“Yesterday, I was gazing up at the starlit summer
sky. It was just about time for bed and as I prepared
for it I again marveled at the great expanse of the universe
and how insignificant my life seems in the great scheme
of it all. Yet, that is how the ego is, constantly seeking
assurance or leaping to the other end of the spectrum
and exaggerating my importance. Either way, it is self
centeredness. I am still too much the taker, not enough
the giver.
However, I cannot escape the sense of destiny as I stand
in the darkness and lift my head to the Heavens. God exists
and I can make a place for Him in my heart. This sense of
destiny may simply mean accepting that simple truth. Maybe
it is something more. My mind wants it to be so. Will I be
a bit-player or am I to be inserted into more dramatic scenes?
The Sunday began in its usual fashion. I was up before the
rest of the family, but not too early. As I opened my eyes
and mentally mouthed ‘This is the day the Lord has
made, let us rejoice and be glad’, I rolled out of
bed and to the bathroom. Morning devotionals are part of
my ritual, so I read from a couple of books I keep in the
bathroom for just such purpose. Afterwards a short prayer,
on my knees, expressing gratitude for life and another day
and praying that I be open to God’s instruction and
guidance and be of service in some way. The posture is not
crucial to sincere prayer, but it’s important to me.
I need to take the time to get down on my knees and spend
at least a few minutes out of self. It helps.
Life is made up of little moments. There is much of the
ordinary in our days. The dramatic events are the exception,
or so it has been for me. Each moment of every day can be
significant. This is the test of willingness and the race
of perseverance. It’s a long-distance run.”
The above is a recent entry in my personal journal. The
actual writing is part of gaining perspective and clarity
for me. I’ve kept a journal for years. I’m not
faithful to daily writing like I once was. Instead I do it
when I sense the need or the inner prompting. It still is
frequent enough to remain a habit and not a hindrance.
Consider the Implications
Journaling is truly a great tool. In our journey through
life we need to spend time reflecting on our days and considering
the implications of the events in our lives. I can still
be very self-centered, even in my writing. Nevertheless,
the more I journal the more I find the need to express the
truth that has been revealed to me. I live not for myself.
Life is a gift and discovering/revealing the insight through
the written word is part of how I grow. There is such simple
clarity in seeing the words, even as I type them.
There are many practical reasons for keeping a journal. As a spiritual tool it yields benefit
upon benefit. At times I will read a previous entry. Usually I’ll pull up
the entry as close to a year ago as I can and read it. How interesting to discover that
some of the things that were so pressing at the time have melted away with nary a current
concern. Sometimes, though, I’ll discover that a “big” deal
was happening. Financial worries, problems with family members,
a spiritual crisis or a major news event. Always lessons are learned. If I didn’t take
the time to record these moments in life I ’d likely not fully benefit from the lessons.
Just Do It
One of the keys to successful journaling is to set aside
some time to just do it. Make it an appointment with your
computer or notebook. If you like to write long-hand consider
investing in a nice blank book. You can find these easily
enough in most any office store, or go online. There are
a surprising number of sites to choose from.
As you go through your day think about what is happening.
If you hear something valuable in a conversation or read
something that moves you, make a mental or written note.
It makes it easier to have something to write at the end
of a tiring day.
You don’t have to write at day’s end either. Pick the time that
works best for you. Morning is often a better time for writing while you are fresh and you can write
about your plans for the day as well as recall prior events.
Don’t worry about the length of your entry. Even just
one or two insightful sentences will bear fruit. Or you may
write for a few pages. My typical entries are a couple of
paragraphs. Over time you’ll find what works best for you.
Your journal can be the place to record emotions, cares,
concerns, hopes, desires, dreams and prayers. You can keep
more than one journal, too. Many people have found the benefit
of specializing. You can keep journals for travel, work,
family, ideas, prayer or any other reason you can think of.
These records can be terrific resources for an eventual memoir or life story.
The important thing is to keep some sort of chronicle. Life
truly is a journey and those we meet on our travels have
a purpose for you and them. Write about it, read it later
and consider even sharing some of it, all in the spirit of encouragement.
Tom Gilbert writes most of the content
on www.livingthesolution.com and you can read his frequent
thoughts on life in the “Journal” pages section
of the web site.
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