Tag Archive for: journal

Study Time

On Friday evening, we started our online winter devotionals.
Our first guest this year, was Brad Wilcox, counsellor in the Young Men General Presidency.
His theme: “𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒚 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆”
One of his opening remarks was “Why do you keep a journal?”
Quickly he retorted “Its cheaper than a counsellor!”
I laughed.
Since the age of 12, I’ve been an ardent advocate of writing journals daily and have used that remark several times myself!
It is a truism!
“Use your journal as a tool to help make your life” Brad said.
Oftentimes journals can read like “the diary of a fish” going round and round again, as you repetitively record daily events, meals, travel, incidents etc.
He encouraged us all to go deeper, to record personal stories, share your testimony, insert uplifting quotes, pictures and take your journal everywhere as if it was your personal scripture.

Inspiring

Journals are a source of inspiration.
Quoting from memory Mosiah 3:19 in the Book of Mormon (the most oft referenced verse in General Conference), in an interactive way he encouraged us to “write about the lines, write between the lines and write beyond the lines.”
He passionately inspired us to write about this verse in our own words, our personal understanding, that will “wake you up during study time.”
“Writing is thinking made visible” he said.
Randomly, many on the call were invited to share parts of the verse in their own words.
The result?
We understood what the verse really meant, in a much more powerful and personal way.
His words: “For the prideful and unrepentant man makes himself an enemy to God, but God is not his enemy, God is his best friend.”
We slowed down and learned together.
A feeling of love permeated our virtual room, sinking deeply into our souls.
The whole evening was like manna from heaven.
This was real joy and real love in action, manifesting itself before our privileged eyes.
Please, consider your journals, your study time and Mosiah 3:19.
In your own words, what does that verse mean to you?

Biographies

At our Mission Conference in Brussels on Friday, I shared some of my favourite church leader biographies and a scripture too.
Biographies – “the story of a real person’s life.”
Our theme was “Looking for Christ”.
The Lord says in D&C 88:83, that “He that seeketh me 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚, shall find me and not be forsaken.”
What does it mean to seek Him, 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚?
It could mean to seek Him early in life.
Or another possibility could be to seek Him, every day, early in the morning.
Even another possibility could be to look for Jesus Christ before it is too late.
However we understand this verse, the message is the same… now is the time to look for Jesus Christ.
Not tomorrow, but today.
I love reading biographies, as they can give you a close-up view of a person’s life.
When you read a biography, you are not just reading any book; they’re like time capsules, understanding decades of thinking, life’s lessons, including struggles and successes.
My experience of reading so many, is that each one shares a personal story, as they look for and discover Jesus Christ, early, then choose to follow Him.
In every generation, every individual needs to discover and obtain their own knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ.
Looking for and finding Jesus Christ is a very personal matter.
The scriptures are our primary source of biographical stories.
Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Elijah, David, Solomon, Ruth, Isaiah, Mary & Joseph, Peter, Paul, Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Alma, Helaman, Mormon, Moroni and Jesus Christ.
On Christmas Day 1977, I received a now treasured gift, my first journal.
It was early in my life. I was 12.
Early in the morning on January 1st, 1978, I began my journal, my own biography and haven’t stopped since.
I began writing before it was too late.
This Christmas, why not begin to write, discover Jesus Christ – the Light of the World and your eternal identity.
How can you find Him, “𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚” today?

In a dark place?

Sometimes, we can find ourselves in some dark places in our life.
It can be debilitating.
It’s been my experience, that everyone has low mood days.
And I mean everyone.
When they come (and they will), what can you do about it?
There has been lots written in recent years about positive thinking, mindset, mindfulness, sleeping patterns etc.
Personally, for years, I have maintained a daily habit of journaling.
Unquestionably, it has helped to maintain my mental well-being.
However, one of the most frequently recommended practices by psychologists, counsellors and coaches to help those with dark moods, anxiety or stress, is to keep a 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥.
What is a gratitude journal anyway?
Simply, a gratitude journal helps you appreciate life more.
Its easy to begin.
Find a small notebook, some quiet “me” time to reflect, maybe 15 minutes at the end of the day and write down three things that you are grateful for.
Let the gratitude flow…
Here are some ideas to get you started…
• Someone you’re happy to have in your life.
• Your favourite part of the day
• Someone who gave you good advice.
• Good news or something that made you smile.
• Something beautiful you saw today.
• Someone who inspired you.
• Something you love about your work.
The outcomes?
It’ll reduce stress, lower anxiety, release tension, provides clarity, it’ll make you happier and will help you gain a better understanding of yourself.
The more practice you get, the easier it becomes, and you’ll more easily feel the sensations that come into your thoughts as you focus on gratitude.
Go on, give it a go, and start today.

What will I write about today?

Picking up my new journal for 2022 this morning, “What will I write about today?” I thought….
How will be different because of what we have heard, seen and felt in 2021?
I have written about the importance of daily journaling, on many, many occasions.
Since Christmas Day 1977, journaling has been a huge part of my life. It has been a constant daily habit for 16,000 days +
There are 101 reasons to write a journal – here are my top 10 favourites:

Why Write a Journal?

• It improves memory function and helps you remember things.
• It helps you to set and achieve your goals.
• It strengthens self-discipline
• It helps boost your creativity
• It allows you to self-reflect and enhances your self-awareness
• It helps to improve your writing and discover your own voice
• It keeps your thoughts organised
• It helps me to remember who I really am – a child of God.
• It helps you to become aware of what really matters most
• It is always fun to relive the many entries recorded.
Finally, I loved President Russell M. Nelson’s encouragement yesterday to write down some resolutions for the year ahead. He shared three resolution’s, “Firstly strengthen your spiritual foundation….. Second, resolve to be kind to others….. Third, resolve to be resolute. The Lord loves effort. The Lord loves consistency. The Lord loves steadfastness. While we surely will come up short from time to time, our persistent efforts to hear Him and follow the inspiration He gives us will help us to “wax strong in the Spirit” (Mosiah 18:26).”
Why not record those resolutions in your own new journal today?
Why not resolve to start today?
I promise you, that you will never regret it.
My top tips, always write first thing in the morning, be radically honest with yourself and always write with a good pen!!
Are you keeping a journal?
What benefits do you get from journaling?