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Chapter One: Square One
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Chapter One: Square One
I call the place where you begin these writing journeys "Square One," but it could also be called "Home Port." It's the place within yourself you're most familiar with. Whatever term you want to use, just remember this - the sooner you begin to write, the sooner you'll embark on your journey of self-discovery.
Being a survivor
Everyone understands what it means to be a survivor. The word survivor comes from the Latin supervivere - to live beyond. Perhaps you've faced a life-threatening disease, accident, or other condition that brought you face to face with your own mortality. Or you've lived through a crisis like divorce, bereavement, family separation, professional dissatisfaction, health concerns, or other issues that have the potential for changing lives. Hopefully, you've faced that crisis and now you live beyond it.
Perhaps you're facing a crisis now.
Just as with t'ai chi, yoga, meditation, massage, reflexology, or any other complementary therapy, journal writing is focused on healing and recovery. Through writing, you'll discover how to get more life from everything that you've experienced. In the process, you'll discover that what you've learned from being a survivor has enriched your life beyond anything you've ever imagined.
For centuries, survivors have used journals to understand and enhance their lives. I encourage you to read about some of these other journal writers if you're curious to explore their minds and motivations.
The mystery of healing
So much astonishing research has been done on the effects of journaling on the writer. You can get an even deeper understanding of how important journal writing is to healing when you consider the findings of Dr. James Pennebaker. He began his investigations in the late 1980s with the study of the effect of writing on traumatized rape victims, and his research suggests convincingly that expressive writing about emotional upheavals in our lives can improve our physical and mental health.
Many other researchers have investigated this subject and have made equally profound discoveries. To put it simply, writing enhances healing. Just knowing this can offer additional hope and motivation to reluctant writers.
The process of healing, with its many aspects and complexities, is more art than science. No one knows exactly why one person heals while another with the same condition doesn't. However, a mind-body-spirit connection essential to the process has been observed, and we'll explore that link throughout this book.
The reason for journal writing is to bring about healing. Understanding that the writing process can be as therapeutic as acupuncture, t'ai chi, yoga, meditation, or any other complementary therapy should encourage you to use your journal to bring balance and order into your life. Just as those who pursue these other techniques practice them for their healing effects, so too do journal writers enhance their health and well-being through putting pen to paper.
Personal expectations
One of the activities I begin my workshops with is getting people to express what they'd like to happen for them during our sessions. No matter what you do, where you go, or what you read, you anticipate what life has in store for you. It's always good to get in touch with your expectations, because recognizing what you want from yourself at the beginning clears some space inside you to receive what is offered, rather than focus on what you didn't get.
Ready to write? It's time to embark on your journey by turning the page to Chapter 2, "Getting Started," and to begin to experience the healing and joy that comes through writing about your life.
Order Your Copy of Write For Life Today From Amazon.com or GoodSheppardBooks.com.
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