On Keeping a Journal

On Keeping a Sharing Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:17:00 +0000

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Sharing Journals

By Doreene Clement

Creating a journal or diary that combines scrapbooking and journaling, is a journal that you can share. Writing about experiences and feelings, and including photos, ticket stubs, magazine or newspaper clippings, fortune cookie fortunes, drawings, and more, enhances and further explains those experiences and feelings, becoming a treasured keepsake for you and for your family and friends to share for years to come.

You can create a Sharing Journal for just yourself, for your family, friends, for work, and groups. You can even pass the journal around to friends and family, and have them contribute pages, with their own ideas, feelings, pictures, experiences, and more.

Materials needed:
Blank book, photo album, or a scrapbook
Colored pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, etc.
Glue
Scissors
Photo corners
Photos, ticket stubs, drawings, magazines, etc.

Decide if your book has a theme or not. Is it a family shared journal, a book about your friends, a book about your birthday or anniversary, an everyday "what is happening in my world today" book, or is it a book about "my dreams"?

To start your Sharing Journal -- Using a blank book or a scrapbook, you can glue and write throughout the whole book. Glue your item, say a movie ticket stub, (photo, fortune cookie fortune, articles or scenes from magazines, etc.) anywhere on the page in your book. Then write about what you felt and experienced, who you were with, what dreams and ideas were stimulated. Write above the ticket, to the side, at the bottom, all around. Be creative with both the placement of your ticket and the writing. Use pens, pencils, crayons, of different colors on one page to give the "feel" of your experience. Write in upper and lower case, write large and small, slant your words on the page. Glue letters or phrases from magazines on the page. Whatever you do, whatever it looks like, is absolutely perfect. Have fun with your book. Be proud of what you are creating. There is no right or wrong way to create your journal, it is your book, do what feels right for you. Then, share your journal.

Using a photo album - The same ideas can be incorporated using a photo album that has plastic sleeves. Insert a photo into a plastic sleeve. Then, in as many other sleeves as you want you can use colored paper, index cards, anything you want to write on, and tell the story of the picture. You can include a card that you have cut to size, and that says just what the photo means to you. You can write in detail about the vacation spot the photo shows. Writing about the photo of a family member, friend, favorite pet, favorite pet, your spouse, can be a wonderful way to record and share what each photo meant to you.

Children can also create their own Sharing Journals. Purchase a large book that is blank, or create your own from copy paper and a stapler. Get out the crayons and colored pencils and have the kids draw their day, their favorite experience with their pet, or any idea they want to draw. After they are done drawing sit with them and ask about what their drawing means to them. If there is a cat in the picture ask them to write the word cat and anything else they want to add in writing about their drawing.
Your experiences are treasured keepsakes. Combining the visual elements with your words creates an extended experience that you can view through the years to come.

Doreene Clement, a cancer victor and author of The 5 Year Journal, is currently writing a new book, Blessed, about her life and her cancer experience. For more information http://www.the5yearjournal.com 480.423.8095
Copyright 2005 OMDC, LLC All Rights Reserved

Feel free to pass this along to your friends. About Journaling, http://www.the5yearjournal.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Sharing-Journals&id=47861] Sharing Journals

On Keeping a Dream Journal - The Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 03:38:00 +0000

A dream journal is a way to recoup some of the lost time of sleep and dreams. But there are many other benefits of keeping a consistent dream journal.

Benefit 1: Dream Messages. Psychologist Carl G. Jung (1875-1971) theorized that dreams were a window into the unconscious. While Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) had the same sort of theory, he believed that the nature of the unconscious was different than what Jung proposed. Freud saw the unconscious as animalistic, instinctual and sexual while Jung saw the unconscious as spiritual. Regardless of what you believe the nature of the unconscious mind is composed of, dreams have messages from the unconscious that may otherwise be lost if they weren't written down. Messages that may give insight into the deeper currents that move underneath the surface of the self allowing a level of introspection that rivals any psychiatric session.

Benefit 2: Dream Entertainment. Dreams can be a great source of entertainment, but many people don't recall them. Writing them down can prove to be more entertaining than any sitcom as the night visions are dramas played out on the stage of ones own mind.

Benefit 3: Lucid Dream. Lucid dreaming is a state in which the dreamer is aware that they are in a dream. With good dream recall cultivated by a dream writing habit people tend to have more lucid dreams. Once aware in dreams, it is possible to do anything one's heart desires. The dream becomes like a genie in a lamp or personal holodeck in which wild fantasies come true.

Benefit 4: Amazing Dreams. It is amazing the kinds of dreams that can be forgotten. The some of the few that are remembered are now cultural phenomenon such as the Beatles song "Yesterday" (1965) written by Paul McCartney. McCartney claims that the tune for the song came to him in a dream... needless to say, he wrote it down or rather woke up and played it on his piano. In fact McCartney said: "I liked the melody a lot, but because I'd dreamed it, I couldn't believe I'd written it." Steven King dreamt of the concept of his book Misery before writing it. In an interview with Naomi Epel for her book, Writers Dreaming, King says of dreams: "I think that dreams are a way that people's minds illustrate the nature of their problems. Or maybe even illustrate the answers to their problem in symbolic language." Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) dreamt of his story The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde before writing it. He described dreams as occurring in "that small theater of the brain which we keep brightly lighted all night long."

One third of most people's lives are forgotten, leaving gems of personal discovery, and a wealth of creative ideas lost forever. Perhaps getting more out of life is as simple as writing and remembering the dreams of a previous night.

