Keeping A Journal

When John was on the island called Patmos for the word of the God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. He was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and he heard behind him a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,and what you see, write in a book..Then he turned to see the voice that spoke with him. Having turned he saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man,....His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet as dead. But He layed His right hand on him, saying to him... "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this." (Revelation 1:9-20)

A journal is a simple continuing record of meaningful experiences that affect our lives. As we record our activities and feelings, we can more clearly see the Lord’s influence in our live.

Writing, expressing can heal us. It can focus, support, and enhance our lives and well-being. Whether we laugh or we cry, whether through sorrow or joy, we can understand more about ourselves, and each other, through keeping a journal.

A journal, which is the same as a diary, is a place where you choose to store what is important to you. There is no set amount of words or pages that constitutes a journal.

The beauty of keeping a journal is that it is your book. You get to choose not only when to write, but what to write.

Any day of any year is a good time to start your journal. There is no set time of year to begin a journal or to start to journal again. There are a lot of choices of where to record all those thoughts, feelings, ideas, dreams, and desires. What you write in and what you write with is up to you. You can also record your journal on tape, video, or the computer.

Journaling is about what you want to express that day, you can write as much or as little as you want ~ A word, a thought or two, pages, it is your choice.

Place your journal on your nite stand or where you have coffee in the morning. Place your journal where you will see it every day.

Part of keeping a journal, for me, is skipping a day, or maybe four, depending on what is going on in my life. I try to write every day, but some days I don't. I forget to write or I just don't get to it. Skipping a day or a week is a part of keeping a journal.

Recording and tracking our lives, by keeping a journal, can actually bring relief, clarity, joy, and laughter. In addition to sharing thoughts and feelings, your journal is a record of your life’s events.

Those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives.

The truth should be told, but we should not emphasize the negative.

Asking Yourself Questions:

What would you like to remember about yourself?
What has the Lord done for you?
What would you like to tell your children or grandchildren about yourself?

Do Not Give Up!

No matter how much time has passed since your last entry don't be discouraged, what's important is that you write in your journal today!

Your story should be written now while it is fresh and while the true details are available. Your private journal should record the way you face up to challenges that beset you. Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity.

Experiences of work, relations with people, and an awareness of the rightness and wrongness of actions will always be relevant. Your journal, like most others, will tell of problems as old as the world and how you dealt with them. Your goings and your comings, your deeper thoughts, your achievements, and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies.

A journal can also be a tool for self-evaluation and self-improvement. We examine our lives as we come to know ourselves through our journals. 'Even if you take your journal and go back a year, you learn things about yourself you didn't know at the time. You understand things about yourself.' (Janet Brigham, Ensign, Dec. 1980, 57)

Different Types Of Journaling

People often use the excuse that their lives are uneventful and nobody would be interested in what they have done.

I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on through the generations. Each of us is important to those who are near and dear to us and as our posterity read of our life's experiences, they, too, will come to know and love us. (My loved ones will be kept busy reading, I have a big box of my journaling from many years ago). In that glorious day when our families are together in eternity, we will already be acquainted.

The most common way of recording journal entries is by hand in a notebook. I've used all types and prefer ones where I can fold the left flap around to the back, making the folder smaller and easier to write on.

Typing Your Journal ~ Entries can be a quick and easy way to record your life history. Any word processing program works great, even the basic "notepad" or "word" would make a great journal. Be aware that you will have to back up your work often and eventually print it to keep it safe.

Scrapbooking ~ A wonderful and popular way to record your life. Working with your pictures is fun and creative, but if you don't journal you'll miss out on all the important details.

When you journal daily of your blessings and what you're thankful for you'll be amazed at your spiritual growth.

Journal writing can be fun also if you decorate your journal/pages, attach important documents, and even make your own maps when describing a detailed location.

Journaling can be a healing process to help you get in touch with your deepest yearnings, find resolve for problems, and deal with personal issues. Putting words down on paper can help clear your head of thoughts and ideas that are creating a mental swirl of confusion.

Gratitude Journal ~ Express your joy and happiness by keeping a gratitude journal. Make a note of everything, no matter how small or how big, that gives you joy or brings you happiness. It's always beneficial to focus on the positives, but it is especially healing during the bumpy times to be able to turn to a book filled with positivity and gratitude in your own handwriting.

Daily Diary ~ Writing a daily journal is one way to balance your emotional ups and downs.

Memories Journal ~ Writing down stories about your childhood makes for a good keepsake to pass down to your children, grandchildren, and to be cherished by generations to come. Write down stories told to you by your parents and grandparents. So many stories, so little time. Write them down before they are lost forever.

Travel Log ~ Writing down your vacation highlights as you experience new places and different cultures will keep these special adventures alive for a long time.

I love to write about the things I'm grateful for ~ Gratitude Journaling. Whether I write in-depth about a few things or make long lists of items, I realize how rich I truly am. Even on the worst of days, there's always something to be thankful for.

What are you waiting for? Start writing about your day and ideas will start flowing. Keep it simple.

Happy journaling to you.