The Healing Power of Words: The Mindful Journal

In 2024, The Muse Writers Center partnered with Sentara Brock Cancer Center to offer The Mindful Journal, an expressive writing and arts class and support group for mixed diagnosed–breast, brain, liver, or pancreatic–cancer patients and their caregivers. Each month the group of eight women and two men gather together with me to write about their experience with cancer and treatment and learn ways that the arts can be used as a tool for healing, stress reduction, and joy.

In each class, participants create their visual healing journals.  Original poetry, prose, art, and mindfulness exercises for overall health are included. We also take time in class to use visual imagery to meditate, do simple yoga stretches to boost immunity, sing, and engage in other expressive arts activities. Towards the end of class, we share our journal entries and what feelings and emotions came up for us during the experience.

When we hold space for others to heal and bolster one another’s strength and resiliency, we each become witnesses to humanity at its finest. The collective support of listening, sharing, and caring lets each person in The Mindful Journal class know that they are not alone. Friendships have blossomed. Tears have been shed. Hugs have been given.

As a cancer survivor myself, it has been a huge boost to hear the stories of strength and resiliency for those in treatment at Brock Cancer Center. Creative writing helps people find joy and strength amidst medical adversity. This has been a beautiful unfolding for us all.