Journal Writing

This week I started a journal writing course facilitated by the author Tara Heavey (Flame and other novels). It’s in a convenient location only a few minutes from my home. Ten of us sitting around an oval table, as the evening darkness dims the day’s light. A nice mix of people who came together to learn a little more about themselves, about writing, about humanity. A few students, a few social workers, a farmer, a physician, an artist, an author, and myself. I already knew several of the people in the group.

Life moves quickly. So many of our actions are reactions to whatever is thrown at us every hour of every day. Seldom do we have the time to contemplate whether we are being the person we hope to be, need to be. Though keeping a journal can help us to get some perspective on how we feel about our own life. As we write down our thoughts and feelings, over time a person can discover both truths and falsehoods present in our actions. Sort of like a best friend telling you how wonderful you are, or sometimes telling you, ‘I hope you don’t take offense, but you’re not yourself lately.’

Tara’s journal course is founded in some of the precepts in Kathleen Adams’ book, Journal to the Self. Tara shares some foundation information about an aspect of keeping a journal and makes sure we have a clear and focused mind. Then she gives us an exercise to complete, usually in 10 to 20 minutes. We go around the table and share what we came up with, if we wish.

Over the years I have read many books intended to teach the reader something. They often come with ‘exercises’. Most of the time I tell myself that I’ll come back to them. But I seldom do. So to sit in a group of non-critical people and actually complete the exercises is a benefit.

We started the session this week with a check in. First we wrote for just five minutes about anything that came to mind, after Tara gave us a prompt of: ‘My heart wants to say…’
I summarized my thoughts with an observation that ‘How my feelings evolve each day, depends so much on how I respond to an uncertain world.’
We then were introduced to a ‘Journal Dialogue’, which is a conversation where you write both parts. You can write a journal dialogue with anyone or anything. On the page it looks like a script. We wrote to a dead parent, an unfinished book, to feet, and more. Again we went around and those who felt comfortable enough, shared their dialogues.

Lastly, we took about 15 minutes and were instructed to write down 100 things (words or phrases) as they came into our minds, that were in one of the following categories:
• That are right in your life.
• That are wrong in your life.
• That you like about yourself.
• That you need or want to do.
• Beliefs you have or used to have.
• Ways to relieve stress.
As I wrote, just like in other brainstorming exercises, I ended up in a brief lull a few times. But then a spontaneous thought would jump out of my head, and a volley of new ideas followed. We then summarized that list into around five categories of our choosing. I wrote about things I wanted to do relating to writing, family and friends, personal development, travel, and home improvements. Nothing earth shattering. Still, it was good to get ideas down on paper. Helpful for goal setting when New Year’s resolutions come do. One class down, three more sessions to go, and I can’t wait.