Big Ideas. Your Feedback Requested.

It's strange, writing this post. I started this blog to share my love of journaling, to post whatever I wanted about my journals. This was a hobby, a respite from my more "serious" writer blog. I never thought so many people would read it, let alone become regular readers. But you guys embraced this blog, participated with your insights and comments, and made me realise that I am not the only journal keeper out there. 

It is such a private endeavour, keeping journals. Sharing parts of it with you has been rewarding and interesting. But it's one thing to share views on journaling, and quite another to open up dreams and wishes. But you all have been with me on this blog journey, and you are the people I want to speak to about what I am considering. 

I have often thought of writing a book about journaling. I even have outlines, rough drafts. But that, like this blog, was another one of my "fun" projects. A hobby. This blog has gotten far more comments and page views than my writer blog, which has more posts and more followers. Not just comments, but I actually have conversations with people. Some of you, I have gotten to know so well that I would consider you my friends. But what I kept getting back, especially through people who emailed me privately, is that many of these entries helped people. It surprised me, because after all, this was just my hobby. Something I was sharing, because I loved it. But as I got more and more comments and questions, I began to wonder what else I can do to not just help people on their journey to self-awareness and self-development, but to encourage them to journal. How can I show other people that journaling is far more rewarding than you could ever know until you try it? How could I explain to those who haven't been able to keep a journal for more than a week what rewards await them? 

This has been going on for over a year in my head. Because this was after all a hobby. 

I started this blog for me. For anything and everything regarding journaling that I wanted to speak about. That's why there has never been a fixed schedule. There has never been a fixed format. Because this was all about me. 

Now, I want to make it about you. The readers. The people who love journaling and find it helpful. The people who know what a journal is, but haven't gotten very far. The people who think journal is a diary with secret locks that little girls keep. I don't know what exactly I am going to do, because I am still brainstorming possibilities. But what I do know is that I am going to re-launch this blog, one that reflects the change that this blog now caters to my readers. I want to get on and finish that journaling book. Instead of a hobby, I want to make journaling what it actually is - my passion, and my invitation to others, to come and join. 

I hope you will join me there. 

If you have suggestions for a new brand name that reflects this new purpose, I would love to have your input. 

The Master In the Art of Living

Jonathan Mead, of Illuminated Mind shared this in his Trailblazer Group. I am sharing this with you, because if even a half of world's population can live like this, our world would be far better for it.

The master in the art of living
draws no sharp distinction between
his labor and his leisure,
his mind and his body,
his work and his play,
his education and his recreation.

He hardly knows which.

He simply pursues his vision of excellence
through whatever he is doing
and leaves others to determine
whether he is working or playing.

To himself, he is always doing both.

- James A. Michener

Which of these three options is MOST important to you?

My fellow journal keepers and blog readers, 

Which of the following three things are MOST important to you? They are all related, but if you were to focus on just one thing, right now, which would it be?

1. Self Discovery
2. Personal Development
3. Your Life's Purpose (Passion)

Feedback most appreciated. 

Journal Writing Prompt 38 - Life On Your Terms

Today, a very simple but very profound question. Are you living your life on your terms? I am not at this moment, but I am conscious of it, and trying to move towards living my life on my terms.

What does that even mean?

It may mean different thing to different people. To me, first and foremost it means being in-charge of my own time. To work for things I believe in. To do things that nourish my soul. I don't think that's a lot to ask. 

Some people might consider it selfish. You especially hear that from "traditionalists" who focus on what one "should" do rather than what one "wants" to do. But think about it - if you do things you love, you are more likely to do it well. You are more likely to contribute something significant to the world. That's a WIN - WIN. 

So what do you think? Are you living your life on your terms? If not, what are you going to do about it?

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.

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?

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?