On Keeping a Travel Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:20:00 +0000

Capture Memories With a Travel Journal

By Kristen Burgess

There is one beach vacation I will never forget. It wasn't really that unusual as far as beach vacations go. The only big difference between this one and all the others we went on is a gift my mom bought me before our vacation even started - a small plastic box with a journal inside.

The journal was designed for a kid recording a beach vacation experience. I was thrilled to get it and had a lot of fun writing in it as we vacationed. The best part, however, was the happy memories it brought up for years after the vacation (my favorite being the fact that my brother and I slept in the huge walk-in closet of one of the rooms in our beach house - just because we thought it was fun!)

Keeping a travel journal doesn't require a special guided book, though you can probably find one much like my mom got me if you want one. Otherwise just look for an attractive little journal you can carry with you. A smaller size is probably best for an adult's journal because you can easily carry it with you. A larger size would be best for a child to write in.

There are different options in journal paper. A lined journal will make it easy to keep your writing neat and is very helpful for younger children to keep their journals neat and legible. Blank pages can be nice, however, if you want to include sketches, drawings, and photographs. Some journals alternate between blank and lined pages - this may be a perfect solution!

Pick up some sort of case or cover for your journal. My mom gave me mine in a plastic box so I could also add seashells and other mementos in there. That can work, but you may want something that covers the journal more directly. There are a number of book sleeves on the market that can work. You can also easily make something at home, or go with the simplest solution - resealable plastic bag. This will keep your journal safe from the elements while you're out combing the beaches or climbing mountains.

You can record anything you'd like in your travel journal. It's best to start with the dates of your trip and where you're traveling to. If you'll be touring to multiple places, you may want to write or paste a photocopy of your itinerary in the opening pages of your journal. You can go back and add page numbers to your journal as you fill it up. You'll be able to easily reference specific areas of your trip when you look back through your book.

Write down your traveling companions. Are you traveling with your family, or with friends? Are you on a school or another group tour? Write down things about each person - what you like about them and how they enrich the trip experience.

Record where you're staying. Maybe you're staying in lavish hotels. Perhaps you're staying in whatever hole you can scoop out along the Appalachian trail. Or maybe you're staying in youth hostels or host homes as you travel abroad. Wherever you stay it's an adventure and a new experience. Be sure to write down what you liked about it - and what was challenging.

If you meet any new friends along your journey you can record details about them (and their contact information) in your journal. You'll be able to send them an email, or perhaps become pen pals, after you're home from your trip!

Other things to record are what places you eat and what kinds of foods you liked. You should of course record your observations about the sights you took in, the activities you enjoyed, and any special events you went to. These memories will probably form the core of your journal. Remember to leave room for pictures, or if you enjoy drawing add in a sketch to go with your written memories.

You'll truly enjoy paging back through these memories after your trip. Your journal is also a wonderful item to share with friends and family for years to come.

Kristen is a natural born writer, and loves finding topics of interest to her. Visit her newest site at http://www.touchscreencarstereo.org/ and get solid information on touch screen car stereo systems.

Article Source: Capture Memories With a Travel Journal

Visit Leather Bound Travel Journal
(http://leatherboundtraveljournal.com/)

On Keeping a Gratitude Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:40:00 +0000

Gratitude Journal - The Way to Fast Forward Your Desires to Reality - Law of Attraction Tips

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Liz_Green]Liz Green

When you become familiar with the Law of Attraction you will understand that a large part of manifesting your desires and goals in life is to have an attitude of gratitude. When you are truly grateful and give heartfelt thanks for everything you already have in your life you will start to attract more things to be grateful for.

I use a daily gratitude journal and from personal experience this really does super charge the manifestation of your desires into your reality. To have an attitude of gratitude is like pressing the fast forward button on your desires!

Each day use two pages, the first being where you give thanks for the day you have just experienced the second for the following day you want to experience including all the things you want to attract that day.

The key here is to make sure you keep everything you write in your journal in present tense, even the points you want to attract during your following day. Start each sentence with - I am so happy and grateful now that or I am so thankful that... As you will write you first day about what you have just experienced in present tense, also write the second page in the same way, as if it has already happened.

I would recommend starting with smaller things you would like to show up the following day, this way as you see these things start to appear in your life "as if by magic" your belief system will strengthen and you will be able to build on your conscious creation and manifestation of the ideal things you desire in life.

Another great benefit to completing a gratitude journal is that you also regularly put yourself in a good feeling place, when you are in a good feeling place more things to feel good about will show up in your life.

Win - Win situation!

On a final note when you use this method you will also need to stay open and ready to receive continuing your days in a state of positivity and gratitude. knowing all is well and you are right where you should be in life, even if it doesn't seem that way in the beginning.

Trust me as the magic of the universal power of the Law of Attraction unfolds you will be amazing at what shows up in your life!

Since starting my gratitude journal I've escaped the rat race, jumped off the treadmill and now run my own successful personal development home business, I now help others do the same creating a positive change in life. If you feel you would like to learn more about me please do feel free to visit my website using the link listed below.

Liz Green - Inspirational Leader - Transformational Mentor - CEO & Founder of Live Your Dream Mentoring http://www.liveyourdreammentoring.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Gratitude-Journal---The-Way-to-Fast-Forward-Your-Desires-to-Reality---Law-of-Attraction-Tips&id=3801149] Gratitude Journal - The Way to Fast Forward Your Desires to Reality - Law of Attraction Tips

On Keeping a Wedding Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:13:00 +0000

Keep a Wedding Planning Journal to Relieve Stress

By Aaron Hu

I recently stepped in to help a friend in the last stages of her wedding planning. Being a man and the groom's best man, the bride wanted a man's perspective on how things were going and to ensure that the wedding and reception would be as fun for the groom, who was finishing a tour in Iraq, as it would be for her. As I went through her notes on the things she had accomplished and the ideas for things she had yet to do, I realized how stress free she was and why. She had to be the most relaxed bride I have ever met for someone about to be married in two short weeks. Her secret was in the notes.

