Tuesday, December 11, 2012

My Personal Dream



THE VAGUE PART
Last week, I had 'an experience'. I am not sure what to call it, frankly. Maybe it was a moment of enlightenment. But, the one thing I know for sure is I received the Lord's guidance and things became clearer to me than they have ever been.

I have known for well over 12 years that my dream was to be a writer. That has never been in doubt. Writing is something that is very important in my life and makes me who I am. When I do not write, I feel like half my heart is missing. I am not the same person and it shows. However, I thought my dream was to write fiction. 

While I now know that was not the case, I also realize I had to live what I thought was my dream (my perceived dream), my life's purpose, before I could accept my real dream. I was not ready for this dream that I have today. 

Now that I am journaling about it, and sharing it with you, I think it's not several different dreams here I am talking about. Rather  it's a dream that's been morphed and transformed into something bigger and better than I could have ever, and will ever, imagine. It's the realization of stages of a dream. 

As it is, I have set several goals to help me to reach my dream of becoming a fiction writer. I have accomplished every one of them. It's taken me years, but I have. It's also taken a great deal more work and effort than I realized. It has not been easy. It's been quite difficult and has taken everything I have. 

While all of this might sound dramatic, it is not. What I am sharing with you is the reality of the situation. 

I have been, and am, quite proud of what I've accomplished  I did not think I would be able to do what I have done. Yet, I somehow did it. I was pushed harder than ever and did things I never thought I could do. 

It's taken a great deal of strength I never knew I had. It seems that with every dream, several obstacles find their way to you. They try to thwart not just one or two things you do, but everything you do. They try to sidetrack you, discourage you, and get you to stop your pursuit of your dream. My dream has been no different. I've been at my wits end some days, as a matter of fact. 

I've also done my fair share of spinning my wheels--getting nowhere fast.

I've been distracted.

I've even traveled the wrong path at times.

However, I've persevered. 

I've made sure to evaluate my dream, and goals to reach the dream, periodically. This is the key. This is the heart of the matter. I have checked periodically to see if I am on-track and what I should do differently. This is what I did last week, needless to say, and it has changed everything for me. 

My dream has transformed into something I never would have thought of on my own. It is far bigger than me, my capabilities, and my imagination. In order for this dream to come true, I will need God to work through me. I cannot do it on my won. I need divine assistance. That's how big my dream is now. 

It's rather funny. As I look back now, I realize I would have said the same 12 years ago when I realized my dream was to writ fiction. However, deep down inside, I knew I could do it. This time, I have no such inclination. I expect to fall flat on my face several times as I live out this dream and as I bring it to become reality and fulfilled, through the Lord's help and guidance. But, I am prepared to get up, dust myself off--and persevere. I know it will be worthwhile. 

I have no idea where I am going or what I am doing--if I am totally truthful.

Never mind how I am TERRIFIED. Yes. Scared. Shaking in my boots. Chewing my fingernails. Bouncing my leg. Shaking my head. Hair standing on end. Doing everything I can not to freeze, fight, or flight. Rather, I will stand and do whatever it takes. But, it does not change the fat that I am petrified. 

I don't have the stuff to bring this dream to pass. 

I have no idea what I am doing or how to get there. 

I am clueless.

THE SPECIFIC DREAM
I have pledged to dedicate at least the entire year of 2013 of giving everything I have and am to this dream fulfillment. I have already figured out the great sacrifices I will need to make in order to bring it to attainment. 

This blog will share my journey of my dream with you. 

My specific writing dream is:

A combination of journaling my life story, writing my memoir, and embarking on a year-long project, as I teach you to journal and bring you journaling tips. 

THE ONE-YEAR PROJECT AND MORE SPECIFIC DREAM
Let me give you the title of the blog series I am going to do for 2013 and see if you can figure out my specific dream:

"My Year with the Founding of the United States of America"

It sounds pretty heavy, doesn't it? Well, that's because it is. 

