Friday, October 16, 2015

This Week's Journal Jottings

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Journaling has been an integral part of my inner life journey ever since I was a young woman when I jotted my first yearnings for God ... and boys ... and please let me be beautiful when I grow up. I can't imagine life without a notebook nearby to catch my big life moments, and my very ordinary ones, in a few words or in many.

The book where I make lists, write or quote poetry, jot down sayings that inspire, pour out my joys, mutterings, happy thoughts, sad or resentful ones, not to mention doodling with a pencil, decorating pages with pretty stickers, scribbling quick reminders of errands and grocery lists, meal ideas, who needs a birthday card or encouraging note -- as well as capturing the gazillion ideas for writing, decorating, planning my life, presents, parties, Christmas ... you get the idea.

I tried separating all this into separate volumes, but that drove me nuts -- I never knew where to look for what I wanted. So it's all poured into one book -- it's part journal, part diary, part shoulder to cry on, part dream holder, part daily planner -- a general common book of my life.
 
Today I'm linking with Five on Friday and I'm sharing five thoughts I jotted in my journal this week.


One: On being grateful and its downside

This past week, we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving -- an event most of us agree is a good time to consider all we're grateful for no matter what's going on in our lives. Sometimes I make long lists of people, things, events for which I'm thankful. Sometimes I remind myself of other people who came out of dire situations with stories of finding gratitude. Stories from people like Viktor Frankl or Corrie ten Boom, who in the midst of the worst events, found that there was still the tiniest space where one could choose a better thought, a gratefulness for some small blessing.
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ~ Victor Frankl
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." ~ Corrie ten Boom
This year I played with the absurd idea of there being a downside to always being grateful. Here's what I jotted down. Perhaps you'll have a thought or two to add.

When I choose to be grateful no matter what, there is NO:
  • NO Room for pity parties or feeling sorry for myself;
  • NO Room for resentment of what I don't have;
  • NO Room for feeling I'm doing 'the work of the whole world';
  • NO Need to feel left out because I have good things in my life too when I catch sight of them;
  • NO Time whenever I choose thankfulness, there isn't at least one thing for which to be grateful.



Two.  I liked to play games as a child

I loved games like Tag, Hide-and-Seek, Find the Button, I Spy. My younger sisters and I were also good at making up games while doing our chores, like singing songs by choosing titles using all the letters of the alphabet -- all the while weeding rows of maturing carrots and peas and lettuce in the summer garden. These little games would make it fun and would pass the time more quickly.  

Not always, but sometimes I still remember to play little games with myself so that chores turn into a challenge to Beat the Clock by getting something done in 5 or 10 minutes, or playing Declutter I Spy and searching for 20 things that can be trashed, recycled, or given away.

Note to Self:  Be less serious and find the fun more often.




Three. Request for inspiration ideas for writer's magazine

It helps to have a reason to write sometimes. In this case, I was approached to answer a few questions about where I get inspiration as a writer. It took me a little while to sort that out, as I get inspiration from lots of sources. But in the end, I realized:

My main source of inspiration for my writing (and living) comes from the beauty of the world around me, whether it's God's creation in the natural world or the creative handiwork of people. I get inspired when I see Beauty in wildlife, art and craft, music, architecture, photography, land design, gardens, to name a few.

Another key source comes from what I read – the imaginative, soul stirring writing in books, magazines, and blogs. I get more creative in my own work when I soak in the artistic work of others. Certain turns of phrases, unusual words, fresh ideas set out in ways I didn’t consider before, quotable quotes, trail-blazing visionaries, and stories that capture my heart – these set my imagination on fire.




Four. Canada's federal election next week

My earnest prayer is for a Leader -- our next Prime Minister -- who has a servant heart, who out of love for the people of Canada, will endeavour to do his/her best for this nation, not for personal gain or agendas.

Note to All Eligible Canadian Voters: Please cast your vote this Monday, October 19. And if you're still not sure who to vote for, taking the Vote Compass 2015 survey might help you know which candidates line up with your values on important, key issues.



Five. Please give me new glimpses of heaven in unexpected places 

I was going to select just one of these little graphics from Emily Freeman to set in here, but when I looked at them altogether, I thought, they all three speak to me today.  So here they are for you too...









