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    10 Emotion Book Journals

    • Yippee

      Yippee

      Say the word with as much vigor as you can muster – yippee! Now, check in with your emotional compass and see how you’re feeling. The mere mention of this emotion invokes energy in my body that closely resembles the word itself. My internal canvas fills with images of children clamoring around the ice cream truck for a treat or jumping off the diving board to create the biggest splash possible.

      I experience this emotion when I complete a milestone (large or small), when I’m excited about a pending adventure, or even when I feel water rolling into the shore over my bare feet. You get the idea! Isn’t it fun, though, to spin around in feeling yippee about something?

      This delightful emotion has so much purpose for me. I see it as an emotion that results when my heart, my soul, and my intentions align. It is like a gage to help me ensure I’m following what is important and true to who I am. When was the last time you sat in a puddle of your own yippee? Can we please stay here for a while?

      Grammatically, this word is functions as an interjection. I’d like to shift that and make it part of my emotional vocabulary. (Alert the dictionary people and tell them it’s time for an update!) Yippee — the word that wants to be an emotion. It is something most people can relate to, because they’ve experienced it in one form or another, and it is one of the most positive ways to feel. Let’s go on a ‘snipe hunt’, get out our magnifying glasses, and search for all the yippee we can find!

      Say it again with me — yippee! Once again, with feeling! Let the joy rain upon us in all this chatter about yippee! Considering this lively topic, I’m sending you a bushel of the stuff to spread generously across the landscape of your life.

      Our emotions help us create the world we want to live in…

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    • Yes!

      Yes!

      Yes! What if Yes was a person walking through your life with you? Imagine for a moment that you’re taking adventures with your friend Yes and what those adventures would be about. This is an idea that comes from SARK and one of her Juicy Journaling products I have enjoyed for many years. In this short missive, I’ll share some of my musings about my friend Yes, and the engaging questions from SARK’s Juicy Journaling.

      Write a short story or poem about taking a day trip with YES. Where do the two of you go? What do you do? What do you take away from the adventure? Thank you SARK!

      My friend Yes and I went to the ocean together the other day. We walked in the water, along the shore, we played in the sand and waves, watching fish and birds. We did some people watching, too. When we were thirsty, we drank, and when we wanted to sit and rest, we did. We laughed with others when we wanted to and stayed in our own little world when we wanted to. I love living spontaneously with this friend.

      Here’s another one — Yes and I spent the day coloring. We chose the colors, let the colors flow from pencil to paper, and we played games while we colored. We listened to music and sang along sometimes. While we colored, we let our minds travel freely to think about whatever came to the surface. My mind enjoys the freedom to spin around on the topics of its choosing; it makes room for new understandings and ideas. My mind likes the fresh air, just like I do!

      Yes is always forgiving and enjoys being recognized. Do you suppose Yes is another form of my inner wise self? (Inner Wise Self is another SARK idea I find useful in my life.)

      Today, Yes and I are writing. We’re practicing a bit of writing with these Juicy Journaling exercises, and we are spilling words into Alexis’s other writing projects. I wonder if Yes would help me write a story. She is fun to hang around with, and she has some interesting ideas to share.

      Oh, Yes and I are drinking purple right now. (Grape soda.) Yum!

      Okay — I want to hear about your adventures with Yes. Where are you going? What is it like there, and what are you learning from your friend Yes? Thank you, SARK, for inviting me to explore my relationship with Yes!

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    • Zeal

      Zeal

      Zeal is an emotion we all feel, but it often goes unlabeled. You know, that enthusiastic devotion or intense interest you have for something. Scan your experience library for a moment and recall a time when you got so wrapped up in thought or doing something that the rest of the world fell away. A time when you were so absorbed in a task or train of thought you forgot about hunger or the urgent need to find a box to pee in.

      Are you laughing yet? If you can relate to this kind of experience, you know what it’s like to feel zeal. When I set up camp, I experience this kind of focus, but it never dawned on me I stepped into the zeal zone! Another zeal zone for me is when I write. I’ll set a timer for an hour, and in the blink of an eye, the hour has long passed, and morning has suddenly turned to afternoon. I love those moments!

