{Day 13}: journaling 101

I was eighteen when I started my first journal. Oh, I had written down other things before that, like starting two or three diaries and never finishing them.

Remember those, with the lock and key on them? Nope. Never could stick with those. 

Instead, I began journaling in earnest in my eighteenth year after going through a deep heartbreak.

I bought a 5 x 7 three ring binder. I found some blue quilted fabric with flowers on it in my mom's sewing stash, and some white eyelet trim. I covered that three ring binder by laying it out on the fabric and cutting carefully around it to make it fit just right. I sewed the eyelet lace and fabric around the binder by hand. 

My first journal. 

I made it mainly for writing my prayers and thoughts down. I wasn't told I "should" do this (then, I likely wouldn't have done it!), or that it would deepen my relationship with God or improve my mental health if I kept a journal. This was something that a little voice inside of me said would be a good idea. I've never looked back. 

Writing down prayers and thoughts has been a life-line for my soul. It's truly been a soul spa that I've turned to on a mostly daily basis to clear the soul clutter, pray or just sort out my feelings.

Often, just sitting down with pen and journal and writing out my emotions on a particular issue, the answer will somehow make itself known to me as I'm writing.  

It's like writing down my thoughts and feelings is the key that unlocks answers to my questions.  Often it is a great catalyst to problem solving.

Writing down my prayers helps me stay focused. It also provides a record of prayers, questions, and problems I needed answers to. I've been able to go back days, months, even years later and see how those things have been answered. And, thankfully, I've been able to see how I've grown and changed over the years as I've learned a few things. :)

Maybe you're saying to yourself, "I just can't journal. I've tried. It's not for me." Maybe, you're right. Maybe this isn't for you. 

What about writing down three things a day that you're grateful for? Even that is a spa for your soul as you take a few moments to focus on the good.

Thanks for joining me today, friends!

~Anne

Today is Day 13 of 31 Days of Soul Spas. I'm so glad you've joined me, or even if you're just popping in to see what this is all about, Welcome! You can head over to my first post in this series to get a list of all Soul Spa posts!

Writing for the month of October with a tribe of writers. We all picked our own topic and they can all be found over at write31days.com.

{Day 4}: write your story down

I said to my hubby the other day, "I'm excited to do this soul spa series on my blog, but it's all been said before."  He kindly told me, "but, it hasn't been said from your perspective." #warmedmyheart

And so, I write things that have been said over and over again this world over, but I write from my perspective and experiences.

I write down my story. I write down what I know to be true. For me.

Yesterday I wrote about finding my cat, Priscilla, and her babies while I was all alone one day when I was just a small child. That memory has kept bubbling up for awhile now. Almost as if it was calling out to be written down.  

By writing it down, it helps me to recall the emotions I had that day. It helps me to reminisce and remember the joys of my childhood. It helps me to document my yesterdays.

What if we took time to remember our story (stories) by writing them down?
Writing my stories has helped my soul heal. It's helped me gain perspective and strength from my past and my present. 

I'd like to pass that affirmation on to you. 

No matter what you write or create, it may have been said or done before. No matter! 

You are saying or doing it in a way only you could, from your perspective. From your experiences.  

Write your story down. It doesn't have to be a whole memoir's worth. (Although it could be.) 

If a memory from your past keeps bubbling up into your present mind, maybe there's a reason. Maybe by writing down that memory you'll learn something fresh and new from it. 

Whether it's a positive or a negative memory, write it down. Your soul will thank you.

Have you experienced writing your story (stories) down? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by today, friend!

~Anne


Today is Day 4 in a 31 day series called 31 Days of Soul Spas.  Hop on over to Day 1 to see a list of all Soul Spa posts!

When you need a soul remodel

Lord,

Take out your soft-bristled scrub brushes and do an inner soul-cleaning today.

It's time to rearrange the furniture a bit.

Maybe move some of it from one room to another, or even out to the curb.

Until it's garage sale weather,

remove all the outdated soul-hold items that are no longer useful and are not a beautiful addition to my being.

--remove bitterness and move in forgiveness

--put impatience out and place kindness front and center

--put love by the window so those wandering souls who pass by can feel its            warmth and see the glow of it

--take the ugly sketches drawn by my frustration and disappointment and hang        up your colorful splashes of peace on the canvas of my mind

*********************

There are smudges of indifference on the walls of my heart.
Buff those out and put up a mural of your compassion and service.

Sweep up the crumbs of self-doubt
and roll out the crimson carpet of faith, peace and self-acceptance.

Sometimes the windows of my soul are fogged over with a haze of judgement.
Polish those with the cloth of your grace and acceptance.

I want the sofa facing the door, Lord,
so others will feel welcomed to come in and rest awhile.

Remove the splinters of hurt caused by the roughness of where I've walked,
and sand those surfaces smooth with Your healing touch so the hurts don't linger.

*********************

I trust you, Lord, with the clearing of soul clutter:

--inner chatter about imperfections
--worries about the future
--regrets of the past

In fact, Lord, don't just tidy up.

I want you to do a whole-house soul remodel.

Amen.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

one way to clear soul clutter {day 4}

My sentimentality has created a soul burden.


As I opened the closet door, empty garbage bags in hand ready to fill and take to Goodwill, I wondered (as I've been wondering for months) where to start. It seemed daunting. A goal unreachable. Do I finally get rid of my kids' baby shoes? (my youngest is 19). What about my college notebooks from Swedish class? (I'm 49). Ooo....I might still want to cover that pillow like the ones I saw at Pottery Barn.

And then there are the two boxes still chock full with memorabilia from my Great Aunt Esther. Even though she's long been passed, somehow I got handed her doll dresser from the early 1900's and her high school graduation picture from 1918, among many other things. If I get rid of Aunt Esther's things, all traces of her will vanish from the earth with them. How could I do that? See what my heart goes through when I start to try to clean out? It's utterly exhausting.

I've been realizing what a time and energy consumer my "precious things" have had in my mind and emotions. I am beginning to see all of this stuff differently now. Not sure why. I'm a sentimental collector and at one time had a passion for each item that's crossing my hands as it passes into one of the bags on my floor. What I once saw as "gotta have this", I now see as extra baggage weighing me down. I'm still sorting out the reasons for this.

Aunt Esther and Me

I'm still as sentimental as they come. But this stuff doesn't have the pull on me that it once did. I'm different than I was just 5 years ago. I do know that with each bag of stuff off-loaded to greener pastures, my vision is clearing. My heart feels that much more ready to take in new terrain. New creativity. New vision. More space to breathe. And think. And dream.

I like it. 

I'm going to keep filling bags. I know I'm not where I need to be with this, but I like this new way of seeing "things". It's better. I'm better. I'm grateful for progress.


please see day 1 to see a list of the 31 posts.