Christina Baldwin

A transformative guide to reconnecting with nature through writing, presence, and ecological awareness • Teaches step-by-step writing practices that foster deep connection with place, seasonal rhythms, and the natural world • Provides practical prompts and exercises designed to cultivate wild language, ecological literacy, and personal transformation • Offers creative journaling techniques to process climate grief, restore belonging, and participate in the renewal of Earth Drawing on decades of experience as a facilitator of poetry and journal therapy, Mary Reynolds Thompson shows how to move beyond observation and into relationship with the land, using writing as a tool for presence, healing, and ecological stewardship. She introduces the concept of “wild language”—words that emerge from the co-mingling of human and Earth voices to express an embodied message. Thompson provides methods for cultivating wild language through ten themed sessions, each with stories and reflections, writing prompts, participant examples, and exercises that address topics such as grounding, naming, seasonal awareness, and animal embodiment. You will be guided to explore your immediate environment, chart the seasons, and engage with the soul of a place. Practical applications include character sketches of plants and animals, haiku and haibun writing, seasonal field notes, and reflective exercises for processing solastalgia and climate grief. Thompson’s hands-on approach will support eco-therapists, writers, educators, and anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with the natural world. Not only will you develop ecological literacy but restore a sense of belonging, and discover how writing can be a form of creative renewal in reciprocal exchange between the self and nature. The Wild Scribe will empower you to embody the principles of wild language and reimagine your role within the living world.

A practical and inspiring guide to transformational personal storytelling, The Story You Need to Tell is the product of Sandra Marinella's pioneering work with veterans and cancer patients, her years of teaching writing, and her research into its profound healing properties. Riveting true stories illustrate Marinella's methods for understanding, telling, and editing personal stories in ways that foster resilience and renewal. She also shares her own experience of using journaling and expressive writing to navigate challenges including breast cancer and postpartum depression. Each of the techniques, prompts, and exercises she presents helps us "to unravel the knot inside and to make sense of loss."

Expressive writing is life-based writing that focuses on authentic expression of lived experience, with resultant insight, growth, and skill-building. Therapists, coaches, healthcare professionals, and educators have known for decades that expressive writing is a powerful tool for better living, learning, and healing. But until now, few have had access to practical applications that have proven successful. In this groundbreaking collection, you’ll discover: ·how expressive writing can call us into healing community ·exciting new discoveries about how writing can support neuroplasticity and actually help change our brains—and thus our thinking and behavior ·new research on the role of expressive writing for prevention of compassion fatigue in RNs ·how transformative writing can create art from the ashes of trauma ·the role of journal writing for emotional balance ·sensible ideas about the synergy of expressive writing and play therapy for children, teens, and adults ·interventions and strategies for the use of expressive writing in acute psychiatric care ·how interactive expressive writing helps deaf teens communicate inarticulate feelings and thoughts ·how cancer survivors can use expressive writing to reclaim identity and strength post-treatment ·the role of expressive writing in developing the roots of resilience for practitioners

Expressive writing is life-based writing that focuses on authentic expression of lived experience, with resultant insight, growth, and skill-building. Therapists, coaches, healthcare professionals, and educators have known for decades that expressive writing is a powerful tool for better living, learning, and healing. But until now, few have had access to practical applications that have proven successful. In this groundbreaking collection, you’ll discover: ·how expressive writing can call us into healing community ·exciting new discoveries about how writing can support neuroplasticity and actually help change our brains—and thus our thinking and behavior ·new research on the role of expressive writing for prevention of compassion fatigue in RNs ·how transformative writing can create art from the ashes of trauma ·the role of journal writing for emotional balance ·sensible ideas about the synergy of expressive writing and play therapy for children, teens, and adults ·interventions and strategies for the use of expressive writing in acute psychiatric care ·how interactive expressive writing helps deaf teens communicate inarticulate feelings and thoughts ·how cancer survivors can use expressive writing to reclaim identity and strength post-treatment ·the role of expressive writing in developing the roots of resilience for practitioners

All modern group processes that are open to collaboration or to flattening the hierarchy are based in some way on circle practices. As organizations of all kinds move increasingly toward shared and rotating leadership, they are calling on the circle model to form sustainable teams and adopt circle-driven group processes such as "World Cafe," "Open Space," and "Art of Hosting." Meetings in the round have become the preferred tool for moving individual commitment into group action. This book lays out the structure of circle conversation, based on the original work of the co-authors who have studied and standardized the essential elements that constitute circle practice. It takes readers through a circle visual (the Components of Circle) and presents both structure and story so that readers understand how these elements come into play and how they interrelate and interact. It also embeds circle process experience in stories and examples drawing on the authors' 15 years of experience as global thought leaders and originators of this form, and it presents detailed instructions and suggestions for getting started, setting goals, and solving conflicts.

