The one where I talk about starting a spiritual journal
I guess you could call this a journal on journaling.
I started journaling when I was in college. I read interviews with a lot of musicians, and it seemed that a lot of them wrote their thoughts in a notebook and used them for song lyrics later. I tried it, and as I tend to do, I made a bit too much of a production out of it. I bought a fancy notebook, threw it in a backpack, and proceeded to hike up a nearby mountain. By the time I got to the scenic vista to write down my important thoughts, I was too tired to care. Thus ended my first foray into journaling. Thankfully, I didn’t give up on it.
My journaling took off about the same time my band started to take off. It started as an exercise in a book called Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande. She recommends establishing two writing habits: one in which you get up and write absolutely first thing in the morning. Instead of lying there in bed pondering things, she encouraged her readers to get up and write all those thoughts down. These then become the fertile soil from which you can cultivate a writing life. The second thing Brande wrote about was the scheduled write. You set aside a specific time in your schedule, and when it comes up, you write, no matter what. While journaling is invaluable to a writer, the rest of us aren’t off the hook. In a roundabout way through these exercises, Brande was encouraging journaling as a discipline.
Speaking of discipline, I was inspired to take up journaling as a spiritual practice after reading Richard Foster’s excellent Celebration of Discipline sometime in the late ’90′s. I believe he briefly alludes to the idea of spiritual journaling in the book, but expounds on the idea even more in the Study Guide for the Celebration of Discipline. On his recommendation, I tracked down a book called How to Keep a Spiritual Journal by Ronald Klug. Those books offered excellent advice. I frequently revisit them. In fact, I am working through Celebration of Discipline again right now.
I would be lying if I told you that journaling has been an “every day” thing for me (see “My ‘every day’ list”). In fact, once I started blogging in about 2003 I almost gave up the practice entirely. But it has been a regular part of my life. I cannot tell you how many times I have been in a spiritual rut or mired in circumstances that drained me emotionally, only to have journaling be the lifeline that pulled me out of it. Journaling has been a source of creativity for me. I recently stumbled across a journal filled with mundane whinings about regular life stuff. Then, on the last page of the journal, seemingly out of nowhere, were the lyrics to a pretty cool song.
Hopefully I’ve piqued your interest enough to make you want to take up the wonderful habit of spritual journaling. Or maybe you used to write in a journal regularly and want to give it another whirl. Even if you’re a little reluctant about it, I encourage you to give it a try. I have some old journals filled with fits and starts that are only a few entries long, but I still have culled some major insight into what was going on with my life. So try it out, and let me know how it works out for you.
Here are a few tips for getting started with a spiritual journal:
- Get a journal that will suits your personality – This may be the most important tip of all. For some people, getting a fancy journal from a paper store will motivate them to write in it. For me, I am intimidated by something nice and end up leaving it blank for fear that I will mess it up! So for years, I would stock up on lined notebooks during “back to school” sales and go to town. For the last year or so, I have sworn off handwriting, so I now do my entries in a computer program called viJounal. It’s pretty spartan, and I’m sure there are nicer ones out there, but it’s served me well so far. Also, for the Type A types, a program like Evernote that you already use to keep yourself organized and on top of things could work well. For the right brain types, an unlined journal could be a great way to express yourself through drawing. Or a photographer could take a picture every day and post it in a computer program. Experiment and figure out what works best for you.
- Make it a part of your “daily walk” – Again this will manifest itself differently for different people. I try to read my Bible first thing in the morning after I take my kids to school, usually for about 20-30 minutes. Then I’ll try to write in my journal for another 20-30 minutes. Remember you are trying to make this a habit, so the easier the better. Even if you just make a list of people you are praying for or things you are thankful for, you will reap enormous benefits.
- Journal regularly – Notice I didn’t say “every day”. One theme that comes up again and again in Celebration of Discipline is the idea of disciplines being a way to tune in to the rhythm of your life. This could be an every day thing, or it could be a couple times a week. But you will benefit richly from recording your thoughts on a regular basis.
- Keep it simple, sister (or brother) – Remember, most religions are about humanity striving for the divine; Christianity is about the divine entering humanity. Don’t feel pressured to write about highbrow subjects or use only perfect language. Write about what’s going on in your life. Write about what excites you. Write about what frustrates you. Remember, if something is of concern to you, it is of concern to God.
