Collect Call from the Universe, Will You Accept?

“The starting point of discovering who you are, your gifts, your talents, your dreams, is being comfortable with yourself. Spend time alone. Write in a journal.” - Robin Sharma

I had planned to write about something else today, but sometimes the universe has other ideas. And since I do my best to be as aware and as open as possible to signs & messages from the universe, I decided to take notice and share that message & my reaction to it. And that message is:

JOURNALING GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE AUTHENTICALLY 

One of my daily practices is to spend time reading through a variety of daily reflections books that offer me inspiration, philosophy and mediation reflections and ideas on simple, thoughtful living.

One of those books is Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Originally published in 1995, Sarah offers her readers, 365 essays around gratitude, simplicity, order, harmony, beauty & joy. As one of my most cherished books of all time, it continues to challenge & remind me to live a more thoughtful, balanced & grateful life. I have been reading this book for over 20 years; perhaps as long as I have been journaling. I have even given it away multiple times as gifts to some of my dearest friends.

Her essay today was particularly meaningful, as it had to do with the message: journaling. Since I am sharing my journaling experiences throughout my posts, I thought I would take a cue from the universe and share her point of view on journaling, along with others. What are their inspirations and perspectives on journaling? How is their experience similar and how does it differ from mine?

The title of today’s essay is, “The Daily Dialogue.” The quote offered at the opening of the essay is:

“I will write myself into well-being.” – Nancy Mair

She describes her own experience with journaling in the context of being a professional writer. Similar to my recommendation, she encourages her readers to try what she calls “a daily dialogue” for twenty-one days. This is a 21-day journaling exercise. She reminds us that, “that’s the length of time psychologists tell us we need to perform a new behavior before it becomes habitual.” And, “Neither the time of day, nor the amount you write seems to matter as much as the repetition. I’ll write two pages in the morning and come back in the evening to see if there isn’t an answer that’s forthcoming. Very frequently there is.”

This is why, over time I’ve come to see my journaling as my Daily Practice. I write every day. Typically, right before I go to bed. Sometimes it’s a page, other times its several pages. But along with the repetition, comes a meditative quality to it. Like I’ve said before, my journals hold my most personal thoughts & intimate emotions, all my dreams & ambitions, all my beliefs, theories, ideas and personal philosophies.

All of this energy, all this effort, all this time spent in self-reflection, in an effort to understand who I am, what I believe, what my purpose is and how I connect to everything around me.

As you think about your own reasons for journaling & the benefits of a daily practice, here are a few quotes I like to reflect on from other artists and writers, who use journaling to channel their creativity:

“Writing in a journal each day allows you to direct your focus to what you accomplished, what you’re grateful for and what you’re committed to doing better tomorrow. This, you are more deeply enjoy your journey each day.”- Hal Elrod

“Journaling is paying attention to the inside for the purpose of living well from the inside out.” - Lee Wise

“Journal what you love, what you hate, what’s in your head, what’s important. Journaling organizes your thoughts; allows you to see things in a concrete way that otherwise you might not see. Focus on what you think you need to find in your art.” Kay Walkingstick

“Your subconscious mind is trying to help you all the time. That’s why I keep a journal – not for chatter but for mostly the images that flow into the mind or little ideas. I keep a running journal, and I have all of my life, so it’s like your gold mine when you start writing.” Jim Harrison

“In the journal I do not just express myself more openly than I could to any person; I create myself.”

- Susan Sontag

As always, I would love to hear how your own journaling adventure is going!