Scattered among the outrageously unorganized notebook
filled with torn out pages, a pattern emerged. She was writing not only about what she wanted to do, she was writing what it was like and describing her experiences and how she felt about them. Without realizing it, she was keeping a journal of her wedding planning experience. I spent an entire weekend sorting through the notes. I separated and typed up the personal parts and left the planning in the book. When I finished, what had emerged was an amazing novella of a woman's experiences with the world of wedding planning and of getting married in general.

Having been a big part of my mothers re-marrying and my sister's wedding, not to mention my own, I knew that my friend's bride to be should be a stressed out mess ready to pull her hair out by the roots. Instead, she was calm, collected, and had a firm grasp of exactly what she wanted and how to get it. This was totally out of character for her. When I looked at the unorganized way she took notes and jumbled dates and appointments, I could tell that she was not particularly organized or used to managing such a large task. Something had kept her calm and collected through all of this and it had to be the journal.

Writing down in words how she felt about each stage of the wedding planning had helped her to come to grips with her feelings and made her feel closer to the groom to be in his absence. She had written all of this down as if she were explaining to him what she were going through on a day-to-day basis and this had kept her on track and stress free. She told him about every detail, right down to picking out the bridal shower favors and wedding shower favors. It had served as a guide and a form of self-therapy for her and allowed her to handle every situation with a clear-headed and purposeful smile that all but ensured her wedding would go off without a hitch and that is exactly what happened.

I know that I was asked to help her wrap up the loose ends and take some of the pressure off her but in the end, she helped me much more than I could ever have hoped to help her. The valuable lesson I learned will serve me well when I am finally ready to settle down again. My first wedding was a frantic mess and I would have never looked forward to going through it again but now, I can honestly say that when it comes time for me to help plan my own wedding, this time, I would do it much better than I did the first time. Who knows, maybe someday someone will publish what we learned from this experience and that will help others to plan their wedding without as much stress.

Aaron Hu has authored on an extensive range of topics related to the wedding industry. If you are looking for Bridal Shower Favors, E-WeddingFavors.com has the biggest selection available. You will also find Wedding Shower Favors and much more, all at very affordable prices.

Article Source: Keep a Wedding Planning Journal to Relieve Stress

Daily Journaling: Window to a Happier Soul.

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:13:00 +0000

Author: David Green

Want to know the #1 secret of successful people. Journaling. Daily journaling is a tool that many use to keep their life on track, and to note where they are going and where they have been. It only takes a few minutes a day, but can make a huge difference in the way that you see the world around you. Family journaling is also a great way to connect with family members and create something that can be passed down to your children and grandchildren.

1. Journaling is a great way to connect with the outside world. It is easy to think that you are alone in the world, but by sharing your journal with friends and family you feel like you are a part of something bigger.

2. Preserve your family story in the pages of your journal. Write about your life growing up, describe family members, or even jot down notes about your daily activities. It doesn't have to be blockbuster material, it just has to be real. Future generations may love to read your journals about your trip to the park, family dinners, and other activities that you enjoyed. Don't be afraid to get your kids involved in daily journaling either. Ask them to write short notes or passages that you can include in your journal. You may be surprised at how much fun it can be!

3. Use it as a means of organization. Many people use lists to remember daily chores and items to buy while shopping, so why not use the same principle when it comes to the things that really matter in your life. Keep a check list of the things that matter to you in your life, that way you are sure not to forget about them.

4. Track your emotions, moods, and experiences over time. We all naturally have high and low times in our life. You may feel better if you keep track of them in a journal format.

5. Let go of past pain with journaling. Journals give the writer the ability to put down thoughts and emotions on paper and then let go of them. Maybe you have had a traumatizing experience in your past and have trouble talking about it. By writing it down, you can forgive yourself and those around you and then learn to move on.

6. Reach your dreams faster. Any successful individual will tell you, that in order to achieve a goal or dream you must first write it down.

7. Share your wisdom. Share your feelings on life, culture, religion, etc. in your daily journaling.

8. Express your emotions. One of the biggest problems with the family dynamic, is it is sometimes difficult to get to know your other family members. Emotions, fears, hopes and dreams do not readily come out in day to day conversations. By putting these feelings in a daily journal, you can help close a gap between siblings, or other family members. So instead of keeping it private- make it a point to share your daily journal with those that you love.

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Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_93975_36.html

A Profitable Strategy-Keep a Business Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:39:00 +0000

Author: Dennis Stokes

You heard it right, keeping a business journal can be a profitable strategy for your business success. You're probably thinking, "Right, I'm not going to keep a diary about my business day and anyway I hate writing!"

You probably are so busy that keeping a journal is the last thing you want to do. I know there's a million and one excuses and I was right there with you at one time. That is until I committed to daily journal writing.

So why should you keep a journal?

Journal writing is the most proactive activity you can do to start, build and run a successful business. The main reason to keep a journal is to be very clear about what you've done and where you want to go. Keeping a journal will allow you to keep track of your progress. It helps you to see where you were, where you want to go and what you must do to keep progressing in you business.

Writing in your journal is having an honest discussion with yourself. There are always so many thoughts racing through our minds. When you write down your frustrations, challenges, thoughts, and inspirations, it clears your mind of negative feelings. This can relieve your anxieties and doubts, so you can maintain your focus. This is the perspective you need to progress with your business. In addition, it makes your thoughts and ideas real and tangible, so you won't forget them.

