grocery list? I write it down in my journal. Planning a trip?  The packing list goes in the pages.

Ideas for blog posts, names of bottles of wine I want to remember, even brainstorming book ideas while I sit in the car pool line, waiting for my daughter to come out of school -- anything that I would scratch on a piece of paper or even a napkin happens in my journal.

The beauty of this is that because your journal is chronological, you'll be able to go find things -- your notes, ideas, etc. -- easily.  It's been a great way to organize my life, and an easy way to start "journaling" without feeling too exposed or weird about it.  And in the end, ultimately, it's a great record of your life -- one that will be treasured in years to come.
Level 2:  "Morning pages"
 In addition to the to-do lists, above; and, in fact, before I even write down my to-do lists, I write two "morning pages."  The idea is actually espoused in Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way, and the concept is this:  first thing in the morning, before you even turn on your computer, you write at least 2 pages (The Artist's Way actually suggests 3 pages) of whatever comes to your head -- completely stream-of-consciousness, without any particular attention to spelling or grammar, simply spilling all the thoughts that are cluttering your mind every morning.

To be honest with you, I rarely go back and read these pages -- but what I've found is that just doing this clears my head for the day, and gets rid of the superfluous thoughts so that I can focus on what's important to me for the day.  It's just a nice little clearing exercise.
One tip that my friend Jen gave me that I try to maintain:  try to do the to-do list and the morning pages (if you do them) before you turn on your computer.  In this way, you can be sure to focus what's important to you for the day before your email inbox decided to rule your world.  Your email should supplement what you want to accomplish for the day, not take it over.
Level 3:  Use your journal as a scrapbook and a photo album.
I don't know about you, but (a) I do not scrapbook in the way that "scrapbook" has come to mean, and (b) I am horrible about putting photographs into albums.  (Yes, I am a photographer.  Yes, I know this is pathetic).  But since I do journal every day, I've found a couple of ways to make sure that I manage to capture memories in a way that doesn't seem like a chore or even a huge chunk of my time:
First, whenever I come across a piece of paper that I love -- someone sends me a pretty card, for example, or I get a fortune from a fortune cookie that I like, or my daughter draws me a pretty picture that I want to save, I just glue it right into the pages of my journal:



Again, I just glue these down in the next available blank page I have, regardless of when I received or found the card, or when Alex did her original piece of art for me.   Sometimes I caption them, sometimes I don't.  And if I happen to be somewhere where I don't have glue, no worries -- the journals that I use have little pockets in the back, so I just save them there until I can get to them.  When the pocket in the back of the journal gets too fat, I know it's time to start gluing.
Similarly, I discovered these awesome adhesive pockets that you can get in any office supply store, that conveniently hold 4"x6" photos.  So every now and then I print my favourite images, or if I'm cleaning out a closet and stumble on some old snapshots, I grab one of these pockets, stick the photo inside, and slap these babies in my journal:

and bam! instant photo album.  The pockets are really great for anything you don't want to glue down:

Now gluing things and inserting pockets into your journal admittedly can make your completed book sort of fat, but trust me, that's part of its charm.
Level 4:  Colour, doodle, add art, collage, write favourite quotes, etc.
Over months, I've become really taken with the concept of art journaling -- not just writing down thoughts, but simply expressing them through art.  I've never considered myself much of an artist in the traditional sense of the world; however, since a journal is ostensibly very private, I found that my journal is where I can play around with art and colour without risk of anyone judging my work.  I love colour, and when I first began, I would just paint a page with water colours, just to have something different from a plain white page to write on (see the 7th image, above).  But since then, I've started also just playing with the pages.  Sometimes I collage:

And sometimes I just doodle, using big fat coloured pens to write down favourite quotes I come across, and just generally messing around.
 
