Friday, 27 January 2012

Journal Writing Prompt 37 - Favourite TV

Journaling is not always about serious introspection. It can also be fun, silly, light-hearted. Today's topic is one of those.

If you are anything like most people, you watch TV, whether little or a lot. So what are your favourite TV shows? Why are they your favourite?

And for those of you interested in further introspection - think about how this taste relates to your taste in other things? For example, do you like similar type of books and movies too? Or do you like these shows because of their actors?

So go on, have fun. If you like bit of art and colour in your journal, you can draw/paste pictures from these shows, or write the names of these shows in funny pictures.

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

What Is Your Journal Writing Style ?

Check out this cool quiz at Journal Writing With A Twist about your journal writing style.

My style is C, which is actually true. According to the description:

Try journaling like you're telling a story to a friend. Or think about journaling as a creative writing exercise. Your journaling is probably already pretty interesting to read—keep challenging yourself to make it real and keep it as fun as possible!

What's your style?

Friday, 20 January 2012

Journal Writing Prompt 36 - Habits

Since it's the new year, and hopefully you haven't completely given up on resolutions, goals and plans. Habits go hand-in-hand with those topics.

The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.
- Samuel Johnson

He was a clever man, that Johnson. Today, in your journal, write about your habits. Which habits are wrapped around you like chains? Which habits move you forward in life, and bring you happiness?

Are there new habits you would like to form? How will you go about achieving that?
What habits would you like to discard? How will you accomplish that?

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Journal Writing Prompt 35 - The Desert Island Scenario

We've all heard of this game, probably even tried it.

What would you take with you if you knew you would end up on a desert island, alone? Robinson Crusoe had the good deal. Not all of us are going to build a pretty house in the forest. So let's forget the essentials.

Let's stick to books.

Say you have to leave the rest of your life (however long that might be) with only 10 books at your side. (No e-readers - so none of that thousand books in one device kind of thing).

What books will you pick? Why? 10 precious books...if you are anything like me, the choice seems impossible. And of course we can't REALLY be sure until we are in that situation, but let's have a play at it. This might reveal what books are important to you. They would probably be the ones that shaped you, that made you smile or cry, that changed your world in some way, however little.

So go have fun....

Friday, 13 January 2012

Journal Writing Prompt 34 - Your Favourite Quotes

It's an easy one today. Write in your journal (and feel free to share them here in the comments if you wish) your favourite quotes.

I find that quotes often inspire me and motivate me. And when I come across a right quote at just the right time, it gives me a swift kick to start with the action. So quotes - even if they are clichéd - can be a great source to tap into.

What are your favourite quotes?

A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a witty person, but a pebble in the hands of a fool. ~Author Unknown

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Your Last Wish About Your Journals

Before he died, Franz Kafka wrote to his literary executor and friend Max Brod: "Dearest Max, my last request: Everything I leave behind me...in the way of diaries, manuscripts, letters (my own and others'), sketches, and so on, [is] to be burned unread."

Max Brod did not follow through with that request. He published Kakfa's diaries and letters. From the point of views of millions of readers who've gained an incredible insight into the mind of one of most capable (and weird) writers, it's been an amazing gift.

But what about from journal keepers point of view?
If we entrust our journals to someone, declare that our last wish was that they are destroyed, unread, how would we feel about this betrayal? This was done for the best of reasons. Max Brod felt that Kafka's diaries should be read. He was right.

But what about Kakfa's own wishes?

Okay, I know, he is dead. He doesn't know. So what's the right thing here? To go against one man's wishes who is dead, or to deprive millions of people and many generations of these diaries?

I don't have an answer. I'm aware of the dilemma on both sides. I agree with both, and I don't know what I would have done, had I been in Max Brod's shoes.

What about you? How do you feel about this? Do you have strong feelings about either side? How would you deal with disposal of your own diaries?

Friday, 6 January 2012

Journal Writing Prompt 33 - Trust

How much we trust others is a result not only of our upbringing but of our experiences. If we experience betrayals in life then inevitably it makes us jaded. Sometimes, it even makes us mistrust everyone. Even for those who are independent, happy in their own company, can you actually live without trust?

Today, in your journal, explore your relationship with trust. How much do you trust others? Do you trust everyone? How does that work out for you?

Do you trust no-one? Does that result in fullfilling relationships?

Do you trust a select few? What makes them these select few?

Trust is such an important concept that colours our entire life, all our relationships - both personal and professional. So take time to explore this. It may lead you to few discoveries about yourself.

Wednesday, 4 January 2012

Journal Writing Prompt 32 - Plans

Adventure is just bad planning - Roald Amundsen

I totally agree with the above quote. Now, some of you may like adventures, and that's okay. But for those of us who want to have at least a sense of control over our life, and goals, planning is essential. Resolutions are a new year tradition. But resolutions are weak. We make them, and forget about them. So instead, I have goals and plans.

What about you?

That's what today's journaling is about. Do you have goals and plans? Do you write them in your journal?

Journaling can be an excellent way to not only record your goals, but to understand your process, what works for you and what doesn't. It could be a reflective tool, and enlightening tool. So if you haven't tried it, give it a go.