Monday 8/17/15 Revised Agenda

The “Richard Cory” assignment will be postponed until further notice. 

Today we will be doing a journaling activity.

Grief journaling and all forms of writing have long been recognized as an important and helpful tool for healing. In his book Waking the Tiger  Peter Levine says that "[traumatic symptoms] stem from the frozen residue of energy that has not been resolved and discharged; this residue remains trapped in the nervous system and can wreak havoc on our bodies." (p. 19)

In My Brother  Jamaica Kincaid says, "I became a writer out of desperation, so when I first heard my brother was dying, I was familiar with the act of saving myself: I would write about him."

For many people writing a journal has played an important part in helping to release that frozen energy of pain that is carried as a result of loss.  Sometimes people feel so upset that they are unable to write. This too is natural.  Writing prompts can be very helpful to get journaling started and to initiate the healing process.

Journal Activity Assignment: 

Use this period to write about your feelings today.  Some of you may be feeling immense loss and some of you may be experiencing feelings of another sort.  If words seem to fail, jotting a sentence or two may get you started and eventually lead to more. You may start your journal however you want but if you need a sentence starter, try one of the following:

Today, I feel . . .

Right now I desire/need . . .

"Today I feel like as powerless as a feather trampled underfoot. I long for security and hope."

"Today I feel as shattered as a glass thrown against a rock. I need to know someone cares."

You have the entire period to brainstorm, think, draw, doodle, and journal something about how you are feeling today.  You may write about your hopes, your worries or just how you are feeling at this moment.  Thank you for your respectful behavior during this difficult time.

No Homework Tonight!