I admit that this might seem the most risky thing to do in a journal, but remember:  no one has to see this but you.  This is just for playing purposes, and in fact, I most often do this sitting in front of our television, watching a movie on the weekend, just playing around.  It's something to do rather than surf the web, you know?  Just for play.
So that's it!  Again, to make a journal a journal, you don't have to do all of these things -- you might just do some of them.  Or none of them, and come up with some ideas all of your own.  But I think the practice of just handwriting things on paper is meditative.  It certainly helps me organize my life.  And again, the result -- even the pages with the coffee/tea rings on them -- make for a really beautiful record of my messy life.
So if, for the year to come, you'd like to start spending more time doing something just for you, consider picking up a plain journal and a few pens, and start playing, without any preconceived expectations or judgments.  You'll thank yourself.

* * * * * * *

For art journal inspiration, here are a couple of sources that I've found really helpful:
The 1000 Journals Project -- This is an awesome project where 1000 journals were sent out into the world, and people added their own art/thoughts to a page, and then passed it on.  It is a great source for seeing the different ways people journal, and I guarantee you, it's very freeing:  some of the pages are mindblowingly intricate; however, some are refreshingly simple, and will make you believe, "Hey, I can do that," even if you've never done a moment of art in your life.  You can see a sampling of the pages here; in addition, consider getting the book, which is wonderful to go back to again and again.
The Diary of Frida Kahlo -- This is a book comprised of the pages of the diary of the famous Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.  The reason I love this book so much is because here's this great artist, one of the most famous of modern times, and in her diary there are scribbles, stains, ink bleeding through to the other side of the page, even misspellings.  And nonetheless, her diary is absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful.  It's a great lesson in remember that perfect isn't always desired, and what's beautiful about a personal piece of work is our own humanity that we can leave in it.  This book makes "art" accessible, particularly when it comes to journaling.
Teesha Moore's blog -- Okay, before you click on that link, let me warn you that Teesha Moore is a mindblowingly astounding art journalist.  Her work is astonishing.  But she's also incredibly generous with her methods (and she even tells you how she does it in a series of YouTube videos, and I've found it really fun to just try to copy a small piece of her work in my journal.  Really inspiring stuff.
Zentangle -- If you'd like to try making hand-drawn art, but are a bit concerned about your drawing skills, consider straight-up doodling.  These intricate doodles, called zentangles, are all about creating your own art by just making a series of repetitive strokes.  Give it a whirl.
Charis Brown Malloy -- And finally, in response to my call to make vision boards last week, Charis shared her Vision Books -- she actually does her vision collage work in a journal.  I love this.  Take a look at what she does -- an ability to draw is not required, and the result is stunning.

And with that, Happy New Year, everyone, and happy journaling!

This post is part of BlogHer's Own Your Beauty initiative.  For more, click here.

via chookooloonks.com

What a neat idea to journaling! Via http://www.aliedwards.com/

I have picked my word for 2011!

journal your gratitudes: Hers

via iloveitallwithmonikawright.blogspot.com

I think I am going to organize my stash of scrapbooking supplies and work on a 365 journal of gratitudes! I sure do have enough stuff!

The Simple Things

Christmas is over!  But, the memories will always remain! 



Project Life 2011

via beckyhiggins.com

I cant wait until it comes in!!!

Hugs to You ...

via 3.bp.blogspot.com

Arent these sweet ...

Holiday Photo Checklist

via rebeccacooper.blogspot.com

Thank you, Rebecca Cooper for being so giving and inspiring!!

Becky's Blog: A cute idea

via beckyhiggins.com

How to Make Book Page Mini Trees (For Christmas)

via domestifluff.com

Cute Idea!!!

via 4.bp.blogspot.com

I LOVE, LOVE this blog !

via homegrownhospitality.typepad.com

This blog inspires me so much! It challenges me to change, grow and be more than what I am today! It gives me the fuel to create, dream and do! She is also very giving of her own talents to others ... freely!! May you be inspire as well! Have a blessed day!

