Happy Fall friends!

I have a BIG announcement to share!!! You’ll have to read on to find out…but first….

(Who else might enjoy this newsletter? Please, pass it on!)

The big topic around the Phoenix area is the weather---finally under 100 degrees. I’m inside now, having already had my walk to our little neighborhood park with my wonder dog, Sirius.

Sirius relishes this weather, too, since as an Australian Shepherd she has too much hair, red and beautiful as it is, to enjoy the heat. She’s our wonder dog for lots of reasons---partly that she is so smart and understands as much as any two year old child, and partly because she is so wise, soulful, and polite, never eating off the coffee table. But mostly she is our wonder dog because she is about to turn fourteen—on the fifth of October, and has been revived in recent months by her holistic vet, Dr. Ann Smith. Now she moves better, looks thinner, eats healthier, and has the eyes of a dog half her age….

Can you tell we love her? I’m grateful for every day I have with her. I’m smiling now as I picture her gorgeous face, wise eyes, and pretty ‘smile’.

Do you have a favorite pet? I hope you’ll take some time to write about it---or to it in an Unsent Letter, to share the depth of love you carry for your dear companion. Slowing down, pondering who is important to us, and writing, is just such a nurturing thing to do for ourselves.

Write on…. --Sue

What’s new? Or not so new …. 1. THE BIG NEWS!!! I’m happy to annouce that Ruth Folit, creator of LifeJournal software, has just created a new membership organization for journal writers! It is called The International Association for Journal Writer’s (nicknamed “Journal Juice”!) and is a site that will provide a myriad of ways to expand and explore within the world of journal writing. I’m pleased to be part of the “Council” who will offer articles, classes, and whatever, as a member of the leaders in this field. My first offerings include a twice a month journal class that will be offered via teleconferencing! Once you sign up for a class you’ll receive the outline of our class---and then we’ll connect by phone to enjoy the class. Check it out---first and third Thursdays! Here is the link to go look, and hopefully sign up for “Journal Juice” for a year. There is a cost---and I do think it will be well worth it to you to join in. http://www.iajw.org I’m honored to be part of this organization that is rich with remarkable people! I urge you to check it out and see if what is offered fits for you! 2. Thursday Morning Journal Group---This lovely ongoing group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday mornings from 10 to noon in Central Scottsdale. Our meetings are warm and safe…a great place to ‘practice’ your journaling. You are welcome to drop-in. Just call for directions. We’d love to have a few new folks join us! Fee: Donation. Call 480 945-9180 if you are interested. 3. “Third Saturdays of Summer” - I just wanted to report that these workshops were SO very successful. Wonderful folks…full of wisdom. We are looking for time to create some new Saturday workshops. Let me know of your interest and we’ll work on creating a time to meet! 4. CRW180 Phoenix College, Intro to Writing Nonfiction – Fall Semester-- What a great experience this has been! The participants of this class are a delight, and all are combining journaling with movement toward public writing. I’d recommend this class for others when it’s available again. Look below for recommendations, prompts, a free class, and Journal Magic specialties! Recipe of the month Just made some yummy soup that seems so fitting for this time of year. Chop 1 onion, 1 potato, 2 carrots, 3 stalks celery, 4 leaves chard, 3 cloves garlic, and saute in a large skillet until softened. Then add about four cups of water, with two cubes of vegetable boullion. Add a can of diced tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, and let cook on low heat until all the veggies are tender. I hope you enjoy it! Article of the month – A reminder really, about making space for ourselves when we do our writing. This is from the IAJW site, so hope it encourages you to go back there and look around some more. http://www.iajw.org/public/173.cfm?sd=2 Quote of the month -- The only disability in life is a bad attitude. - Scott Hamilton Quote to use as a prompt - Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. - Buddha Book of the month - Isn’t it sad…I’m at a loss as to what to recommend. I hope you’ll send me YOUR ideas of what books I could be reading. Video of the month: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__Gs02ZmUmE Worth watching! Follow me on Twitter for an (almost) daily prompt! – http://twitter.com/AZjoyful Silly Prompt -- Write about the silliest behavior you have ever observed. Then, imagine yourself the one acting out…and decribe how it feels to be so very silly! Serious Prompt -- How and where do you find ways to be quiet and to listen to the secrets of your soul? Allow your soul to speak to you now, sharing what it has been waiting to tell you. Free Class! (This class will be enhanced by “JournalCards”!) Being Healthy Here’s another topic that we all have interest in….so hope you enjoy. • Get your pen moving…and see what shows up…. You can begin by asking “what’s going on?” and go from there. Are there health issues that appear? • Questions? What is coming up for you? Now draw two or three “JournalCards”. What do they remind you of in terms of your life and well being? • Where are you now in terms of health on a scale of 1-10, one being not at all healthy and 10 being very healthy? Now, with that in mind, describe what it means to you to be healthy? We each may define that differently It may help you to think in terms of “I know I am healthy when…..” • Make a list of what you most love and appreciate about your body and your health. Then, as if you are your own guardian angel, describe the beautiful being that you are. • Give your body or body part, a voice. Let it talk to you and tell you how it feels, what it needs, and how you can best support it. Then, respond to your body’s requests. • Opening to your Inner Healer—Take some time to read this to yourself, letting it assist you in visiting your inner healing space…. Find a comfortable way to sit as you now read this, and consciously let go of tension that may be hovering around you…. Take a gentle breath…imagining as you do that it is filling you with grace and peace…and as you exhale that tension, fear, anger, and resentment all are released...with each breath. Continue to release, letting a need to “get” somewhere dissipate as your patience now swells…. As that happens you feel the ‘opening’ happen…and realize you are more than you thought you were. Ask that your inner healer now appear to you…so that you feel guided to a place in your body as well as a state of being. Your inner healer may show itself to you as a person, a feeling, an image, a song, or some symbol. However it shows up, notice how you feel as you connect with it. Once there, ask whatever questions you may have about your health and desire for greater well being. Stay open as you feel, know, hear, sense…answers or guidance coming to you. Pick up your pen…and allow the flow to continue. • What stirs? Are there Action steps you need to create now? Enjoy your wisdom…. click here

