I am harvesting so many things from this experience. One thing that I am really smitten with is one word agenda free writing. Every time I do it I am just blown away by what gets revealed. It so quickly allows me to drop into myself and be in touch with myself. It’s a very integrating practice for me. The power of writing for me right now is in doing it for me. I am so drawn to noticing and observing and expressing my own experiences. When I do that that seems to be a portal for me into so much. There is something very present about the expression of my voice.

When we started this program, this felt like a special oasis, kind of a break from the daily going out, and suddenly everything came into this space, and it felt like everything turned upside down. The times that I was here and able to show up, and make the commitment to allow myself to be present, the benefits of doing that were tremendous. Thank you to everyone in the group for your presence and witnessing. We’ve said a few times how special it is to be a part of this. Most of us, I think were strangers at the beginning of this. Just to be able to share with others this way has been wonderful. Sam, thank you for creating this space. There’s something about your presence and your ability to listen so deeply to people and reflect. That is unique and I hope you know how amazing you are at what you do. Your acceptance and going with the flow, but also nudging me a little bit was perfect for me. Thank you.

I am finding form. Publishing isn’t what I thought it would look like. Knowing there are so many more layers and principles that I can work with I am seeing that I no longer need to dismiss my work because it doesn’t look the way I thought it would. There is still a lot of agenda for me, but the agenda is ultimately self-expression because it’s my business.

Sam’s ability to listen so deeply and reflect is just incredible and a real gift. I’m grateful. 

What she does in this space is something I study, because she does it so magnificently. She moves energy through her listening. She is a beautiful teacher and I have enjoyed all of this.

Sam has a special power to get the best out of all of us. The most valuable thing I received from this program is finding a voice (not ready to say my voice), as well as getting feedback from the group and feeling comfortable to share my work.

I now understand I need some structure for my writing. I like the group setting and think it is good for me going forward. I need a combo of sharing, agenda free writing and working the craft. I also have a new definition of routine and discipline and I have complete permission to write the stories that need to be written without worrying how they connect.

When I write now, I let myself have nothing epic or important to say. I let that be enough. Before I started working with Sam I’d get in the way of my own process because I was putting so much pressure on myself to write the next great American novel.

I’m so glad I’m not putting that kind of pressure on my writing now because it lets me use the practice as a tool to explore, discover, process, and release. It’s only through that collaborative and kind practice that I’m able to create something that feels shareable.

Sam is the best listener I have ever met. Her ability to hear the deeper purpose in her clients’ voices is astounding. The Beyond the Journal program provided a powerful structure for insight and healing through writing and connecting with other writers.

The most valuable thing I took away from my experience is knowing that my voice is welcome. And that no matter what I write about, my voice and deeper purpose shine through. I write often now, even when (and especially when) I don’t know what I’m going to write about. I was only writing about once a month before this class. Now I write many times each week.

Working with Sam and the women of our group has allowed me to trust my voice and allow it to develop through stories and poems that reflect my unique way of seeing and understanding myself and the world around me. My voice is an extension of my unique self and the experiences and people of my life. When I began, I started writing deeply into some of the dark of my life, unraveling the secrets that have lain hidden.

Now, I feel that I’ve come full circle in a way – back to the voice of the poet that I love so much and that brings me joy. I’ve discovered that having a blend of poetry and story works well for me. The joy of one word writing, haiku, six word stories, bring me to the heart of what I want to say.

I’ve learned that there is an ebb and flow to my writing process. At times, the poems flow like liquid gold. The one word agenda free process surprises me and takes me to gateways within my writing that otherwise would’ve remained locked. I am in the process of gathering stories from my life while at the same time staying present to what is alive in the moment and wanting to be expressed. Writing has become giving and receiving, a pulling and a pushing, a beginning and an ending.

I’ve gotten braver about sharing my work. I even entered a poetry contest! What fun. I’ve learned that my words contain power and that there is responsibility with each one.