I love this blog because it reminds me to do ...

via homegrownhospitality.typepad.com

Introducing A New Class At Big Picture Classes | One Little Word

Introducing A New Class At Big Picture Classes One Little Word

Do I Really Need Another One?

via kennyanderin.blogspot.com

I love paper, journals and calendars! Especially this one!!!

Joseph, one of the Shepherd Boys

DSC_0387, originally uploaded by Love.Peace.Happiness Family.

He did such a nice job singing in the Seville UMC JCKids Christmas Concert this past Sunday.

Seville UMC JCKIDS Christmas Concert 12.12.2010

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpljmassaro/sets/72157625600221516/

Introducing A New Class At Big Picture Classes | One Little Word | Ali Edwards

Introducing A New Class At Big Picture Classes One Little Word Ali Edwards

Mock Ice Cream Sandwiches from .... It's me... {Jen}

via itsmejen.blogspot.com

Jen is an excellent cook. I use to babysit her when I was a sophmore at BGSU. Thank you, Jen for sharing your recipes!!!

Besottment by paper relics

via besottment.typepad.com

So many ideas that I want to incorporate into my daily living!

A Lesson on Brotherhood & Friendship

Let Us Give ...

Love.Peace.Happiness: November 2010

Advent & December Daily 2010

Album Cover, originally uploaded by Love.Peace.Happiness Family.

Advent is the season when we prepare our lives-hearts, minds, and spirits- for the coming of the Christ Child. We sweep out the corners of our hearts, cleaning up the clutter, to make space for God's hope, peace, joy, love, and presence. ~ Beth A. Richardson

This Advent Season alongside the tradition of December Daily I will be focusing on this! I am excited to partake in this!

October 2010 Happenings

October 2010 Happenings, originally uploaded by Love.Peace.Happiness Family.

Picture Fall Online Scrapbooking Class
Happy 15th Wedding Anniversary, Paul ! I love you!
Colorful Day at Fiesta Warehouse
Antique Scrapbook Finds in East Liverpool
Lovely, Victorian Bed & Breakfast
Pumpkin & Luke ... Brotherly Love
Happy 10th Birthday, Joseph!
Happy Birthday to my MOST "You look so young AUNT" in the whole wide world!!! LOVE YOU!!!
Intimate Birthdays with Grandmas & Grandpas!
Seville Crop Walk 2010
Homemade Dinners
Hot Tea
Caregivers Day Out!
Signs of Fall
Haunted House Fun
Silliness
Father & Son Cub/Boy Scout Camp Out
Baby Showers with co-workers
Halloween Parades and Beautiful Music
Family Gatherings
Neighbors & their Grandchildren
Selling Boy Scout Popcorn
Noticing the Everyday Beauty!

Joey & His Corncobs ...

10.7.2010: After The Fall, originally uploaded by Love.Peace.Happiness Family.

Happy 10th Birthday, Joseph!

You have "protected" a cornstalk and its corncobs throughout the summer months! You have asked your brother nicely, "DO NOT PICK THE CORNCOBS!" Well, last night he felt the temptation and acted upon it and PICKED IT!!! I came home and you both were upset. Your brother was upset that he made you mad, sad and angry! He just wanted to "protect" it from the squirrels ...

Well, here it is being eaten by you, the protector!!!! The night ended up better than what it started off by ...

I am grateful that you are willing to forgive, forget and MOVE ON to better things; like trying a tiny, mini corncob!! Did it taste good?

A BIg, Heart-Felt Thank You ...

Its been a STAY AT HOME kind of weekend. My oldest went on a Boy Scout Camp Out, Paul did his usual Saturday day off kind of thing; going to Hartville Flea Market, thrifting and taking a Norton Kiwansis Bicycle Ride. My youngest and I stayed at home per his request and response to be able to stay inside to rest, do laundry, go through school papers, my purse, reconciling my checkbook and to overcome this sore throat virus that is going around! And, sending out thank you cards and tally up the cash, checks and online donations to the Bike MS: Pedal To The Point 2010! We raised $ 1020.00! I am so thrilled and excited to be able to give this amount to MS! I am also grateful to all who were willing to donate monies and support through prayers! We all felt them. The above picture was taken by a photographer (and bought by us) on their way back to Middleburg Heights! They both were still smiling and memories will remain in all of us! Once again, thank you!

