Enthusiastically, Dawn

Welcome to Week 2 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 an email or just need a place to land 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 on your words- your voice. Are you willing? Are you ready? Let’s begin.

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

Try this for one of your journaling times this week: Mix things up in your journaling environment/experience with one or all of these enhancements, as seems appropriate. 1. A clear space, desktop/table, or cozy nook/corner. Eliminate distraction, and increase comfort and focus! 2. A special candle 3. A different pen. Ironically, I love a basic Bic pen, now and again, instead of my more luxurious pens. OR if you use a basic pen, use a special pen. Just switch things up a bit, try something different. See what it adds, or if it detracts. Nothing is permanent. Go ahead and change something, and see if it brings a bit of pleasure to your journaling experience.

Here’s a Hug (Encouragement for the Journey)

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” – William Shakespeare

Let’s Write (This Week’s Prompts)

Read the prompt, set your timer for 15 minutes (if using a timer). If you have more time or less, allow yourself to adjust as needed. When the timer goes off, you choose to continue or put your pen down, move on with the day. Writing slows you down. Do try to do these prompts on separate days. It will allow your mind to ruminate a bit as the prompts settle into your subconscious.

1. Now and Then– Here are some stems to start you. Springboard off of these starting sentences. Choose one and see where it leads. a.) When I think of love, and what it means to me now, I think… b.) When I consider how I saw love before I see… c.) Love is like… d.) I believe Love is…
2. One person who has modeled what love looks like to me. Think about those who have modeled or continue to model love to you. What specific ways stand out to you? What behaviors or choices do you find worth emulating? Take time to see the loving aspects apart from the limitations. Or look to dissect the actions from the person to see clearly how you perceive love/loving actions.
3. ONE THING – What is one thing you know now about love that you wish you knew when you were younger? Write your best advice in a letter to the younger generation/or your younger self.

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? Meditate on the passage and 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 (this time to the full passage for you to read in context) for your convenience. Romans 5:8-13 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God’s wrath. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? 11 Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

• Photo/Quote Op (In case you are not feeling the love for this week’s prompts!) Respond to the photo. What comes to mind when you look at the image? Journal your response. Write and reflect, and respond to the quote. OR you could combine the two.

On a Side Note: I was looking for a secondary photo for your prompt, and I found it worth noting that most of the pictures were people kissing, or otherwise intimately intertwined. This in itself is a potential prompt, and perhaps a kind of side prompt on how we envision (or want to envision) love.

I hope these prompts will support your journaling journey well this week! With you on the journey-

Enthusiastically, Dawn