For the Love of Journaling

One of my psychology professors said something that I will never forget, "There is power in writing things down, every time you read it, it brings it back to the present." I loved that! He was always encouraging us to write our goals down; to write things down to remember and to inspire. It was during this time I really started to journal.

When I tell people that I am journaling they get a weird glare on their face, as they cock their head to the side in an effort of confession. Some have said, "Like, are you writing down every event that happened today?" Even in their misunderstanding, I realize that was what I used to think journaling was. Today, jounaling is an irreplaceable thing in my life. There are not may things that you can stay aren't replaceable, like my husband perhaps--well husbands in general are replaceable just not the current one that I love dearly. My point is that journaling is very important to my growth as a person, connection to God and reminder of the events in my life.

Jounaling can be whatever you want. At first I started journaling in a favorite notebook that I decorated; I would journal irregularly about something I was really struggling with. My journal turned into a hand held notebook that I would used to write sermon notes in and special quotes I heard. My journal now has morphed into a small notebook of 100 pages of anything; I still use it for notes, quotes and processing but I also use it as a dialog with God, a place to write my prayers and share feeling. My journal is so personal and private that within the pages are things that only God and I know. I write it in about every other day and at times everyday. When I finish a journal, it tells a story of my life, a journey. Journey, journal. 

I read an article today by Laura Ritzler, that said their are many benefits to journaling, it improves your health, reduces stress, build stronger relationships, helps with personal growth, enhances creativity, improves focus and so on. The author suggest four different journals you should consider: 1) Food Journal: writing down the things you eat, can help you understand your eating habits. 2) Stress journal: writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you see the things that trigger you anxiety and stress, so you can work through them. 3) Gratitude journal: this is to help you cultivate an attitude of gratitude, so you can have a more positive approach to life. and lastly 4) Sleep journal: writing down your sleeping habits can help you make the necessary changes for a good night sleep.

I would also add a few more: 5) Learning journal: It is important to have a place to put things, to write through your hurt or sad feelings and a place to really write down the things that pull at your heart. 6) Prayer journal: when we write down our prayers, we are able to see God work. Our prayers are often a reflection of the things on our heart. Our prayers in essence are documenting our life. 

I don't have many journals just one. It is the single place, where I can always reference and have with me. I have many memories of me alone in the mountains with God, my journal and my hand writing as fast as I could about a sadness on my heart. I also remember the bright sun trying to come through my sunglasses as a sat on the beach journaling my gratitude to God for bringing me to the beautiful pacific. I even have memories of me sitting in my cool bed at night, just writing to God about something funny that happened that day.

My life, my relationship with God changed when I started journaling and I hope that you can see the power in it too.