Daily Hugs

I thought about these all day.

My co-worker in North Canton gave me a hug today. 

She asked, " Can I give you a hug?"

I said, " Yes, and started crying!" Mind you, I rarely cry at work.

I was having a frustrating morning and THAT simple question and action made it all better!

Wouldnt it be a better place if more people would ask, " Can I have a hug?" or

"Have you had your daily hug?" or

"Can I give (or get) a hug?" 

Thank you, my sweet son for asking every day, " Have you had your daily hug?"

I will always say, "no" so that I can get a daily hug!

I am grateful for this love!

AUGUST 2010 LOVE.PEACE.HAPPINESS

• L. received 1 Beta Fish and 3 Tadpoles to finish the Amphibian and Reptile Merit Badge.
• Mini Vacation Trip to Sagatuck, Michigan
• Prayer Time with God
• SUMC Once Upon A Summer 9:30-2:00 p.m.  {Luke was the photographer this year!}
• Senior Independence Work Retreat.  The theme was "Telling Your Story"
• MS Pedal To The Point Bicycle Ride {L & J} Funraiser for MS & Bicycling Merit Badge for L.
• Middle School Orientation
• Hartville Flea Market/Garage Sales/Goodwilling with L.
• 3D Movie with J.
• L. started 7th Grade & J. started 4th Grade
• Gavin & Brody's Birthday Party
• Boy Scout Camp Wilderness Summer Camping Trip
• Piano Lessons
• Speech
• Gratitude Journaling

We are SIMPLE people ... {kind of}

I dont know why I just thought of this but, we are simple people ... kind of! 

As I am typing on a laptop; I am listening/watching my old television; which is a counsel no, its not your flat screen television but an old television; the one that sits on the floor with a picture tube. It was my Grandpa and Grandma's.  But, its simple.

Last night as Luke was at UMYF; the leader asks if he has a cell phone; I said "umm ... no!"  ALL THE OTHER KIDS DO!! Well, not Luke and his friend; so now there are two of them without cell phone and its simple; he isnt getting one!! We know where he  will be at and where he is going! 

Oh, she also asked if he has a FACEBOOK account; I said; "umm no!"  ALL THE OTHER KIDS DO!! Well, his friend that has no cell phone does have a FB account; but he is 13!! {We will think about that one}  Thankfully, his birthday is in April.  We are simple ...

Its hot today!! Its very hot today! Its very, very hot today!  We dont have A/C in our cars or in our HOME!  It usually isnt too bad in the summer but, this summer; its HOT!!  We have fans in the windows;  ceiling fan in our dining room and more fans throughout the home!  We are simple ... {Well, my husband is}  I just play along!!

We have hand me down furniture, we have lots and lots of pictures, scrapbooks, clutter, old trinkets from family, China Dishes, Fiesta Dishes from the Hartville Flea Market, piles of laundry to be folded, washed and folded, old concert tshirts of my husband's that were handed down to the boys, file cabinets full of old greeting cards in chronological order that I sent to my LOVE during college, antique cameras, an Old Victrola case, old MAD magazines, ... simple stuff!

We have an old home.  It was built in the 1900's.  Not a 2010 home.  We live on a simple street in a small, simple town.  We have simple neighbors.

We are simple people and I like it that way!  I wouldnt change a thing ... well maybe; having an air conditioner for those hot, summer days!!

Tonights Dinner Is:

15 Minutes Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo
By Kym in Ohio on May 04, 2002
http://www.food.com/

Photo by lazyme
12 Reviews

Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 20 mins min
Serves: 4





About This Recipe from Kym in Ohio
"This is very good and quick and easy. Not sure where I got this recipe."