      This is fine, and pretty easy when you get wrapped up in an activity. But what about when you get lost in thought? I have had more days or moments even than I can count when I get absorbed in feeling sad, frustrated, shameful or even angry. I get stuck there — as if I’m fiercely attached to them. I can think of other things I’d rather be swirling in zeal for, can’t you?

      That said, I think this zeal emotion deserves some recognition. It’s interesting that it can have an equally negative or positive connotation. The nature of the word, though, leads me to think of it more in a positive context. That’s all well and yummy, but I think it is also important to understand that it applies in both a negative or positive context, and to explore it in either context as we’re examining our emotions.

      When she explored her emotions, she found new ideas to consider…

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    • Sunrise Promises

      Sunrise Promises

      As I get up and out of my mountain hiking tent after a good night’s sleep, I’m graced by the daily miracle of sunrise. The horizon is a symphony of colors; a breathtaking blend of purples, pinks, and oranges that blend seamlessly into the awakening blue. It’s as if the sky itself is shaking off the cloak of night, preparing to unveil another day. My feet feel grounded on the dew-kissed grass, a gentle reminder of nature’s overnight rejuvenation.

      The sun peeks cautiously at first, like a shy child entering a room, illuminating the sky in gradients of luminescence. The brightness is a slow crescendo, heralding the dawn with its unspoken promise. It starts off mellow, just a sliver, but steadily gains courage until it bursts into full view. The radiant orb almost seems to hum in the sky, an energy so palpable that it resonates deep within me.

      In this moment, I feel the sun’s warmth gingerly caress my face, as if offering a tender morning embrace. It feels like love, like hope, like the pure essence of possibility itself. This warmth floods my senses, dissolving any remnants of nocturnal melancholy or the shivers from the cool morning air. It seeps into my bones, invigorating me, preparing me for whatever challenges the day might hold.

      Sunrise Promises

      With the sun’s ascent, the world around me stirs to life. Birds break into a coordinated aria, as if orchestrated by the sun itself. The trees sway, their leaves shimmering in the newfound light, echoing the positive energy that fills the air. The entire universe seems to be in agreement: today is a gift, a new beginning, a fresh canvas.

      As the sun claims its throne in the sky, I can’t help but feel deeply moved, awash in a cascade of emotions that words could hardly do justice. This is more than just the arrival of day; it’s an affirmation of life’s beauty, a sacred reminder of how every dawn is a symbol of renewal and hope. It instills in me a sense of profound gratitude, a readiness to face the day, and a conviction that as long as the sun rises, anything is possible.

      Jerome Grey, contributing author

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    • It’s Okay!

      It’s Okay!

      It’s okay! (Sound familiar Alan?) I have a friend that I worked with for several years and when we ran up against challenges, he used to say musically and light-heartedly, “It’s okay!” Because of his encouraging little mantra, and after hearing his repetitive chorus, my little Alan guy props up on my shoulder from time to time and echoes, “it’s okay” whenever I run into challenges or interruptions in my normal, happy little routines. He’s a great little companion.

      Now that I’m retired, the pressures I feel are mostly my self-imposed, but they do still create little stresses from time to time. My smiling Alan pipes up and reminds me to let the small stuff fall by the wayside and focus on what’s most important. Suddenly, my tension eases and peace resonates from within, and quickly I’m able to get myself back on track with the mindful living I strive to achieve.

      One toilet in my house recently rendered itself cantankerous, requiring a $3,000 expense we weren’t counting on. One option was to cripple with stress about it, and while I was having those thoughts, cheerful Alan popped up saying, “It’s okay!” Ah yes! It’s okay! We can deal with this! Even though this was an unexpected turn of events, I quickly resolved to accept the inevitable and made plans to address the issue. In a matter of a few moments, the crisis reverted to a plausible plan.

      When I’m getting into a writing groove, an interruption surfaces — derailing my flow train. While the interruption is sometimes frustrating, It’s-Okay-Alan whispers in my ear. I deal with the issue at hand and my focus returns. Oh, what a champion friend to have in my corner!

