The Daily Journal as a Tool for Self-improvement

There have been volumes written on the power of positive thinking and the ability to create what you desire if you can "harness" the power of the mind. It is important to recognize that your thoughts influence and even create your reality, making it your challenge to control and direct your thoughts. Keeping a journal can help you focus on affirmations that you have made for desired events or circumstances. As you write, it will become readily apparent if you are not absolutely committed to what you have affirmed. You can then use your pages to sort out any confusion and find your way back to the path that leads where you intended to go.

The pages are also very beneficial in making space for self-evaluation and correction, if that is what feels necessary. When affirming anything, I ask for my desire to manifest if it is for the highest good of all concerned and part of the divine plan. This requires fearless faith and trust. If what you have affirmed doesn’t manifest, then you have not asked for something that is part of the divine plan. Maybe you’re not ready; maybe you haven’t asked in the right way. It never fails. Time reveals all. You will eventually find out that you didn’t really want what you were affirming or that the delay was extremely beneficial in some way.

While there have been many teachers that have shared the benefits of journal-keeping, the disciplined practice taught by Julia Cameron in "The Artist’s Way" sheds new light on an old practice. Cameron recommends that you begin a practice of writing (long-hand) three full pages every morning. The beneficial results of pushing through the second page and into the third are amazing. The most profound discoveries are made when the pages are done as close to waking as possible. Keeping a journal is an important step in your preparation for the day. It is important that you use the quiet mind. It also makes the transition into "real life" much more tolerable.

For the first few months, it may seem quite difficult to make the "space" in your life for daily writing. Over time, it will become clear that this activity is particularly beneficial when you most feel you don’t have time for it. It will offer you time to gain balance and focus that will help you deal better with all the pressing matters. When you practice journal-keeping faithfully and make it an integral part of your life, you will realize the full and tangible results the activity has to offer. When you practice the morning pages, you give yourself an incredible gift.




Source: MysticalPlanet.com's Why? newsletter; written by Gala Gorman