Leonard Lang Journaling Workshops
...Past and Future
Past- March 2001
Future- Apr. 30- May 21, 2001

Many of us find comfort in remembering what we've experienced. The creative paths to accomplish that end are many and varied. Some pick up a paintbrush and portray a past image or feeling by way of artwork. Some may write music or create in areas where their talents lead them. Our pasts are important enough to digest in some manner and record for our own satisfaction. By so doing we are that much more able to continue on our life journey with a sense of fulfillment.

This past March I was fortunate enough to take in a writing class given by Dr. Leonard Lang, "Spiritual Journal Writing." Although I have enjoyed writing in a journal much of my adult life, this class opened me up to new ways of looking at my experiences, digesting and recording them. Through the new methods of expression we were asked to experiment with, I found myself coming to new insights about some of those past experiences. Our minds are truly remarkable "libraries" of everything that's come our way over time. The key is getting at that information!

One new method of journaling that I found especially useful was dialoging with my own feelings. I discovered that I could conserve much of my energy if I didn't consume it fighting with myself! Talking to my feelings allowed me to reflect on where they were coming from and what their "point of view" was, if you will. May sound crazy, but very helpful. Many techniques were shared with us by Dr. Lang. The ultimate goal was to see our lives in a spiritual perspective and to unleash some of our own creative energy.

Dr. Lang is no stranger to St. Joan of Arc, or to our local literary community. Leonard Lang leads workshops that help people creatively examine their spiritual lives in creative and practical ways. He has taught journal writing and lifework/career workshops at SJA since 1997. He offers workshops at churches, colleges, and businesses, and taught journal writing for five years at The Loft. In addition, he has edited a book of creative writing by people who were homeless, won national and regional honors for his poetry, broadcast his book reviews for five years on Minnesota Public Radio, and is currently preparing a workbook on finding one's lifework.

Last summer he gave a class entitled, "Embracing Your Life Work." He reminded his students then that, "If we can do what we don't want to do, we can just as well do what we want to do." That class focused on setting goals and changing ones direction, if necessary, to achieve desired ends. In recently speaking to a student from that class, I learned that this student had made a life changing decision as a result of that class. Very, very powerful and empowering "stuff."

A class to be offered April 30th and running for four Mondays thereafter will focus on "Journaling into the Future." It's worth my time to be there, might it be worth yours?

Edie Kalweit has been a St. Joan of Arcer for 24 years now. Now that her children are grown, there is time to participate more fully in activities taking place at St. Joan's.

Journaling into the Future is a 4-week opportunity to reflect on your life’s journey and to test out and explore alternative paths for the future. Leonard Lang will facilitate. It will be held on four consecutive Mondays, April 30; May 7-14-21 from 7-9 p.m. in the Parish Center. Call the Parish Center(612.823.8205 to register).

Rick Spaulding is a photographer specializing in digital photography for the theater and works for National Camera Exchange. He is also an antique dealer and eBay afficianado who enjoys collecting marbles but his true joys in life are his two boys and his beautiful wife, Tinia.