Book Review
Empowered:
A Motivational Journal for Women
by Michaela Renee Johnson
Publisher: Rockridge Press
158 Pages
Publication Date: June 9, 2020

 

 

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can achieve.”
– Michelle Obama

Journaling has long been encouraged as a way to get in touch with your deeper emotions as well to manage anxiety, reduce stress, cope with depression, track your problems, and identify your fears. You can begin to write and pour out things that you did not even know you had bottled up. Writing has been an outlet, sometimes the only outlet, for many people over the years. Sometimes all you need is a pen or pencil and something on which to write. Sometimes having something more helps. If you would like something more, this book is a handy tool.

It contains dozens of thought-provoking prompts, practices, and exercises that will
“help you expand your thinking, better understand your goals, peel away the layers, and set the intention for your future.” Whether you want to explore your thoughts and feelings or connect with your inner self, you can use those exercises to help you do do.

Michaela says the process is about the journey and that – like a river flowing to the
ocean – there is both smooth and rough waters along the way. Self-care is important. So is writing on a regular basis. It needs to become a habit. It is so much more a therapeutic tool when done regularly.

There are quotes and encouragement. There is plenty of space in which to write. There are questions to make us think. You will recognize the words of a lot of successful women – both from the past and in contemporary society – sprinkled throughout the book. When you finish this book, your words will be written alongside theirs and you will be able to look back on that whenever you choose to do so. Write down your dreams and your goals and what you want to accomplish.

There are heroes in here from Joan of Arc to those of the more recent times. There are authors quoted and media personalities – all of them with bits of encouragement. One quote from the text by the author:

“When we make a mess, we might react with shame or embarrassment. But sometimes, making a mess of one things ends up making space for something else that is beautiful. Have you ever seen a garden in winter? The soil is muddy, and the weeds and plants are dying. After a bit of work in spring, the garden will bloom and produce a bountiful harvest in summer and fall. What messes have you made that actually made room for something lovely in the future?”

If you buy this book and work your way through it, you will have a treasure, something to be proud of. You will have brought parts of you out from the inside that – as I said at the beginning – you didn’t even know were in there. You will know yourself much better and you will be in touch with who you really are. All you need is within you!

---

Michaela Renee Johnson is a best-selling author, licensed psychotherapist, and host of the top iTunes podcast, Be You Find Happy which encourages people to speak their truth with grace and live a courageous life of authenticity. Her initiative, Be You Find Happy, holds workshops and conversations on finding happiness in spite of life’s setbacks and has landed her speaking opportunities across the nation.

She is an avid adventurer and tailwheel aviator having traveled to over 20 countries. She always has a book and a journal within arms reach and has a soft spot for inspiring quotes. She is an endless horizon lover who lives in Northern California where she hikes, kayaks, and spends time in her garden while continuing to work toward a sustainable life with her family and farm full of animals. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism Communications, and Master of Arts in Psychology. She is a California State Licensed Psychotherapist #90280.

Connect with her at www.MichaelaRenee.com

On Instagram @MichaelaReneeJ

 

Empowered: A Motivational Journal for Women on Amazon

 

**

About the Author:

Katy Ravensong is a practicing green witch in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. She was raised here where she ran barefoot & free. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, voracious reader, crocheter, and amateur herbalist. She glories in the freedom that comes with being a Crone ~ when she is gone, she will not be known as a woman who could keep her mouth shut! She is disabled, yet tries to make disability work for her. She is an advocate for human rights. She is Dean of Wortcunning and Assistant Dean of Natural Philosophy at The Grey School of Wizardry. She has studied with various herbal teachers, with Witch School International, with Avalonian Institute of Metaphysical Arts, and is a priestess with the Sisters of Earthsong, Order of the White Moon. Her poetry has been featured in several publications including ‘Pagan Poetry for the Festivals and Seasons’ by Wyrdwood Publications edited by Edain Duguay, 2008. Her favorite quote is from Emily Dickinson “If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain. If I can ease one life the aching or cool one pain or help one fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.”