Author: Lee Wise Copyright Date: 2003 Word Count: 2128 w/bio
Characters/line: 60
JOURNAL FOR LIFE The Art Of Capturing How We Live © Lee Wise
2003 All rights reserved
I will share with you a few of my on-going thoughts regarding
the practice of keeping a journal.
I am not an expert on subject: but I am a proponent of the art.
This is a highly *personal* article, and segments of what I have
written may not read well in your opinion.
However...
There's a reason for my leaving things as they are: most of what
you will peruse in this short piece is from my journal, and I
don't always make entries that "read well."
On the contrary, my overall purpose for keeping a journal is to
engage in a practice which helps me *live well.*
May these very simple -- but hopefully not simplistic --
meditations be a blessing to you in any one of the following
ways. Should that transpire, I will deem the time and effort I
have taken to formulate these ideas a success. It would be an
honor for me if what I share...
1. Encourages you to begin the practice of keeping a journal or
at least give it a try for a period of time.
2. Causes you to reflect on your own life in a way that is
meaningful for you.
3. Prompts you to continue living "the good life." A life of
excellence.
4. Inspires, encourages or motivates you in any way! IN THE
BEGINNING...
Recently I decided to begin the practice of journaling once
again in my life. In order to assist me in the process, I joined
a forum and began to engage in a "21 Day Challenge" of personal
development.
As a part of the process, I wrote down my own guidelines for the
adventure.
"I will give myself the freedom to be creative in my journaling.
It may be a quote, recording a victory, joy, or struggle. I
will also give myself the freedom to vary in my 'purpose' for
each journal entry.
I may 'use' my time for simple expression, professional
development or a variety of other on-the-spot 'reasons' for a
day's entry. In this way I will attempt to capture a 'life in
process' -- the journey of my days during this time period."
In other words, I defined what I wanted to accomplish with a
measure of personal freedom and creativity in mind. I did not
want to jump-start a 21-day guilt trip for myself by setting my
expectations to high!
In addition, I decided to design something that was "doable."
Below was the backbreaking endeavor I set out to accomplish
.
"Goal: 15 out of 21 days, M-F. each week."
Based on my experience, I have two recommendations for you.
Should you decide to begin or renew your own practice of
journaling, I would encourage you to:
1. Design a "non-killer" objective. In your own mind what you
set out to do should be *believable* and *achievable.*
2. Define a set of "guidelines" or statements that will serve
to free you in the process.
Having said that, I will now continue to share a number of
random observations, insights and suggestions related to the art
of keeping a personal journal.
The comments after the headings in capital letters are the
thoughts from my journal. They are in quotation marks and will
serve as a running commentary to highlight the main topic of
discussion.
I would suggest that you...
TAKE TIME TO PREPARE
One of my first entries after I made the decision to begin my
journaling activity was this:
"Being 'prepared' helps -- i.e. a journal file open and ready
to record things if the opportunity comes up.
Get something to record in. Make it visible."
If I were to continue that line of thinking today, I would
record...
"Take note of the time frames and locations that 'just seem to
fit' when it comes to 'making it all happen.'
Capture those moments that appear to rise up and say to you:
'Now is a good time' or 'This is a good location.'
Preparing does help. It really does."
FREE YOURSELF
I wrote these words about the "freeing aspect" of my goals:
"Glad I 'freed myself' by making it simple and attainable --
that helps.
Principle: create your own 'emotional freedom.'
Do whatever you have to do in order to give you... A sense of
freedom as opposed to obligation, Delight instead of duty,
Encouragement instead of exasperation."
JUST BEGIN
"Just starting the process helps.
How do you get up the mountain? Begin. Not new, but true.
Like anything else, just beginning the process helps. That's an
advantage of making it simple and attainable."
CAPITALIZE ON WHAT MOTIVATES YOU
Concerning the importance of incorporating into your life
anything that prompts you to accomplish your mission, I wrote:
"Utilizing the motivation of this board helps.
Utilize whatever -- or whoever -- personally motivates you to
'get the job done.'"
MAKE IT FUN
These comments speak for themselves:
"Do what's fun.
Structure it in a way that is fun or record in a way that is fun.
Incorporate the 'fun factor' into your journaling experience. I
have found that helpful."
USE YOUR JOURNAL TO HELP YOU FOCUS
One day I decided to create a "gratefulness ledger" and record
various things for which I was thankful. I could have listed
*many* additional items.
But...
My goal was to give me freedom, remember? I wanted to see life
that day through grateful eyes.
Here is what I recorded:
"Gratefulness ledger for this day...
I'm grateful for a loving, godly wife.
I'm grateful for good health and the Lord's blessing with my
health.
I'm grateful for my ministry and the leaders He has given me to
serve with.
I'm grateful for being able to influence others for eternity.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to be able to continue to
develop my writing skills.
I'm grateful for a loving family.
I'm grateful for a past that didn't totally destroy me.
I'm grateful I can pray."
CHANGE YOUR STYLE
On another occasion I designed a section called "about
journaling" and recorded these thoughts concerning how we we
journal. A given "style" if you please.
"Changing the 'style' helps.
For instance, this day I quickly wrote down ideas in the 'Here
and there' section, added the 'About journaling' section, began
with a paragraph style, and added a 'Gratefulness ledger for the
day' section.
