JournalSpeak, and my story. Check out my new article!

Hi friends.

I am proud to share my new article on elephantjournal.com. Please click the link and share if you'd like. I want to reach as many people as possible who have no idea the magical healing we are doing.

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2017/02/a-clever-way-to-end-chronic-pain/ (A Clever Way to End Chronic Pain.)

Much love to you!

Nicole

 

Congratz Nicole, good article

7..Dispose of your writing in a place no one will find it. I like to use a public recycling can or erase the file as soon as I’m done typing. Some people do this right away, and others like to keep it to discuss with a therapist or trusted friend. Either way, make sure you keep this safe. The essence of the healing is the freedom to speak your mind knowing it won’t be read by another living soul (unless you choose).

The more secure you feel that no one else will ever read your writings, the more honest your writings will become and the faster you may heal. If you are worried about that for example someone may read that you once cheated on your partner, this may prevent you from writing anything down about that subject, which in turn may prevent you from healing. There are many more examples like this, so let's focus on how you can journal in a relatively secure way.

The most practical and secure way is like Nicole's 'write and destroy'-method of relying on the simplest of technology; just use a separate sheet of paper, a pencil and a way to get rid of the paper anonymously or destroy it afterwards... unless you get a stroke or something during the process, nobody will ever know what you wrote. It is child's play to find out what you wrote on a note block because of the pressure you apply with your pen(cil) on the sheet beneath the one you are writing on.... so use a separate sheet, use a soft pencil and/or throw away the empty sheet beneath too if you want to be really secure.

For people who like to use a computer, please read before you start using one. There are so many ways in which you can leave digital traces of your writings on a tablet, notebook or PC that it is of no use to write them all down. These traces can be so simple that people can stumble upon them even unintentionally. The extra disadvantage of journaling digitally is that you are seldom anonymous when your work on a digital device. Anyway, it is just as unsafe a way of journaling as putting your handwritten diary in a safe; it can be difficult to reach depending on the model, but it is always possible. However, if you want to journal and hold on to your writings for whatever reason, saving them digitally can be more secure than a paper journal with a simple padlock provided that you steer clear from common pitfalls:
- Saving files on an unencrypted hard drive or usb device! Instead encrypt a memory stick (Bitlocker or similar) with a password and use that. That way only you can read the contents.
- Saving your writings on the cloud. If you want to be sure nobody will ever read your journal, don't use online services!! There are numerous examples of hacked services in the past, even the most secure systems are vulnerable. Just don't use them for your journaling!!!
- Writing your journal with software that makes backups automatically. Most software make backups to help out the user when he/she for some reason looses the original file. A safe bet is Notepad on a Windows system. I once found out the hard way that this program doesn't make backups. (beware, Notepad++ does!). Software may even make backups of stuff you never saved to a file, so beware.
- Relying on the trash bin! Unless you have some kind of file shredder installed, it is easy-peasy to retrieve files that have been in the trash bin. You don't need to be an expert to be able to do that, everybody that can use Google can find out how to do it. Install a file shredder to destroy the file completely ! https://www.lifewire.com/free-file-shredder-software-programs-2619149 (Deleting Files Doesn't REALLY Erase Them (But This Will))
- Using copy/paste (CTRL+C)!! The next user that for some reason uses the paste command will see everything you put on the clipboard. If you did use it, just restart your computer to clean the clipboard.
- Working on a hacked system... unless you use a dedicated device without internet connection, there is always the risk that someone is watching over your digital shoulder. Keeping your antivirus up to date should be sufficient although it does not provide a 100.00% guarantee for privacy. As said, simply never connect it to the internet is your best bet if you feel vulnerable.

to conclude:
- if you want to write and destroy, use Nicole's method with a separate sheet of paper, a very soft pencil and/or dispose of the sheet beneath the one you are writing on. Smokers have an advantage because they always carry matches or a lighter
- if you want to write and keep, use a dedicated journal device. Dust off that old windows laptop, don't ever connect it to the internet, use Notepad and only save your files directly onto an encrypted USB-device.

happy journaling!!