Do you ever have a great idea or solution to a problem? If you don't write it down, it's hard to act on it or worse you'll forget the details.

The time you spend writing in your business journal will actually save you time. This is something that you have to do and see for yourself.

The daily entries will help you realize where you've been. By having a record of your success and failures you'll have the ability to know what works and what doesn't work. Having these entries help you to keep doing what is working and drop what doesn't work.

Start keeping a journal everyday. Write in it first thing in the morning, so you are very clear about what you want to accomplish for the day. Write in it after you are done working, so you can record your problems, challenges, frustrations as well as your successes.

This one practice will keep you very focused and clear in your business.

One key requirement to making this work is to be honest with yourself. You need to be completely honest about what you write. This is for you and the success of your business. If you just read emails and the latest weather report for your upcoming trip, write it down. If you had a list of things to do and you did something else, write it down.

What I'm trying to get at here is write down exactly what went on that day. This will be your record of accountability. I'm sure you want to have a successful business, right? This is your way of actually seeing what your doing or maybe not doing. Then you can say, "Hey I need to get my act together and get back on track to realize my dreams!"

Also if you are getting a lot done, you can have confidence in knowing you're on the right track. Having it written down also gives you the ability to remember your successes. Celebrate and feel good about that.

This is an opportunity to get down on paper your thoughts about a problem you just can't seem to figure out. It's also used to find an answer to a problem or challenge that came to you in those many moments of inspiration. Better yet, when you're confused about an aspect of your business or you life, write it down. When you get it all out on paper, you gain power to do something about it. Writing out the challenge or problem with all the anxiety, frustrations and barriers starts the process.

You can then write out all the possible solutions and thoughts about your problem. You can get it all out of your mind and become very clear about your challenge. This process activates your mind and thinking process to start looking for a solution to the problem. Well almost every time you do this, the ideas and solutions will start flowing.

You can also write about, what motivates you today? How are you feeling? What you are looking forward to? What are you dreading? Make your journal a window into your life. A real look at you, your business, and what you are trying to create.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Those that fail to remember their past are doomed to repeat it?" Well your business journal becomes the history of your business. When you have it written down, you can look back often to see what you did when you faced a challenge or how you felt when something happened. It is a written snapshot of your successes and failures.

So when you decide to start a business journal or rather a success journal, here are some tips to make your journal writing time effective.

1-Figure out what you are going to have on hand to write in your journal. Some examples are a 3-ring binder, hardbound journal or on your computer. Whatever it is, make sure you can relax and really be in a place where you can think and write.

2-Create daily entries- At the end of each day ponder your thoughts and feelings about how your business is going and where you would like to go. Write these in your business journal. Make sure you do this everyday for at least 21 days without missing and you will form you're journal writing habit.

3-Review regularly- Your business journal is there to help you work through your thoughts and see your progress. So make sure that you review your entries regularly.

One final thought. You might think that this is tons of work and it will take too much time from your business. I thought this way to. But as you do this, you'll find that daily journal writing will save you time and money. It will keeps you focused, clear and motivated. I've found it to be one of the keys to my continued success and I know if you will start, it will be for you too.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/a-profitable-strategykeep-a-business-journal-149788.html

About the Author:

Dennis Stokes is an online entrepreneur. Visit him to receive your own 90 page special report and newsletter. Get the straight talk, insiders secrets, tips and strategies for your business success. Visit http://www.denstokes.com to claim this valuable report.

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Creative Journaling -- Six Tips for Kids (and Parents, too!)

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:30:00 +0000

by Jill Schoenberg

Your child starts a journal with great enthusiasm, has all the intentions in the world of keeping at it, and, months later, you find the journal laying on the bookshelf covered in dust. Sound familiar? Creative journaling makes the journal writing process more enjoyable, fun and creative and can help you overcome some of the barriers that may be keeping your child from consistent--maybe even daily--journaling.

I believe that the number one barrier to regular journaling by kids is their preconceived notion of how to journal.

When presenting workshops on creative journaling, I often begin by asking the participants to describe to me what comes to mind when they envision themselves writing in a journal. The typical and common response I receive to my question goes something like this, "I sit and write about what happened to me that day." Although this is an apt description of journal writing, it does not sound particularly fun, exciting or enjoyable. In fact, it sounds boring. Which is why, I believe, so many diaries and journals languish on bookshelves and what, in my opinion, stops a child from choosing journal writing as a regular and consistent activity.

Integrating creativity with journal writing can transform journaling from a mundane activity to a wildly enjoyable and fun one. The preconceived notion of journaling held by most kids is strong, however, and initially they hesitate when encouraged to get creative with their journals. But once it clicks that they can freely express their thoughts using both words and creativity their eyes light up!

I have really hooked both boys and girls interest in creative journaling when I offer them spangles, foam cut-outs, colorful feathers and glue to further embellish their journals. It's not long before they are laughing, giggling, creating, and journal writing.

What a glorious site it is. Huge smiles emerge on their faces and their eyes sparkle and shine with joy as they enjoy their creative journaling experience.

To help guide you and your child down the path of creative journaling I've listed some tips below.

Try them out, and remember that there are infinite ways for you and your child to dress up a journal and integrate creative expression into your journals.

Creative Journaling Tips:

1. Journal Share - Make the journal experience interactive rather than secretive and solitary. Take a new approach to journal writing and declare that diaries are for secrets and journals are now for celebrating and sharing. This will allow you to play an active part in helping your child to complete their journal.

2. Brighten Journals with Color - Toss those pens and pencils aside and use markers, crayons and colored pencils instead. You will be amazed at how beautiful and joyful a journal becomes simply by adding color!