These were all spontaneous ideas."
Please push the pause button on your mental control panel for a
few seconds and visit this phrase once again: "spontaneous."
I would encourage you to be spontaneous as you journal.
Spontaneity and creativity are soul mates.
Are you "in" to pictures? Add a photo to the pages of your
journal. After all, a journal is an expression of your life.
That is only one example. I'm sure you will discover many
additional avenues to explore as you express *your* life, in
*your* way, in *your* journal.
RECORD YOUR INSIGHTS
A journal can be a place to collect various types of wisdom.
One day I recorded this observation:
"People Insights...
Transparency goes a long way in 'connecting' with people.
For instance, today in my class I shared about dealing with
temptations. I'm sure that my openness and transparency assisted
me in having the students be open to what I was sharing."
FOLLOW YOUR DESIRES
By "follow your desires" I mean do what you feel like doing.
As an example, I enjoy creating quotes. The ones below were
crafted as a part of my journaling process. I was "in the mood."
Remember, spontaneity and creativity are soul mates.
GRACIOUSNESS ©Lee Wise 2003
The blend of kindness, honor, humility and respect I choose to
reflect to the people I touch in my everyday world.
HEARTACHE ©Lee Wise 2003
The opportunity God gives me to seek His face and quietly trust
Him with the deepest needs of my soul.
TRACK YOUR EXPERIENCES
While going through some hard times, I recorded my feelings
about the times we call "hard."
I penned these reflections...
"Expect and accept your emotional ups and downs. You may find
your emotional pendulum swinging in wide range of directions,
for instance. In my way of thinking, it's gotta happen!'
Don't expect or demand everything to make sense. It doesn't.
I think there is a measure of acceptance about life that is
required of all of us sooner or later.
I'm not talking about an acceptance that turns a blind eye to
injustices, inequities, or the pains associated with our journey
on earth: an acceptance that does nothing.
I am, however, speaking of accepting the best we can to the
tensions in life. The tensions we face as we find ourselves
located at various places along the sliding scales that run
somewhere between the good and evil, pain and pleasure, in our
own life experiences.
For me, as a Christian, I can say 'I don't have to know why.
It's enough for me to trust God and walk through this with Him.'
Return to whatever brings you stability and comfort.
This could be any number of practices or people that have helped
you during the difficult days of your past.
If walking, journaling, resting, praying, talking to a trusted
friend, or listening to music helps you, then take a walk, write
in your journal, take an extra nap, pray, talk to a friend or
listen to the music!
The point: do whatever you need to do for your own comfort and
stability."
RECORD IMPRESSIONS
As I was intently viewing a television program, I wrote:
"I'm watching the Hallmark special, and again I'm reminded of
the love, strength and fortitude of moms. Amazing."
Impressions recorded in church one day went like this:
"Today's choices become tomorrow's legacy.'
The choices you make today will, over time, become your
personal legacy."
"Creativity communicates. It can... Inspire to action,
Challenge the mind, And touch the heart."
RECORD LIFE INSIGHTS
I will share two examples from my journal:
"Leadership insight: keeping people informed every step of the
way during change is needed."
"Each role we have in life has its unique set of demands and
fresh opportunities for growth and renewal. We are in an
on-going process of "becoming." The question we must face is:
'Who?'"
ASK YOURSELF IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
After reading a section of a book, I noted:
If I looked at a primary role in my life to be one of a listener
and learner...
What would that mean for me?
How would I change?
What wisdom would I collect?
Who would I contact?
How would it affect my 'time' with God?
ON TO THE ADVANTAGES
One day I decided to record a few -- just a few mind you -- of
the advantages of journaling.
I have chosen to limit my comments concerning the advantages of
journal keeping to that singular day.
Why?
For two reasons:
1. The purpose of this article is to encourage you in the art
of journaling and give you a few "how to" ideas along the way.
2. Not enough space. It is a lengthy article as it is!
My reflections went something like this:
"The advantages of keeping a journal...
It helps you remember.
This is only my 10th day of starting to journal, and in reading
over some of the thoughts I've written I realize they aren't as
"fresh."
It is a good place to quickly store ideas.
Good ideas. Ideas that can make a difference in your life.
You can begin projects in your journal.
Kind of like an on-going file folder for a 'someday project.'
Like writing an article on journaling, maybe LOL!
You can record suggestions or advice you give to others.
An example: I recorded in my journal questions and thoughts to
share with a couple about whether or not they should stay in
their present ministry or seek another place to serve the Lord."
WOW... THAT WAS LONG!
Long or no, I hope that somewhere in these 2000 or so words you
have been motivated, inspired, encouraged or challenged in one
way or another.
And I congratulate you for making to the end of this commentary!
Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,
Lee
P.S. The forum I referred to where I took part in the "21 Day
Challenge" is Total Life Success. If you decide to stop on by,
be sure to say "Hi" to Mark from Lee! Here's the link -->
http://success-forum.com
------------------------------- Lee is a seminary administrator,
has a part-time business at home, and writes two motivational
ezines: "A Beautiful Moment In Time" and "Hope For Daily
Living." Permission is given to distribute article. This
paragraph must be included. Email: Lee@seariches.net Link:
http://www.retirequickly.com/89863
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