Journal your Intentions

This is the last full moon of the year.  Over the next few weeks in the Northern Hemisphere we will move towards the shortest day of the year.  Then the energy will start slowly building again for us to push forward in the Spring.  It is time to start wrapping up the year and thinking of how we want to move forward.

Take some time for introspection to make sure you are heading in the right direction.  Read each question and write down the first few words that pop into your mind.  Then close your eyes.  

Take three deep breaths to focus on relaxing different parts of your body.  First your feet, then your legs, then your torso, arms, hands and end with your head.  Take three more deep breaths relaxing your whole body.

Now read the questions again and write down your thoughts about each question in more detail.

What do I want to happen next year?



What changes are you feeling in your body and mind?



What do I need to have happen next year?



What knowledge have I obtained this year?



Keep track of your answers in a physical or online journal so you can make sure you are on the right path.  Your plans may change along the way and that is fine, but it is always good to know where you came from.

If you want to delve deeper into this work, check out my two physical and Kindle journals on Amazon:

2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth - Click Here

A Year and a Day Journal: A Clear Vision - Click Here

Most Importantly take care of yourself and there is always support from me available - Just Ask 

Jessica Cross

Job Change Journal - Choose your Path

Are you looking to change the way you work?  This may be a new job, a promotion, a new project or a new way of looking at your current job.  Before you make any move it is important to think about the path you want to take and make sure your decision leads you in the right direction.  Consider each of the following before moving forward.

If you struggle to find the answers write down the first three words that occur to you and see how they influence your thoughts about the question.  If you are still struggling read the following brief meditation and then close your eyes and remember what you can.  Guided meditation can help you open up your mind so you can see the answers more clearly.

Take a few deep breaths. Find yourself sitting on a bench in front of a small pond with a fountain. Hear the sounds of the water and any animals in the area.  Smell the crisp air and the smell of the leaves on the ground.  Feel the cool air on your skin and the hard bench underneath you.  

Soon you hear the sounds of someone walking towards you.  This is one of your guides who has come to join you on the bench.  You can ask your guide if they have suggestions as to what needs to change to make you happier with your work.  You may also ask what the next step should be to help set you on the right path.  

Talk with your guide for as long as you need.  You may receive answers in words, thoughts, pictures, or just feelings.  Take what ever is given.  Thank your guide for their help and rise to walk around the pond.  Smell and feel the cool air again as you consider what you have learned.  

When you are ready to end, begin to hear the sounds around your physical body.  Wiggle your fingers and toes, and open your eyes.

Now consider the questions below and I encourage you to write the answers in your journal.

What options are you refusing to see?

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Does this change follow our beliefs of what is valuable in life?

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What has to change even if that change scares you?

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Can you take a step back to see the bigger problem that needs attention?

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Where do you need to be more independent?

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What do you hope to find after this change?

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What are you trying to convince yourself will work out?

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Does this change ask us to give too much or too little (of our skills, time, heart, dreams, values, etc.)?

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I hope these questions have helped you to see if this change is a good fit for you.  I wish you the best of luck and commend you on trying to challenge yourself and move forward.  

If you enjoy this process and want more like this, check out my 2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth. This Journal allows you to check in and make sure you are on the right path throughout the whole year.  

Take very good care of yourself,

Jessica Cross

www.jessicacrossjournals.com

December Guide 2016 - Set Boundaries

Time to break out the Yule log!  It is the most wonderful time of the year...right?

Well, based on my years counseling, not so much for most of us.  Now, I am not a Grinch and I actually love the holidays but that was not always the case.  I love the holidays because I have crafted holidays that I love.  Here are some of the boundaries I have put in place to bring the joy back to the holidays for me.

I see family - but not for too long or too many of them at once.

I give presents - but only to kids (with a few poor college students thrown in), and my Mother-in-Law, who used to fill everyone else's stocking but nobody filled hers.

I decorate - but only what can be done in an afternoon and disassembled in the same amount of time.

I don't try to keep up with the Jones' and I don't try to meet others expectations (no Holiday cards, no big Thanksgiving dinner made from scratch, no extravagant gifts).  There may be some people in my family who consider this Scrooge-like but it allows me to enjoy the holidays and the people I spend them with (including those that may think I'm stingy or lazy).

What boundaries do you need to set?

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Who's expectations are you trying to meet?

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What can you let go of this Holiday season?

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Acknowledge that even if you love them, the holidays can be hard.  You need to schedule in extra self-care time and know that not everything will be perfect.

Pay attention to the energies and work when you feel inspired and relax when you feel overwhelmed.

