Journaling - A Tool for Healing and Growth

The word "journal" comes from the French. It dates back to the 14th century and means daily. As recently as April 26, 1999, "Newsweek" magazine ran an article entitled "Pen, Paper, & Power. Confessional Writing can be Good for You."

Recently, the JAMA had completed a study in which sick participants wrote about their feelings and events in their lives. "Newsweek" wrote, "Researchers found that asthma patients who wrote about painful experiences, improved their lung function by 19%. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis saw their symptoms decrease by 27%."

Journaling can be a wonderful experience. It can be a place to express feelings not yet ready for verbal communication. The journal provides a private and safe place to reveal yourself. It can serve as a reflective experience to explore and interpret your inner feelings. It can also offer a tool to express your anger and hurts. It is a vehicle to help you to get the feelings out of your body. When we repress negative feelings, we may experience headaches, stomach aches, high blood pressure, to name a few.

Do not worry about grammar, punctuation, or spelling. Let your words flow freely and do not judge them. This is a place to unwind, to focus, and to experience clarity.

If you take the time to write out your thoughts and feelings, you will discover that you usually feel much calmer than when you started. And you may find that the answer you seek is a few lines away.

Sound too simple? There are some guidelines to help you along the way. You can buy a notebook or plain paper. The important thing is to keep it in a safe place but get everyone in your family, home, office, to agree not to read it should they come across it.

Where to begin? A simple exercise can be writing down your name. Look at it and think about what it means to you. Free association can be very helpful too. Here are some other ideas for getting started:

Write down words to a song and what they mean to you.

Make a list of important people in your life and what they mean to you.

Write about what makes you happy.

Write about what makes you angry or sad.

Write about what hurts.

Write letters that you are never going to send, about your anger, sorrow, disappointments with someone.

Also be sure to write about some positive things in your life also. This is not a place to dump on yourself.

If you feel your emotions are getting out of control, you can stop writing for a time. It is important to return, but sometimes a pause is healthy.

If you seek more information, there is a wealth of information on the Internet. Although not a substitute for professional help, should you need it, journaling can offer joy, relief, and insight.

Karlynn Baker grew up in Los Angeles, California, and moved to Arizona in 1972 to receive her MS degree in rehabilitation counseling. She also specializes in addictions. She owns her own counseling business and enjoys life with her husband, David, three daughters, and three adorable grandsons.

---

People Who Get What They Want: What Are They Thinking?

Imagine being able to choose any outcome and automatically feel... Read More

Motivation: The Power of Action, Part 2

The Three D's of Action are Decide, Do and Distinguish.... Read More

Make Fear a Nine Day Wonder - Motivate Yourself with Fun!

Have you heard something referred to as a "nine day... Read More

The Art Of Using Effectively A Motivational Quote

--Choose a motivational quote related to your goal. Don't have... Read More

Letting Events Control Your Life ... Dropping The Negatives And Moving On!

It's interesting to note how we sometimes become so inundated... Read More

Motivation, Your Core Resource

Your motivation is one of the core resources you have... Read More

Life Issues Pt.2 - Against All Odds

Against all odds. I think that should be the motto... Read More

STOP! Reading the Headlines and Live Your Own Life First

Imagine! 40 is old. The California State Supreme Court has... Read More

Training Your Mind to Help You

Our friend, singer and songwriter Chuck Pyle, likes to say,... Read More

Lights, Camera, Take Action

Have you ever had a great business idea?Did you focus... Read More

Were Good at the Things We Like

Read that again. It doesn't say "We like the things... Read More

Motivation: The Power of Action, Part 1

I've heard it said that 85% of success is showing... Read More

12 Powerful Motivational Tools That Guarantee Success

No matter how many years you spend in a classroom... Read More

Seven Habits Of Ineffective People

For maximum effectiveness in life, love or business, it helps... Read More

Stop Procrastination - Just do it!

What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More

Harnessing the Power of the Unknown: Move from Repeating the Past to Re-inventing the Future

The Unknown - it is scary territory for many, something... Read More

Motivation: The Power of Asking

Very shortly, in this paragraph, I'm going to share with... Read More

Greed and Selfishness: Knowing The Difference And Loving Yourself!

I hear many people discuss how selfishness leads to greed,... Read More

Motivation: The Power of Celebration

Cherish Enthusiasm Live with passion Excitement Belief Rejoice Attitude and... Read More

How Much Fight Is In You?

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my... Read More

Daily Motivation: 7 Methods

Isn't a lack of daily motivation one of the biggest... Read More

How To Be Motivated Without A Motivator

Many professionals spend their entire careers working under managers or... Read More

Full Steam Ahead, Just Dont Go Off Half Cocked!

Do you do things that you don't want to do?... Read More

Break Free

I received an email the other day from one of... Read More

A Turning Point

19 years ago, I was a young working mother at... Read More

Getting Out of a Rut

Are you feeling bored or restless? Do you need to... Read More

Step Out

Living your successful life requires you to step out. I... Read More

Spring! Time for Love and New Beginnings

Prepare, prepare, prepare! The horizon screams of spring and the... Read More

About Creating a New Life

1. Where do I start to create a new life?There... Read More

How You Developed Bad Habits That Rob You Of Motivation

Bad habits rob you of your motivation.Today I want to... Read More

Stretch!

"Only as high as I reach can I grow, Only... Read More

Get Up and Do!

The motivation to change my oil came the other day... Read More

Growing Out of Your Comfort Zone

It has been said that "if you are not growing,... Read More