Journaling is a spiritual practice found in many religious settings. In short, journaling is much like taking notes on your life. Journaling allows the writer to look at their life thoughtfully. Journaling provides opportunities for spiritual introspection, emotional reflection, and personal interaction with your thoughts. I will give you a few journaling examples before discussing the process.
The possibilities for journaling are as limitless as your imagination. Some people like to write in a leather-bound journal. The tactile experience of putting pen to paper seems to help them feel even more connected to the experience. Others want the Doogie Howser M.D. experience typing their reflections through a computer keyboard. A third group enjoys video or audio reflections. The purpose of journaling is to allow yourself to reflect on your life in various settings. The spiritual aspect of journaling occurs when you place God in the middle of your journal. Some people like to ask spiritual or theological questions. After a few moments of silence, they write down how they feel or believe God responded to the question. An important aspect of journaling is keeping track of your growth or development in your life. Looking back at your journal means you will have to go back and review your journal notes and reflect upon what you wrote. Reflecting on your reflections can create its journal focus as you trace your growth over the years. You must pay close attention to your use of language, reoccurring feelings, frequently used words or phrases, and any comments that seem to catch your eye. I encourage journaling in the grief groups I lead. We don’t always pay close attention to our thoughts or feelings when we speak. We tend to have more insight into ourselves as we read and ponder our written words. I encourage each person to ask two questions at the end of each journal session. What was I thinking? What was I feeling? The above two questions are not rhetorical; they are meant to bring you to a deeper level as you deal with grief. Journaling, in general, can be designed to assist in understanding your feelings, thoughts, and relationships. Journaling can also be the sacred space you create to encounter God. On its own, journaling is only a record of certain life events. After reflecting on your journal entries, it can be a life-changing document.