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Christine Bergsma
- Feb 2, 2019
- 4 min
How to overcome the unfairness of death
In Journaling Through Loss and Grief we explore all aspects of the grieving process. Somehow we think that if a person lived a full life, died from natural causes at a very old age, death doesn’t seem so unfair. However if they died from a terminal illness as a child, a soldier in the military or as a victim of an accident or crime, there is a sense of unfairness to their death to those who are left behind. Allow yourself to ponder your own definition of unfairness of death f
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Christine Bergsma
- Nov 6, 2018
- 3 min
5 Steps to Healing with Guided Journaling
You may not be able to change the outcome, but you can still make a difference. Let’s talk about life-altering events: infertility, cancer, loss, grief, divorce or anything else that flips your world upside down. Although we may not be “cured” from these life happenings, we can heal through guided journaling. Along with a guided journal on the specific topic that you are working through, take an empty journal and make a plan to become a holistically healed human with the
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Christine Bergsma
- Oct 27, 2018
- 7 min
PTSD, Journaling & Therapy
When I first started Journaling Through I thought to myself, I have so much academic and in-field experience to create these specially guided journals that I didn’t think much of sharing my own story. The journals can, and still could stand on their own just fine. However after some messages from the universe through people, conferences and businesses I realized that my story is worth sharing. If you asked me in person I wouldn’t think twice about sharing my experiences. So
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Christine Bergsma
- Sep 30, 2018
- 7 min
Practical ways to support parents who have a child diagnosed with cancer
“I believe the children are our are future Teach them well and let them lead the way Show them all the beauty they possess inside Give them a sense of pride to make it easier Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be…” Whitney Houston We see our future in children, our own kids, the neighbourhood road-hockey team and in the passing school bus. Children’s cancer is a heart-wrenching topic and one that isn’t much talked about. Perhaps because we feel intensely tha
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Christine Bergsma
- Aug 7, 2018
- 3 min
Why Gratitude Journaling Doesn't Always Work
I attended a choir camp in high school and one of the leaders mentioned that he could make any statement into a positive. Naturally I challenged him with a few phrases and he would convert the sentence into a subtle but it could be worse response. The reason this strategy, similar to finding something to be grateful for in a difficult situation alone didn’t resonate with me is that the energy of the problem is shifted to something else. If I’m having lunch at work and my appl
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Christine Bergsma
- May 8, 2018
- 3 min
The Power to Love Yourself
For the past few months we focused on love and the relationship that we all have with ourselves. I pose the following question: How can we give what we don’t have? Think about this for a moment. If we don’t have love for who we are, how will we attract love from others? Our goal here is not to allow our own happiness to be dependent on others, but rather to surround ourselves with people in a nurturing environment to cultivate our personal growth. In our February journaling c
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Christine Bergsma
- May 8, 2018
- 4 min
Thanksgiving Forever
Journaling Through allows every participant to write mini-memoirs page after page. Today’s blog is from a follower that chooses to stay anonymous, but invited me to publish an extract of her journal for every breast cancer survivor. Dear Christine I ordered both Journaling Through Breast Cancer and Journaling Through as Support, since I did not want to burden any family member with my illness. Funny enough I started with the latter journal and the part that intrigued me mostl
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Christine Bergsma
- May 8, 2018
- 3 min
How to Gain Back Control
With the colder weather and emerging vibrant colours of fall, change is tangible in the autumn winds. However much we would like to hold onto the sun beaming down on our flip-flops and building sandcastles on golden beaches, nature has a timetable of its own. We are on this earth and connected to the weather, whether we embrace it or not. When we are faced with a life-altering event like the death of a loved one, cancer or divorce, change is one of the biggest obstacles that
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Christine Bergsma
- May 8, 2018
- 2 min
What is Guided Journaling?
Have you ever started a journal, much like a New Year’s resolution just to get tired and bored by February? Life gets in the way and we tend to find a whole lot of excuses not to continue. The result: feeling like a failure or worse, giving up before we reap the benefits of our resolution. Journaling Through was created as a series of guided self-help journals. Self-help books have dominated the market for decades and are very inspirational. They provide us with stories of ot
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Christine Bergsma
- May 8, 2018
- 3 min
The Lady on the Bus
“Why?” asks Nadine. “Last month it was $18.99 return.” “Don’t you watch television or read newspapers? It’s posted everywhere – bus fares gone up.” Nadine breaks out in coughs. “Sorry” to the next person in line. “It’s not contagious; I’ve taken way too many anti-histamine as it is today – the allergies you know?” People in the line-up recognize a smoker’s cough, but at least the non-contagious part comes as a relief. An impatient traveller calls from the back, "What's the ho
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Christine Bergsma
- May 8, 2018
- 2 min
Do Men Journal?
“Journaling is probably only for women.” I found this take on journaling fascinating and had to investigate further. From experience I know that men aren’t always up for talking about their feelings, so how do we support them in their time of need? Josh started a new business with his wife and two daughters a few years ago. Shortly after, just as everything was falling into place for their family Grace was diagnosed with breast cancer. She ordered a copy of Journaling Through
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Christine Bergsma
- May 7, 2018
- 2 min
The Ultimate DIY
Paint your own painting, make your own sign, plant your own garden and the list goes on. DIY is here and it’s here to stay. According to Nielsen Bookscan some 12 million Colouring books for Adults were sold in 2015. Taking this DIY effect a bit further, sites like ETSY and Amazon Handmade have zoned in on the market for skilled crafters. With the amount of DIY tools available on these sites, it’s hard not to get into the spirit of connecting with your inner creative self. Se
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Christine Bergsma
- May 7, 2018
- 3 min
7 Surprising Benefits of Guided Journaling
Guided journaling was created to complement existing healing practices and rituals. Research has shown time and again that journaling aids in mindfulness, increases emotional intelligence, improves communication and boosts our memory and comprehension. Achieving our goals and strengthens our self-discipline are also attributed to journaling. So how does journaling actually achieve all these benefits? Let’s take a look at seven aspects of guided journaling in more detail: Orga
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Christine Bergsma
- May 6, 2018
- 2 min
In Africa, they Sing
As I walked down the passage of a hospital I overheard a choir of voices singing. My curious nature made me turn to the left and followed the signs to the Pediatric Care ward where a handful of staff gathered to worship. With a mop and pail of water the cleaner stopped me before I could enter. “You can’t see your child now,” he said, “Because the nurses are about to hand over to the night staff.” “I don’t have a sick child here, I’m the group facilitator for Journalling Thro
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The world is facing a pandemic and with emotions and uncertainty running high, we bring you a playlist from people all over the world from all walks of life. As we navigate this time in history together, we return to the basics - human connection, authenticity and reintroduction to ourselves. Change is happening really fast and the ebbs and flow of the loss we feel about our previous normal can become overwhelming. Through journaling and other inward practices, we empower ourselves. We've been given a second chance to create the world we want after self-isolation. Join us as we continue to learn, grow and love together - separately in our homes.