I wanted to take a minute out of my new thing blog to share an article I received from someone who just happened upon my blog one day. You know that I mainly use my blog to entertain my family and friends, and to keep record of all of my new adventures. However, it is public, and I know that on occasion random readers may stumble upon it. If it entertains them, great; if they move on out of boredom, I don't blame them. :) However, I was approached by a lady named Melanie Bowen, who is a part-time blog contributor on the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance blog. She found what I'm doing interesting and inspiring, and wanted to highlight an article on how blogging, journaling or just writing stuff down can become an integral part of wellness. She definitely has a point, since I really enjoy blogging. But, that could just be the narcissist in me. ;-) I'm adding her notes below, and you can feel free to read it, pass it on or do whatever you'd like.
"Write Yourself Well
For anyone dealing with any health challenges: from depression to mesothelioma cancer, writing can become part of wellness therapy. Recording aspirations, thoughts, feelings and occasions is therapeutic and inspirational both in the writing and in the reviewing of what has been written. Dr. Weil cites medical studies showing that people who journal experience higher immune function and lowered frequency of chronic physical symptoms.
Goal setting is not only going to get you where you want to be, it will give you a sense of direction and a sense of accomplishment. If you don’t know where you are going you cannot choose your path. Embrace your life; take charge of its direction.
Accomplishments require three main steps: dream, discipline, and delight. Identify your desires and record them. Whether you choose a journal or an online blog matters not. This proactive step is about finally living on your terms, whether it is for wellness or for dreams you’ve always possessed but never acted upon. Whatever your desire is, take the first leap into making it come to fruition by journaling about it.
Discipline does not have to be a scary word; all it really means is that you are at the action stage of reaching your delight. Record your plan in your chosen format and continue to add to it, change it and edit it as you go through the discipline process. Take joy in being self-motivated and accountable to yourself. Take comfort in the flexibility to change every single thing about your plan if you want to do so. It is your plan.
Record your thoughts and events that occur along your road to fulfilling your lifelong wishes and along your road to wellness. You will enjoy reading through it, and it is a tangible reminder of how far you have come. Reviewing at least part of your records each day is a tool to stay focused and optimistic.
The delight of accomplishing your goals is the reward you reap from going through the discipline process. Imagine how you will feel to write, “I did it!” in your journal or blog. Later, reading about your delight will buoy your spirits as you head toward the next goal on your list.
Writing your dreams down suddenly makes them more real and more reachable. So, write it all down. Write about taking the doctor’s prognosis and tossing it out the window. Write about the trip you’re saving for. Write about your fitness goals. Write about the book you’ll write, the degree you’ll earn, the healthy foods you’ll eat. Make a list a mile long if you wish. You can accomplish anything with three simple steps: dream, discipline, and delight."
You can visit the blog here if you'd like. Thanks to Melanie for taking an interest in my blog and contributing this piece! Self-motivation and setting goals is tough for all of us, whether we're dealing with an illness or not, and she makes excellent points on how writing can help.
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