3. Summarize. Summarize. Summarize! - There is no need to write page after page in a journal. A few words that summarize a day, or how you feel, or a few bulleted points that highlight the day's events is sufficient. Keep it short and simple and to the point by writing less than 10, 20 or 30 words, depending on your time constraints.

4. Write One Word - If you and your child have had a long day and do not have much time or energy left over for journal writing, simply choose one word that encapsulates the day and write that word across the entire page in big bold letters. Upon review at a later date you will be surprised how much can be recalled from this single word!

5. Make It Sparkle and Shine - Use stickers, spangles, glue, magazine cutouts, craft supplies, and other miscellaneous arts and crafts supplies that are stashed in your drawers and closets! Get creative but keep it simple; this need not be a major production.

6. No Such Thing as Right or Wrong - Lastly, and most importantly, emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers while journaling. Journal writing should be freeing, not limiting, so give your child permission to break the rules they are required to follow in school (spelling, grammar...) so that they may fully and creatively express themselves.

When journal writing becomes a creative adventure full of choices and options journals cease to languish on bookshelves and kids discover a positive and powerful tool of self-expression. As an added bonus, the completed creative journals become cherished keepsakes that can be used as tools of growth and reflection or as records of achievement and change.

Just remember to keep your creative journaling activity simple and to get super creative, but most of all remember to make the journal writing process wildly enjoyable and fun for you and your child!

Jill Schoenberg is the author of the award winning book Journal Buddies. Visit her online at http://www.journalbuddies.com/
to learn more about her and about creative journaling resources and tools.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Creative-Journaling----Six-Tips-for-Kids-(and-Parents,-too!)/278117

Why Keep a Journal or Diary?

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:02:00 +0000

Author: Javier Colayco

Journaling and diary-keeping has been around for hundreds of years. In fact, through personal diaries we have been able to discover information about the creation of our country and government, as well as the people who lived during this time period. We have been able to learn about the lives of historical figures throughout the world. There is astonishing value in keeping a journal and if you read what you write, you may learn a lot about yourself as well. Through your journal you will experience the many benefits of writing on a regular basis. Here are several of the benefits that you will be able to experience.

ACHIEVING GOALS

A journal can help you to clarify your goals and will allow you to write about your achievements as well as your ideas. This allows you to see the steps that you have taken towards your goal and will allow you to see where you stand as well as how much further you have to go to complete your goals. Your goals may be simple tasks in life or they may be life goals that will take more time to achieve. Whatever goals you set for yourself, be sure that they are attainable and easily documented in your journal.

SIMPLIFYING LIFE

A journal or diary is very useful in helping to simplify your life. We tend to make life much more complicated than it needs to be. We have appointments, soccer practice with the kids and a million other things that we have to do on a daily basis. By carving out ten minutes of your day and taking the time to sit down with a pen and a piece of paper it is amazing at how you begin to see what is really important in life. You can also carve out a few minutes to type in a journal entry on a personal blog or even a simple and ongoing Word document. Take the time to describe your values, note your achievements and think of those things that you are grateful for in your life.

CLARIFY AND STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS

Journals have amazing power and much of this power can be seen through your personal relationships. Journaling allows you to take the time you need to express your feelings about your life and relationships. Journaling also allows you a private place to vent about any frustrations you have with your relationships. Journaling allows you to see why you might be bothered by certain aspects of a person and even how you might be able to change how you handle certain situations. They can also teach you to love more powerfully and with more conviction. There are various aspects to relationships, and your journal can allow you to see what changes you can make to your strengthen your relationships.

LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF

Socrates was a firm believer in know thyself. A journal allows you to do just that. You can talk about your morals, values and other beliefs. This allows you to clarify what you think about on certain topics as well as express yourself more clearly. If anybody has ever asked you about a specific topic or controversy and what you think about it, you will be able to easily spout off a clear opinion in a matter of seconds. You will present yourself as a person who knows themself well.

BECOMING A BETTER COMMUNICATOR

Journaling can also aid in making you a better writer. Many people could easily be better writers if they spent a few minutes a day working on it. Even when you write about personal information you are able to strengthen your skills. You are also able to strengthen your grammar, vocabulary and get you through a moment of writer's block you are experiencing. It can also be a place to write down any new words or ideas you might have to write about. Clear communication allows you to provide a powerful image and offers the utmost in personal expression.

HEALTH BENEFITS

The health benefits of journaling are widely psychological. Journaling is able to counteract the negative effects of stress and can be a great tool for stress management. Additionally, journaling can help people explore traumatic events and release the emotions that are involved with those experiences.

Research has also shown that there are various other health benefits as well. Scientific studies show that the symptoms of asthma, arthritis and other health conditions have all decreased due to journaling. It has also been shown to help improve the immune system and may prevent a host of diseases. According to one such study by Stony Brook University in New York, written expression of traumatic experiences can aid individuals suffering from other health problems (such as breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia). The study reported that the patients experienced short-term benefits both psychologically and physically. They were also able to see significant reductions in pain and fatigue (the groups in the study wrote in the laboratory for 20 minutes for 3 days at 1-week intervals and were assessed pretreatment, post treatment, at 4 months and at 10 months).

Journaling is also a form of meditation. This is a time that you can use to be quiet and write down what is on your mind. There are often things that may be too hurtful to say to someone, but you have to get it off your mind. Journaling is an excellent outlet for that type of worry or frustration. Have you ever heard of writing a letter to someone to get your true feelings out, but then not sending it? This is the same type of idea. You can write out those feelings and then seal them away in your journal. Journaling also helps you to relax and be quiet. It has the power to help you relax, release anxiety and make your life much easier.

Journaling can be a unique and life changing experience. As you can see through these various benefits that your life can become much simpler and much more focused. The opportunity for self-growth is among the best benefit and those who suffer from serious ailments have found that journaling allows them to release the pain that the illness causes them.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/why-keep-a-journal-or-diary-257009.html

About the Author:

Javier Colayco is the founder of InboxJournal.com , a journaling site for keeping a private or public diary. Users can post entries directly in daily journal reminders, set reminders according to their schedule or post directly through the site.

On Keeping a Money Journal - Easy Way to Manage Your Money

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:27:00 +0000

Having a tough time keeping track of your money? Keeping a journal is an easy way to follow your spending and make changes to your spending habits. Learn how to efficiently use a money journal to better
organize your finances.

Managing Money Using a Journal

Money, you can't escape it! It is why we work, how we support our families and what we spend to have fun. Although money is so intertwined with our lives, it doesn't mean it has to be an added stress. Good money managing techniques are important to leading a healthy life. Luckily, it's as simple as keeping a journal.

What is a money journal?

A money journal is a great way to track your spending habits, both good and bad. The idea is simple; each time you spend money, record how much and where.

Who needs a money journal?

If you're in debt or have trouble making payments at the end of the month, a money journal is perfect for you. If you often wonder where you spend all your money, a money journal will help you. If you simply want to practice good spending habits, a money journal will teach you. It is a good idea for anyone, however, will be more beneficial for some than others.

How do I stay organized?

The journal! You want to consolidate the information to one medium, but there are several options.

You can keep a small notepad with you and write down each purchase you make. Although this takes some work, it's the easiest way to track any cash spending you make. (*Tip - Transfer all the data from your notebook to an excel document. This will make it very easy to compare day to day or month to month.)

If you use a credit or bank card, set up an account for online banking and track each transaction online.

The iPhone has an application for tracking your spending habits.

How do I use the information?

Break down the data into several categories based on needs and wants. Things like groceries, rent and gas are usually needs. Fast food, games and electronics are probably wants. Only you truly know what your needs and wants are.

The bulk of your spending should be on "needs". "Wants" are not necessarily bad buys, but should be limited.

Keep an eye out for impulse buys. Candy at a gas station, a dvd at a checkout stand and other little trinkets are probably last second decisions and wants, not needs. If you see a lot of those purchases in your money journal, you know you should make some spending habit changes.

Growing with your money journal:

Ultimately, it is up to you to control your spending habits. The money journal is a simple way to show you where your money is going. Once you can see the bigger picture, you will know where to make changes. If you are saving up for a vacation, you can look through your money journal to find some "want" buys you should avoid and start saving money.

Managing Money Using a Journal
By David Byers

Extra Journaling Tips to Benefit Your Life [http://www.iheartjournals.com]Keeping a journal isn't hard. You can even do it online. I strongly encourage you to create a journal and begin improving your life as soon as possible. For more journaling ideas and tips, visit my website at [http://www.iheartjournals.com]http://www.iheartjournals.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Byers http://EzineArticles.com/?Managing-Money-Using-a-Journal&id=3191440

On Keeping an Achievement Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:50:00 +0000

Why So Many People Fail - By: Keith Shaw

One life strategy that I recommend and reinforce, with my clients and the readers of my world-wide newsletter, is to have a written list of well-designed objectives and goals for everything and anything that they want to achieve in their life.

It may be their health goal, such as to lose weight. Or, their goal may be to stop smoking cigarettes to improve the quality of their life and save a ton of money as a result.

It may be a communication / relationship objective, such as better dialogue and increased positive, quality time with their spouse and children. Or for some it may be to mend a broken relationship. Or they might have a desire to undertake a humanitarian purpose such as helping and teaching others. In fact, in How To Get What You Want, When You Want It, I teach and show you this success strategy of how to develop your clearly defined goals, step by step.

There are numerous studies that prove the value of journaling to write down and keep track of your thoughts and goals. A research study sponsored by the Ford Foundation discovered that:

- 23% of the population has no idea what they want from life, and as a result, they do not have much.

- 67% of the population has a general idea of what they want, but they do not have any plans for how to get it.

- Only 10% of the population has specific, well-defined goals, but even then, seven out of the ten of those people reach their goals only half the time.

- The top 3%, however, achieved their goals 89% of the time.

Wow, an astonishing 90% of the population has no ideas or plans for what they want out of life! Without a solid life plan to take a hold of, these "drifters" will not have direction or the peace of mind to maximize their lives.

When you have no central purpose in your life, you fall an easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles, and self pity. You become just like the proverbial driftwood cast about by the crashing waves on the sea. All of these are indications of a lack of strength in your life, which leads to failure, unhappiness, and loss. Without strength, you can not persevere.

The scientist, Louis Pasteur said, "Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies strictly in my tenacity."

So, how does one develop more tenacity or determination?

One of my strategies is this. Before you start out to work on any of your goals, you must look ahead and know where the finish line is - what you want to accomplish in detail along with the timetable that will lead you there. Of course there are many roads that you can, and at times must, take. You must select a road that will lead to somewhere, rather than nowhere.

Just like the scattered rays of the sun, when focused by a magnifying glass, produce a heat many times greater than the sun's rays alone. This is also true of your ability to focus on positive and productive goals and take action toward them. If your attention is not sharply focused you get mediocre outcomes.

But center and focus it on your goals, instead of wasting it on useless complaining, and your motivation and growth will be strong and limitless.

And, there's more. When your mind can properly concentrate, all the vital energy of every bodily cell is directed into one channel generating a powerful personal influence on yourself and on others who can help you to reach your goals.

