by Tina Games | May 1, 2024 | Authenticity, Creative Expression, Creative Process, Creativity, Healing, Insights, Poetry, Professional Growth, Reflection, Self-Discovery, Spiritual Growth, Storytelling, Writing
In a world that often seems chaotic and overwhelming, the internal journey of self-discovery, healing, and finding connection is more critical than ever. This is where the creation of a regular writing practice can help – where we can process emotions and find clarity in the midst of life’s challenges.
How can we connect with ourselves and others with more depth and honesty? How can we turn past wounds and emotional hurdles into opportunities for growth?
These are questions that poet, educator, and author, Meredith Heller explores in her new book, Writing by Heart: A Poetry Path to Healing and Self-Discovery – published by New World Library.
I’ve invited Meredith to join me on my blog today to talk about the concept of “writing by the heart” – and how creative people can use it as a path for healing and self-discovery.
***********************************************
Tell us about your book Writing by Heart and what inspired you to write it.
Writing by Heart is about tuning into your heart and writing about what’s here, honesty, authentically, and with compassionate curiosity. The book is an invitation into deep self to discover your truth, your voice, your heart. Something magical happens when we put pen to paper– we engage in creative process and we can tap our own wisdom, our own medicine, to heal and free ourselves. This book is about poetic writing as practice of presence, noticing and being true to what’s bubbling up in you, whether it’s sadness, anger, fear, grieving, loss, joy, or beauty, making room for all of it and finding the words to explore and express it. This kind of writing is healing, liberating, empowering, and transformative. It opens the way for new insights to arise.
What does “writing by heart” mean to you?
When we know something by heart, it’s part of us; we know it all the way down to our bones. Writing by heart is about following what you know, your truth, and seeing where it takes you. It’s about trusting yourself and the writing process, and when we do that, the path opens, healing happens, life force returns. (more…)
by Tina Games | Mar 24, 2021 | Acceptance, Authenticity, Healing, Journal Writing, Life Journey, Personal Growth, Self-Care
A year ago, as the mother of a high school senior – and as a certified journal writing facilitator, I found myself pulling out every personal writing tool I had in my repertoire. My daughter was struggling with what was quickly becoming an upsetting end to her 13 years in public school.
Since kindergarten, she had looked forward to her high school graduation and had already assembled her cheering section, consisting of close friends, teammates, family members, and mentors. In her mind’s eye, she already knew what graduation day would look like – until a global pandemic changed everything.
Even before the coronavirus hit, my daughter and her high school friends, along with other teens and young adults, were already facing intense mental health challenges like academic stress, relationship challenges, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression — just to name a few.
And when you add in tough pandemic realities like virtual learning, social distance from family and friends, and the loss of employment opportunities many are facing, it’s no wonder that many of today’s young people are feeling more isolated, afraid, and stressed than ever before.
The new book, “Be You, Only Better: Real-Life Self-Care for Young Adults (And Everyone Else)” – recently published by New World Library, introduces young people to simple, yet powerful day-to-day practices that promote mind and body wellness. With simple, straightforward tactics like journaling, mindfulness, healthy sleep, and sound nutrition, author Kristi Hugstad empowers young and old alike to take charge of their own wellness.
The book came to me at just the right time – and has now made its way to my daughter, who is in her first year at college, and is being circulated among her friends. It’s making an impact, so much so that I asked Kristi to join me on my blog today to touch on a few key topics addressed in the book.
(more…)
by Tina Games | Sep 14, 2020 | Connection, Financial Abundance, Healing, Journal Writing, Money Story, Personal Growth, Possibility, Transformation
Whether we realize it or not, many of us are stuck in a “money pattern” – and it affects everything we think, see, and do around money.
Our beliefs about money have been handed down to us through generations, in a variety of different ways, shaping how we view the subject of money.
Think about the news you see on television or hear on the radio or read in the newspaper. How much of it is fear-based? How much of it stems from scarcity – the fear of never having enough or being good enough?
Now think about the news you’ve been given through others – about money. What have you learned about money – through your family, your friends, your colleagues, and from society?
Take a moment to ponder the money decisions you make on a day-to-day basis, both personally and professionally.
(more…)
by Tina Games | Mar 19, 2020 | Blooming, Connection, Healing, Inner Peace, Inner Wisdom, Personal Growth, Renewal
We all come to periods in our lives when we sit down and reflect on the path we have chosen – sometimes regretting certain choices and missed opportunities.
And many of us have made drastic changes along the way, trying to make a fresh start in life. Yet no matter what we do, we always end up feeling the same way. The outer conditions may be different, but inside we’re still the same.
So when and how does a genuine fresh start begin?
(more…)
by Tina Games | Nov 13, 2013 | Healing, Inner Peace, Journal Writing, Life Story, Motherhood
In my work as a life purpose coach and journal writing facilitator, I gently guide mothers on a path through their own life story – connecting the dots of what I call “pivotal life moments.” It’s these moments that bring a deeper, richer understanding of one’s life purpose.
Adversity is a big part of the life purpose journey. How we face the more challenging parts of lives, such as sorrow and grief, paints a bigger picture of why we’re here and what we’re meant to gain in order to better understand ourselves and the world around us.
As mothers, the relationships that we have with our kids are significant. But what happens when the relationship is suddenly cut short by tragedy? How do we make sense of it – and how to we go on?
(more…)
by Tina Games | Nov 10, 2013 | Healing, Inner Wisdom, Life Story, Spiritual Surrender
Today, I have the great pleasure of being the host on Day 7 of Erica Tucci’s Virtual Blog Tour. Erica’s book Radiant Survivor: How to Shine and Thrive through Recovery from Stroke, Cancer, Abuse, Addiction and Other Life-Altering Experiences is celebrating its big Amazon launch on November 19th, 2013 at http://www.radiantsurvivor.com/book-launch/pages/pre-launch.php.
Erica Tucci had a full life as a corporate manager of a Fortune 500 company, a healing arts business owner and an author of three books. It all came to a screeching halt in June 2011 when she had a stroke that left her completely paralyzed on her right side. While spending more than two years in recovery, she gained much wisdom about what’s really important in life. She re-entered the world with a new mission: to use her story as an inspiration for others facing life challenges, which we all have, big or small. That story can be found in her brand new book, Radiant Survivor. Erica is also an official Online Ambassador for the American Stroke Association.
(more…)
