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The Power of Journaling-an unconditional listener

Your journal is also a wonderful place to put all the interesting things you come across, such as what you're reading, watching, or listening to. My journals contain my reflections, as well as the things that strike me, from podcasts to song lyrics, good books to sermon notes. A wonderful way to save the events and ideas that stir us is to be a notetaker. Bob Goff, author and public speaker (and one of the voices I trust in this world) always encourages his listeners to write down all that inspires them.  By writing them down you make your reflections and the things that move you lasting. And the beauty of it is you can return and build upon them later on. You can have many different journals with different purposes. The important thing is to show up authentically. 

Journaling is a powerful self-care tool that can help you heal, forgive, love deeper, self reflect and strengthen your faith. One of my favorite explanations about journaling comes from an article I found in Somerset Studio magazine:

       "A Present to be present: Sacred spaces & journals by Luz Liporace Murga De Carrere." A journal is "Holding space to whatever comes through, to whatever needs to be said, is the ultimate quality of an unconditional listener. A journal then, is a reflection and an extension of our inner availability and receptiveness. It is that sacred space outside but also inside of us, to trust and be free.

        When we know that  we can trust our inner unconditional listener, reflected outside in our journal, we are able to open up in a different way. This openness turns into creative presence: that space within us where we can connect with all possibilities. That's what I love about journals: they are sacred spaces ready to be filled with whatever comes through. 

I've always believed that we put sacred things in sacred places. By things I mean our feelings, ideas, thoughts, experiences, moods, dreams, beliefs, projects. And by places, I mean an open and trustworthy heart, a special drawer in our home, a cherished spot in nature. Any space of intimate and deep connection with ourselves and others becomes sacred.

        A journal has that quality. It is that sacred place where we show up to open ourselves and express whatever is happening within us.  It is as if somebody was there waiting, completely available, ready to listen in the most intent and unconditional way. Whether we want to express ourselves through poetry, prose, paint, visuals, ephemera, textures, photographs, digital art, you name it, a journal is like an empty vessel eager to be filled with what we bring. Journals are true companions who will embrace our expression unconditionally, with no previous stories or beliefs attached, no judgments, no hurry. Just presence.  That is the main quality of journals: they hold space to whatever emerges in that moment: enthusiasm, sadness, anxiety, happiness, frustration, joy, fear, or even nothing...just emptiness."

      This beautiful depiction of journaling stopped me in my tracks because I've experienced this to be true. Journaling is how I made it through high school and every difficult season of my life. There is a true release that happens when you journal and write it down and just get it out!! It's a way to literally put things down. As a high school teacher every year I purchased small notebooks to give out to my students who I see are struggling with things. I pull them aside and let them know I see them, their pain and distraction, and then offer them the outlet of journaling. I share how it helped me navigate through high school and my darkest times, and how I believe it will help them, too. They always gladly take it, and begin unloading.

     Journaling in general is also how my relationship with God became more personal. Growing up, my inner dialogue was always with God, but then I began to write in my journal. I look at journaling as a "Dear God" kind of letter. He was, is, and always will be my unconditional confidante, always there to listen, always waiting for an invitation to be a part of my life. It's how as a youth my relationship with God deepened. 

      I love how Luz breaks down the different ways you can journal or express yourself, such as through "poetry, prose, paint, visuals, ephemera, textures, photographs, and digital art" so many outlets to choose from. During my college years I received a journal as a gift where I could daily list all the things I'm grateful for. I may not have written in it every day, but on particularly difficult or grateful ones I felt the need to. And it helped. Journaling is a wonderful tool to help us though all our ups and downs and everything in between. If you're struggling with anything and have never used journaling as an outlet I encourage you to give it a try. You have nothing to lose. 

      Sometimes people don't want to journal because of the fear that someone may find their journal and reflections; if that's the case, do what I do. I write, get it all out, and then I tear it up. The release happens when you get it down on paper (and tearing it up actually feels good as well)!  

   Journaling is easy to begin when you're struggling with feelings, but also a great place to document your life and faith. Think of a journal as a place to bring your:

prayers

gratitude

​hopes

dreams

reflections

fears

wants

needs​

affirmations

Is there anything, feelings or thoughts you need to put down?

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Remember you don't always need an actual book every time you journal, any piece of paper will do. Whenever I was going through a difficult season of my life I would grab random pieces of paper and journal. Some of them ended up in the trash can, but some I brought home and tucked away so I could come back to it if needed. That's the beauty and power of journaling: it provides you with what you need in the moment.