So here it is, the third and last installment of Things I Love, Things I Hate, and Things of Which I Aspire. Having completed this first round of exercises for my journal, I see there is a lot for me to look forward to. It was kind of nice to see all these positive things written out on paper . . . it seems to make it more official in some way. I’m pleased to know that the things I love and the things of which I aspire far outnumber the things I hate.

As expected, renewing my vows to keeping a daily journal has been really fulfilling (in many ways) and even in only 3 weeks of daily note keeping, I’ve gone to new places of knowing. I’m also happy to report that several of the items on this very list are now goals and tasks that are in the works. So far, I’m writing well over 1000 words a day and while I haven’t hit that 20 hours of reading per week, I’m feeling pretty good as a writer and won’t give up on the reading part of the program (I just need to target the time better and maybe get up a bit earlier in the morning). Do you keep a journal? What are your aspirations and how do you plan on making them come true?

Happiness is not a right. It must be pursued.

In keeping with my daily journaling experience, I began with a small exercise of listing Things I Love, Things I Hate, and Things of Which I Aspire to. I found this, while an extremely simple exercise, to be quite enlightening because the point of my journal is not to impress anyone. It’s a private place, solely for me (and I guess upon occasion, for you.)  My search was for answers that were honest and when I was writing about things I love, I discovered that I was listing some things because I felt I was ‘suppose’ to love them. Deleting those false items from the list and replacing them with things I really loved was freeing and insightful. It took me to a new place of knowing.

Nearly every Sunday, my friend Casey would send me an email to say hello. Attached was always a photo of something wonderful and extraordinary. Now Casey’s blog, artandcolour, has been nominated for a Blogger’s Choice Award. Please visit and enjoy artandcolour (and maybe even vote). Casey shares with us his thoughts on book design, photography, wildflowers, cars, his family history and his life. Well written and executed, you’ll love this site.? Simply beautiful!

Awhile ago I wrote about the fun and benefits of keeping a journal. That post was about how keeping an actual handwritten, 3-dimensional notebook can help a gal or guy with creativity and personal insight. At the same time, it become apparent to me that I needed some type of system for keeping all my professional writing assignments organized. While I was using a word processing application for writing articles and reviews, I had photos in one folder, contact names in another, notes in another. This was very inefficient. I wanted everything in one spot . . . one stop shopping, so to speak. So I went in search of some software applications that could help writers organize and sort their blog posts, articles and notes.  I have also included some more robust applications for those of you who might be writing your next novel or e-book.

This was an interesting little exercise. I decided I needed to go to a happy place and so gave myself the exercise of writing down all the things I love. The exercise was interesting because the list is honest and gave me space to really think about things that make my heart sing rather then the things I’m obligated to love. This list does indeed make me happy. So here they are. Things I love, in no particular order:

Do you keep a journal? As a kid, I always had what back in little-girl-world was called a diary. My earliest creative memory was one where I stood in my backyard composing thoughts and ideas on paper pretending to be a news reporter. I think it was that particular moment when I knew I would be a writer when I grew up.

Despite that fact that I did grow up to be a writer, I no longer keep a journal. I’m not entirely sure why that is, but I spend so much time typing on a laptop that the very act of handwriting has become foreign to me.

You could do it online. Or you could go to Walmart, Macy’s or Saks. But this year I propose a happier idea for your Christmas shopping pleasure. This year it’s more important than ever to give your loved ones the gift of buying something truly special from your local merchant or gallerist. Let me paint you a christmas picture with words.

Now I’m not saying go out and buy your sweetheart a $5,000.00 piece of art, although you certainly can if you want to, but what about the rest of those people on your Christmas shopping list? They might want something special, something unique and inspired too. They might better appreciate something which doesn’t come from Walmart.

I’ve worked with artists and galleries for over 10 years and I can promise you that if you walk into a gallery or artisans shop this Christmas, you will be most warmly welcomed. Galleries and local shops have treasures to offer you this year and besides being economically wise, it can be such a romantic experience from start to finish.

I had spent several hours in front of my computer watching the cursor flash against the empty Word document. I finally reach out to my beau in desperation, “I’m freaking out. I seem to have lost the ability to form even the smallest creative thought,” I said to him.

“Hmmm… you have a block,” he says. “Let’s see if we can figure something out to help you.”

“Ok, but at this point, I’m not even sure I can spell.”

“You just want too much. You need to think more simple,” he says. “Why don’t you write about the Gävle goat? Every year they try to burn that Christmas goat down.”

“Which goat?” I ask with eyebrows raised.

My beau lives in Göteborg, so here it is . . . a simple Christmas tale direct from the land of Sweden.