The bottom-line is this:
I want to trace the origins of the United States of America, and my family, and see how each point I learn has shaped my life and who I am today. 

I want to become a subject-matter expert in the founding of the USA and what it means for my life today.

I will share more with you in a future blog post. 

~ Stacy Duplease

What is a dream? a Journaling Exercise



A dream is untapped potential waiting for us to fulfill.

Granted, there is a lot more to a dream than this. Nonetheless, this part of the definition of a dream is what I want to focus on in this blog post today.

A dream is something that takes you out of your comfort zone. It pushes you to do something you never knew you could do and maybe is something you didn't even realize until it came to mind. 

A dream is the reason why you are alive today. It's to live this untapped potential.

The untapped potential in your life leads to the dream and as you live the goals necessary to bring the dream to fruition, you realize that you keep having more and more untapped potential. It will push you beyond your limits and will not be easy. 

A dream is far more than your bucket list. It's something that will take you years, and several rounds of goal achieving before you reach your dream and bring your dream to fruition. It takes a great deal of constant, daily focus and effort. It does not come easy and pushes you to your limits. 

JOURNALING EXERCISE
So, what is your dream? 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

How have you been led astray in 2012? (A Journaling Exercise)




Grab your journal, your favorite beverage, and maybe a snack. But, first, make sure to get up and walk around for a couple of minutes. Stretch. Take several long, deep breaths in preparation for this Journaling Exercise. (Pardon me for a moment while I practice what I preach.) 

Okay. I am back. Are you ready?

Today has the potential of being an awkward, and possibly painful, blog post and journaling exercise. However  now that you know to prepare for this, don't let it happen. Rather, remove yourself from the emotion of what you learn. Rather, count your blessings for what you learn  After all, you can choose to do and live differently from today because of it. 

I recently read something about a 67-year old man, whom I will call bill. Bill was told he needed to have a life-saving heart surgery. The fact that his life was in jeopardy caught his attention and he started journaling. The operation was successful and he kept journaling. Years later, he said it was not the experiences in his life that he counted the most blessing. Rather, it was what he learned from his experiences that he found the most meaningful and were his biggest blessings.

You see, experience is not the greatest teacher. Instead, it's evaluated experience that is the best teacher. Bill knew this lesson well.

Do not regret the past. Rather, learn from it. 

JOURNALING EXERCISE
Now that we are in a more proper frame of mind, let's look at the year 2012 in our lives and ask ourselves this question:

How have I been led astray in 2012?

* Let us spend as much time as we possible can answering this question in our journals. Ideally, we will spend the next week on this question alone. Minimally, let's look at it over the next 48-hours. 

* Take some time to write down anything that comes to mind after you read that question. 

* Then, re-read it again and jot more things down. 

* Keep adding to the lsit over the next 48 hours to week.

* If you get stuck, ask yourself the question again.

* If you cannot think of anything more to write about things that led you astray, start to analyze why you were led astray by each item you listed.

* Look at each item and figure out how you can avoid it in the future.

* What was learned from each item that led you astray?

* Can you see why, and how, with each item you might have needed to be led astray, because it prepared you to learn from it, and something greater will come from this evaluated experience? In other words, it will be useful to you. But, ask yourself how. Learn from it. 

MY PERSONAL STORY
This is a lesson that is very near and dear to me at the moment. I shared what I learned in a blog post on 30 November 2012, in which, I stated how I realized that for 11 years now, almost 12, I have been spinning my wheels and have missed the true calling the Lord has for me and my life. I took the what I perceived as the "more interesting  route, which actually meant was less intimidating. I took the easy route. I chose my way, and not God's. I did what I wanted to do and not what I was born to do. I lived a life of untapped potential. 

The realization dumbfounded me and, frankly, totally astounded me. I was horrified. It was something that hit me pretty hard. 

I did something I spent years trying to avoid: Wasting my life. 

I kept trying to make a living as a fiction writer. That sounds more fun than writing about journaling--and surely more interesting than memoir writing. My life was too boring to tell and share with anyone else, after all. Or, that was what I told myself. And, anyway, who wanted to journal? (Excuses, excuses, excuses!)

I also realize I was a woman ahead of time. Journaling was NOT common 11-12 years ago. You could not find blank journals everywhere--not like today. 

I also realize I had to mature and live a little more before I could live my true potential. 

What is even more interesting is what I am really meant to do. I will share this with you in the upcoming blog posts on this blog. 

Just trust me. I had to be led astray all this time--so I could live my untapped potential. I do not regret a moment of my past. I now know what I was really meant to do. I was not ready to do that until today--and even now I have a long way to go. But, I am willing to start now. If I would have started to do what I was really meant to do 11 years ago, I would have not been ready. In fact, I would have refused to do it because it seemed boring to me and was not something I would have liked. But, my, how times change. I am grateful for spinning my wheels this year. I needed to in order to do what I am going to do in 2013. 

So, now, it is your turn. Please do today's journaling exercise. 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Checking In: A journaling Prompt and Exercise



Good morning to you.

You might want to grab your journal and answer these questions. I also recommend you to send me an email or attach a blog post comment and let me know how you are.

I just wanted to check in with you and see how you are today. So, how are you? Have you stopped long enough to ask yourself this question?

How was your weekend?

How are you living a memorable life today and this week?

How are you preparing for Christmas this week? 

Have you taken some time to reflect on 2012?

Have you taken some time to prepare and set goals for 2013?

How is your journaling? 

What do you want from your journaling in 2013?

What did you think of your journaling in 2012?

What was the most important thing you experienced in 2012?

What was the most important thing you learned in 2012?

What do you hope from 2013? What are your expectations?

What do you hope from 2013? What are your expectations regarding your journaling?

How are your home and family? Marriage? Children? 

How's your job? 

How's your faith?

What answered prayer have you received in 2012? 

Count your blessings from 2012. 

What are your prayers for 2013?

What do you hope from this week? 

What do you hope from the remainder of the year of 2012?

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Stacy Duplease has sent you a discount for Penzu Pro

Get 20% off Penzu Pro, the best way to keep a journal or diary in the cloud, when you use this link:
http://penzu.com/r/34f16257

This is what I use for my journaling. I have searched high and low for the perfect journaling program or app for several years now. Penzu is it. Check it out.

Enjoy,

-Stacy Duplease

Friday, December 7, 2012

PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR




2013

It's hard to believe, but it's true. It's the time of year again, when we need to start to prepare for the New Year.

I've always loved this poem:

I AM THE NEW YEAR
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Life, I am the new year.
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.

I am your opportunity to practice
what you have learned about life
during the last twelve months.

All that you sought
and didn't find is hidden in me,
waiting for you to search it out
with more determination.

All the good that you tried for
and didn't achieve
is mine to grant
when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do,
all that you hoped but did not will,
all the faith that you claimed but did not have -
these slumber lightly,
waiting to be awakened
by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity
to renew your allegiance to Him who said,
'behold, I make all things new.'

I am the new year.


The original source of this poem is: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/poetry.cgi?record=101

The New Year provides us with a blank canvas in which we choose how to fill and create. The choice is ours.

However, we should not even think of starting the New Year until we evaluate the past year and from there, we can then choose what we want from the new year.

Shall we start to prepare for the new year? It's that time, after all.

JOURNALING EXERCISE
* If you could live the perfect year next year, what would that look like? Describe in great detail. Take at least 1 day, preferably 2-3, in order to look at this fully.
* What would it take for you to do it?
* Make sure to write out an actual plan for the new year. Be thorough and specific. Write an 1-sentence, a 4-sentence, an 8-sentence, 3-paragraph, 1-page, and 2-page plan.
* Put your plan into action. Write out a goal for the entire year. This is your mission statement.
* Write a goal for each of the things you mentioned previously in order to live the ideal life.
* Write out a goal for each month.
* Write out a goal for each week.

