THE PRACTICE OF JOURNALING
Taste and See
An excerpt from Exploring the Way
Something in the physical act of writing
releases creativity and self-understanding. ...
Journaling unlocks the imagination.
- Anne Broyles, Journaling: A Spiritual Journey
To "journal" means to record your thoughts, feelings, questions, and insights over time. There is a difference between keeping a diary and keeping a journal. And a typical journal differs from a spiritual journal. For example:
- A diary records events, facts, and occasions
with little, if any, commentary:
Went to dinner and movie with Chelsea. Saw Dead Man Walking. - A journal records subjective responses to events
in thoughts, feelings, and hopes:
Dinner was great! Chelsea enjoyed it but seemed kind of preoccupied and restless. Wish we'd had more time to talk. The movie just blew us away. Really emotionally draining. Neither of us could say much afterward. - A spiritual journal focuses on how thoughts and feelings relate to our faith experience. It moves to honest reflection on self and God, often flowing into spontaneous prayer.
- Can't fathom how Sister Prejean could relate to that man the way she did. I'd be more like the parents of the victim. Guess I have trouble seeing the humanity of a murderer. Does that make me an unforgiving person? I suspect Jesus would be more generous, willing to offer a chance at redemption. O God, help me see more with your eyes!
In a spiritual journal we note where we start out and track the
growth in our life's journey toward God.
We can journal:
- in response to life experience -- becoming more aware of God's presence and guidance amidst daily circumstances.
- through reflections on nature or the Bible -- pondering their messages.
- in response to dreams -- listening for unconscious truths expressed in symbolic form by dreams.
- by writing conversations we imagine having with God, others, or various parts of ourselves -- gaining insight into ourselves and God.
Practical Matters
Start small -- just a few words or sentences are OK. Don't get bogged down in words.
Don't sweat the grammar -- A journal is for you; you share from it only what you choose to. Punctuation, spelling, grammar, even legibility are not important as long as you can read your own writing!
Find your own style -- You need not be a writer; just be yourself. There's no right way to journal and no one will grade your work. Be creative if you like: doodle, scribble, write a poem or a joke. Let the Spirit move you, and don't be afraid to have some fun!
O taste and see that the Lord is good!
- Psalm 34:8
From pp. 16-17 of Exploring the Way: An Introduction to the Christian Spiritual Life (Participant's Book) by Marjorie J. Thompson. Copyright © 2005 by Marjorie J. Thompson. Published by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Also available, a Leader's Guide to Exploring the Way: An Introduction to the Christian Spiritual Life.
