Brave Pages: Turn Turn Turn

Every Saturday morning, I share a few journal prompts inside my Braver Together community. I call the practice Brave Pages. Which is the same name as this newsletter because what I publish here are MY brave pages. I very rarely share my Brave Page prompts in this professional space but this one feels like an exercise you might appreciate.

This Saturday's theme is Turning Towards. The theme was inspired by a few things... a poem I'll share later in this post, the changing seasons, leaves falling from the trees. It was also sparked (rather enhanced) by the 1965 hit by the Byrds, Turn Turn Turn.

Want to turn up the inspiration? Here's the music video before MTV made music videos a 'thing.'

Today's prompts will ask you to slow it down a bit, create a space for introspection, and be a noticer. Grab your journal, your favorite pen, a cuppa coffee or fall cozy drink, and settle into a comfy space for a few minutes.

Start by drawing a line down the middle of your paper.

On the left hand side, jot the heading 'I notice...'.

Write down all the things you're noticing in your life now. It could be physical sensations, emotions that you can't shake or that need tending to, what you see, what you hear, shifts happening in your life, seasonal changes, messages that keep showing up in your life... there is no right or wrong answer here. Make your list as long as you'd like.

Now take a moment to look at your list. Some noticings might be positive happenings, shifts, or areas of expansion. You might notice some are challenging, sparking overwhelm, or are creating an opposite effect in your life. You may also notice that some might be demanding something from you in order for you to navigate through them. 

I came upon a poem by Lisa Olivera that takes noticings one step further. You'll notice the first line of each stanza is an observation. Yet each thing she notices invites a turn, which she acknowledges in the second line.

Let's take our list one step further as well...

On the right hand side, jot the heading 'I turn toward...'

As you take in what you're noticing, what is something you're being invited to turn toward?

If you notice feelings of overwhelm, you're being invited to turn toward rest or setting boundaries. If you're noticing self-doubt or a loud inner critic, you're being invited toward self-compassion and speaking to yourself like you speak to someone you love. If you notice contentment or alignment, you're being invited toward joy and peace.

Each noticing invites a turn. What's that turn for you?

Your last prompt...

What does this inspire you to live out; and how can you intentionally make time for turning towards what you need most now?

Want to have a little fun and use ChatGPT or AI to create a poem, like Lisa's, using your noticings? (I did this and it was pretty cool.) You can choose to give it your 'Turn Toward' list or you can see what it comes up with just based upon your noticing list on the left.

Here's a prompt that will get you started:

I’d like to create a poem that captures what I’m noticing in my life and what I want to turn toward in response to each of those things. Each stanza should have two lines: the first line describes something I’m noticing in my life, and the second line describes what I could turn to in response to that noticing. The tone should be reflective and hopeful, like a gentle invitation to embrace each part of this journey.

Here’s what I’ve noticed in my life recently: [List 5-8 things you’re noticing, such as physical or emotional changes, upcoming transitions, inner conflicts, or any sources of resistance or longing].

OPTIONAL: And here’s what I’d like to turn toward in response to each noticing: [For each thing you listed, write a quality, resource, or feeling you’d like to turn toward, such as patience, warmth, compassion, trust, or grace].

Please create the poem in this two-line stanza format, with the second line inviting a turn toward the quality or feeling that might help me move through each experience.

I'd love to read your poem so feel free to share it in the comments. Here's mine...

The light is dimmer than before; I turn toward shadows at the door.

The morning dark, the evening falls; I turn toward warmth within cold walls.

The weather shifts, the air grows chill; I turn toward change, against my will.

My body’s rhythm, out of sync; I turn toward patience on the brink.

The voices sharp, the doubts arise; I turn toward truth behind the lies.

When numbness spreads and won’t release, I turn toward gentleness and peace.

More others partner up, a dance I miss; I turn toward grace within the abyss.

A call to work beyond the known; I turn toward courage to stand alone.

I linger here, in word and deed; I turn toward trust in what I need.

The pull grows strong, a force unseen; I turn toward faith in what it might mean.

Lastly...

I'm leading a group of people through this Turning Toward process on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024 at 10am CST. It's a zoom call I lead the first Friday of the month where we have a new focus each time. This call is designed for connection, clarity, and creating a monthly practice for self-awareness. I call it the Brave Space. If you're interested in checking it out, you can join us for $10 a month, right HERE.

Upcoming Opportunities

Details for in-person Reading Circle Details for virtual Reading Circle

Details for in-person workshop Details for virtual workshop