The Master of Oreo Envy

When we would travel to visit my grandparents, my sister and I would ride in the back seat and my mom would pass us and Oreo cookie the moment she detected any sign of restlessness.

I would gobble my cookie like a hungry dog tossed a piece of fat from a benevolent butcher.

My sister would then show me her half eaten cookie. "I still have half a cookie. You have nothing."

With the next Oreo, I would control myself and slowly eat half of it. When I turned to my sister, she would hold up the creamy center, having eaten the chocolate wafers. "Ew. You only have half a cookie. I have this delicious cream."

Next time, when I had saved the cream, she'd sneer, "Yuck the cream is awful with no chocolate. And you have no chocolate. Poor, sad, no chocolate you."

This went on for the entire 6-hour drive. Every cookie passed back by my mom was a torture device in the hands of my sister.

Those drives are long in our past ... but she can still push my buttons just like when I was that 6-year-old in the back seat of a Pontiac Star Chief.

The Small Stuff

"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"
 
That sign was hung behind the sales manager's desk at a small business I consulted.
 
When the salesperson who had won "Salesperson of the Year" was asked to say a few words at her celebration lunch, she was introduced by the sales manager who said, "Tell 'em how you did it, Diane."
 
Diane stood up. Looked around the table and said, "I sweated the small stuff."

Using W.R.I.T.E. for Effective Journaling

 

Journal writing is a powerful tool for self-reflection, personal growth, and capturing the essence of your thoughts and emotions. It provides a safe space to explore your inner world and gain insights into yourself. 

But where to start and how to make the most of your journaling session? 

Consider the W.R.I.T.E. method that provides a structured approach to journaling to help you dig deeper into your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Here’s how it works:

W - What do you want to write about? The first step of the W.R.I.T.E. method is to identify what you want to write about. Take a few moments to reflect on current events in your life, your thoughts, feelings, goals, or any situations you want to address. Give a name to what you are thinking about and start writing about it. This step sets the intention for your journaling session and helps you focus your thoughts on a specific topic or theme.

R - Review or reflect on it: Before you begin writing, take a moment to review or reflect on the topic you've chosen. Center yourself and create a calm mental space. You can use "I" statements to describe what you are feeling or experiencing in the present moment. This step allows you to connect with your emotions and thoughts, grounding yourself in the present and creating a sense of mindfulness.

I - Investigate (explore) what you are thinking and feeling: Once you've established a connection with your present state of mind, it's time to dig deeper into your thoughts and feelings. Keep writing without judgment or self-censorship. Allow your thoughts to flow freely onto the page, exploring the various aspects of your chosen topic. Ask yourself probing questions. If you find yourself feeling stuck, read what you have written so far and refocus your attention. This step helps you gain further insights and consider different perspectives.

T - Time: Allocate a specific amount of time for your journaling session, aiming for a minimum of five minutes. Consider setting a timer or alarm. This time constraint encourages you to write without overthinking, promoting a stream-of-consciousness style of writing.

As you become more comfortable with journaling, you can adjust the time according to your preferences and available schedule. This step helps you stay focused and prevents the session from dragging on indefinitely.

E - Exit purposefully and thoughtfully: As your allocated time comes to an end, it's essential to exit your journaling session thoughtfully. Take a few moments to read and reflect on what you have written. Notice any recurring themes, patterns, or emotions that emerge from your writing. Summarize your main takeaways in one or two sentences, capturing the essence of your journaling experience.

Additionally, consider any action steps you want to take based on your reflections. These action steps can serve as guideposts for personal growth and self-improvement. This step helps you put the journaling session in to perspective and put your insights into action.

The W.R.I.T.E. method provides a structured framework for journaling that can enhance your self-reflection and personal growth journey. By consciously incorporating each step into your journaling practice, you can deepen your understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. 

Keep in mind that journaling is a flexible and personal process, so feel free to adapt the method to suit your individual needs and preferences. Embrace the power of writing, and let your journal become a trusted companion on your path to self-discovery.

Exclamation Point Taken

Uh-oh. Red ink.

I scoured the page as my journalism professor, Verne Edwards, continued to hand out the graded papers.

I had thought my approach to the story was going to get a glowing response, but it had enough red marks to let me know it hadn't impressed.

The most violent slashes of red were through the exclamation points I had used a few times in the story to emphasize key points.

Verne Edwards (1924-2019)

After class I questioned his obvious displeasure in the exclamation points that I knew were grammatically correct.

His response?

"In my class you're a journalist. In addition to being your teacher, I'm your editor. As your editor, I'm telling you that you can only use an exclamation point if you are actually on fire and want to let me know in writing."

_______________________

Another lesson from Verne:

Get the Dog's Name