I’m joining up again with Shannon at Smile and Write for her Write Yourself Happy Link-up. We are both huge believers of the power of journal writing and the difference that regular writing will bring to your life.
I am finding a larger audience which is interested in learning about journal writing. This week I gave a short presentation to students in the College of Social Work on how to use journals in their personal life and with also with clients. It truly continues to surprise me at the individuals who do not journal because they are afraid to do it “incorrectly”. Your journal is your own and there is no right or wrong. If you are a blogger, your posts can be considered journals but I also encourage you to have a separate place to place your emotions without fear of spelling or bad pictures etc. If you are reading this and have never kept a journal, I encourage you to begin. Even if you only write once a week, you will begin to feel a benefit. (Research proves it!)
Each week, Shannon provides a prompt to provide a starting point for each of us to begin. Prompts are wonderful ways to start a journal entry if you do not know what to say or where to start.
Today’s prompt is: In Your Life, how are you strong? What has your strength meant to you? I have truly never thought of strength as being physical. I grew up surrounded by “strong” women but none of them were large in stature or muscles. Strength to me is having the ability to deal with what life throws at you. Life is not always pretty nor is it always fair. Strength is accepting that you did not have control over something which happened but you can control how you react. Strength is not quitting even when you feel like it; but strength is also present when you know it is time to let go of something. Do I see myself as strong? Certainly (and back in the day I actually had the muscles to prove it). The fact that I am still functioning after the last two years of my life demonstrates that. However, I think that because I know how to care for myself, I am able to be strong. I know how to reach out to others for support and I’ve learned to ask for what I need. Just as a building doesn’t sit upon one small brick for a foundation, neither should we as humans. Surrounding yourself with the right support can make you stronger. How are you Strong? What does strength mean to You? Take a few minutes after reading this and reflect. Would love to hear your comments and thoughts. 
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Beautiful!
I love journaling. I makes me feel so free. My thoughts on paper make more sense than when they’re just wandering in my head.
I am stumped on the strength question. I need to sit down and journal about this. I’ve had so many influences in my life that have shown me true strength. Many people tell me I am strong and I question it. I think “I just do what I have to do”.
Kendwy, I think that most strong individuals “just do what they have to do.” However, I think it’s important to acknowledge that what you have done and are doing takes strength. I always love to hear from another journal writer. I’m also like you and find that everything makes more sense when I take time to write it down.
I love this post Sheryl! This prompt has been my favorite. I like how you mention surrounding yourself with support is a key to strength. Sometimes I know I tell myself the opposite, that strength is me standing alone and handling life, but I am so wrong!!
Thanks for linking up, my friend!