Our Turn, Our Time is an amazing collection of essays written by women who are committed to celebrating and valuing the passage into the second half of life. These women are redefining the role older women play in contemporary society by embracing creativity, spirituality, and sisterhood. These essays are filled with insight, humor, and compassion on a broad variety of topics: the richness of women's groups, the rewards of volunteering, the power of crone ceremonies, the fires of creative expression, the challenges of a changing body, and the confidence that comes from success in later life. Individually, the essays are inspirational and motivating. As a collection, the book becomes a unique support system for women as they age together, providing the opportunity to embrace each passing year with grace and enthusiasm. You will not find celebrities in this book. Our Turn, Our Time is written by everyday women for everyday women, creating equality and unity. The women in this book are positive role models and they will encourage other women to have an enriching, uplifting, and a refreshingly new perspective on the second half of life!

In Life's Companion, Christina Baldwin points out that writing is a means of expanding our inner horizons, of relating more meaningfully to the world we live in and to other travelers on the spiritual path. Baldwin, a leader of the renaissance of personal writing, has taught personally more than 30,000 people the joys of journaling.The book illuminates its text with enlightening quotations, exercises, questions, and techniques to nurture the writer and seeker within. Centered in a broad spiritual philosophy, Life's Companion shows readers how to transform writing into a tool for self-growth, heightened awareness, and personal fulfillment.The stunning cover and beautiful interior art was designed by renowned spiritual artist Susan Seddon Boulet.

An essential guide to cultivating sober relationships while in recovery The early days of recovery can be overwhelmingly lonely. But this is the time you need friends most. New Life, New Friends is a unique and practical guide to cultivating supportive relationships. Drawing on the words and experiences of many people in recovery, it shows how to: - Find people who share your commitment to personal change and growth- Cope with self-consciousness and low self-esteem- Choose a sponsor and make the most of your Twelve Step group - Establish boundaries and "ground rules" to keep relationships on track- Handle work or social situations where drinks, drugs, or unhealthy foods are available- Learn to ask for what you need--and to say no when necessary- Deal with family anger, guilt, or rejection - Develop the most important friendship of your life--with yourself Praise for New Life, New Friends "New Life, New Friends honors the often neglected, but very important relationship that is a cornerstone of the recovery process."--Stephanie Covington, PhD, author of Leaving the Enchanted Forest "A practical workbook that should accompany people as they leave treatment and begin the exhilarating journey to recovery."--Jack Mumey, author of The Joy of Being Sober

For years I've been telling friends about the therapeutic powers of the act of writing. Now at last I have a book that I can recommend.—Judith Guest, author of Ordinary People

The original small-press edition of Calling the Circle has become one of the key resources for the rapidly-growing "circle" movement. This newly revised edition brings Christina Baldwin's groundbreaking work to an even broader audience ranging from women's spirituality groups to corporate development teams.50,000 years ago, women and men gathered around campfires to decide the key issues in their lives. Today, groups everywhere are discovering a new form of this ancient ritual for communication, mutual support, teamwork, and social change. Now, in a book as consciousness-changing as Riane Eisler's The Chalice and the Blade or Peter Senge's The Fifth Discipline, Christina Baldwin offers this powerful new tool to everyone who longs for a community based on honesty, equality, and spiritual integrity.In this simple, profound practice, participants sit in a circle, pass a talking piece from person to person, and speak and listen from the heart. Christina Baldwin gives detailed instructions and suggestions for getting started, setting goals, and solving disagreements safely and respectfully. She also offers inspiring examples of circles in action: a women's spirituality group, a father and son in crisis, a PTA group that averts a school strike and a work project team that accesses a new level of creativity and caring.