Dear Kindred Spirit,

You have heard that journaling is a beautiful and nourishing spiritual practice. But, have you EXPERIENCED IT?

Do you have stacks of empty journals that you’ve felt too intimidated to start writing in?

Do you have a pile of journals that you started, but too soon abandoned?

Have you tried journaling in the past but just couldn’t make a habit of it?

Too often your journaling practices fall away because:

  1. You don’t know what to write about. Going on and on about your day or spiraling around your problems can sometimes cause more harm than good. What if you were given thoughtfully selected topics and prompts that help you see your life and the world around you in a fresh, new, and hopeful way?

  2. You are trying to do it all alone. Without the accountability of a graceful community, it’s too easy to leave your journal on the shelf. By its nature, journaling is generally a personal practice - a communication between your Self and the Spirit. But, what if there was a way to share this experience with others in a way that honors your boundaries but also allows you to feel seen?

  3. You don’t have a dedicated time to journal. You probably have the time. It’s probably more of a matter of motivation to sit down and just do it! What if you had a dedicated time, like an appointment on your calendar, to show up for yourself and others? What if your presence - the fact that you show up- really mattered?

My name is Melissa. I have been working and serving as a Spiritual Director for 9 years. I enjoy quiet, gentle conversations with others about their lives with God/Love/Beauty. This work has led me to extend a similar peaceful presence by guiding others in beautiful, transformative journaling practices for the past 4+ years. Creating and holding space for others to experience the presence of Beauty and Love is my joyful work in the world.

You are invited to join me this autumn in a 6-week Kindred Journaling Circle.

Each week we will:

  • meet on zoom in a small group. (4-6 people) To protect our privacy there will be no recording.

  • contemplate a different thoughtfully curated poem, quote, piece of music, or work of art.

  • enjoy plenty of quiet time to journal with specific prompts related to the week’s subject matter and how it is speaking to your spirit.

  • hold space for each other as we take turns sharing (optional) and actively listening with curiosity and gentleness.

  • experience the sweetness of being seen as others reflect back what “shimmered” in our sharing.

Here’s what past participants have said about the experience:

There is a whole untapped world of exploration you can do in this Journal Circle that you simply cannot do alone. The prompts are creative, unique, and incredibly thoughtful, and it helps you write that way as well. Then, the ability to share in a safe, welcoming atmosphere that possesses no judgment-- you'll gain much deeper insight into your thoughts, feelings, and inner themes you might not even be aware of. -B.B.

Learn to listen to the Spirit on the pages of your journal. Then learn to truly listen to others and reflect back to them what the Spirit stirs.. It’s simple & it’s beautiful to see God move in community! -C.J.

Omg the women!! Their willingness to share their own lives was an incredible gift. Alongside that, each woman offered back to me a neutral observation of what I shared with them that I knew I could trust came from a sincere place of honesty and love. What else is there to give to another in this life than a loving mirror that reflects back to us our true selves without all the harsh edges we so often zoom in on? I was so honored to share space with each person in the group. -J.H.

Join us in September for six weeks of connection…. with your journal, with your spirit, with the Spirit of Love, and with other kindred spirits. Click the link below to learn more and apply.