The more we Journal (Hint, Hint) the moreAWARE we become of who we really are! Journal-Writing guides us in remembering our childhood. It invites us to explore our self-attitudes, behaviors and beliefs and discover all the craziness and hypercriticality we stuffed down into our bodies. And we get more and more glimpses of our goodness and greatness.
Our Journaling Practice leads us to personal health resources like Cheri Huber's book "There's Nothing Wrong with You" : Going Beyond Self-Hate---A Compassionate Process for Learning to accept yourself exactly the way you are.
Cheri runs www.LivingCompassion.org and I'll be attending one of her Awareness and Attention Weekend Retreats in May...I can bring clothes and toiletries but (Mon Dieu!) no journal! Hmmmmm.... I'll keep you posted.
* TRY THIS AT HOME *
It's amazing we've gotten as far as we have with all the dead weight (inner-fighting, critical voices, etc.) we've been carrying around a la Pig Pen. We use the same stuck words and phrases over and over and over: Why does this always happen to me? Why can't I? Why don't I ...?
Stop Whying to yourself!
Get out your Journal and ask it this question:
WHAT do I want?
Then write away.
Remember: there is only 1 way to Journal-- Your Way! Please let me know your experiences with this exercise. I'll share your comments in a future newsletter: Mari@CreateWriteNow.com
* NAME THAT BLOG *
I'm creating a Blog and need a catchy name. Send your title ideas to Mari@CreateWritweNOW.com . I'm considering: Journal-Write Now, Healthy Journaling, Healing Journal, Journaling 101. Technorati ranks blogs so you can get some ideas here.
You'll receive aFREE 1/2 hourJournal-Writing Consultation for your submission.
* PAID VOLUNTEERS NEEDED *
Healthy paid volunteers wanted for brain imaging studies of cognition at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Subjects should be right handed, age 25 to 60, with no medical or psychiatric conditions. You will participate in two testing sessions, one for neuropsychological testing and collection of background data, and one for brain imaging. Each session will take up to several hours. Every effort will be made to work around individual schedules.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information please contact Leigh Chesnut at 603-650-8706 or by e-mail: leigh.chesnut@dartmouth.edu
METAPHORS BE WITH YOU!
Mari Writing Therapist/Writer/Singer
Thank you for your fantastic feedback on last month's "TRY THIS AT HOME" exercise... it's now a Journal-Write NEWS regular! 