See what else JOURNAL MAGIC has to offer!

Besides the events already described, there are these additional offerings:

Holiday Special From now through December I want to encourage you to give "JournalCards" as gifts. Of course add the journal and the book, too, if you want. I will give you incentive to buy cards, by offering one free set for each TWO sets you buy. Look at your holiday list to see who might like this incredible tool that can enhance your journaling life. Simply send me an email after you've made the order at my store, and I'll include the third set.

"Journal Parties" Don't forget that Journal Parties can be a wonderful way to gather friends together. If you provide the refreshments I will bring a journaling class. $80 regardless of how many attend. I’m available on Wed. and Fri. evenings, some daytime hours during the week, and Sunday afternoons. Give me a call! This is a really fun experience for all involved. 480-945-9180


The Thursday class—Community of Kindness--that meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 10-noon. Please be in touch if you would like to "drop-in" so you can be added to our email list. That will allow you to be notified of changes in our schedule. We would love to have you join in. The cost is simply a donation.480-945-9180

Individual Intensive Journal Sessions Do you want personal instruction and help in addressing special issues? Come, or call, for a 90 minute session to get you writing! $80. 480-945-9180

Cancer Support Groups
In addition, if you know anyone who is dealing with cancer there are free services available through The Wellness Community. It is my "other" love, and I am pleased to be able to facilitate support groups both on line and in person. Go to www.thewellnesscommunity.org to learn more. In Phoenix call 602-712-1006.


Journal writing Tools --- GREAT Anytime GIFT IDEAS!

JournalCards! Fifty five different cards that each have a word, picture, and four questions to help you ask yourself more penetrating questions as you write. If you don't have them...you should...REALLY!

Journal Magic! Lessons in Therapeutic Writing – This is a great workbook that gives you an extraordinary number of "lessons" to use as guidelines for your writing. Wonderful for experienced journal writers as well as beginners.It could keep you busy for a whole year of journaling!

The Journal Magic Kit – Contains the JournalCards, the book, a journal and a pen---especially good for the beginning journal writer!

Explore all of these at www.journalmagic.com/JMstore.html


Thanks for reading to the bottom! Enjoy your soul connection. I hope it will help you this month.
--Sue