	December
1	Don’t wait to decide
2	Find the root cause of issue.
3	Don’t expect others to fix this.
4	Rebuild with a new perspective.
5	Help is available.
6	This is a good partnership.
7	There is a choice to be made.
8	See the light at the end of the tunnel.
9	Adapt to this change.
10	Follow what you feel is right.
11	Look for a new opportunity.
12	Accept what can’t be changed.
13	Take a step back from action.
14	Consider your options.
15	Find the grey area.
16	You can’t do everything.
17	Take one step at a time.
18	Expect the unexpected.
19	Reassess what you want.
20	There is an easy way out.
21	It is not as bad as you thought.
22	Give yourself time to recover.
23	Have gratitude for what you are given.
24	Open to a new communication.
25	Time to change plans.
26	Let it go and don’t obsess.
27	Look ahead to what you want.
28	Not your circus, not your monkeys.
29	Things will become clearer soon.
30	Reward yourself for perseverance.
31	Choose your own route.

If you need reminders like this all year long or know someone who does, consider checking out a preview of my 2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth.

Take good care of yourself this season,

Jessica Cross

www.jessicacrossasmr.com

Clear Your Path - Journal Prompts

It is time to look at what may be holding you back.  Take just a few moments to consider the following questions and identify what obstacles may be in your way.  Begin to problem solve about how to clear your path and move in the right direction.

Begin by writing down the first thing that comes into your mind without judging what you write. Then dig deeper into what you wrote to find the meaning behind your initial thoughts.  Allow that your initial response may be symbolic rather than literal.

If you find it difficult to write down your answers you can use any creative means to express your feelings about the questions.  Once you have worked out your thoughts through art, dance, music, video, audio or conversation with other, do take a few minutes to write down some words to use in the future.

What have I been unwilling to look at?

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Where do I need to slow down to give myself time to make a change?

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What do I need for motivation to move forward?

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What situation am I trying to control?

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Why do I need to change?

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Where do I feel powerless?

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What emotions does this bring forward?

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Where am I courageous?

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What action do I need to take?

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Who can help support me?

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What is the first step to move forward?

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How can I convince myself to take this step?

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What path do I want to take?

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Where do I need to be careful?

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You can't move in the right direction if you don't know where you want to go so please take time regularly to consider what path you want to take.  

If you want help to journal your thoughts each week do check out my New 2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth on Amazon: http://a.co/jiCPjoL   I hope you will journey with me throughout the next year.

Take care,

Jessica Cross
www.jessicacrossjournals.com

Free 2017 Journal: Gratitude to Growth

The 2017 Journal: Growth to Gratitude is available for FREE on November 18 - November 20, 2016.

You can't follow the right path if you don't know where you want to go!

I hope you enjoy it and will journey with me all year.

Take time for yourself,

Jessica Cross, LCSW

www.jessicacrossasmr.com

Meditation with Owl - Enjoy the Present

Picture by Kevin Jones

Thank you so much for allowing me to share these meditations with you.  I needed this one today more than anyone else!  I often have a hard time staying in the present and it was so good to have the reminder.

Read through the following meditation and then close your eyes and remember what you can.  Let the meditation unfold however it needs to for you.  It may be very different from mine, but I would love to hear where you go in the comments.

Meditation: Owl

Take a deep breath and close your eyes.  Find yourself walking down a path towards a mountain range in the distance.  The sun is slowly setting behind the mountains and it is beautiful.  You wonder what you will do when it is completely dark.  You have no provisions to stay the night and there is not much around to use as shelter.

You feel a bit of panic in your stomach and decide to walk off the path to see if you can find something for shelter.  As you walk you hear the birds quiet down and a chill come into the air.  You are now feeling a bit scared and wonder what you will do if you don't find something to help keep you warm soon.  

Up ahead you see an owl on a tree stump who seems to be waiting for you.  As you get near, the owl does not fly away but just continues to wait.  You crouch down to look the owl in the eyes. The Owl shakes it's head, looking down as if disappointed in you. When the owl raises it's eyes you look into their yellow light and know you will be taken care of by this guide.  

Greet this guide either verbally or simply through eye contact, your guide can understand you either way.  What does your guide respond to your greeting?  You may hear words, have thoughts, see pictures or colors or just have a feeling.  Take whatever is given.

The owl flies off a bit and stops, waiting for you to follow.  The owl leads you to a small lean-to that is just big enough for one but is cozy inside.  There is wood for a fire laid in the pit out front and even a box with provisions inside.  

The owl informs you that although you may not be able to see what will happen, your guides are watching out for you.  You cannot predict what will occur in the future either positively or negatively, so trying to control and plan everything all the time is not the most helpful use of time. Plan what you can and expect to be surprised. Do not let planning for the future prevent you from enjoying the beautiful sunset ahead of you as well.

Thank owl for it's guidance as you get comfortable and warm in the lean-to.  Enjoy the sunset and the warmth of the fire.  Relax and enjoy the peace and joy of being cared for by your guides.

When you are ready, hear the sounds around your physical body. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and open your eyes.

What did you learn?



What do you try to control too hard to open up to other opportunities?



When do you miss the present because you are too focused on the future?



If you enjoy these meditations you can experience more with the Free Shadow Work Journal.  This will give you 7 guided meditations to access the parts of your psyche that you may try to ignore: https://gum.co/fnek

Thank you for taking this Journey with me, Jessica Cross

www.jessicacrossasmr.com