Writing Gratitude

From Cheryl's Writing Crate

During this wonderful season of Thanksgiving, today's post is devoted to what I consider one of the greatest gifts a person can have--gratitude.

We all experience difficult days, sometimes very long stretches of challenge after challenge, but if we have the tools to turn those tough times into temporary setbacks and instead focus on all the positives in our lives, I believe we live a fulfilling, joyful and worthwhile life.

One of the most popular ways to live a grateful life is to keep a gratitude journal.  You've probably heard this said many times, but have you ever thought about keeping one yourself?  My first experience with a gratitude journal came from reading one of my favorite and most meaningful books, Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach.  This book really tuned me into the art of appreciating the simple things in my life.  I still keep this treasured book on my nightstand and have given dozens away as gifts to the special women in my life.

           

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I must admit, however, although I first read Simple Abundance in 1996, it wasn't until a few years ago that I actively kept a gratitude journal.  I had good intentions for many years but my ready-made excuse of "busy mom of eight kids" was usually the reason I never kept at it

My gratitude journal means many things to me, but at the end of the day if you were to have a peek at the hundreds of pages I've written I think you'd be surprised at how simple my thoughts usually are.

There are days when I give thanks for a beautiful new piece of artwork hanging in my house, or finally finding a pair of jeans that fit me just right.  I also note the amazing experiences I am so lucky to have like visiting my dream publisher--Macmillan--in NYC--because I work for them or how fortunate I am to have just taken 7 of my 8 kids on a fabulous trip to Disney World this past summer.  But for the most part, my pages are filled with things such as being able to listen to Christmas music in early November, cuddling with my dogs on the couch after a full day of work, baking brownies with my 9-year old daughter, sharing my smile with people all day long.  Those are what I jot down in my gratitude journal on a regular basis.

So, today, one week before we celebrate Thanksgiving, I wanted to share with you how important gratitude is not only in my life, but especially to my writing.

If you've ever contemplated keeping a gratitude journal for yourself, this just might be the perfect time to give it a try.  And if you already do have one, what keeps you writing in it on a regular basis?

A Writer's Intuition

From Cheryl's Writing Crate

You know what it is like when you feel something is not quite right, but have no clear reason as to why you feel that way?  I know for me personally, I get these hunches in regards to personal or family life often enough that I have learned to rely on them rather than ignore them.

During the past year since Kate and I had the good fortune to launch this writing blog, I’ve been much more in tune to my feelings where my writing is concerned as well, and not just while paying attention to my inner voice telling me something with my writing isn’t quite right.  But instead I’ve also been very tuned in to noticing ideas or content for my articles and stories that seemingly come from nowhere, especially when both my muse and I know these ideas are totally “outside the box”! 

Just a few short years ago I don’t think I would’ve paid much attention to these messages, but after spending a lot more quality time with myself and my thoughts, I’ve discovered I have a wonderful new asset in my writer’s toolbox that is unique solely to me—my writer’s intuition.  I believe we all have access to the gift of intuition, but only if we choose to let it guide us does it make a positive difference in our personal, professional, or creative lives. 

Once I stopped making excuses that I was the busy mother of 8 and didn’t have time to fulfill my own dreams and goals, my intuition and I formed a whole new relationship which has provided me with stability as well as many rushes of adrenaline because I’ve chosen to actually listen rather than run and hide.   Because of this, I’m writing more both professionally and for personal satisfaction than ever before, and I’m much more focused and grounded despite being busier than ever with my crazy family life.

I read some terrific tips from Bryan Hutchinson recently on how to let your intuition guide your writing life, here are some of my favorites:

Never Underestimate Your Writer's Intuition!

1) Empty your mind.

Before you start writing, take a couple moments to relax and empty your mind of any and all thoughts.

The best way to do this is to take ten or fifteen minutes to think of absolutely nothing and allow yourself to connect with your subconscious. Your subconscious is where all the really good stuff is.

2) Listen to your gut.

If something feels right then it usually is and if it feels wrong or forced, then reconsider.

3) Keep a journal.

The best insights and ideas come when you least expect them.

Lucky people are lucky because they are prepared for opportunity anytime and anywhere. Be ready. Keep a journal.

4) Visualize the results you want.

Don’t be concerned with being realistic because realistic people stay grounded and in the crowd.

5) Trust your intuition.

It will do you no good otherwise.

Of course, intuition should not be used with a total absence of reason and logic, but that’s what the second and third drafts are for. 

Are you ready to listen to your intuition or have you already?

Writing to Heal--Remembering the Victims in The Boston Marathon Bombing

From Cheryl's Writing Crate

My original post for today was about the absolute joy and excitement I feel each time I have the privilege of interviewing a person for a story I'm writing.  I happened to have experienced the ultimate of interviews last week when I landed an unexpected hour of 1:1 conversation with a well-known radio personality in our beautiful state of Rhode Island.  I learned so many things about a subject I know little about, theater and the arts, that I left the interview wanting to watch every Hollywood classic film I could get my hands on.

It wasn't so much the information that was  riveting (though that was fantastic in itself) but it was how this well-known radio talk host delivered the information to me.  It was effortless, enthralling and completely unexpected because the interview was a genuine, last-minute surprise.

Fast forward to this past Monday, April 15th--Patriot's Day and the date of the most historical race in our country--The Boston Marathon, and our country was hit with a completely unexpected surprise, but this wasn't filled with joy and excitement instead it was filled with utter devastation and horror as two bombs exploded killing three innocent bystanders who were at the finish line cheering on the racers.  One of these victims was a precious, 8-year old boy.  8 years old!

Martin Richard, the 8-year old boy who was one of the victims in the Boston Marathon Bombing.

When an event this horrific takes place, it's almost impossible to put coherent thoughts together to make any sense of it.  That's why today's post is dedicated to those who lost their lives, were injured and also to the hundreds of police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical workers, doctors and nurses, hospital staff and to the dozens of ordinary citizens who were innocent bystanders but rose to the occasion to help those in need.  These people are all heroes and lives are now forever changed because of a tragedy that most of us cannot comprehend.

As a writer, the way I make sense of anything that is emotional, good or bad, is to journal about it.  I find it cathartic to start my mornings by writing about what hurts, what feels wonderful and also about what's life-changing. I read a wonderful quote by Louise de Salvo that has always resonated with me.  "Writing is a very sturdy ladder out of the pit"   For me, this means I can be relieved of my pain or made to feel even happier if it's a joyful experience because of the sense of freedom that writing creates in my life.

Remembering all those affected personally and in any way at all by the senseless and tragic Boston Marathon bombings.  

Do you have a tool that helps you work through pain or express your happiness?  Please share with us in the comments.