Here's a real-world example of what happens when you do not have a finish line. I used to work in an office with a woman who handmade a banner and attached it to the wall of her cubicle. "There is NO finish line!" the sign screamed in four-inch-high, bold letters. As I would pass by her desk, I thought "what a peculiar mantra to live and do business by".

What "There is NO finish line!" meant to me was; "No finish line, means no clearly defined written goal, means the road leads to nowhere, and no way to get to a result...".

Needless to say, the project she worked on failed miserably. She had no focus, no goal and no outcome. And, since no one else could see the finish line, she could not excite and inspire others to get involved and help her.

When you keep your goals clearly defined and SEE them happening you will be more determined and will persevere under any circumstances. Every action you take in life, needs to have a starting line AND a finish line. You will increase your ability to succeed manifold and get what you want, when you want it.

Copyright (c) 2008 Mind Body Spirit Central, LLC

Keith A. Shaw, President of http://www.mindbodyspiritcentral.com/. Headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Keith is an authority on motivation, success, qigong, self improvement, health and happiness.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Keith-Shaw/32091

Interested in starting your own Achievement Journal?
Go to http://dvynewrytes.com/ for a large selection of choices to fit your individual needs!

The Art of Keeping a Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Journal keeping is basically without rules. It is an uncensored invitation to cut & paste, sketch & 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 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 journal with notes 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.

Journals are great for tracking and brainstorming projects or developing a theme such as business creativity or spiritual practice.

It can be used as a restorative retreat or a creative landscape, a playground of sorts for your professional goals or a keepsake for travel, weddings and birthdays.

·Try personalizing your own journal by creating an arrangement that is both practical and natural.

·Ask questions and dialogue with the world.

·Use it with regularity and see if this kindles some sort of journey.

Above all enjoy the adventure! WRITE UPSIDE DOWN, USE DIFFERENT COLORS OF PENS, collect conversations, favorite song lyrics & meaningful quotes --or start on the last page and see where it takes you!

The basic nutrition for a journal differs. Yet the more you nourish it, the more confident and the more willing your imagination & intelligence will be.

By Janice Hoffmann

Janice Hoffmann is CEO and Founder of Success Is Sweetest http://www.successissweetest.com/ -A NewYork City based Career and lifestyle Coaching boutique.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janice_Hoffmann
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Art-of-Keeping-a-Journal&id=15914

Interested in starting your own creative journal?
Go to http://dvynewrytes.com/ for a large selection of choices to fit your individual needs!

17 Tips on Keeping a Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:28:00 +0000

1. New to keeping a journal? Start with writing, "Today, I am grateful for.....", and fill in the blank with what you are grateful for.

2. Write in your journal freely. Do not worry about how it looks, or even grammar and spelling errors. Write how you want, what you want, and where you want.

3. Writing a word, sentences, paragraphs or pages, journaling whatever you have to say that day, is just the right amount to write.

4. Set your journal where you will see it everyday, i.e., on your nightstand, at your desk, where you have coffee. This will help to remind you to journal.

5. Part of keeping a journal is skipping a day, a week, and even months.

6. Your journal is a daily gift you give to yourself.

7. Remember to use your journal for your benefit and well being, what ever that means to you. Keeping a journal is a powerful tool that you can give to yourself everyday.
Plus, this creates time for you every day.

8. Write with a pen, pencil, felt pen, crayons, or colored pencils. Whatever you choose.

9. Journal whatever is important for you to write about right then and there. I've journaled about a fabulous soup I ate, my concerns about a friendship, my dreams for the future.

10. Find the right journal, book, for you: The right size, shape, color, lined or unlined.

12. Find the right place for you to write: In bed, at your desk, on the kitchen table.

13. Find the right time of day for you to write: Morning, noon or night.

14. Keeping your journal private. That can mean setting boundaries with those in your home, it may mean hiding it, or locking it away. You will have to make an individual decision about what that means to you.

15. Re-read your journal or not. Rarely do I re-read my journals, but when I have it has been very supportive. Some people always read what they have written. Again, it is a personal choice.

16. You can journal in a book, on your computer, in a Blog which is a web log, you can use a tape recorder, video camera, emails, or a calendar.

17. Whatever you have to say in your journal is perfect, because that is what is important to you right now.

By Doreene Clement

Doreene Clement, a cancer victor and author of The 5 Year Journal, is currently writing a new book and movie, Blessed, about her life and her cancer experience. For more information http://www.the5yearjournal.com 480.423.8095

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doreene_Clement
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Journaling For Personal Growth - The Benefits of Keeping A Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:46:00 +0000

Journaling For Personal Growth - The Benefits of Keeping A Journal

Keeping a journal helps to crystallise your thoughts and give you insight. The simple act of writing your thoughts down can help you to understand what you're feeling and why you feel that way. Journaling helps you to know yourself better and can be a vehicle for personal growth.

Why Journaling Works

When you write, your mind automatically slows. Writing your thoughts down helps you to become more aware of what you're thinking and what's important to you.
Journaling helps to change your perspective. When you read and summarise what you've written, it helps you to step back and look at things differently.

Keeping a journal can lead to self discovery because it helps you to identify beliefs that hold you back and dreams that you have put on hold.

Your journal is a safe place to express your thoughts, feelings, ideas and questions about life. It's somewhere you can be totally honest and a safe place to explore your thoughts.

Journaling is an effective, powerful way of venting your feelings. Once the words are out of your head and on paper you'll be able to see more clearly. Expressing your thoughts will give them shape and meaning and help you to identify what you have to work with.

Journaling helps you to make sense of your life. Writing things down brings clarity because it helps you to stop and take notice of what's happening.

As time goes by you'll begin to see emerging patterns and start to see the bigger picture.

