Tag: journaling

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Pardon me, but do you Bujo?

Mirta Ines Trupp

You did a double take, didn’t you? Hehehe…you thought I said Buju.

Sorry. You must be thinking of another Jewish blogger. I said Bujo…

If you’re still with me and asking, “But what is Bujo,” let me direct you to this article that states: ”Bullet Journal® (aka Bujo) is a mindfulness practice designed as a productivity system. It will meet you wherever you are to help you write a better life. All you need is pen and paper.”

Nu? Sound familiar? It certainly is in keeping with my latest publication that speaks to being more mindful, more productive, more like the Eshet Chayil (Woman of Valor) that you aspire to be. More than that, it is in keeping with the Jewish practice of Mussar. The tradition encourages us to refine ourselves, to cultivate a connection to our higher being. 

According to this My Jewish Learning post, Rabbi Elya Lopian said that the ancient ritual of accessing, and incorporating, virtue-based ethics is “teaching the heart what the mind already understands.” Meditation is certainly one form to transcend to a better sense of self. Another method is through journaling.

The paperback version of From Meidelach to Matriarchs: A Journal provides space for your thoughts, notes, and yes, even art work. I thought I was being so clever! I imagined readers adding sticky notes with motivational reminders and inspirational pictures from magazines or Pinterest…

However, many of you Wonder Women have asked if the journal is available as an eBook, because, you know, you are busy, you’re on the go! Honestly, I was stumped! How would you be able to activate the “right side of your brain”—the creative part of you that likes to use colored pencils and doodle while you draft your thoughts, make your lists, and plan out strategies—on your phone, tablet, or Kindle reader?

We don’t want to push our ideas on to customers, we simply want to make what they want.”

Laura Ashley, designer and businesswoman

It only makes sense to give the customer what they want, so I’m setting out to publish an eBook version as you’ve requested. It will have the same content—the history of 100 Jewish women and the questions and/or prompts for you to consider—however, as you might have guessed, it won’t have the “space” for your thoughts. You’ll have to provide that by keeping a note pad or notebook close at hand.

I will leave it to you to doodle away and add color or cutouts for your inspiration. That’s a happy compromise, I believe, and I’m confident that you’ll enjoy the experience! Because, at the end of the day…

With love,

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Expressive Writing~ A Daily Journal for the Jewish Woman

Mirta Ines Trupp

I originally drafted this up a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn’t bring myself to share it due to the horrific situation in Israel. Reading enlightening work shared by other authors, and coming across requests for uplifting posts, I’ve decided to take make this a public piece.

In recent years, journal writing, or engaging in expressive writing, has been proven to have a positive impact on the participant. It helps us be more mindful, to be more grateful. It helps improve focus and alleviates stress. But studies have shown that simply writing onto a blank page doesn’t necessarily produce positive benefits. As with everything else, it’s the intention that matters. It’s about introspection and connection.

That’s where my new project comes in.

As many of you know, I am drawn to the success stories of days gone by. I’ve been working on creating a daily journal that will allow us to get acquainted—or reacquainted, as the case may be—with the women of yesteryear.

We’ll meet the meidelach, the young women who were just getting started and were trying to figure things out. We’ll meet the matriarchs who shouldered the burdens of life and led by example.

Here’s the plan: I will share a brief snippet of their stories, one woman for one hundred days. One hundred opportunities to inspire your thoughts, your creativity, your philanthropy, your Jewish observance or your Jewish identity. Let’s not focus on politics or other ideologies that may only serve to cause division. Let’s focus instead on the uniting factors.

We are women.

We are Jewish.

We are daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives.

Some of us are a balabusta. Some of us are a bluestocking. Some of us have a yiddishe kop for business. Of one thing I am certain:

There is an Eshet Chayil (a Woman of Valor) in every one of us.

My suggestion would be that the reader take a few minutes to learn about one woman each day—just one. Truly think about her, where she came from, what she accomplished. Reflect on the barriers she had to overcome. Does her experience resonate with you? Allow yourself to be inspired. There will be prompts to jot down your thoughts and additional space to scribble a few notes, ask G-d for guidance—put things into perspective. I will include a page where you can track your observations at the end of this journey. There is no pressure, no judgement. That’s the beauty of this journal. No one needs to know; it’s just between you and the Woman of Valor that lives inside you.

How does that sound? Does it appeal to you? I hope you will enjoy it and share it with your family, friends and loved ones. I can’t wait for Publication Day! This will be an enlightening resource or a lovely gift for all Jewish women. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Bat Mitzvah
  • Confirmation
  • Hebrew School Teacher
  • Rabbi
  • Cantor
  • Birthday
  • Chanukah
  • Sisterhood
  • Woman of Valor Award
  • Book club
  • Dvar Torah

More to follow soon!