When
I think about my own unique Authentic Refreshment – what’s true is that it is
never just one thing that refreshes me, which I imagine is true for most of
us. Different times in my life have
called for different ways to refresh and replenish myself.
What I needed for replenishment…
· in the early years of my social work career while working in
the deep end of stress and trauma,
· during the many sleepless nights with two babes under 2 years
old,
· as I grieve the loss of my father to Alzheimer’s disease,
· during the push of a deadline
· in the midst of an exciting new work contract
· or in the everyday balancing (juggling) of marriage,
motherhood, my business/career
…is
ever changing. The context of my life
is always shaping what I need for Authentic Refreshment – day by day, moment to
moment. I often pause and ask myself, “What
do I need to feel refreshed or replenished in this moment?”
Then
I listen within for the answer. I might
need to go on what I call a “spirit walk”; a solitary walk in nature, a blend
of walking meditation and quiet. Nature
is my church. I might take a night away
for a mini-retreat where I stay in a hotel, take my journal, bubble bath, a
candle, an inspirational book (I recently did this and took Natalie Goldberg’s
new book called The True Secret of
Writing). Stepping away from the
ordinary, entering into solitude and time in my own company refreshes me from
deep places within.
As
a creative, sensitive, heart-centered care “giver” by nature, (I am an ENFJ on
the Meyers’Briggs J), having solitary time where I can
come home to myself and my own self-care is really essential to filling my emotional
cup. While I am fed and stimulated and
even refreshed by inspiring and dynamic interactions with others, I also need
Solitary Authentic Refreshment to support the ebb and flow of self-care and
other-care.
Journaling
and writing are my absolute favourite ways to refresh. When I meet the blank page, pen in hand, my
heart opens, mind settles, body breathes and my spirit is nourished through
reflection, story, dreaming, exploring, remembering and forgetting on the
page. Journaling is like meditating with
a pen in my hand. It stills me, drops me
into my desires, connects me with my self – is always authentic – real, true,
deep rooted. It grounds me. My journaling writing practice shapes who I
am - it is more than just something I do.
Journaling feeds my soul, the deepest essence of who I am.
I
discovered journaling as a young girl. I
can still remember an early diary, pink with a lock and key. It was all very top secret – although I have
no memory of what I was printing about at 8 years-old - perhaps I was writing
about the fun I had with my best friends, Carrie and Darlene. Now, my journal is an 8. 5 by 11 inch spiral bound sketch book, with my .05
mm pilot pen held in its spine. I journal on my own and with others – in my
Writing Alone Together circle with two other women, in my journaling workshops,
with my husband from time to time. This
practice of journaling with others has led to me co-authoring a book called Writing Alone Together: Journaling within a Circle of Women for
Creativity, Compassion and Connection (will be published in 2014). You never know where writing leads!
My
passion for journaling and writing for self-care, self-discovery, growth,
healing, and joy…has also, in the past few years, deeply shaped my work in the
world. My coaching and speaking business,
Creative Wellness, is focused on all things writing to heal, writing to
grow. Now, I regularly speak and teach
about the healing and transformational power of journaling and expressive
writing as practices for self-care, personal growth, and inspired living. Writing for myself, and others too, feels
like a portal for accessing Source energy, a way of opening to all that is
through words, ideas, thoughts and feelings – an awakening and authentic
refreshment that is born with a pen in hand.
Lynda Monk shares a video clip from one of her journaling workshops.
She is also one of the upcoming speakers for the annual Journaling Expo coming January 12, 2014.
Lynda Monk shares a video clip from one of her journaling workshops.
She is also one of the upcoming speakers for the annual Journaling Expo coming January 12, 2014.
Bio:
Lynda Monk is a passionate journal writer,
founder of Creative Wellness and author of Life Source Writing™: A
Reflective Journaling Practice for Self-Discovery, Self-Care, Wellness and
Creativity. You can access her FREE Writing for Wellness Getting Started
Guide which
is filled with over 30 journaling prompts to discover and nourish YOU.
