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