Balm for Our Souls

I would like to share this piece written by a friend, See Ming:

Journaling: Balm for Our Souls
(By Chong See Ming)

Journaling has long been recommended as a beneficial tool in self awareness and understanding. Journaling has been said to nurture one's spirituality and build inroads into our unconscious minds.

Journal advocates say that journaling is the perfect way to take inventory of ourselves and our feelings, resolve conflicts, make decisions and bring clarity to our lives as well as to record our personal spiritual journey.

For me, it's always been a balm for my soul. As I record my thoughts, dreams, desires and feelings, my self-knowledge increases. Call it mental detoxification, mindful spring-cleaning, or any other terms, journaling for me is a form of meditation that de-clutters any mental confusion.Let's explore in detail some of the key advantages of keeping a journal:-

Journaling is an affordable method of self-therapy

A journal doesn't have to be an expensive hard-cover, bounded notebook with a built-in lock. I know some people who use thin school exercise books costing only 80 cents each, but as thoughts flow, the desired effect will still be the same. If you are technology-savvy, an online blog will cost next to nothing. Check out Blogger for free blogging tools. (And read Najah Nasseri's article on Blogging, this issue of ProDigy)

Journaling helps us solve problems

No matter how cliché is seems - the phrase "The answer lies within us" has been historically proven. Through journaling, we can start sifting through the whirlpools of our minds to find answers to issues that bother us.

Journaling helps us to excavate our authentic selves

In the noise of everyday world, we often prevented from listening to our inner voices. We are "polished" by what our family, friends and society demands of us whereby we gradually adopt mannerisms and values that may contradict who we were originally. The danger of losing ourselves this way is we may stop living the life we crave and live our lives for others. John Holt, an American educator described this problem exactly when he wrote in his book, Never Too Late: My Musical Life Story, " ...it is not easy to find out what we like or want, when all our lives, other people work trying not just to make us do what they want, but to make us think that we want to do it."

Journaling helps us listen to ourselves

Writing a journal may re-orientate us on the journey of self-discovery as it is a good way to let our inner voice comes through the hustle and bustle of our surroundings.

Putting our thoughts on paper could also help uncover the hidden mental obstacles which are stunting our growth, and help us become more aware of the negativity in our thoughts and resolve them.

Journaling is a healthy way to release pent-up emotions

In her book, Write Away, A Journal Writing Tool Kit, Eldonna Bouton asks "Think about how often you have been asked how you were and you automatically responded with "Fine." How many times were you really not fine, or worse, but couldn't really say how you were really feeling?"

A blank page is a safe place to dump anger and frustrations without hurting anyone. Releasing our feelings to the page may actually help them subside. We can use the journaling process to help us work through stressful events without the fear of social consequences, especially things that we don't want to discuss with friends or family.

Ultimately, this connection can reduce stress and keeps us healthy.

Journaling is an investment in ourselves

It does not require any skill or talent, just a willingness to write when we feel like it. We benefit from the self-expression and increased awareness of our thoughts and feelings.

In this way, journaling complements our life-long learning process as we document our experiences and learn as much as we can from them.

You might say I've kept a diary before but nothing came out of it. Well, unlike the diary of the past, where you dutifully recorded the events of the day, be clear that this new journal's purpose is to capture emotions and documenting feeling and sentiments. By capturing your thoughts on paper, you open communications links between your subconscious mind and your conscious mind, allowing your subconscious to emerge. And it might just help you solve the mystery of who you really are. Try it.

5 Quick Tips for Journal Keeping
Commitment
Keep your journal with you in your bag or somewhere conspicuous where you will always see it and be reminded. Block 10 minutes or more everyday as writing time.

The right tools
Having the right tools can make the experience more enjoyable. Use your favourite pen and for longevity, write on acid-free, hand-made paper.

Date
Date every entry as far as possible, make a note of the time, place and even weather. You will find these information useful in the future.

Find a support group
Get your close friends to remind you to write in it. Get on to a jounal-writing mailing list - There's plenty on Yahoo Groups.

Be true to yourself
Remember the best journal is one that is entirely YOU - so create your own rules, whatever that strikes your fancy.