Do you keep a journal?

I ventured into journal writing in my pre-teen years. I wrote about animals, ideas, daily life, and I scripted random thoughts of my future on notebook paper. My dreams consisted of several endeavors including being a nurse, a farmer (reflects my deep love for animals), or an interior designer. My journals included drawings of domestic and farm animals, as well as furniture settings in carefully measured down-to-scale rooms.

Years later, I realized the joy that I felt as I painted my dreams onto paper was far more valuable than what met my eyes as I wrote. I had worked through problems and I also had set goals. I had found resolve and the unlocking of thoughts through self-discussion. Things simply blossomed through journal writing!

There is far more than five valuable types of journal keeping, but today I share these as a start:

Entrepreneur journal – Record your observations after you meet with a client, after your day ends, or whenever your thoughts are rich with fresh ideas. This article posted on Entreprenear.com is spot-on, “it’s also a wonderful tool to help us analyze where we are at and where we want to go.” By logging action steps, we keep a diary of what we have done, and later we can reflect back (analyze) what did or did not work. This works, trust me, it does work.

Health journal – What did you eat? What form and amount of exercise did you complete? Later, when you are happy with your results (or not) you will have a method for determining what worked and what did not. Additional benefits —  a record that helps you identify trigger foods, and a log of when and what boosted vitality.

Personal journal – Helps to clarify relationships. I find myself writing, describing how I am irritated at a loved one, or confused about a co-worker, and suddenly I realize that I am being unfair, or I uncover an understanding of where I should be in my thinking. In our busy lives, writing is a quiet way to sort out what often seems impossible.

A personal journal is also a meditation tool. My journal is a place where I empty out my thoughts, random or otherwise, and as I write I am carried off deep into the wilderness of my mind. Scary, right? Not so much. I find answers, I find peace, and I find where I want to go next (from here, from today). Think about it. I am talking about me and my life as I write. No holds barred. I write and then I am able to unlock as the words flow.

Prayer journal – This is my favorite form of journal keeping. Prayer includes praise, thanksgiving, a request for needs to be met, and intercessory prayer for others. As I write my prayer journal, I often find on-the-spot answers. I also experience peace in knowing that I have gone to my maker with my life. I am writing in my quiet place, not so much a prayer closet, but in an area where I am removed from distractions and daily life. The full conversation on paper, which flowed from my heart and soul, is grounding.

For me, the health benefits (more than five) that I gain from journal writing make it worth my time. Journal on!