I started life writing in the fifth grade. My mother bought me my own Girl Shout diary! Are you wondering what a Girl Shout diary is? It was a Girl Scout diary kept by me. I had a minor learning disability, undiagnosed in those days, resulting in funny spellings. Undaunted, I wrote to Dear Diary, sharing the best of I Love Lucy, visits with grandparents, and weekly meeting with the Girl Scouts. Then one day this dairy was put away. Junior High School, High School and college were years when
I took pen to hand on loose leaf papers. I kept details of my love life, shed many a secret tear and wrote some of my finest, darkest poetry. Adult life found me writing on fragments of papers. These scraps housed everything from cute expressions my children used to my less dark poetry.
When I decided as a psychologist to interview women who were not in my practice, then incorporate my findings into a book, I never dreamed how much my own life writings would play an essential part. I had interviewed women ages 35 through early 80's, looking at how messages they received growing up about themselves, influenced them as adults. I asked them when they felt most whole, most joyful. In analyzing my data, I had an "Aha" moment. I saw these women, no matter how dysfunctional their childhoods, and no matter how many negative messages they had received growing up, had managed to find pleasure and joy in their adult lives. This insight convinced me that we have not utilized the history taking of our lives to focus enough on what is giving us pleasure and joy. Also we haven't learned to harvest out past so as to discover precious moments even in the most dysfunctional of times. This included me.
In writing THE ENCHANTED SELF, A Positive Therapy, I began writing about my past and experiences again, but this time looking for precious treasure: the positive parts of myself and my life. In writing down my thoughts, feelings and memories, I discovered many wonderful memories growing up. I found myself remembering times where I felt delighted with life and full of energy. There were moments of elation and successes when my true and sometimes lost potential showed through. I discovered events that even though they had felt unpleasant as I lived them, held within them so many of special gifts. I began to hold and treasure these times as I wrote them down, feeling deeply moved on occasion, to the point of tears ...
Ultimately what the women taught me and the personal journey I then went on, has led to my writing to you. I hope this e-mail newsletter stimulates you to recognize the best in yourself, in your history, and in your potential. For you too, have a treasury inside.
Exercise: Journaling
This exercise involves making positive deposits in your memory banks. Over the next few days, stay alert to when you are in a good mood. Try to use all you senses to experience the present more fully, especially when you become aware of a potential 'deposit'. When the moment is right, ask yourself the following questions:
Take the time to describe them by writing them down or dictating them into a tape recorder. Now gradually refocus your mind on the present.
Try to be aware of the details, taking time to savor them as you deposit them into your memory bank. If writing or dictating a narrative does not come easily to you, try drawing a picture, writing a poem, or composing a tune. Just do something to capture the moment in a way that is meaningful to you. Your abilities as an artist, writer, or composer are less important than your desire to relish life.
About The Author
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein , originator of THE ENCHANTED SELF®, a method of bringing delight and meaning into everyday living, invites you to view her new line of ENCHANTED WOMAN products, downloadable e-books, and free gifts at http://www.enchantedself.com. Chat with others in Dr. Holstein's e-group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/encself/join, and sign up for her free e-group at www.enchantedself.com. Order her book, THE ENCHANTED SELF: A Positive Therapy, or the CD-rom or tape version and her book RECIPES FOR ENCHANTMENT: The Secret Ingredient is YOU!, or the ED-rom version, at her website. enchantedself@verizon.net
One of the most well known books ever written on... Read More
Aging is a matter of the mind.The years may creep... Read More
Believe me, today is the most wonderful day of your... Read More
Wahms, do you constantly compare yourself with others and come... Read More
I loved Norman Vincent Peale's, Power of Positive Thinking as... Read More
In the international bestseller, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell explains how researchers... Read More
When I was little I was very busy--as I imagine... Read More
Many people don't really understand the gift they have been... Read More
"The other night I ate at a real family restaurant.... Read More
For some reason, most people find it easier to think... Read More
The invisible force surrounded him, squeezing tightly around his chest.... Read More
An old Joni Mitchell song reminds us, "don't it always... Read More
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't... Read More
Lately, I've been hearing that it's not okay to have... Read More
Let's say you're ready to change some aspect of your... Read More
Unhappy? Stressed out? Do you feel you not only want... Read More
In view of the increasing negative events happening around the... Read More
IntroductionWe can find all type of people in this world... Read More
Positive thinking in this day and age is a tool... Read More
Using an opponent's force against them is the fundamental teaching... Read More
The quality of your life is directly related to your... Read More
Say aloud:I AM. I AM Consciousness. I AM the creator... Read More
Gratitude is one of the most important things you can... Read More
I'm a working mother with a preschooler, worrying about Mom... Read More
If you work toward what you dream, the dream can... Read More
One thing that is important to realize about thought: one... Read More
Spring is here at last! The season brings with it... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is... Read More
Failure is my favorite subject. For I have spent my... Read More
I will never forget an evening in 2003, when I... Read More
The mind absolutely amazes me. It will never be understood,... Read More
When I teach private Yoga sessions, sometimes, I become aware... Read More
"For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is... Read More
One day while in deep meditation and self analysis, a... Read More
From experience, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for people... Read More
Did you know that the 911 equivalent in the UK... Read More
So what is a limiting belief?Don't you love the current... Read More
Studies show that men and women profit most with having... Read More
Your mindset is a strong factor in achieving any type... Read More
There are times in all of our lives where our... Read More
I Hear Voices?This is not a statement of paranormal; it... Read More
Would you like to be confident in the things you... Read More
In talking with a coaching client recently, she made a... Read More
No one becomes successful by accident. Motivational speaker Les Brown... Read More
One often hears people say they can't sketch because they... Read More
Woe is me... life has dealt me a bad hand...... Read More
Why do we really need the experiences that we have... Read More
Barry was on the phone in his office, speaking with... Read More
Do you talk with yourself? When we hear people talking... Read More
Early in my career a position became available which I... Read More
"Most overnight successes are just plain lucky. Just ask any... Read More
How are you? Where do you get a positive attitude... Read More
There is an old joke about a man who is... Read More
An Attitude of Gratitude. How important is this to you... Read More
While trying to ignore my teen daughters rap music a... Read More
Cheri decided that she wanted to grow an apple tree... Read More
"The other night I ate at a real family restaurant.... Read More
Once we understand the difference our attitude makes in our... Read More
Whether it's the other kids making fun of you at... Read More
This is a technique that sounds a bit silly when... Read More
Few people are aware of the thoughts that pass through... Read More
If you think you are a loser, you train or... Read More
Year after year I find more and more individuals saying... Read More
"Putting ourselves down, is an insult to our worth." --Helen... Read More
I went online -- and what do I see? A... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |