23 July 2008
Why Keep a Journal?
Posted by admin under: Clarksville Real Estate; Soft Sell .
Why Keep a Journal?
Do you ever remember getting a letter or a note that made you feel so good you kept it?
As I wrote this on a beautiful sunny but cool afternoon in an outdoor Austin café, I asked my cute young waitress the same question.
“Two” she blurted out “and I keep both in my pocket”
“Really? Did your letter come from a family member or a boyfriend?”
“No, both notes came from strangers.”
“Really? Just two?”
“Yeah, customers, over the last year who wrote me sweet little notes about how I’d brightened their day.”
Imagine if two little notes written by the strangers are saved and treasured, how many letters you may have written yourself that have made others in your life feel special? Sounds nice to be affirmed by others for spreading joy, huh? We can also reward ourselves with situations and people who bring blessings to our life and acknowledge the good we bring to ourselves and others.
When I made up my mind to be writing this book you hold in your hands, I’d already written an average of one page, plus, three times a week from 15 or 16 years of age to age 55, so writing should be not problem, right? Well, I figured surely in those 6,000 plus pages there were enough interesting stories and life lessons to fill a book.
Instead of going back through 6,000 pages of my journals, I decided to write only the highlights to create chapter titles. I decided about fifty would do it. I began to think of the chapters in my life that would be the most interesting and meaningful as far as life experiences. I also felt the desire to pass onto my four children the crux of life lessons to which I’d been exposed and more importantly, how I reacted and my life results. My children would no doubt learn more from my biggest mistakes which led to unintended consequences than successes.
How about a life memoir centering on my mistakes as well as my successes? I decided both deserve equal time. Hey, far from perfect, I have hurt a few people and made some huge errors in judgment. Yet, one thing you’ll get, kids, is the truth, especially as you grow into woman and manhood and are ready for the truth – the good, the bad and the ugly. Why not? If not now, when, right?
Long story short, I decided to write a whole new book rather than try to find material among my forty years of journals. My journal writing has helped me in many ways. If I were upset, instead of crying, I wrote the anger right out of my consciousness. Ever fired off an email you wish you could get back? That’s what I am talking about! Writing slows down the mind and allows one to get the reaction out of the mind, to invite better energy. I am convinced, writing in my journal 15-30 minutes several times a week saved me a few needless lawsuits which might have brought on over damaged egos and sharp tongues or pen.
Ever feel like you just needed to “get away and think things through?” Often what I thought might be an ideal topic, once I sat down to write, was not particularly moving. Then I would think of something or someone who was bothering me at the time. What am I upset or obsessing about? And usually, as I put pen to paper, the words and feelings would start to flow.
Writing P.A.N.notes (see chapter 10) is easier and that habit leads to more notes to clients, family members, and waitresses.
Now, I have a personal journal and a business journal. Have you ever been at work and needed a telephone number that you just know is on a scrap of paper around here somewhere?” About 20 years ago, my friend and very successful commercial Real Estate broker, Diana Zuniga, suggested I use a single steno notepad to write “everything” down. Now, ten years later, instead of looking for a piece of paper, I look for my steno or my business journal. Write it down. Now, I know with PDA’s and cell phones, all of our business contacts go into some database management system. We certainly use those tools as well, yet often in that early sages of fathering information it’s good to have backup in another format because “the dullest lead is better than the SHARPEST mind”.
What I have found interesting to do is to look back over various goals and concerns addressed many times over the last forty years. Many of my concerns at 15 are still issues. I continue to struggle with at 55. Yet progress is being made gradually and through journaling allowed to be analyzed and brought to light.
One last great spot to keep your journal is beside your bed. Upon awakening, write down your dreams without analyzing them, at all. If you write quickly upon awakening, your journal will allow awareness of your subconscious state in a positive and in a spiritual way.
Write about issues that matter, that make you cry and laugh. Your journal is yours and will never become published as a book. I know mine won’t. Yet that habit has led to a book that is now in your hands. A softer approach than just starting to write cold turkey. Practice with a journal and work up to a book, won’t you?
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