And that, dear beautiful friends, is a wrap. It's Friday and I said to my hubby earlier this morning, "I'm so glad it's Friday". He laughed as he asked, "What makes today different from the rest of the week (now that we're both no longer working at a job out there)?"

I laughed back, "I guess not much, every day seems like Friday or Saturday these days, but, it still feels nice to say." A warm, fuzzy feeling emerges that brings smiles and contentment.

Wishing you a beautiful Friday, and
Wishing you a few glimpses of heaven in unexpected places!
Hugs,
Brenda

♥ ♥ ♥

Linking to Five on Friday




36 comments:

  1. I have several notebooks too in which I make lists, plan my day, or event, little reminders and such. It was interesting to read that you keep everything together in one journal now that might be worth pondering to see how that would work for me. Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. It was good to have you come and visit. Appreciate you leaving your 'footprint' in my comment box.

      The downside of keeping everything in one journal is that things do get buried quickly, especially if you use a lot of words in your writing. But I do go through my journals and will pull out things as I see or need them, and book mark things too if I think I'll want to refer to something down the road.

      It's a serendipitous mish-mash.

      It would be interesting to know if it works for you, if you decide to do just one notebook.

      Brenda


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  2. It was a joy reading your post today. I think my favorite thing you shared was your quote " Please give me new glimpses of heaven in unexpected places". I will try and put that to use. Enjoy your weekend :)

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    1. That phrase came to me a few years ago and I just knew that was 'my' line when it comes to what my blog is about. I'm glad you like it too. Have fun with it.

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  3. Your notebook sounds rather like mine, to do lists, meal plans, notes to myself, a real mixture of things! You have obviously recorded some beautiful thoughts in yours to give you great inspiration! Thank you for sharing with us. Thank you too for joining Five On Friday. I hope that you have a great weekend! xx

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    1. Mosaic Mish-Mash ... we must have minds that work similarly?

      xox

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  4. What a delight to find your inspirational blog via Amy's link up party! I love that you mention your girlhood games and that makes me think I need to be more lighthearted going about daily chores! But how wonderful to think there are no downsides to being grateful!
    Gladly following!
    Christine www.preferablyprim.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm a budding memoirist ... and ever since I took a memoir class a couple of years ago, those old memories do tumble out in the most unexpected places and times. So glad you enjoyed the 'link' to your own girlhood games. That's what memoir really is about ... finding the links that we all relate to.

      Wishing you a beautiful day, Christine!
      Brenda

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  5. Love this post - it's like (another) friendly visit. I'm smiling about your youthful yearnings "for God ... and boys ... and to be beautiful when I grew up." I wrote about the exact things... except that I didn't want to wait to grow up to be beautiful! :)

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    1. Nancy, I think you and I might be cut from a similar cloth. I loved reading your own growing up stories on your blog, especially about that young fellow you'd pine after on the bus. And about being beautiful, well that was a yearning from early on, but I guess it really budded out when I became a teen.

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  6. I was thumbing through some old journals just today. I'm not sure I could breathe if I couldn't write.

    Lovely post.

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    1. Indeed, the breathings of our heart would stop for sure. I'm so grateful for pen and paper, emails and blogging.

      Sending lovely wishes your way, Dayle!
      Brenda

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  7. I very much enjoyed this post. It was interesting to read how you had analyzed what "floats your boat." Enjoy your weekend. Praying for your election to go well. I know whom I am praying will win.

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    1. Analyzing what 'floats my boat' is really an undertaking sometimes. To get to the root of things. But I find it's usually worth it as it clarifies a whole lot.

      Thanks for your prayers for today, Vee! Much appreciated.

      Sending hugs for you and wishes for wellnes for both you and John.
      Brenda
      xox

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  8. I started keeping a journal when I was a young teenager. I wrote regularly back then, but I think it's been a decade since I last wrote an entry. Your post has inspired me to resume my journaling again!

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    1. Oh I hope you've been inspired to begin again. But only if your heart is in it.

      Let me know how it goes....
      Brenda

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  9. I've enjoyed reading about your process of journaling. I did for years. And I do enjoy rereading them and hope that my children will someday. I know that I would love to have journals of my mother or grandmother to read today. I feel that my life and thoughts would become unorganized without my notebooks, and now it is mostly steno pads that I fill up, lighter weight for my arthritic hands.

