Volume 1, Issue 1

The Power of Journalling

As I sat down to write my very first newsletter, I felt humbled and to be honest a little fearful. I wondered what I could write about that you might find interesting enough to come back for more. Then I remembered a conversation I’d had with a friend and mentor who reminded me about the importance of being real. So I’ve decided to write about the power of journaling, and its significance in helping me to turn my life around.

When I began my journey of self discovery back in 1996, I didn’t know then that journaling would become an integral part of the voyage. Every night I would write about my daily experiences - my thoughts, feelings, upsets, disappointments and the things I was grateful for. I wasn’t conscious of it at the time, but in retrospect the process of writing out the things that upset or disappointed me, helped me to see how I chose to feel about things and gave me the opportunity to change my perspective. The gratitude part of journaling really sent a signal to the universe that I appreciated the good in my life and that I was open to receiving more. At the end of each journal writing session I’d write a thought for the day – whatever came into my mind. My “Thoughts for the day” began as simple questions, and in time became verses that rhymed. Could I be a closet poet? I didn’t think so.

Finding a space in my day to sit long enough to write, was the first real conscious decision to make time for me that I’d made in a decade. And the great thing was I didn’t feel guilty about it. In fact over time it brought me so much pleasure and a sense of accomplishment that I could hardly wait for the silence of nightfall to retreat to my quiet place to recapture all that had gone on that day. When I finally looked back at what I had written, I was truly amazed. I was asking questions and also coming up with the answers. I would later come to know that my questions, asked and answered, were like signposts on the road to discovery and the verses were lessons learned from my daily experiences. I extracted the verses and compiled them in a little book I called Echoes from the Soul™. I wasn’t sure why at the time. I have chosen to call my article by the same name and in the months to come, I hope you will find Echoes from the Soul™ to be inspiring and encouraging on your journey of self-discovery.

If you don’t already journal I encourage you to begin today. Here are some easy steps to follow:

Buy a journal that really appeals to you. It will be your companion for some time.
Spend 5 minutes acknowledging all the wonderful things that have shown up for you that day.
Allow whatever else comes into your mind to flow onto the pages. Don’t censor yourself, don’t try to edit. After all, these are your thoughts and feelings.
Make the commitment to write in your journal, preferably at the same time, every day.
Journalling continues to be a significant part of my daily life. For in writing I not only capture the Echoes from my Soul, but record them so that others may hear them.

Voices of sweet remembrance echo to me from the past Who “I am” is waiting for me to remember at long last.

The secrets to remembrance are deep within your heart, if you wish to find the answers go inside the flow will start. Journal entry - January 1996.