Growing Seeds
JANUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER
Broken Open
For me, journaling has been a journey. For years, I did not dare to write a word. Then I braved a few pencil scribbles on scraps of discarded envelopes—seeds scattered around my home. Eventually, I received my first journal from Fr. Richard Rohr on my first day at the Center for Action and Contemplation’s Living School. During the two-year program, I filled the pages with his words and with those of my other teachers, including Cynthia Bourgeault and James Finley. Only a few of my own insights made it into the margins.
But cracking open that first leather-bound journal, embossed by desert prisoners, broke me open. After being “sent” (graduating) from the Living School, I read Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and learned to write daily “morning pages,” with the support of a community of women in “creative recovery.” Loose paper led to legal pads until I finally bought myself a journal of my own. Over time, I became less daunted by the blank pages. I began to appreciate their welcoming, witnessing space. Embraced in the fold of my journal, it was easier for me to hold the seeds of my experiences and to support their growth into new life. For me, journaling has become a practice of self-compassion.
Growing Seeds: A Journaling Practice for Nurturing Your Light
Start with a word.
Continue writing in a relaxed, stream-of-consciousness way for five minutes.
Let your inner life flow onto the page, acting as a faithful scribe to your noticings and wonderings.
When five minutes have passed, pause.
Reread your writing.
Allow a word or a phrase to draw your attention.
Mark this word or phrase in some way (e.g., underline, circle, star).
Write this word or phrase—your seed—at the top of a fresh page.
To grow this seed, respond to it with more stream-of-consciousness writing for five minutes.
Repeat this process as desired, generating and developing new seeds of awareness.
Inspiration for the Journey
As you grow new seeds of awareness through your journaling practice, you might draw inspiration from Goodful's short time-lapse video of growing seeds (1:33).
Deep Resourcing
P.R.E.S.E.N.T.: A Focusing-Oriented Approach to Savoring Your Reading
A new free resource is available on my website. Based on the six classic movements of the focusing process developed by Eugene Gendlin, this meditative reading practice can enrich traditional lectio divina. It is also a way to integrate focusing with your daily life.
Word of the Year
To illuminate the new year, you may enjoy Jen Furtwiler's online random "Word of the Year" generator. Welcome surprises!
Upcoming Offering
Rooted and Grounded in Love: SoulCollage® Workshop Series
Saturdays, March 1, 15, & 29, and April 12, 1pm-3pm Eastern on Zoom
Celebrate Lent in this four-part SoulCollage® workshop series:
Slow down, pause, and reconnect with your inner wisdom.
Relax through creative self-care.
Welcome a felt sense of being rooted and grounded in Love.
Explore SoulCollage®.
Reflect on the invitations of this season of your life.
For more information and registration, please visit my website.
