Feel free to use these exercises in your own personal journal writing. You may choose to cut and paste them into your own Word document for a computer archive or print out one of these pages and keep them in your journal.

oss and separation, death and divorce, are difficult times to stay in touch with ourselves. Looking at critical change revitalizes your sense of purpose and helps you heal.

Taking Care of Ourselves
by Sue Meyn

I still find that in order for me to move through something that is uncomfortable to me, I usually need to write about it. I write about what happened, how I feel, what I wish had happened, and how I can resolve such issues in the future. Sometimes I feel SO YOUNG as I go through this process, as though I am five years old and fearful that I have done something wrong or hurt someone else. How many of you can relate to that feeling? My rational mind says things are fine but another part of me is queasy and ill at ease.

Often this feeling comes when I am tired, worn down by running in too many different directions---even when those directions have been what I wanted and what I enjoyed. Too much is just too much. Of course, I'm not young---am fairly old, and so I need to take care of myself. This is the hard stuff----putting myself first. Ouch! Sometimes we have to do unpopular things in order to take care of ourselves. Some people do this well and others need practice.

How do you do about caring for yourself? Where are you on the continuum between selfish and selfless? What are your values about those words? If you are selfless and give up caring for yourself, are you of higher moral quality? Or are you being irresponsible? If you are selfish,do you lack consideration of others? Or are you being irresponsible?

Sometimes we just need to do whatever seems right for us to do---trusting our instincts to carry us in the best direction.

What do your instincts tell you to write about right now? It's another good way to care for yourself. To visit Sue Meyn’s Journal Magic or to subscribe to her weekly Journal Companion, click here.

On Saying Goodbye
by Sue Meyn

I've always had a hard time saying goodbye. Tears were choked back, face was all twisted up, and the pain was deep and unpleasant. I'd make all kinds of maneuvers to keep from having to have that experience---sent a note, avoided the final meeting, or steeled myself until the person in question left.

That doesn't seem to be necessary anymore. I understand more of what Richard Bach meant in "Illusions" when he said, "Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."

There are different kinds of goodbyes. Sometimes we are forced to say goodbye, as in someone moving away or dying. Sometimes we can choose our endings, as we may choose a new job or even a divorce. Perhaps we need to learn to view all endings as appropriate. Isn't that what is meant when we say, things happen as they are supposed to? It's a statement we make that comes across more often as a platitude--but does have meaning.

There can be great beauty in a goodbye. I recently said goodbye to my coach of a year and a half. As we parted I shared some of my growth since working with him, offered my gratitude and let him know how much different the world looked as I emerged from this cocoon of time together. The butterfly has emerged with more strength to find the world a much friendlier and more accessible place. The time in that friendly cocoon was special and irreplaceable--and the transformation miraculous.

Goodbyes can show us where we have been and lead us into the chaotic space of creation where we put things together in a new way. Goodbyes can push us forward, sometimes forcing us into growing we didn't know we could do. Goodbyes can help us to know of the love that surrounds us, that is ever present, in one form or another. Goodbyes signal a new Hello.

Think about your own goodbyes. Are there people to whom you need to say goodbye? How about old experiences or habits? Try writing Unsent Letters to people, places, experiences that no longer fit for you. You will find it helps to clear space for the new people, places and experiences that are waiting for you! If feelings emerge, let them come. That is an important part of the cleansing.

Enjoy the process of goodbyes and hellos, dark and light, night and day. The cycles just keep on.. Be sure to share any discoveries.

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To visit Sue Meyn’s Journal Magic or to subscribe to her weekly Journal Companion, click here.