Faith Journaling: Anniversary

Showing posts with label Anniversary. Show all posts

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Christmas (Gift) Journaling: Part 2

PART 1

Make sure to read Part 1 before you read this blog post. you can find Part 1 at: http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/11/christmas-journaling-or-birthday.html

IT GOES BY DIFFERENT NAMES

Please note that this journaling type goes by several different names: Special Person Journaling, Gift Journaling, Holiday Journaling, etc. They are actually all the same type of journaling.However, I will refer to it as Gift Journaling in this blog post.

THE COST OF A GIFT JOURNAL

It's making a journal about another person and giving it to them as a gift.

Gift Journaling is free to make, but is absolutely priceless. (Note: It's free to make if you give the journal as a digital file over the internet--like in an attachment in an email or something like it. However, even if you give them a paper version of this journal, it is as expensive as you choose to make it, but is still priceless.)

FUTURE JOURNALING IDEAS

The beauty about Gift Journaling is that as you journal about that Special Person, you will most likely come up with more ideas you want to journal about in the future. (Hence, make sure to make note of Future Journaling--and even add it to your Future Journaling List.)

BETTERMENT AND LEGACY

As you do the journaling for the special person in your life, you are digging more into yourself, your life, and your life story. In doing so, it's actually a bit for yourself as well. After all, the journaling you do is for your betterment and pleasure, but it also helps you too add to the legacy you leave behind. Also, in doing so, you create a legacy for them to leave behind. (Therefore, make sure to keep a copy of this Gift Journal) for yourself as well.)

KEEPING A JOURNAL FOR SOMEONE ELSE

After all, how many people of the special people in your life actually journal? I guarantee, if not none do. Hence, how special it will be for you to give to them. And, if they do journal, again, what a special gift because it is from your eyes, your your point of-view, your heart, your emotions, your thoughts, your spirit. There is nothing more of a treasure, more cherishable, more of a present than that.

There's nothing more valuable than Gift Journaling.

IT'S ONE-OF-A-KIND

It's also one of a kind. It will be a very unique, heartwarming gift. The Gift Journal is highly personalized and is made just for them.

FRONT PAGE MATERIAL FOR THE GIFT JOURNAL

Write a letter to the special person the journal is for. Let them know why you made it in the first place and are giving it to them.

Also, say something to the effect of, "Use me as a pick-me-up for those days when you need one. Or encouragement. Or just to remember."

SO, HOW SHOULD YOU GIVE IT TO THEM:

HOW TO PACKAGE AND PRESENT THE GIFT JOURNAL

First of all, and most importantly, give it to them in both a paper and in a digital/electronic file.

One, they can look at it and touch with their hands. The other is a present they can never lose, is a permanent form of journal, and is easy to pass on as a legacy.

Consequently, there are two forms to give it to them:

~ Digital/Electronically

~ Paper

Digital Gift Journals

~ Do a word processing document.

Do several different fonts, ink colors, etc. Have fun with it.

~ Do a digital scrapbook.

Check out this website: http://www.mymemories.com/ and their digital scrapbooking software at: http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software. Send them the pdf file.

Then, send either one via email.

Paper Gift Journals

~ 3-Ring Binder

Decorate the binder with material or scrapbook paper. Maybe with some stickers. Print the guts of the binder with colored ink and maybe special paper (colored or other stationary or specially printed paper).

~ Digital Scrapbook and Print It Out (paper and digital... both.)

Check out this website: http://www.mymemories.com/ and their digital scrapbooking software at: http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software

~ Scrapbook

WHERE TO PRINT DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK OUTSIDE OF HOME

~ Local Printer
Look up in your local phone book and call around. You will then need to figure out how to bind it. I recommend doing a plastic binding. Your printer can do that for you as well.

~Shutterfly:

http://www.shutterfly.com/learn/digital_scrapbook.jsp

~ Scrapping Simply

http://www.scrappingsimply.com/

~ Top 10 Review Site

http://scrapbook-printing-services-review.toptenreviews.com/

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Christmas Journaling: Part 1 (or Birthday, Anniversary, or Valentine) (AKA Special People Journaling)

THE IDEA OF SPECIAL PEOPLE JOURNALING, GIFT JOURNALING, OR SPECIAL OCCASION JOURNALING

I just came up with a wonderful idea to give the special people in your life. (And, I am quite excited about it!) It can be used for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, Valentines, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparents' Day, or any other special day you decide.

WHAT IS IT?

So, what is it? It's putting together a journal of your journaling about them--and giving it to them as a gift. This also becomes a legacy for them to leave behind. And, make sure to keep a copy for yourself and your legacy.

HOW DO YOU DO SPECIAL PEOPLE JOURNALING?

~ 1st, make a list of the special people in your life. List all of them. In time, do a Special Journaling for all of them.

~ Put them in priority/sequential order.

~ Think of the dates that you would like to give each person their Special Journal and write those beside each person in the next year. Then, do the math and write how many days you have until that date on the same line.