    I particularly love your Corrie Ten Boom quote. Why is it so difficult to remember that? I yank myself up sharply about that subject quite often. Time spent on that that could be spent on reminding myself of all I have to be grateful for.

    Thank you for the beautiful thoughts in this post,
    Dewena

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    1. Dewena,

      I use steno pads for writing prompts, they are fun to use. Glad they help your hands.

      Now that would have been a treat to have some inside scoop into my grandmother's inner life journey. She passed away just as I became an adult and had visions of sitting with her and learning of her ways the summer I came home from college. But she left us before summer, and I always regretted not having that opportunity.

      I do hope your own journals will be that treasure for your own family down the road.

      Wishing you a beautiful day...
      Brenda

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  10. Ohhhh, hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful, Brenda. I'm a journal jotter, too. So glad you keep detailed records of the minute details of life. I tend to do the same. Hope your weekend is great. Susan

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    1. I do have a diarist heart, as in I want to keep records of some of the details of life ... every day. Often, it's just the weather or what I made for lunch.

      And then the journalist takes up where the diarist leaves off, to mull the reasons why things matter to me and how I can live more beautifully and with joy.

      Glad we share this, Susan!
      Brenda

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  11. Beautiful post! So much food for thought. Love Corrie ten Boom! I enjoy journal writing as well.

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  12. I just love number 5. I have kept a journal most of my life as well. It has helped me through some rough times

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  13. What a beautiful post. I have journaled off and on...time for on again!
    Yes the election is heavy on our minds...

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  14. I am the same with my journal. I've had one since seventh grade. Delightful and full of Jesus.
    A great post - thank you!

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    1. Glad we share the journaling journey ... with Jesus too!

      B

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  15. On my bedroom bookshelf is a long row of journals kept over the years. Oddly, I've not written as often in the past couple of years. I miss it. Your idea of keeping everything in one place - lists, ideas, meals, thoughts - is a good one and one I'm going to try.
    I hope you've caught some beautiful glimpses of heaven today.

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  16. Love your idea of pouring all your thoughts, dreams, lists, into your journal. I may have to do that, just to keep my sanity and my memory - I have too many scraps of paper floating around that I can't find when I need! And I enjoyed your thoughts today too!
    Pam

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    1. Pam,

      Those floating bits of paper ... oh my, I have lots of those too. Sometimes I tape them into my journal, other times I copy things from the bits to my journal.

      I used to try and be 'neat' about it all, but truth be told, there is a part of me that revels in a bit of a mess. I like to be organized, I like things pretty and neat, and then my wild side says, to heck with all that ... be free and if you have to tape a page into your journal, well, that's what makes it yours. haha

      Thanks for stopping by, you beautiful lady!
      Brenda
      xox

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  17. I have a small notebook where I jot down ideas and plans. I have been writing journals for years, but now I want to dispose of them all. If I read them again, there are too many sad memories that I just don't want to hang onto anymore.

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    1. No, not good to hold onto journals filled with sadness. No need to go there again. A friend disposed of her journals at one point when she was starting a new life. It was freeing for her.

      Sending happy wishes...
      Brenda


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  18. I've just popped over from Five on Friday. I didn't know that Canada has a Thanksgiving holiday, and that's one of the lovely things about Blogland, I think, learning about other places and cultures, so thank you for that. And I find it helpful to be thankful sometimes because, as you so rightly say, there is always something to be grateful for, no matter how bleak things may look. Hope you have had a good weekend. x

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    1. So glad you stopped in and said hello. I agree, blogging is so much fun and a real learning experience too. I'm so grateful for it.

      Wishing you a wonderful day, Mrs. T!
      Brenda

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  19. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I just want to say that I LOVE your blog. You have a beautiful "voice" that comes through as if you are talking to an old friend. Thank you for sharing. I hope you had a wonderful holiday :)

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    1. You made my day, Deb! Thank you ... thank you. Your comments to the deep inside. And I will keep them handy for those times when I feel like I'm just fooling myself when it comes to writing.

      Wishing you a beautiful day...
      Brenda

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  20. oh i LOVE your perspective! you really have a beautiful way of painting with words!

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    1. Jandi, you also made my day with those kind words I'll treasure. Thank you!

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To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo