I’m a believer. In a way, journaling is like church for me.
It’s a time set aside to reflect. To learn. To listen.
I’m always surprised by the thoughts that come rolling off
the tip of my pen if I let them. Often I sit down to write not knowing that I
have so much built up inside of me. So much to say.
As we travel through the day, we’re bombarded with messages
and images. We read books, watch movies, talk with friends. But in keeping up the
pace we do, ideas slip and slide away.
They never sink in. They don’t make an impact. They don’t change us
because we don’t let them.
If we could just slowwww down and allow these thoughts to
grow, we could gain real insight through exploration.
One strategy I have found particularly effective is to begin
with a quote. It could be inspirational in nature or it could reflect the theme
of a book or movie. Then I examine its significance as it relates to my life.
In this way, journaling has become a tool for me to discover
who I am in this phase of life and who I want to be in the next.
The key is to refrain from self-editing. Don’t worry about grammar
or punctuation. Don’t feel pressured to maintain any continuity as you jump
from thought to thought. And most importantly, don’t let journaling become a
burden or chore. Do it purely for enjoyment, self-discovery and reflection.