~ For Christmas 2012 Journaling, since it is the 29th of November already, I recommend taking your top 3 or 4. Then, do a more extensive journal on them for next year as well. In fact, you might make it a Christmas Tradition. Also, I would think of taking another 3 or 4 and do a Special Journaling for them each year. Make it a tradition. For spouses and children, I would do this several times a year and at New Years or Christmas, I would combine the previous year into one big special journal--and add additional material. For aging parents and grandparents, I would do this a couple times a year as well.

~ Do one person at a time.

~ Figure out how many days you have for that individual between now and the time you want to give them the journal. Then, do as many 10-minute chunks of journaling (the below journaling exercise) as you can. Put these on your planner to do in at least monthlysegments, if not every week or couple of days or so.

SPECIAL PEOPLE JOURNALING EXERCISE

Do the following in at least 10-minute segments (chunks) each--and do them as often as you can until you want to present them with the journal as a gift. Set a timer.

Make sure to do a SOC on each of the below items, make lists, and so on. Of each item below, do a journaling entry on each of the things you listed.

~ Do a SOC (Stream of Consciousness) Journaling about them. Who are they to you and in your life?

~ When you think of them, what do you think of?

~ What qualities do they have that you love?

~ What memories have you made with them--recently and in the past? (Make sure to make an extensive list of each.)

~ What have they taught you?

~ What have they meant to you?

~ How have they shaped you to be the person you are?

~ If you could tell them anything right now, what would it be?

~ What does their home mean to you?

~ Use your 5-senses and journal about them.

~ Make a list of items in their home, things in their wardrobe, meals they cook, places you go with them (or have , etc. Do 10-minutes journaling chunks--SOCs or lists--about as many of these items as you can.

~ Look at photos you have of them and journal about the memories behind each photograph.

~ Journal about anything else that comes to mind.

TIP: Make sure to do the above items over and over--seeing what new ideas come to mind. Make sure to journal about each point you write about each item. Do that as many times as you can as well.

TIP: Keep in mind that if any other thoughts or memories come to mind about that person, you get it in your journal.

CHRISTMAS 2012 JOURNALING TIP: Take the top three or four people in your life tops and do the above items. Make sure to figure out your calendar and how much time you will need in order to do this for each person on your list. You also might think of doing this for New Years and Valentines.

What a special gift to give the special people in your life. Talk about personal and memorable.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Living history

We are living history today.

And not just because it is 9/11.

Every day, we are living history. After all, when tomorrow comes, today is history.

Are you living with this knowledge every day?

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

-- Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer
Sent from my cell.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A Couple's Journaling Chronicle: Part 4

~*~ What do you enjoy about your marriage?

~*~ What special things do you do for your spouse and why?

~*~ What has your favorite Christmas been as a couple?

~*~ Describe your marriage in one word.

~*~ Describe your marriage in one sentence.

~*~ Describe your marriage in one paragraph.

~*~ Describe your marriage in a letter.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today? Explain.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today to do? Explain.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today not to do? Explain.

~*~ What do you love most about your spouse and why?

~*~ How does your spouse make you want to be a better person?

~*~ What plans, goals, and dreams do you have as a couple? What are you doing to bring them to pass?

~*~ How do you lift one another up?

~*~ How do you compromise as a couple?

~*~ When was the last time you had an extended snuggle session as a couple?

~*~ What do you enjoy doing for your spouse and why?

~*~ Do you love your spouse warts and all--or do you try to change them? Why?

~*~ Define love.

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior, Fantasy Author, and Journalkeeper
of Remembering Your Present, LLCdba USAGC 2026 * Kingdom of Lethana

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com or lethanastories@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.comBlog for Lethana: http://kingdomoflethana.blogspot.com
Blog for Journaling: http://journalingchronicle.blogspot.com
Blog for Writing: http://writingchronicle.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

A Couple's Journaling Chronicle: Part 4

~*~ What do you enjoy about your marriage?

~*~ What special things do you do for your spouse and why?

~*~ What has your favorite Christmas been as a couple?

~*~ Describe your marriage in one word.

~*~ Describe your marriage in one sentence.

~*~ Describe your marriage in one paragraph.

~*~ Describe your marriage in a letter.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today? Explain.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today to do? Explain.

~*~ What are your three things of marriage advice would you tell a couple getting married today not to do? Explain.

~*~ What do you love most about your spouse and why?

~*~ How does your spouse make you want to be a better person?

~*~ What plans, goals, and dreams do you have as a couple? What are you doing to bring them to pass?

~*~ How do you lift one another up?

~*~ How do you compromise as a couple?

~*~ When was the last time you had an extended snuggle session as a couple?

~*~ What do you enjoy doing for your spouse and why?

~*~ Do you love your spouse warts and all--or do you try to change them? Why?

~*~ Define love.

A Couple's Journaling Chronicle: Part 3

~*~ What is the most romantic thing you have ever done as a couple?