* Put it all on your planner/calendar/schedule.


~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 


Remember Pearl Harbor

http://sarahsundin.blogspot.com/2012/12/remember-pearl-harbor.html

Please read this blog post in memory of the Day of Infamy, Pearl
Harbor, 07 December 1941.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Christmas is...

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

It was never supposed to be about decorating, presents, stress, family dynamics, etc. Christmas should never make anyone cringe or start counting the cost. Rather, we have made it that way.

Christmas is supposed to be about Jesus. Not us. Not presents. Not dinner. Not traveling.

Journaling Exercise
How have you complicated Christmas in your life?

Am I saying not to do or have any of the things I have listed? No. But, I am saying that if you cringe at all or stress at all, I would reevaluate my perception of Christmas, get back to the true meaning, and adjust what I do for Christmas so I could remember what really matters:

Jesus Christ was born to save the world from sin and bring mankind eternal life.

Journaling Exercise
What are your thoughts?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Living a Memorable Life: Day 3




JOURNALING EXERCISE
Please do not cheat and read ahead. Answer these two questions in your journal. Then, read this blog post entry. The two questions to answer are:
* 1 How would you define happiness? 
* 2 How would you define content or contentment?

IT'S MORE THAN HAPPY. IT'S CONTENT
A memorable life is more than a happy one. Happiness, after all, is fleeting. Happiness depends on circumstances, people, and emotions to feed it.

It drifts with the wind and the seasons of change. It is short-lived.

Few people are happy every day for all of their lives. Fewer have learned the secret of how to live a memorable life every day.

A memorable life seeks something deeper and far more lasting than happiness. A memorable life is one that is content at all times, in spite of people, places, things, or circumstances.

For the record, I think a lot of people define happiness really as contentment  but, there is a great difference between them. When you read what's next, I think you will see the great difference between happiness and contentment. I don't know about you, but I would rather be content any day of the week than happy. Read the next section and see why.

WHAT IS CONTENTMENT?
Let me grab a couple of dictionaries and see how they define CONTENT or CONTENTMENT:

When a person is content, they accept where they are, how they are, who they are, who they have, and what they have. In other words, they live the motto, "It is what it is." They do not pine for more than they have and are. They do not allow people, places, things, or situations to influence their state of contentment. Their contentment stands--no matter what. It's solid. It is not swayed.

But, is that to say they do not seek excellence? No. Not all all. Rather, contented people seek to make the most of the people, places, things, and circumstances they have today and do so every day. They live a memorable life where they are.

Yes. It's okay to dream if you are content. You know what you can control. If something has been on your heart  a dream, then you better go after it. but, don't ever take today for granted. Be satisfied with today as you seek to get to tomorrow. This is true contentment. This is living a memorable life.

Contentment is accepting the here and now and living it the best you can, with all you have, and all you are today. This is how you live a memorable life.

CONTENTMENT ACKNOWLEDGES WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL AND WHAT YOU CANNOT
 Contentment knows you cannot control people or circumstances. They are what they are.

Contentment knows what it can control: Your reaction to people, places, events (or situations, circumstances, and experiences), and things.

Just acknowledging those two truths brings contentment. You no longer have to live a constant battle. You have freedom because you know two truths that are life-sustaining. They sure get rid of the stress in our lives. Too many times, we are trying to fight for something  or change something, and nothing happens. This is why. we forget what we can and cannot control.

Living a memorable life means knowing when to let go, when to take control, and when to appreciate your life as it is.

JOURNALING EXERCISE
* Write your thoughts on happiness, now that you know the truth about happiness. 
* Write your thoughts about contentment.
* How content are you?
* How can you focus on what you can control and forget what you cannot?
* Is there anything you are trying to control, but you really can't?
* Now, how do you want to live a memorable life, after reading this blog post? 
* Write your definition of living a memorable life at this point, after reading Days 1-3. 
* What are your thoughts about living a memorable life?

