Enthusiastically, Dawn

Welcome to Week 1 of our All the Love, February journaling adventure.

If you want to know the details, they are on this page: All the Love February and available 24/7 in case you delete and e-mail or just need a place to come to find the latest prompts. What you need to remember is that there is no catching up or getting behind; there are no rules, and no wrong ways to journal for this journey, BUT only to show up and write, whether one or two lines, one or two paragraphs, or one or two pages. No one is grading you, or timing you, or competing with you. This is your opportunity to take 15 minutes (optional time limit- because as I said, NO FIXED RULES), sit, reflect, and write. This is an act of love: to sit, be still, and listen, to know and be known even by yourself – to pause from the busyness of internal and external strife and striving. To come away from it all and wait. Are you willing? Are you ready? Let’s begin.

Journaling Tip of the Week (Take it or Leave it)

You don’t need a new or perfect journal to join in. You can use the journal you are already writing in and designate each of your entries for these prompts clearly by date and title. Otherwise, I find there is always a right notebook for the occasion; it can be as simple as a composition notebook, or sometimes we already have the right journal on hand, waiting for its turn to be used, and it just needs a purpose.

Here’s a Hug (Encouragement for the Journey)

“The beginning is always today.” — Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Let’s Write (This Week’s Prompts)

Read the prompt, set your timer for 15 minutes (if using a timer). When the timer goes off, you choose to continue or put your pen down, move on with the day. Writing slows you down. It may surprise you to find yourself reluctant to stop! Either way, when you write, just try to keep the pen moving and refrain from editing or perfectionism. This is for your eyes only. I like to be my full, messy self in my journal. Like walking around in PJs at home. Scribbles and cross-outs are fine. No criticism permitted. Maybe that can be our one rule? Maybe we should write in our PJs! Whatever works.

1. Whose love had the greatest impact on you in your early years? If it helps to break the times into two or three, try early childhood, teen years, and young adulthood.
2. What early losses did you experience that shaped your perspective of love? Of family, of safety, of God. You can respond to the word that most resonates with you right now (love, family, safety, God).
3. Recall one specific memory from the past when you felt loved. Include as many details connected to the memory as you can about who is involved and what is happening. Write about how you remember it, and then how you see it now as you look back. Note any insights or differences.

Please Note: If you have a negative memory or experience with these prompts (in your perception), try to journal/write through it as a witness to the experience to gain distance. If you sense the need to talk with a trusted friend or family member, or a counselor for support, I encourage you to do so. Your journal is a safe place for you to work out honest responses. It can be a helpful tool for understanding and clearer communication with oneself and others. May it be a blessing.

Bonus prompts (As You Wish: Alternative OR Additional)

• Love for the Brethren (Journaling prompts from Scripture). Prayerfully read the passage below. Respond to it in your journal. What stands out or challenges you? Write a prayer back to the Lord, allowing the verses to inspire your words. Bring your questions, thoughts, and honest responses to the Lord in your journal. I’ve linked the NET Bible (to the verse) in case you want to read the full chapter or just explore the site. 1 John 4:7-10 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God. 8 The person who does not love does not know God because God is love. 9 By this the love of God is revealed in us: that God has sent his one and only Son into the world so that we may live through him. 10 In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

• Photo/Quote Op (In case you are not feeling the love for this week’s prompts!) Simply, respond to the photo or the quote included in this post. You could print the picture and paste it into your journal, or just write as you please. Remember to write the quote in your journal as well. Then springboard off of it with your journaling. OR you could combine the two. Hmmm. No rules!

Wishing you all the love during February and always–

Enthusiastically, Dawn