~*~ List 25 more memories, good and bad, as a couple. Describe why are they important?

~*~ What do you do for your marriage health and to stay on track?

~*~ What do you do when you get off track as a couple?

~*~ What do you do when you fight? What do you fight about? Why? What do you learn as a couple?

~*~ List 10 reasons why you are grateful for your marriage and explain them.

~*~ Define marriage.

~*~ What do you for fun?

~*~ What are your favorite pictures as a couple and why?

~*~ How do you make your spouse a better person?

~*~ How does your spouse make you a better person?

~*~ How much do you give to your marriage? What percentage? Your spouse? As a couple?

~*~ What are your most prized possessions as a couple?

~*~ What have you done for vacation? What memories have you made?

~*~ What restaurants do you go to and why?

~*~ What houses (or other living spaces) have you lived in as a couple? What memories are associated with each?

~*~ List memories you have made in the last month as a couple.

~*~ List memories you have made in the last week as a couple.

~*~ List memories you have made in the last year as a couple.

A Couple's Journaling Chronicle: Part 2

Grab your journal ans answer these questions about your relationship. If you can, both of you answer individually and then as a couple. If only one of you is doing this, that is okay, too. What a gift you have to offer your mate. Good for you.

~*~ Your marriage is the one of the relationships in your life you choose. Your friends are another. Why do you choose to be married to your mate today?

~*~ Why did you choose to marry your mate to begin with?

~*~ What does your marriage mean to you?

~*~ What do you enjoy doing as a couple and why?

~*~ How is your communication as a couple?

~*~ Have you had any misunderstandings lately? Why? What did you learn from them and how have you applied those lessons to your live and to your marriage?

~*~ What can you do better as a spouse?

~*~ What do you love most about your mate?

~*~ Do you still go on frequent dates? Why or why not? If so, what do you do? If not, make plans to do so.

~*~ Can you sit in silence as a couple? Or do you have to fill in the gaps with noise or talking?

~*~ What was your favorite date?

~*~ Write a letter to your spouse to read the day before you get married about your marriage up to now. Talk about your experiences--good and bad. What would you do differently for them? What would you do more of? What do you treasure most about your mate? Tell your mate why you are marrying them then and why you would do it again today.

~*~ Write a letter to yourself to read the day before you married about your marriage up to now. Tell lessons learned, what to change, what to do more of, and so on. Say why you should marry your mate.

~*~ Write wedding vows today. What would they be and why?

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior, Fantasy Author, and Journalkeeper

A Couple's Journaling Chronicle: Part 1

Welcome to a blog post series on journaling for the memories and lessons learned as a couple. This series is aimed at both members of the couple or just one of you. The point of journaling for you as a couple is because your relationship is one of the most significant parts of your life. Not journaling about your relationship would be like not journaling about your own personal life. Keeping a chronicle of your life story is important. After all, no on else has had the experiences you have, not everyone is like you, and every minute lived is something to cherish. This is true as individuals and as a couple.

If you have not journaled before you might want to look at the blog post series, "365-Days of Journaling Your Story" first. It is an introduction to journaling. (This is just a suggestion.)

Shall we take a look at couples journaling now? Let's jump right in and see what transpires because of this. It will help you to remember and will help you to not take a moment for granted as a couple. Please grab your journal at this time ans answer the following questions:

~*~ How did you meet?

~*~ When did you start dating? What did that look like?

~*~ When and how did you get engaged?

~*~ When and how did you get married?

~*~ What do you do to treat every day like Valentine's Day or like your anniversary?

~*~ What are you most grateful for in your relationship with one another?

~*~ List 25 of your most memorable experiences as a couple and what made them memorable.

~*~ What are you doing today to keep your marriage fresh?

~*~ List 10 things you love most about your marriage.

~*~ Are you happy today as a couple (overall and not just today specifically)? Why or why not?

~*~ Do you treat one another as the best thing/person in your life? What does that look like?

~*~ If you could do anything different in your marriage, what would it be?

~*~ If you were to have the ideal marriage, what would that look like? What can you do to bring this to pass?

~*~ List more memories as a couple.

Interesting

I just decided, with it almost being Love Day (Valentine's Day) and all, to do a search on Amazon for books on marriage journaling. I do not have books on it and wondered if I have missed some anywhere. Well... I have not missed anything. There is not ONE book on the subject.

I did not find any relationship journals either.

So, I did a search of couple's journaling. Well, I found a couple of journals, but not books on how to journal about your, and for your, marriage.

Hmm. It is February 8th. Valentine's is around the corner... I will do some blog posts on Marriage Journaling from not until then. stay tuned.

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior, Fantasy Author, and Journalkeeper
of Remembering Your Present, LLCdba USAGC 2026 * Kingdom of Lethana

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com or lethanastories@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Blog for Lethana: http://kingdomoflethana.blogspot.com
Blog for Journaling: http://journalingchronicle.blogspot.com
Blog for Writing: http://writingchronicle.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction