Journaling

In my previous posts, I've mentioned some different methods to use when trying to figure out your life purpose, dreams and goals. One of these techniques is to write them down. A fancy word for that is journaling. It’s similar to the practice of keeping a ship's log which is used to detail the happenings, maintenance, daily weather conditions and ports of call for each vessel during its voyage. But, on a personal level, journaling is so much more than that. You can use it for anything you want such as writing poetry, keeping a favorite recipe or simply recording daily successes in your work, your relationships, or both.

The benefits of journaling are many. Writing down your thoughts can calm your mind of its endless chatter. It is a great focusing tool to help you sort out what’s on your mind, how you want to structure your day, or to list the goals you wish to accomplish. Journaling is also a great forum to vent your feelings especially if you are very angry or depressed. You can pretend that you’re writing to someone and reveal your most intimate thoughts and feelings. That person could be alive or dead; they could be your best friend, or bitter enemy. The main purpose of journaling is to either get rid of the garbage inside you or to express the most beautiful feelings that arise within you.

You can ask yourself simple or complex questions on issues that you are wrestling with at work or in relationships. You can list the pros and cons to answer those questions. Taking the time to stop and look for patterns in your personal or professional life can be enlightening and often uplifting for you. If it is depressing, hopefully it will force you to contemplate the question, “What am I going to do about making my life a happy one?” Maybe you have to list your strengths and weaknesses to give you a sense of what is missing in your life. For example, one observation you can make is: “If I am excellent at my work but a failure in my personal life, how can I apply some of those skills to make my personal life a success?” Answer your own question. It may become the attitude-changing event in your life that will enable you to take action and begin a whole new way of living.

I often use journaling as a form of meditation. In reviewing a number of my past journals, I noted the progress I have made emotionally and spiritually during different stages of my life. Combinations of poetry, prayer and prose are all mixed into what I have thought, felt and experienced at any given time.

You too can use journaling for meditation, for logging successes and accomplishments, and for making note of major changes in your life. Are you still in the same frame of mind today as you were ten years ago? Are you still ‘complaining’ about the same people or events now as you were back then? Journaling helps you to look for patterns in your thinking, feeling and behavior. It also gives you time to yourself especially in a hectic and noisy world.

In my book, Quest for Happiness, you will get an opportunity to journal your answers to questions that I ask in each chapter. I am including guided meditations to further facilitate your personal and spiritual progress. I hope you find these techniques helpful.

Do yourself a favor and take the time to journal. Keep the log book of your journey - your voyage. You won’t regret it in the long haul. Who knows, maybe at the end of a period of time you’ll have written the story of your life- one that you may want to share with your children, grandchildren and the rest of the world!

I'll be writing more in the upcoming week, and in the meantime, I welcome any questions or comments you may have.

Until next time,

Bride