- Shake it up – While it is important to establish journaling as a routine, it doesn’t have to feel routine. Feel free to make lists. Experiment with journaling as a written prayer. Draw. Make a mess. The more you can make it reflect the “real you”, the more benefit it will be.
- Read it. Eventually. – Reading old entries is perhaps the most beneficial aspect of keeping a journal. But don’t read them before you are ready. If you are still going through whatever situation you wrote about, or if it is a traumatic event in your life, you may want to wait a bit before you read it. In some cases, you may want to write something and then throw it away (or delete it) immediately. In my experience, a few weeks or months is long enough to wait before reading old entries.
So there you have it. I hope this little introduction to journaling as a spiritual activity serves to inspire others to engage in this worthwhile pursuit.
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you journal? Did you used to keep a journal but gave it up? Why? Do you have any thoughts or advice you’d like to add? Join the discussion below!
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Posted on September 16, 2011, in Creativity, Faith. Bookmark the permalink. 13 Comments.
Good thoughts Mark. As someone who is trying to develop more as a writer myself, I like the idea of scheduling a time each day to write. I should start doing that.
As far as journaling in general goes, I know it’s been a big help to me. I started journaling consistently almost 12 years ago when I did a discipleship training school with YWAM, and haven’t stopped since. I usually use those little “theme books” you can get at wal mart. I seriously have a suitcase full of them now.
I’ve found that for me journaling is a great way to think, vent, pray, and just work through what God is doing in my life and whatever I’m experiencing. I think you hit on something very important though when you mentioned going back and re-reading things later. I have done that sometimes, and been amazed looking back and seeing how God has worked in different situations, or on a lighter note enjoyed re-living old memories.
I almost always do collage covers for my journals too, so that keeps things special for me.
I have always tried Journaling…but lately it’s been a real struggle for me. I usually read a Scripture passage…the verse/verses that stick out 2 me, I write @ the top of the page and then I Journal about what those verses or the passage in general is saying to me. Lately though this has been a struggle because I’m not getting anything out what I’m reading.
Praying is a challenge for me,especially aloud, so I’ve even tried writing out my prayers, but it just seems to become one LONG rambling mess…
I used to keep a prayer journal. For about a year I poured out my heart to God and every night before bed, no matter how tired I was. I wrote down everything… fears, joys, worries, sins, prayers for understanding, prayers for others and beautiful words of praise that I can’t believe I even wrote. Since last Christmas I have been in I guess what everyone calls a spiritual rut. I pulled out my journals last week looking for some inspiration. I was floored, not because of the words I wrote, but by how God has been working in my life. I didn’t even realize it until I went back and read the journals. When you think he has left you or doesn’t hear you, it’s just not so. He’s like an anti-virus program running in the back ground of your life. He has been holding me and carrying me through until I get my strength back. I started up my nightly journal again.
Great post Mark. I have never tried journaling but I do write. It would be great if I had time to write every day. I would love to write a devotional but would have to learn to write things with fewer words. Writing is a way to relax as I enjoy it. Of late my wife and I have not been reading the word but have been instead listening to a half hour radio broadcast each day at least. I have written a few prayers and that was kind of cool! Sometimes I sit down to write, and something entirely different than what I intended becomes the focus of what I am writing!
I find that “journaling” is sometimes the only way to communicate. Usually my journaling comes out in poem form or song form. I had a really hard time coming back to the Lord (a lot of fear) and it was a steep climb (a lot of spiritual attacks) and I couldn’t do anything but write. God brought some friends into my life that loved music and I remember we spent a whole summer (my first working at the my college) just writing songs- I wrote, they encouraged, and helped me grow and mostly listened. They still talk about the songs. Praise the Lord it blessed them!
The journals ranging from my High School days (dark and depressed) to my first years of marriage (1st trip to India, marriage difficulties) are all over the house. Now that I have two little darlings, I don’t really find the time to “write it down”, so I use my blog. I recommend it, completely. I’m reminded of the times I would be driving or in the middle of no where just heavy with thought and conviction and there would ALWAYS be something to write with and something to write it down on…..albeit a napkin and a coloring crayon.
