Enthusiastically, Dawn

Today, as I write this post, it is the last day of September. Fall marches forward into all things orange, burgundy and gold. The colors that adorn the whimsical falling leaves, and fat, round pumpkins are emerging all over New England. In bits and bursts before our eyes for now, but eventually all will be lit with the splendor of the season. Breathe deep the fresh air of Autumn and enjoy all of its offerings. A perfect season to speculate, to ponder, to ask questions into the wind while walking the beach, or hiking the trail. Is there any other season which invites contemplating the somber things as much as the one that begins with the diminishing of light, and the beauty of dying things? I find this time year to be a powerful time for listening, seeking and asking the questions that will impact the upcoming year.

Are you ready for today’s prompt? Let’s jump in.

Prompt 9: Get back to

There are three months left to this year…today’s prompt invites us to check in and see if there is anything we need to get back to. What has, during the course of this year, fallen into neglect. Perhaps by taking on too much, or unforseen events, or maybe you lost sight of your WHY- knowing, recalling to mind and keeping in mind “why am I doing this” IS key to progress toward goals. Whatever the reason, the obstacle, the challenge…here is an opportunity for you to DISCOVER what it is and revisit your WHY it matters.

Option 1: Planner’s Delight- Write the list of all the things- a brainstorm, a brain dump, a mind purge of all the things you want to do or had hoped to do by the end of the year. This a download of all the randoms. It could be a short list, or lengthy. But get all of it out of your head. After you make your list, look it over. Which one thing do you want to get back to? Once identified, write a sentence on why you want to get back to it. Write the one thing on an index card, and on the back your why. Now, get to it- you have three months!

Option 2: Freewrite– remember to keep that pen moving once you start writing.

1. What is it that I most need to get back to…
2. If I could get back to something I did before that I no longer do, wit would be…
3. I’ve been thinking about getting back to…
4. If I could get back to one day for a do over it would be…

Option 3: One word sprinboard. Choose a word below that speaks to you – based on the theme of getting back to and write a response. An example to help, would be as I think about getting back to, what do I need to acknowledge, claim, or defend? Have at one of these and see where they lead. Turn the prompt upside down, inside out and sideways!

acknowledge
claim
defend
deny
explain
plead
resolve
respond
return
say
solve

Option 4: For my Brethren. Write, meditate and respond to this scripture in your journal. “Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:5 CSB) You can check out this link to BibleRef for more versions and some Bible notes. This is a great site, I have recently found am enjoying.

Writer’s Tip: When tackling a prompt, remember that a prompt is just something to get you going in the right (write?) direction. So don’t let it box you in. Trust what pops in your head and go with that. Write about what is coming, and don’t worry or be distracted by what is not! Thoughts such as, oh wait, I’m supposed to be writing about … get the boot out of your head for these journaling sessions. I do believe if you keep writing through, you will get to the heart of the matter eventually. What matters most will emerge. Sometimes it’s the last sentence before the timer goes off. If you can – keep writing or allow yourself to come back and revisit your response to the prompt and see what comes as you respond to what you wrote. Ask yourself: Do I see anything different now than when I wrote this response? Do I need to explore further? Go deeper?

A Note: Please know if I don’t respond right away to your comment, I will get to it! I have been reading them but at times cannot respond, and promise to get to every one…ASAP. Thank you for your comments and for joining in!

Happy Journaling!

Enthusiastically, Dawn