Write Your Journal For Yourself

Write your journal for you. Be honest with yourself. Let your thoughts flow. If you do, your journal will be a useful tool on your journey towards personal growth.

"When I write down my thoughts, they do not escape me. This action makes me remember my strength... I educate myself proportionately to my captured thought." Isidore Ducasse

Tips For Using Your Journal For Personal Growth Keep it Simple

You don't have to buy a special journal unless you want to. You can use an inexpensive notebook or file or use your computer. There's no right or wrong way to journal. Feel free to journal your way; it doesn't have to be perfect it's for your eyes only.

Don't edit as you write

Allow your thoughts to flow freely onto the paper. Just write whatever comes to mind.

Focus on your thoughts and feelings

If you're struggling to get started, ask yourself questions such as:

- How do I feel?

-What do I want?

-What can I learn from this?

- How does God see this?

- How did I make a difference today?

Review And Summarise Your Journal Entries

Reading and reflecting on what you've written will help you to see things from a different perspective. Summarising your journal entries will bring new insights. As you begin to see patterns in your thinking and beliefs, ask yourself how you can use what you're learning about yourself to improve your life.

Journaling leads to personal growth and discovery through writing and reflection. If you've never kept a journal before, I encourage you to start today.

By Lynne Lee

When you subscribe to my free newsletter - The 5 Minute Life Coach - I'll send you a valuable free guide - Be Your Own Life Coach Now. This step by step guide will help you to start changing your life straight away. And each month, I'll send you a link to a valuable free eBook.

If you found this article helpful you might like to visit http://www.christianlifecoaching.co.uk/ where you'll find more free life coaching articles to help you start transforming your life today.

Lynne Lee is a Christian life coach and spiritual mentor. She helps people to re-design their lives around what matters most.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynne_Lee

On Keeping a Journal - Where to Begin

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:16:00 +0000

The keeping of a personal journal has been a pursuit of human society for many hundreds of years. In times past men and women of learning, studiously kept a record of their days, their achievements and their dreams. We owe a great debt of gratitude to each one of them as we have gleaned much insight into the lives of those in times past from many of those journal entries.

For some people, the keeping of a journal is a natural extension of their everyday lives. How many of us have lifted the family Bible to discover small snippets cut from the newspaper, flowers pressed between the pages, envelopes with letters or pictures tucked away safely for future generations to discover? I certainly have found such treasures in the most 'ordinary' of books on the shelves of secondhand book shops and at garage sales. It always comes as a surprise and delight to discover them and then I feel a certain sadness that somehow these treasures have ended up in the hands of a stranger.

The unexpected gift of these objects has been a richer understanding of our desire to record and keep important memories and items and while tucking these treasures into the pages of a book isn't exactly journaling, it is a component of this amazingly creative and satisfying pass-time.

There are a few basic skills when learning how to journal, some of them are:

Make the time and space to do it on a regular basis. Whether you are keeping a dream journal, a garden journal, a baby journal, travel journal or a personal journal of any kind, this one step will make or break your experience. If you have to go so far as to make a 'date' with yourself - do it. At the very least, spend some time once a week to look through your calendar or diary and record the highlights or low lights of your week. Even after many years, I'm an irregular writer in my journal, but when I do write and commune with my wonderful companion, the value I receive from this is immense. It is always well worth the effort.

Begin with something you are passionate about. This makes it so much easier to write regularly, the words and ideas can seem to flow without effort and you will enjoy reading back through the pages of you journal entries. I have more than one journal because I like to keep my gardening knowledge (successes and failures) separate from my personal and spiritual growth conversations. I'm sure you will develop a process and style that works for you.

Use materials that Inspire and Motivate you: My journals are ALWAYS beautiful to look at and to use. Likewise my writing implement. I have a preference for a certain type of pen, a certain colour and a certain texture to the paper, This adds greatly to my enjoyment of the writing process and when looking back I can remember what it was about that particular book or pen that attracted me. Layers of enjoyment will build a strong relationship to your journaling process. Find out what you like, experiment with different things until you find the right combination of elements for you.

Learn from others: So many times at the beginning of my journaling adventure I longed to peek inside the pages of other peoples journals. What did they do? How did they do it? I was fortunate that some of my friends were willing to share some of their pages with me and I was introduced to the idea of drawing and painting and collage and colour and doodles in addition to the words which I was writing. This immediately reminded me of the newspaper cuttings, pressed flowers and pictures I have always found inside the pages of old books and this idea of adding such visual texture to my journal was so enticing I began right away. I am so grateful to my dear friends for opening my eyes to these new possibilities.

There are many reasons to keep a journal. There are many ways to keep a journal. If you really are concerned that you don't know how to journal, there are many sources of inspiration and motivation is only you will open your eyes and your heart to them. I have recently discovered many books on the subject as well as a number of inspiring examples that have been posted in the Internet. Use these resources if you feel stuck or lacking inspiration and I'm sure it won't be very long before you are enjoying keeping a journal of your days, your dreams, successes and triumphs.

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Cate_Ferguson]Cate Ferguson
Cate Ferguson lives in Australia and has been involved in the personal development and empowerment field for many years. Cate has written many articles, a free e-course and has free audio's available on her website.
She is a long time meditator and is a Reiki Master. Cate also authors the FlipSide Perspectives Blog.
Cate is also passionate about the environment and is in the process of creating a sustainable lifestyle for herself and her family. Cate writes articles and blogs, makes videos and other resources for those looking to learn more about the environment, sustainable and alternative lifestyles, climate change and permaculture.
You can find Cate on the web through these links: http://fspnewsletter.wordpress.com http://www.cateferguson.com/

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