Mark, I absolutely LOVE Celebration of Discipline. I was introduced to it by a pastor during Disciple Bible Study about 10 years ago. I was not raised in a Christian home and many of the disciplines were completely foreign to me. The one that completely took me by surprise was fasting. The only experience I had with fasting was either for bloodwork or learning about Ghandi’s hunger strikes! LOL. It is one of those disciplines that I don’t employ enough. Thanks for reminding me of this jewel of a book. It is actually in the nightstand right now. Maybe after the Screwtape Study, my friend and I will work through it. Have you ever read, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction?
I own A Long Obedience but have yet to read it. It is on my list!
I started journaling about a couple years ago. It’s nice to go back and read what I’ve written every now and then. It can show you where you’ve grown and where you’re still struggling. The key is to be soul-baringly honest…
Good post, Mark.
I find that journaling is the best way to organize my scatter-brained thoughts. This is the first time I have been journaling on a regular basis in my life and I love it!
I like the advice you gave on making it part of your daily walk. I have also made it a practice to journal after I read the Bible – connecting it to another habit reminds me to do it.
Thanks for the great posts Mark!
I think you have some really great tips on how to start and maintain a journal. I’m not sure why I struggle so much with actually following through. Possibly I’ve had the wrong focus or I’m just too left-brained for my own good.
As I mentioned in the “every day things” post, could be that I’ve focused on myself too much. Past journaling attempts have generally ended up as: what I’ve done good or bad, what I need or want to do, what I haven’t done but should, and where I’ve failed or succeeded. I’d throw some thanks and praise in there, but after getting all this down on paper and re-reading it at some point I’d think, “sheesh, I hope I don’t get hit by a bus anytime soon because most of this stuff I don’t want anyone else to see!”
For most people it seems there are great benefits from writing down their inner most thoughts and goals, but I’m not yet convinced it works for me. When I look back at earlier entries, in a lot of cases despite my best efforts I’m still struggling with the same issues, and probably will until I leave this earth. Not that I don’t see God’s hand in my life however. When I think back ten years ago to what I’m doing now, it’s plain to see how He has and still is patiently working to get my undivided attention. I’m stubborn but getting there, and I take comfort in knowing He’s had a lot tougher nuts to crack.
So I’m thinking of taking a simplified approach to journal writing by narrowing my focus to the spiritual things I’m reading about, or even just daily prayers for other people-I like that idea. Maybe us left-brainers have a harder time free-thinking and need some structure. Or maybe I’m missing the point entirely. We’ll see!
Mark,
I appreciate your sharing about your experience with journaling and how these books have really helped you dig deeper. Keeping it simple, changing it up, and journaling regularly are good points to getting started with a journaling practice. I think it’s important to make it a part of your routine; however you choose to do that is up to you.
I have chosen your post, The One Where I Talk about Starting a Spiritual Journal, for #JournalChat Pick of the Day for all things journaling on Twitter. I will post a link on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, my blog and website Refresh with Dawn Herring, and Refresh Journal, my weekly newsletter: http://www.refreshwithdawnherring.blogspot.com/.
You’re welcome to join us for #JournalChat Live on Thursdays at 4 CST/2 PST for all things journaling on Twitter; our topic for this week is using our journals to focus on our power and strengths.
Thanks again for a great post. I enjoyed the personal touch.
Be refreshed,
Dawn Herring
JournalWriter Freelance
Host of #JournalChat Live and Links Edition on Twitter
Mark,
I am delighted to inform you that your post, The One Where I Talk about a Spiritual Journal, has been chosen for #JournalChat Pick of the Week! That essentially means that I will be referencing your post for #JournalChat Live, a live chat on Twitter I host for all things journaling. The topic we will focus on is making journaling a part of our routine, as you point out in numbers 2 and 3 on your fabulous ‘how to’ list you provide.
#JournalChat Live will take place on Thursday, 9/29/11, at 4 CST/2 PST for all things journaling on Twitter through my @JournalChat account. You’re welcome to join us for the live chat if you’d like to be a part; just let me know by email at journalwriter@sbcglobal.net if you will be attending so I can properly introduce you!
Thanks again for sharing an inside view of your spiritual journaling life!
Be refreshed,
Dawn Herring
JournalWriter Freelance
Host of #JournalChat Live and Links Edition on Twitter
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