The Journaling Journey

A little over a year and a half ago I embarked on a journey. A journaling journey. I was never one to keep a journal for an extended period of time, and even recoiled at what I wrote. Did I really write that whiny, insignificant stuff? It was downright embarrassing. I was having difficulty expressing my innermost thoughts and most of all fearful that someone would read them.

I now write in my journal almost every day, frequenting little cafes where I can blend into the woodwork. Without thinking too much now, I pour out my feelings onto the page, and pose questions to God, the infinite universe, and myself. It seems much like a dialogue and often the answers appear soon after the questions! As much as it helps to complain about how I've been hurt by this or that person by getting out all the muck on the page, it's much more valuable to ask a question, like "What have I learned from this situation?" Or, "How can I be at peace with this situation?" Or, "Am I being true to myself?" The answers come. Not always in our time frame though. Patience.

So now I have nine beautiful journals. My inspiration to write comes from books, my life, and great food too. And what have I learned from all this? That I am, as probably most people are, by and large, fickle. Our problems one day are suddenly gone another. And there's always a new problem to take its place! Happy one day, sad the next. Frustrated one day, at peace the next. It all matters very little. But what does matter is our ability to see beyond all this chatter to a place of peace, love, and non judgement of ourselves and others. Be kind to yourself. Continue on your journey and express gratitude for all blessings.


The question is, "Who am I?"






Here are nine journal gems.

1. I am the place that God shines through.
He and I are one not two.
He needs me where and as I am.
I need not doubt, nor fear , nor plan.
If I but be relaxed and free,
He'll work His play and love through me.

2. Be kind, for everyone is fighting a great battle.

3. Happiness is from within, a state of being. It's not from something you get, material or relationship. It exists already.

4. Someday when someone finds these wacky books, they're going to think, "This is some crazy, messed-up woman." Aren't I writing what most people think? We're all human with human struggles, right?

5. Trying to live. Forcing life into everything I do, like a gasping asthmatic trying desperately to draw in a stream of polluted air, just to live. Forcing a smile is a chore, and being pleasant to strangers is all I can muster. Those parts that were just my nature have taken a vacation.

6. It's all good. Everything is possible.

7. I'm coming to the end of book seven. If I look back, it was during this time that I spent my darkest days, but willingly went through that 'dark night of soul' fully conscious. I am seeking personal growth and self realization.

8. No medicine can replace your own. Life is simple. We've made it complex by adding massive amounts of material appendages to it, living in a state of overstress, exaggerating our needs, believing that more is better... Swami Mayatitinanda

9. So here I am with Mother's blessing, feeling my own connection, a sense of newness, and a confidence I had never known was possible! If that makes any sense at all.

Whew, Ive just let my hair down a little and it feels good if I do say so myself. I do hope you will try journaling and appreciate your own unique path. Don't take it too seriously. Have fun!


Much love and Satanam, Joy