      This little missive, while delightful for me to imagine and play with, might have a little golden nougat of wisdom to enlighten your path. It’s okay! I venture a guess that my friend Alan would not even mind if you were to invent your own It’s-Okay-Alan for your stress-managing arsenal. Who knew I’d have this dependable guide for so many years?

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    • Backwards or Upside Down

      Backwards or Upside Down

      One way I invite creativity into my life is to consider things backwards or upside down. Okay, Alexis – what do you mean by that?

      Step into my fantasy for a moment. You’re in a movie theater waiting for the movie to begin. As you observe other patrons arriving for the feature, you notice they are all walking backwards toward their seats. They don’t need to turn their heads funny; they know exactly where to go, like they have eyes in the back of their heads. The popcorn popper is upside down and the popped corn floats to the top instead of settling into the bottom of the popper.

      What just happened in your mind? Did any of these images stir new points to ponder? Those movie goers, once settled into their seats, the chairs turn upside down and they are all watching the screen upside down. Or, perhaps the picture on the screen is running backwards from the end to the beginning. How would your movie experience be different?

      When our boys were younger, we used to play this game to stretch our imaginations. Think about what we would look like and how our clothes are different if our arms are where our ears are and our noses are where our belly buttons are perfectly situated. Now there are some creative ideas for new clothing. (She laughs out loud!)

      The next time you’re stuck on a problem, give it a whirl. Step outside of what you think of a normal solution, and try a little backward and upside-down thinking. See what pops into your head when you try something un-ordinary. You have permission to experiment with crazy-silly ideas. Be bold enough to put your shirt on inside out or wear two different shoes or socks.

      I bet you have some fun stories to share about upside down and backwards. My fantastical mind awaits your amazing ideas!

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    • Planet SARK

      Unchained Writer

    • Affection

      Affection

      Definition of affection: 1) A tender feeling toward another; fondness; 2) Feeling or emotion; 3) A disposition to feel, do or say; a propensity.

      What does Affection look like? I see a son shopping for groceries, to help his mother have some ‘tie overs’ to enjoy between the meals provided at her ‘senior living’ facility. I see a wife giving her husband a surprise gift. It also looks like a passion for playing the piano.

      What does Affection feel like; where do you feel it in your body? I feel warmth in my belly and heart. It feels calm and loving and creates a vibration of acceptance. When someone steps outside of themselves to lend someone a hand to someone I feel cooperative and caring. It opens the door for shared joy and peace. Sometimes it feels inviting or affirming. Experiencing this feeling encourages me to speak nicely to myself. When I feel it, I want to share it with others.

      Feeling Affection functions to help me be aware of the goodness in the world. When I feel it, I imagine love flowing out of my heart, freely, into the world. No need for recognition, just a wave of love to set sail in the realm of possibility. It functions to provide acceptance not only of myself but also acceptance of others. Affection fosters relationships, with people, hobbies, and with groups. When affection happens, it is shared, and this might be just the right gift for someone today.

      If you’re feeling it, this is an invitation for you to explore affection today. What does affection look like to you? How does it feel to you, and/or where do you feel it in your body? Explain how it works or functions for you. What are some expressions of affection?

      We are creatures with feelings…

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    • Bother

      Bother

      To me, Bother looks like someone who deliberately places their hands on their hips and fumes a big sigh of frustration or disgust. You’ve probably experienced a parent or someone gasping at you at some point in your life. It also looks like someone or something pestering you. Perhaps a child keeps asking why or while you’re sitting at your desk working, your neighbor is chomping on some carrots.

      What does Bother feel like? Where do you feel it in your body? Bother feels like a wound-up spring demanding to be set free so that it can relax. In my body, it feels like tension and a hovering cloud in my chest area. It feels impatient, urgent, and distracting. It also feels irritating because someone or something has interrupted a good focus or flow. It’s like a buzzing energy that never finds a resting place.