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, cubed
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup milk
8 ounces fettuccine pasta, cooked drained

Directions
In large saucepan, stir together cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, margarine, and milk over low heat until smooth.
Add fettucine after already cooked and drained; toss lightly.

3D Movie and A Borrowed Keyboard

Cats & Dogs 3D Movie Night

Grandma "M" loaned us her Bigger Keyboard

Vacation Day for Mom!

Dad took Luke to the Hartville Market.  It was the 1st and Last time before school will start.

My mom, sister, niece and great nephrews came over today.  Thank you sissy!!

Received a thoughtful prayer and card from a heart to heart friend in the mail.  Thanks Kim!

Joey and I went to see the 3D Movie of Cats & Dogs, ate popcorn, drank coca-cola & giggled.

School supply shopping.

Saw our sweet  2nd & 3rd cousins: Cora and her girls

Coccia House Pizza with the in-laws.

Joey couldnt wait to practiced piano on the bigger and better keyboard. Thanks Grandma M!

I am grateful for these things today!!

School Will Be Starting ...

Luke will be in 7th Grade.
Joey will be in 4th Grade.
Luke will at the Middle School.
Joey will remain at the Intermediate School.
My boys are growing up so quickly.
Paul and I will be celebrating 15 Years of Marriage in September.
I love him more & more each day; its the everyday kind of love!
He is so gentle, patient and sweet!
School will be starting on August 25, 2010
Bright & Early for Luke
Same time for Joey
I love my life; as a wife and mother!
Thank you for this day of rest {& catching up} around the home!

Good Morning!

For some reason; I cant seem to sleep until now.  And, I am checking to see if this works ... I cant wait to check!!!

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...Crickets
I am thinking...of expressing my gratitude in new ways and more often
I am thankful for...my health, family, friends and working
From the learning rooms...Experiencing God and Celebration of Discipline (New Reading Material)
From the kitchen...cereal, WHOLE WHEAT ENGLISH MUFFIN, and Gatorade (the boys had BK and DH had leftover pasta and chicken
I am wearing...Khakis, Red shirt, blue shoes
I am creating...new way to capture the EVERYDAY
I am going...away on a work retreat soon; one day overnight in COLUMBUS
I am reading...SEE ABOVE
I am hoping...to be more grateful, experience GOD fully, knowing and doing the will of GOD
I am hearing...TV, Joey "playing" shooting games, making noices of shooting guns, crunching of cereal, local train going through town
Around the house...Remnants of being away for acouple of days
One of my favorite things...Being more present and aware
A few plans for the rest of the week:  Celebrating Pedal to the Point with DH and Oldest Son
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

FOR TODAY Idea from:  http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Summer Is ...

Cub Scout Crossing Over
Boys Scout Camp
Earning 2 Merit Badges:  Shotgun and Signaling
Working on Merit Badges
Baseball
Piano Lessons
Cub Scout Trip to Mammouth Cave/Wright Patterson Air Force Museum
MS Pedal to the Point
Having Fun
Sweating
Watching 2nd Cousins
Enjoying a cool evening after a HOT SUMMER DAY
Quietness
Visit from the Seville UMC Youth Group (Catching Up)
Friends

Summer, Salsa and Silly Bands

Today, I took the day off to be home with my husband and my youngest. My oldest is at Boy Scout Camp for the 2nd year. He was excited and we are excited for him. I love Mondays and Days Off! It was a good day. We had breakfast, cleaned the downstairs, organized school papers (more to go in that area), picked up husbands bike, lunch, coffee, visited with grandparents, $1.00 Ice Cream Cones at Buehlers, shopping, made homemade Salsa for the 1st time (Thank you, husband), Tacos, cleaned some more, laundry ... It was a good day! And, the day ended with a much needed cool evening! I LOVE cool evenings! As I close; I am praying for the Boy Scout Camp staff and counselors, the Boy Scouts and their leaders and their parents and siblings!

Walking ... Praying ... Worshiping ... Children!

While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about. - Angela Schwindt