Journaling: an occasional discipline

posted in: Books | 0

Who doesn’t love a good journal?  I love journals – just their prettiness makes me want to grab them off the shelf and start a new journal.  I have so many!

Journaling is one of those disciplines that I’m not super good at continuing.  But, I want to be.  So, how do I do that?

1. I write.  Sometimes I don’t have to write that much.  But, just getting in the habit of writing something, anything, down on paper is a good way to cultivate this habit.

2.  I think.  Sometimes I don’t write about anything significant.  But, I do use my journal as sort of a conversation between me and God.  Sorta my prayer language.  Just talking with the one who knows everything about me anyway.  You don’t have to journal like a prayer.  You can journal to yourself, your future self, your younger self.  You can journal about books you’ve read or songs you’ve heard.

3.  I listen.  LIstening is super important in journaling.  You have to listen to yourself when journaling. You don’t want to write something you think others might want to read.  Not all of us will have their journals published after their death.  Most will never read your journal.  So, listen – and then go back to step number 1.  Repeat.

The new journal by Catherine Price is helpful in getting started in journaling.  If you find yourself in a place of unknown of what to write, or you just sit and stare at a blank piece of paper, pick this one up.  It will encourage you in your new habit.  She offers just a sentence or two at the beginning to help guide your journaling for the day.  You don’t have to fill up the whole page, just write.  (see step 1).

Thanks to Blogging for Books for this book.  All opinions are my own.