The Power of Journaling

​Most would love the opportunity to have a conversation with a lost parent. Memory provides a fragmented history but perspective changes with time and accumulated experience. Asking a question now would be quite intriguing.
 
Imagine, discovering a Journal or a Diary your Father or Mother kept? Would this be fascinating, disturbing, informative and/or deeply revealing? Would it be valuable, meaningful and important? Imagine the insights you could gain into their day-to-day lives, their hopes and dreams, their struggles and frustrations, and the simple minutia of daily living?
 
I think we would all value and treasure such a record and gain understanding and appreciation from this personal history. So why don’t you keep a journal? Apart from the wonderful legacy someone may gain in 25, 50 or 100 years, the immediate benefits of keeping a journal are well documented.
 
Keeping a journal helps you to be more reflective and contemplative, to learn and understand more about yourself, and to use these insights to authentically guide your actions. This record gives you an outlet for your creativity in ruminating about your hopes and dreams, in connecting with your values and beliefs, and in dealing with challenges and frustrations.
 
A journal is about self-discovery, developing self-awareness and a reminder to be present and live life in the moment. It is about self-care and a healthy release as the act of writing reduces stress and anxiety and puts problems in perspective.
 
It helps you stay focused and organized and stay on track with important goals and projects. You can use it to capture important data, dates and events, or simply make it a simple reflection around the quality of your life.
 
Once you commit to writing without judgment it becomes a powerful tool to improve clarity, to forge a clear personal vision and to use the past to shape the future.