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Your
Journal and
Your Journey
Journal
writing ideas are building blocks for your life story
You
will find great resources here: journal writing software, special 5
year journals, online journaling and more!
Even if you have never kept a journal or diary
I’m willing to bet you have had days when you thought a great
deal about events in your life. Sometimes we think about them at the
end of a special day. At other times, we get caught up in reflecting
about something in our past. A friend, picture, phone call or
circumstance triggers the memory and suddenly you are "time traveling"
in your mind.
It’s
a mistaken idea to think you have to be a
gifted writer to keep a journal. Anyone can write short
entries. It is so important to do this. Over time, our recall may fail
us. Memories fade.
Keeping
a journal or diary is a great way to chronicle events in your
life. You will record not only the things that are happening, but also
your thoughts about them. This allows you to sort out your feelings.
Anyone who has kept a journal will attest to the benefit. It helps you
grow. That inner part of you is on a spiritual journey and you need to
spend time contemplating the lessons learned from daily living.
***Note: An example of the power of a personal
journal that has had a great impact on others is the Diary
of Anne Frank. You can view an excellent presentation
about her writing at the web site for the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum — highly recommended!
If
at some point you plan to tell
your life story a journal will be invaluable.
What
you write in your journal is entirely up to you. It will vary from
person to person. Some people keep it light. Some people write about
deep matters of the heart. We all talk to ourselves. In essence, a
journal is writing down that inner dialogue.
Your
journal writing will also develop you as a witer. Think of is
as your writing
laboratory. You can try different things and
different writing techniques. Don't worry about being "graded".
No one needs to ever see your journal writing...unless you
want them to.
Here
are some suggestions that can make writing your journal a more
meaningful experience:
- Write about the
“journey” of your life. What is happening in your
work, family and in the world around you and how does it make you feel?
- The things that are bothering you the most are great
to journal about. It helps you get in touch your feelings and to
clarify. Use your journal as a “sounding board”.
Let it connect you to the message from your heart.
- You should also write about the joy and
accomplishments in your life. Life has hills and valleys for us all.
Don’t let it be all one-sided.
- Always write about the significant people in your
life. You want to record your thoughts on the birth of your children,
your parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, the kids going to
college or into the military, the passing on of loved ones. At times
this may be difficult, but if you honestly write down these thoughts
you will cherish them down the road.
- You can even receive some healing for emotional or
other trauma by writing about it. Gratitude as part of your journaling
is always helpful.
Check out the article, the Journey of Journaling
for some personal insight on keeping a journal.
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