      Feeling Bothered functions to point something out to me that is outside of my normal, comfortable little world. It interrupts me. When I feel bothered, it seems like someone around me is not being as sensitive as they could be to others around them. I’m then quick to judge or jump to a mindless conclusion either about the other person or in my self-talk. I think feeling bothered could transform into a reminder to me to get ‘outside of myself’ or to be compassionate toward someone else, if I stopped to recognize it when it occurs. I could dance with that, instead of being caught up in it.

      If you’re feeling it, this is an invitation for you to explore bother today. What does bother look like to you? How does it feel to you? Imagine feeling bothered and how it works for you. How might you transform it to function for you?

      We are beings with feelings…

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    • Lost Adventures

      Lost Adventures

      Now this title could take you in a couple of different directions — lost adventures or the adventures of being lost. I’m going down the path of the latter.

      When was the last time you got lost? What was your experience of that: were you frightened or panicked or did your inner ‘role with the punches’ lead you into a memorable adventure?

      My husband and I were hiking near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, in the fall. The aspen trees were getting their golden leaves on and the woods were glistening with color. Early one morning, just after sunup, the path we chose led to a small lake with a waterfall and we guessed, based on the distance, that it would only take us about 45 minutes – a short hike, but assured to be quite beautiful. We weren’t equipped for anything lengthy but had a backpack with a couple of bottles of water and enough room to throw in our jackets if we got warm and a hiking map of the area.

      Looking at the posted map at the trailhead, and after noting our entrance onto the selected trail, we headed into the woods on our adventure. We walked through wooded areas that lead to open meadows and back into the woods again. We savored the mountainous beauty surrounding us, chatted about our adventure, and enjoyed the dewy sparkles accented by the rising sun.

      We walked and walked, sure we were following the right path, but after 3 hours of romping in the hills and working up a thirst, we realized we were nowhere near any lake and there was a pronounced absence of any audible evidence of any nearby stream. Time to pull out the map!

      Oh my! We missed our turn! Retracing our tired steps, sun high in the sky by now, with map in hand, I felt a little discouraged. Glad to have someone with me, but discouraged. As I watched the moist dirt path beneath my feet, I came upon a gift. A dampened, yellow, fallen aspen leaf on the earth’s surface with just the right mixture of dew and dust to form a smiley face. A little gift from nature encouraging me amidst my plight of being lost.

      Eventually, we arrived at our selected awe-inspiring destination and the talisman discovered in my path encouraged me all the way back to the car where we could rest our tired feet and head back into civilization to find some nourishing vittles to quell the growling bellies.

      The moral to this story – When you’ve lost your way, pause and look around. You just never know what adventure awaits, and you might just find a ‘sign’ to lead you toward your destination.

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    • Cheer

      Cheer

      What does Cheer look like? To me, it is a smiling face. It is a child caught up in a moment that causes excessive giggling. It is a performance or a job well done, recognized by observers, perhaps there is applause or someone delivers a compliment. Sometimes, cheer is going home from work knowing the next ten days are vacation days. It even looks like watering taste buds upon receiving that perfect scoop of your favorite ice cream.

      What does Cheer feel like? Where do you feel it in your body? I feel my mouth turn upward into a smile, and then my heart feels lighter. I feel peace in my soul. It feels happy and it feels relaxed. I find it to be contagious, too. When I feel it, I want to share it in some way. Do your toes ever wiggle when you feel cheer? My belly relaxes. I feel warm light beaming from my eyes.

      Feeling Cheer functions to help me let go of something otherwise burdensome and turns my face into peace and joy. When I feel it, I imagine warm excitement and relaxed acceptance blanketing all those around me. Perhaps my cheer lightens an otherwise arduous moment into a floating feather. Cheer also invites me to get away from being too serious. Even in serious moments, this feeling is helpful to keep my soul in balance.

      I give you permission to explore and play with cheer today. What does it look like to you? How does it feel to you? Imagine what cheer’s function is for you. How is it working for you? Here’s an experiment. Visualize putting a cool cherry on the belly button in the picture above. What happens to this bright little being when you do that?

      We are beings with real feelings…

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    • Story People

      Marcy Pusey

    • Oxibug