In our world today we can be distracted in so many ways: Social Media, News, etc. and our lives are very busy, it’s easy to fall into the trap of not connecting on a deeper level with ourselves. It makes it easier for us to fall into the negative mindset. Try this journalling and art practice for positive thinking exercise over the next month – it will kickstart your 2019!
Before you begin gather some paper and five or six different coloured pens/pencils if you have them, if you have just blue, red, black pens that’s ok grab all three. You don;t need fancy supplies it’s just for you to help you think, to help you look, to help you reflect.
1. First: Let go of all the rubbish: Complete the Breathe technique with three breaths:
Close your eyes. Bring your attention to your heart breathe in very deeply way down deep into your diaphragm and down your back bone. On your first breath think about what you have been doing before you got here and as you breathe out completely let it go.
On the second breath in: think about the things you have to do after this and as you breathe 
completely out let that go.
On your third deep breath in think about this minute right where you are now and be present in this moment right here right now. Focus on that and be kind to yourself as you let that last breath go.
The benefits of breath work are many and it should be the first thing we do – give ourselves that moment if we are in the negative mindset – mindful breathing.
2. Gratitude: Now list 5 things that you are grateful for right now. There is a strong connection with gratitude and happiness. It evokes a mindfulness therefore it promotes a good feeling. Use different colours for each item if you have them.
3. The Gold Lotus Oracle Deck can be a tool that you can use in the practice of journalling as it can bring your attention to the subconscious level that we are disconnected from in our busy lives. If you have the Gold Lotus Oracle Deck select a card (if not select an image as shown in the Shop). Select a card from the deck. Look at the image (you don’t need to read the meaning 
in the book for this exercise). Start to write about what you are feeling from that card even if you feel it doesn’t relate or make sense at first. Draw images if you feel that works for you also. Anything at all.
This can be the start of a writing practice that can lead you to express parts of yourself and can, if you continue, be a conduit for change. The Gold Lotus Oracle Book goes into this further in the art journalling pages.
Try Automatic Writing:
Even more powerful is writing without thinking – automatic writing – and this can free up your creative mind to flow into your planning for the new year, or into your art practice. Try writing thoughts as they flow out of your head. Draw or doodle as you go: leaves, flowers, swirls, whatever you feel like – remember it’s just for you, it’s not going to be judged.
Goal Setting – Small Short Term Leads to Big Long Term
Set short goals that are achievable. An example would be a list of things you want to get to through that week. Put them in order of priority and tick off the ones you achieve and put the others on the list for next week. Setting long term goals is similar only you may want to break these down to be able to achieve these within the month.
When Something Good Happens – Be Sure to Journal It to Grow Your Confidence!
Journalling about a positive experience allows your brain to relive it and reaffirms your abilities when the ugly head of self-doubt appears. The release of endorphins and dopamine will boost your self-esteem and mood. If you wish keep these in the same book or a separate book. These positive reflections can become a catalogue of YOUR personal achievements that you continue to go back to.
In Conclusion – One Bite at a Time
As you work to incorporate journalling into your life, remember the elephant is best eaten one bite at a time. Patience and consistency are crucial in forming new habits. Begin writing perhaps three days a week, first thing in the morning or before sleeping.
Remember: Our subconscious mind makes 15 decisions before our
conscious mind has a chance to dissect them and make a conscious choice. We make many decisions every day and our brains are really powerful. Imagine tapping into that power?
Try this practice over the course of a week as an experiment and see what happens for you …then extend it to a month. Bookmark this page to refer back to. Leave me feedback as to how you go in the comment form below.
You might also like to read How to Use Oracle Cards.
