The Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project

~ FEBRUARY 2017 - MARCH 2017 ~

We're Back!

QUICK REVIEW: The object of this Writing Project is to encourage you to expand your mind with regard to your writing path using your own choices and a little Research -- which will lead you to self-discoveries.

Currently, we are continuing on with our wonderful Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project, which is now carrying over from February into the month of March 2017.

We've had a lot of participation, and I'd like to share some of the other input from the Writers participating here in our Writing Project:

Other Stone 1 picks: Travel Writer, News Reporter, Author, Poet, Short Story Writer, Blog Writer, and Website Creator.

My Stone 1 pick was Novelist.

You may have picked an entirely different writing career word that identified with your soul for your Stone 1. Feel free to share it in the Comments here on the Blog.

Our Stone 2 consisted of the year our Stone 1 word was first used in the English language. We all found out that information from the Dictionary of our choice.

Next came Stone 3, which consisted of a word that we each chose from the Research that we did on the year that our Stone 1 word was first used.

Then came Stone 4. which was the condensed word that we each came up with from our further Research on our Stone 1 word that resonated with our soul.

When we last conducted our Research, we each came up with three (3) areas of our choice to do research on with regard to our Stone 4 word.

For example, my Stone 4 word was "Novels", and my three areas of Research were the three genres that I chose, which were as follows...

1) Historical Fiction

2) Drama

3) Self Help Journal

We were each to take our three areas of Research, write the information we found out down in our trusty Notebooks, and chose one (1) of those areas that we were most drawn to.

For me, it was two areas, so I had to narrow it down to one (1) area. I liked both Historical Fiction and Self Help Journal. When I write Novels, I tend to lean toward Historical Fiction most of the time. So I took a leap, and turned to the path I normally don't tread: Self Help Journal.

We were each to take the One (1) area that we chose and come back here for the next step . . .

So here we are!

Now, here comes the FUN...

Take the area that you chose, and using your Research on that one particular area, write one sentence about the area that you were most drawn to.

Help Tip Example: The area that I chose was "Self Help Journal". The Research that I conducted informed me of the following...

1) Self-help or self-improvement is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. Many different self-help group programs exist, each with its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders. Concepts and terms originating in self-help culture and Twelve-Step culture, such as recovery, dysfunctional families, and codependency have become firmly integrated in mainstream language.

Self-help often utilizes publicly available information or support groups, on the Internet as well as in person, where people in similar situations join together.From early examples in self-driven legal practice and home-spun advice, the connotations of the word have spread and often apply particularly to education, business, psychology and psychotherapy, commonly distributed through the popular genre of self-help books. According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, potential benefits of self-help groups that professionals may not be able to provide include friendship, emotional support, experiential knowledge, identity, meaningful roles, and a sense of belonging.

Groups associated with health conditions may consist of patients and caregivers. As well as featuring long-time members sharing experiences, these health groups can become support groups and clearing-houses for educational material. Those who help themselves by learning and identifying about health problems can be said to exemplify self-help, while self-help groups can be seen more as peer-to-peer support. [RESOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]

2) I found out that there are all sorts of Self-Help Journals in the form of Books, such as:

a) Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration by Meera Lee Patel

b) The Gratitude Journal: A 21 Day Challenge to More Gratitude, Deeper Relationships, and Greater Joy (A Life of Gratitude) by Shelley Hitz

c) Knock Knock I'm Doing My Best Inner-Truth Journal by Knock Knock

d) Journal of Awesome by Neil Pasricha

...and the list went on and on...

[RESOURCE: Internet Search]

The question for the area that I chose also becomes, What exactly is a Journal?

By definition, a Journal is . . .

1. a daily record, as of occurrences, experiences, or observations: She kept a journal during her European trip.

2. a newspaper, especially a daily one.

3. a periodical or magazine, especially one published for a special group, learned society, or progression: the October issue of The English Journal.

4. a record, usually daily, of the proceedings and transactions of a legislative body, an organization, etc.

5. Bookkeeping.

a daybook.
(in the double-entry method) a book into which all transactions are entered from the daybook or blotter to facilitate posting into the ledger.

6. Nautical. a log or logbook.

7. to write self-examining or reflective journal entries, especially in school or as part of psychotherapy: Students should journal as part of a portfolio assessment program.

My pursuit in the area of a "Self Help Journal" would be more along these lines . . .

Journal therapy, which is a type of writing therapy that focuses on the writer's internal experiences, thoughts and feelings. Journal therapy uses reflective writing so that the writer can receive mental and emotional clarity, validate experiences and come to a deeper understanding of him or herself. Journal therapy can also be used to express difficult material or access previously inaccessible material.
Like other forms of therapy, journal therapy can be used to heal a writer's emotional or physical problems or work through a trauma, such as illness, addiction, relationship problems etc.

In short, my one sentence for the area that I chose ~ "Self Help Journal" . . .

Journal Therapy or Reflective/Meditative Writing.

What did you come up with?

We'll be back with further insight on what you should get out of your one sentence.

We can't wait!

René Allen ~ Author

Wednesday, March 1, 2017