“I believe that if it were left to artists to choose their own labels, most would choose none.”

~Ben Shahn

In your journal, write about your own labels & titles.  Do you think they make up the whole of who you are?  Do you love your  titles or feel constricted by them?  Explore the idea of the “labels” you have and your feelings toward them.

Daily journal writing prompt bonus:  Do you agree with Mr. Shahn?  Do you think artists are more likely to rebel against having a title?  Do you include yourself in the “artist” group or know someone who is an artist?  Is there a difference?  Does that rebellion against being labeled really have anything to do with the art in the artist or is it something greater?

“There is something about the concept of talents and strengths that just ‘feels right.’ When we discover our talents, when we give them a name, something resonates deep within us. It is as if our spirits react to this discovery (revelation) with a resounding ‘Yes! This is the way it is supposed to be - this is who I was created to be.’”

~Clifton Winseman in Living Your Strengths

In your journal, contemplate today’s quote, and answer the question: Do you know, without a doubt, what your talents and strengths are? If so, does it result from a knowledge of the fact that you have a purpose which includes others? If not, why not?

Journal writing prompt bonus: If you know your strengths and talents, are you using  them in your every day life?  Why or why not?  What are they?  Do you see how they contribute to your purpose?

Happy Journaling!

“Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. But to eat when you are sick, is to feed your sickness.”

~Hippocrates

This is one of my favorite quotes.  In celebration of our Thanksgiving holiday (in the U.S.) this week, I thought a topic on food and the purpose of food in relation to wellness would be quite apropo.

In your journal, consider today’s quote.  After reading it, what is your first thought?  Do you agree?  Does what Hippocrates says make common sense?  Why or why not?

Daily journal writing prompt bonus:   What do you think Hippocrates means by “natural healing force”?  What can you do in your own life to strengthn that force and fortify it against dis-ease?  Write about it in your journal.

Happy Journaling!

“The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.”

~Maya Angelou

I don’t know what it is about this quote, but, I found it very inspiring. So, today’s prompt is quite simple - what does this quote say to you? Does the “need for change” bulldoze down the center of your mind? Are you simply scratching your head wondering what on earth Ms. Angelou is talking about? Write about it in your journal.

Daily Journal Writing Prompt Bonus: Have you ever felt like it was definitely time for a change? How did that realization feel to you? What were the cirumstances? Is there something in your life right now that is screaming for change? Are you taking action on it? Why or why not?

Happy Journaling!

Dee

P.S. Because of your awesome feedback, and in the holiday spirit, I am offering something I’ve not considered offering before - but only for the daily journal writing prompt readers and subscribers. To see this special, very limited time offer for your very own set of 2007 daily journal writing prompts handbound in your own personalized leather journal - before it’s even officially released, click here.

“The really potent part of love is that it allows you to carry around beliefs about yourself that make you feel special, desirable, precious, innately good. Your lover couldn’t have seen [these qualities] in you, even temporarily, if they weren’t part of your essential being.”

~Martha Beck

In your journal, consider today’s quote.  Instead of thinking  of your lover as someone that is physically here  with you and is spending his or her life with you, consider “your lover” to be anyone who loves you - even if it’s your dog or cat!  What does this say to you about how we (as humans) are wired?  Do you agree or disagree with today’s quote?

Daily journal writing prompt bonus:   If, in order to gain that precious sense of importance, self belief, specialness, etc., you need to feel loved, what does that mean for those  who haven’t experienced love?  Have you had a time in your life when you didn’t feel loved?  Write about it - how did you feel about yourself?  Do you believe you need that feeling of being loved in order to develop as a person?  Why or why not?

Happy Journaling!

“Little by little, one travels far.”

~ J. R. R. Tolkien

Sometimes, we all get a little overwhelmed by everything go on in life. Today I started to question the wisdom in studying for my N.D. (doctor of Naturopathy) degree. I am so passionate about natural health, but, wow, several more years of school - the *enormity* of the commitment to pursue this passion - made me question my sanity. Then, I stumbled across today’s quote, and it didn’t seem quite as enormous of a task.

In your journal, think about today’s quote in the context of your own life. Ask yourself if there is something that you are attempting that seems nearly impossible or too big to even know where to begin. Write about the next little thing you can do to continue your far travel. If you aren’t considering anything that enormous, write about a little step you could take to pursue your own passion - and why you haven’t made that little move quite yet.

Daily Journal Writing Prompt Bonus: One of my dear friends occassionally reminds me how to eat an elephant (one bite at a time!). I think sometimes, we forget that we’ve already eaten half the elephant, and feel a little stuck in the mud in our lives.

If this is the case in your life right now, take a look back and write about the little bites (or little progressions) you’ve made toward eating that elephant (your goal). (This is where old journals come in handy, because it’s MUCH easier to look back and see the little steps you’ve taken to travel this far when it’s in writing.)

Whether you have your old journals or not, write about the little moves you’ve made to travel as far as you have to arrive where you are right now, and give yourself some time to take in all those little moves, to encourage you for the rest of your travels!

Happy Journaling!

“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option”

~author unknown

What does today’s quote mean to you?  Are you nodding your head in knowing agreement or shaking your head in disgust?  How does today’s quote fit into your life view?  Write about it in your journal.

Journal writing prompt bonus:  Have you ever found yourself in a position where you made someone a priority and they made you an option?  Recount it in your journal.  Discuss the situation as well as your emotions regarding the situation.  Also, take some time to reflect on the situation - did it change you?  How?

Happy Journaling!