Reach up to the sky
Find your own way on your journey
Do not listen to the naysayers
Just simply follow your heart
You are stronger than you realize
You deserve happiness and delight
Do not be fearful in the face of the unknown
Stick your neck out there
And take one step
Yes, that is all it takes
One step forward into the unknown
Find your way
And soak up the goodness that this life has to offer
Join me today on the couch as we talking about taking one small step. You have to start somewhere, and that one small step is the place to start.
What one small step can you take today to be a little bit closer to your dream?
It was a moment unlike many others
I stood on the edge of a big decision
And I said yes
It was not hard to make the choice
Staying still no longer felt possible
I had to break free, I had to run
It was terrifying and thrilling
I had no idea where I was going
All I knew was that I had to keep moving forward
Here I stand on the other side of despair
Head held high
Heart open and free
Here I stand stronger, braver, open
Ready to take on challenges that come my way
Wiser for all that I have gone through
Here I stand proud of myself for taking the risk
Soaking in the beautiful life
And navigating my own journey
There are many times when the blank pages stares at me and I am not sure where to begin. It can feel intimidating even when I know there are stories in my heart that need to be written. This is when I turn to writing prompts. There are two different ways that I do this:
n the poem above the words I began with were "It was..." and "Here I stand..." I merged these two prompts into one poem because they felt right to be paired together. I have a bunch of words to begin with stashed away in a note on my evernote account. As I come across more I jot them down for a rainy day.
Begin a list of your own. Tuck it some where that you can easily access it. When you are stuck on what to write turn to that list and choose one. If you still feel stuck pick another. Remember, there are no rules.
Having a jumping off point make it so much easier to begin. The blank page feels less intimidating and I never know where the prompt will lead me. You may think that you are going to head in one direction when you first read it and then all of the sudden your pen takes you on a completely different journey. Be open to what bubbles up.
Words speak deeply to me. Some of my favorite words are serendipity, gratitude, open, wild, intriguing, action. I have taken all of my favorite words and written them down on individual index cards. When I am feeling stuck I pull one out and write whatever comes up from that word. It feels like a game and gives me a purpose.
What are some of your favorite words? Make a list of them or create separate cards for each. Take it one step further and write your own definition of each word. Not the definition from the dictionary, but what the word actually means to you. We all know the definition of words, but we seldom realize what power and meaning a specific word can hold for another.
Having these different prompts makes it easier for you to jump into writing. Go ahead, give it a try. Do you have a specific prompt that you love? Share it in the comments so that we can all give it a whirl.
Sometimes the letter you most need to write is to yourself. There are words that have yet to be spoken but are longing to be whispered. They are your deepest desires. The dreams your heart thinks about but is too afraid to say out loud. You stuff it deep down trying to nudge away the feeling because you know it takes risk to go after. Your heart could end up broken. The dream could become shattered. Where would you go from there if that happened? So away the thought goes, never to be spoken about.
These desires are the pieces that need to be written down. They deserve to be heard and a chance to have their own moment in the sun. Taking the time to breathe life into them allows you the opportunity to quietly acknowledge how important they are to you and slowly set it into motion. Once it is in motion you never know how it will play out. Your job is to take this bold step and give it that initial movement without knowing what the outcome will be.
Write a letter to yourself from the future and pretend that the tiny dream you have living in your heart has come true. Share where you are and the journey you took to get there. Include all the tiny details and what you are doing. How you feel and what has changed in your world because you dreams has come true. Write directly from the heart.
There are also stories that you have been carrying around. They are weighing you down. Filling your head with words that are untrue. You need to write this out of you. You need to allow yourself space to let it all spill out onto the page so that you no longer have to hold it. It is time for you to let go.
This letter is written with the intent of not sending it. This allows you complete freedom to write from the heart to whatever situation or person you have been carrying around. Now is your chance to say all of the things you always wanted to say. Now is the time to make space for something good and set free what is bringing you down. Now is the time to forgive.
After you write the letter destroy it. Rip it up, set it on fire, crumble it into a tight ball and toss it in the trash can. You no longer need these words. Let them go.
Write a letter to the person or thing you have been holding onto that has been dragging you through the mud. Get out everything you need to say, everything. Close the letter with kindness and let this person or thing know that you are letting it go. Let them know that you no longer need to carry this burden and you are done.
And sometimes the letter you most need to write but feel strange about doing so is a love letter to yourself. Yes, to written by you for you. It is in this letter where you have the opportunity to love deeply on who you are. To be gushy and real. To celebrate the handwork you are doing and recognize how far you have come. Yes we all need to show ourselves a little bit of love!
Write a love letter to yourself! Begin with . . .
dear stunning soul {an opening that is filled with love}
I am so proud of you for . . . .
You have accomplished . . .
Each day you show up and . . .
I can't believe you know how to . . .
Just look at . . .
Love madly and deeply, your biggest fan {an ending that is filled with love as well}
Spend some time this week writing these very personal letters. See how it feels to spend time on YOU! Be gentle and tender. Love yourself up deeply!
Are you looking to explore writing a little deeper? Are you drawn to the page but just don't know where to begin?
Join me for brave journaling.
From May 1st - May 21st I encourage you to show up on the page and provide you writing prompts to dive deeply into.
Welcome to the Virtual Dock where you can meet and great with all of the lovely individuals who are participating in this round of the Love Notes Postcard Project. I wish I could snap my fingers and we would all be gathered, but since I cannot do that this is the second best thing.
I invite you to sit down with a cup of tea and meet some lovely individuals.
Stop and savor this moment
This tiny sliver of time where you are taking a brave step forward
You have no idea where it is going to lead, but you are taking the step anyway
You know you have to do it
You know if you do not you will always wonder
You have no idea where this one step will lead you
It may not end up being what you had hoped or thought
Or it may just be the dream you have been always looking to hold onto
All that matters right now, in this moment is that you are doing it
You listened to the sound of your heart
You tuned in to what it was really desiring and you found an opportunity
You know it would have been easier to set it aside, make up excuses, not explore your options
But you did not do that
You found a path and you are willing to venture down it
Celebrate this moment
Do not let it pass without you acknowledging that this big
It is a shift, a slight shift to a grand unknown
Step boldly into it
open your heart & share your story
Hello I'm Jennifer! A writer, podcaster and heart-centered guide. I believe in the power of the written word and am here to guide you in opening your heart.