~ Stacy Duplease

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Living a Memorable Life: Day 2



WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE A MEMORABLE LIFE? 
Living a memorable life means to live a life of meaning, and to do so intentionally, every day. 
A memorable life is one that is remembered. 
It is living a life with the intent of making it memorable so that you can leave a legacy behind that inspires others. 
It's purposeful living.
Living a memorable life is to not take a moment for granted.
When you live a memorable life, you live the opposite of a wasted life or a life with wasted moments. 
I want this as my story every day from now and until I die. then, I want this for my epitaph:

She lived a memorable life as a memory maker, prayerful wife, and journalkeeper. 
Not a moment was wasted, taken for granted, or neglected.

JOURNALING EXERCISE
* Write your thoughts on everything you just read in your journal. 

FINE AND DANDY
All of that is fine and dandy. It sounds like it's full of platitudes and idealistic dreaming. And, it sure doesn't sound possible. Sure, it sounds nice. Who wouldn't want this said of them?
But, what if it was possible?

JOURNALING EXERCISE
* Write your thoughts on everything you just read in your journal. 

IT IS POSSIBLE TO LIVE A MEMORABLE LIFE EVERY DAY
It is possible to live a memorable life every day. Period. It's not just a dream or wishful thinking. It's do-able. It can be accomplished. 
So, why don't we start to explore how to live a memorable life?

JOURNALING EXERCISE
* Do you think it's possible to live a memorable life?
* Do you think it is possible to live a memorable life today?
* So, how can you live today as a memorable day? What does that look like? 
* Why should you live a memorable life?
* How do you want to remember your life when you reflect on it in the future?
* How do you want your live to be remembered when you die?

~ Stacy Duplease

Living a Memorable Life: Day 1



NEW BLOG POST SERIES AND JOURNALING BOOK:
Living a Memorable Life

Living a Memorable Life: Day 1
Written: 2012-12-04 17:27:27 (04 December 2012)

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to a new blog post series. It is about living a memorable life--every day. 

HAVE YOUR NOT JOURNALED BEFORE (OR VERY LITTLE)?
This blog post series is being written with the assumption that you have journaled before. If not, you might want to check out this link and then start to read and participate in this blog post series. The link to read 1st if you have not journaled before is: 

AN INTRODUCTORY QUIZ
Why don't we grab our journals and our favorite beverage? Feel free to grab a bite to eat if you want to as well. Then, sit in your favorite spot. 
Now, why don't we get a baseline as to how we conduct our lives today? Then, we will be able to test and see in the future, as we continue with this blog post series, if we are living a more memorable life since we started this series. 
Please answer the following questions and be very thorough: 
* How would you define living a memorable life? What would that look like?
* Do you want to live a memorable life? Of course you do. Why do you? Explain. 
* Are you living a memorable life?
* What about today? Are you living a memorable life today?
* What about over the last week?
* How about over the last month?
* What about the last three months? 
* 6 months?
* And, how about the last year?
* 5 years?
* 10 years?
* 20?
* 25?
* 30? 
* 40?
* 50 years? 
* Etc.?
* If you were living the most ideal of a memorable life? What would that look like? What would it take you to get there--starting today? What would you need to do differently so that you are living the most ideal memorable life today?

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Journaling Quote





Live a memorable life. 

Journal.

-- Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

ITALIAN SAUSAGE, PASTA SAUCE, AND RICOTTA CHEESE LOW CARB RECIPE



INGREDIENTS
2 lbs ground Italian sausage
1 can Progresso Starter Sun Dried Tomato or 3/4 of a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce or marinara
1.5 cups ricotta cheese

HOW TO MAKE
Cook Italian sausage and break into tiny chunks.
Once cooked, add sauce. Add your own spices and maybe 2 T of your favorite red cooking wine (or wine you have on-hand). 
Simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour--depending on how patient you want to be. (Can even cook for another hour if desired.)
Add ricotta cheese. Simmer 5 minutes.
Serve.
Would be really good, if you don't care about calories or carbs, over your favorite pasta. Or just eat from a bowl. 

