Journaling to Explore the Possibilities

My grandmother, who is 83, has survived breast cancer twice, severe polymyalgia, a heart attack, and, most recently, lymphoma. She's still sharp and active and funny, and I'm grateful to be able to spend some meaningful time with her as an adult.

Here's an example of Grandma's sense of humor: I've been encouraging her for a couple of years to take part in the activities at the senior center, but every time I brought it up, she'd say, "I don't like to hang out with those old people." OK... I could see her point. But yesterday she mentioned that she might be able to make some friends if she actually went to some events at the senior center. When I recounted the aforementioned objection, she said, "Yeah, well, I've just lately decided that I'm old." And she laughed her devilish laugh that always cracks me up because it means she's cracking herself up.

Anyway, sometimes we go to the cancer support group sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Yesterday, the speaker taught us about journaling--some tricks and tips and methods for using it as a healing medium. We did several journaling exercises, and one of them was to use a "springboard" (list was provided) to get us thinking about something in a new way. I chose "What would I do if I knew I could not fail?" I actively tried to quiet my internal editor so I could just write. The gist of my response was that I'd change the world and create peace, harmony, and love. But here's the nugget I want to keep close and hope you will, too:

I'd give my heart away every day

and live in anticipation of

people giving their hearts to me.

I'd give the love we all want to receive.

Man, that was the best eight minutes I've spent dreaming in a while. Take the time to feel and find yourself, even it's five minutes a day, through meditation or writing or something. Contrary to what we're taught about being productive by always being busy, busy, busy, a quiet and still mind is a powerful thing.