Lullabies and rhymes heard in childhood provided our first experiences of poetry. Think back. Can you recall a song, a book or poem you heard countless times, or a favorite bedtime story? “The mother speaking to the child is also a poem,” according to poet Naomi Shihab Ney.” My good friend Jane Dorn has kept…
Writing in a personal journal isn’t new or unusual. Keeping a journal may be one of the oldest forms of writing in the world. In early America, most journals or diaries were kept by men, many as almanacs or logs of their experience in public life. However, far fewer women in the past had the…
Blessing one another comes naturally to all of us here in the South. Who hasn’t heard, “Well, bless your heart” spoken to another person or “Bless you” when someone sneezes? Offering blessings to another is also a powerful way to share your hard-earned wisdom, truest values and best wishes with others – family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers,…
At the beginning of each new year we have the proverbial clean slate – a blank page to continue our story or to revise it – another chance to “get it right” – to live up to our evolving resolutions once again. It’s not too late to begin 2017 with pen in hand or fingers…
It’s that time of year when we transition from the Old to the New Year, a tradition that transcends time itself. Many take this opportunity to access where we’ve been and where we’re headed. An ancient reminder of this two-directional point-of-view is Janus, the Roman god of the door. The image engraved on copper coins…
Whether it’s cooking the turkey, tuning into football, spending time outdoors, or unpacking and displaying festive decorations, these holiday rituals remind us of cherished memories, loved ones, and why we celebrate. Rituals connect us to the past and carry our values into the future. As we gather with family and friends Thanksgiving we’re just beginning…
In my experience, when we give our dreams enough attention, they highlight our questions, emotions, memories and wishes and point to new ways of thinking and acting. While this sounds simple enough, it’s not easy to see ourselves through the blind spots we have created to protect our self-concept. Sharing with trusted and caring people…
Two acclaimed South Carolina poets and writers will lead a day-long workshop Saturday, October 1st near downtown Columbia. Former Columbians Libby Bernardin and her teaching partner and friend Susan Finch Stevens will conduct Journal to Journey, diving into poetry, dreams and expressive writing with a small group of participants on the banks of the Broad…
Do your thoughts sometimes swirl endlessly, repeating over and over, never going anywhere but staying stuck on the same old issues. We used to say this is “like a broken record.” That old metaphor is out of date, but spinning repeatedly over well-worn tracks describes this phenomenon perfectly. If your journal writing is like a…
Our busy lives leave so little time for meandering and exploring. Ask yourself if other priorities have kept you from inviting your “inner child” to come out and play. If you’ve forgotten to befriend yourself with some interesting time alone, here’s a remedy. Author Julia Cameron invented The Artists Date, an idea for a fun…