Deborah Harkness
Journal Writing Facilitator -
"As a Journal Writing Facilitator it is my privilege to hold open an empathetic space as I lead people into the discomfort of trauma, addiction, vulnerability, grief, uncertainty, loss, fear, memories…. through the teaching and practice of journaling, so that they may find their way home to their genuine self."
Gratitude Journal
Today I offer gratitude to my journaling practice for:
dragging me, kicking and screaming, from depression’s iron grip
re-igniting my thirst for knowledge
the audacity to take singing and piano lessons at 32 years young
the pure unadulterated joy of laughing at ones’ self
the curiosity that led me to Trent University and manifested into a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree
the tenacity to be the oldest one in the class for 5 years running and still find a community
the strength to undergo a gastric bypass, shed my 160 lb
security blanket, and the balance to maintain a healthy weight for the past 12 years
the enthusiasm to re-emerge into the world, and take another swing at life
the gumption to join the Writers’ Community of Durham, fancy myself a wordsmith, receive a few publishing credits and complete the Writer’s Facilitator Certificate
the intuition to follow my passions and study journal therapy at the Therapeutic Writing Institute and editing at Simon Fraser University
the fortitude to endure a 2 ½ year battle with Breast Cancer and emerge triumphant
the entrepreneurial spirit that founded Genuine.ss
for catching me when I fail
for standing me up and dusting me off so that I may fail fantastically again
for remembering who I was before I was told who I was supposed to be
for rediscovering the genuine me.