Journal keeping is basically without rules. It is an uncensored invitation to cut and paste, sketch and chart, and to visualize and unravel every great and small thought. At its most basic it is a decision that your life has value. Just listing your experiences and endeavors can reveal incredible things about your life and encourage you to work for the nearly impossible, the rigorous, and the unseen. Recently, during a course on INQUIRY, I was asked to make a list of one hundred things I didn't know. Here a simple list became a prospect for the unknown and an introduction to something new. As Henry Miller states, "Writing, like life itself, is a voyage of discovery."
I have also discovered that journal keeping is a great way to zero in. For instance, if you were preparing to run a marathon and wanted to improve your performance as a runner. You might put together a book that included:
· Diet & nutrition
· Speed & strength
· Warm up & cool down
· Visualization & meditation
· Cross training
· Profiles of great athletes
· and perhaps a section reserved for ideas and challenges yet to come.
It has been noted that elite athletes keep meticulous journals on their training and competition, not only to advance and validate their hard work and progress, but to mentally prepare them for athletic mastery.
· Try personalizing your own journal by creating an arrangement that is both practical and natural.
· Use it with regularity and see if this kindles some sort of journey.
· Jot down fragments of overheard conversations, remembered dreams, song lyrics or quotes
Go ahead and ask questions of your journal and test your imagination by breaking the rules: WRITE UPSIDE DOWN, USE DIFFERENT COLORS OF PENS AND PENCILS OR Start on the last page.
Above all discover an approach that is interesting and fun and always be willing to be inspired!