SERVES
Serves at least 4. 


(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

ITALIAN SAUSAGE, PASTA SAUCE, AND RICOTTA CHEESE LOW CARB RECIPE



INGREDIENTS
2 lbs ground Italian sausage
1 can Progresso Starter Sun Dried Tomato or 3/4 of a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce or marinara
1.5 cups ricotta cheese

HOW TO MAKE
Cook Italian sausage and break into tiny chunks.
Once cooked, add sauce. Add your own spices and maybe 2 T of your favorite red cooking wine (or wine you have on-hand). 
Simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour--depending on how patient you want to be. (Can even cook for another hour if desired.)
Add ricotta cheese. Simmer 5 minutes.
Serve.
Would be really good, if you don't care about calories or carbs, over your favorite pasta. Or just eat from a bowl. 

SERVES
Serves at least 4. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

Future Journaling List Journaling Exercise and Prompt


CLARITY
I have discussed the Future Journaling List in previous blog posts. However, as of today, I want to make sure I am absolutely clear about what it is and what to do with it. 

So, what is the Future Journaling List? 

SO, WHAT IS IT?
The Future Journaling List is something you create as you go along with your journaling. In other words, the Future Journaling List (the FJL) is the list you create while you journal, after you mark in your journaling that you want to journal more about later regarding something you mentioned. It includes memories, thoughts, questions, or anything else you want to make sure to journal more about in the future. 

This is how you get your life on the page and leave a legacy--without any time gaps. In other words, you get your entire life on the page and do not forget anything. The more time gaps you have in your journaling for your legacy will leave future readers confused. Therefore  make sure to fill in the gaps and write all about your life from your birth to today. 

Also, I come from a family where dementia is a possibility. The FJL ensures I will remember my life--and if not, I will have it here to pass on in the future.

HOW DO YOU DO THE FJL (FUTURE JOURNALING LIST)
As you journal, make sure to make a notation of some kind, from now on and throughout all of your journals in the future), where you can look at it and see you want to journal more about later. 
Then, once a day or once a week, add them to your Future Journaling List (FJL). 

That's it. It's that simple. 

But, here's the catch. (There's always a catch, right?) 

JOURNALING FROM THE FJL
* Once a day, ideally (once every other day is the bare minimum), journal more about something from your FJL. Do a SOC (Stream of Conscious Journaling Exercise), a list, a memory snapshot, use a journaling prompt to help with it, or anything else you want to do with it. Do it for a minimum of 10 minutes. 
* Once a week, do three of these--on top of the other ones you have done already. 
* Once a month, do three more of these. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Journal Check-In Journaling Prompt and Exercise


Please grab your favorite beverage and your journal and answer the following questions:

* So, how is your journal and your journaling coming along?
* What do you think of your journal?
* What do you think of your journaling?
* How often are you trying to journal?
* How often are you journaling?
* What have you experienced with journaling?
* What do you want to do more with your journaling?
* What do you want to do less of with your journal (at this time)?
* What have you learned from your journal or from journaling? 
* What has been most memorable with journaling? 
* How have you changed because of your journal or because of journaling?
* Is your journaling a habit yet? (If not, hang in there. Keep journaling. It will become one.)
* Do you comprehend yet how important journaling is in your life? (If not, hang in there. In time, you will be able to say yes--emphatically.) 
* What do you like to do most in your journal or with your journaling?
* Describe your journal and your journaling. 
* If you could do the ideal journaling, what would that look like? What would it take for you to do today, this week, this month, this quarter, and this year, for you to do it? 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)