In this age of digital communication and teens who rack up literally tens of thousands of text messages a month, it seems almost heretical to suggest that anything can be gained by writing words on real paper. Nevertheless, that’s exactly what I am going to do. Take this as a suggestion for your careful consideration at this end of the year when many of us are pondering improvements for the future.
Those who hear me preach know that I regularly mention the benefits of journaling. There is something both powerful and therapeutic about the daily discipline of expressing yourself with pen and paper. When PDA’s were new, I went through a phase of trying to keep an electronic journal. Sorry. That didn’t work for me, although I gave it a run for two or three years. In the end it seemed somewhat sterile and I found myself becoming inconsistent.
Several years ago I switched back to pen and paper and did so with a retro vengeance. I even got myself a nice fountain pen. When I discovered that a nice pen did nothing to improve my handwriting, I bought a book to learn how to write legibly. I still don’t spend the bucks for a nice leather covered journal. I use a spiral back, ruled notebook that fits into a vinyl cover with a loop to hold my pen and a ribbon to mark my place. Since I went back to paper I have not missed a single day of journaling. Not one.
I was amused today to discover an article from Australia reporting that academic research confirms the advantage of journaling. A quarter of a century ago, Dr. James Pennebaker of the University of Texas did a landmark study into the benefits of journaling with people who had experienced trauma, He found that, “Writing about their deepest thoughts and feelings about traumas resulted in improved moods, more positive outlook, and greater physical health.”
The article goes on to say, “Subsequent experiments have shown that writing boosts health in myriad other ways, including strengthened immune function, a decreased reliance upon pain medication, improved lung function in asthma patients, and reduced symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Some studies have further demonstrated reduced blood pressure and improved performance at work and school.”
If you are interested you can read the whole article here.
This blog is almost a year old and I have truly enjoyed this daily mental striptease. But, my risqué metaphor is precisely the point. A blog (web lob) is written to be read by others. I expose my life and thoughts to others with whom I might not have the advantage of daily contact. I do so in the hope of expanding my circle of friends and influence and to be enriched by the interaction of those who post comments in response to my thoughts. I’ve written about blogging a couple of times, here and here.
I write a journal to be read by no one but me.
My system is intentionally simple. I read my Bible according to whatever plan I am following. At the moment, I am using the plan devised by the late Robert Murray M’Cheyne. Check it out here. Then, I read a daily devotional book (an early printed version of a blog). Currently, I am reading through one by F.B. Meyer that I have installed on my PDA. Then, I open my journal. I write the date, and then I write out the verse or passage that most spoke to me in my reading today — either my Bible reading, or one mentioned in the devotional guide. I may or may not write some basic comments in interaction with that passage. Finally, I write down any specific prayer requests that I have for this day. Each morning I look back and put dates by those requests that have been answered. (I do both my reading and writing in Spanish, by the way).
If you decide to try journaling, I strongly suggest that you keep it simple and basic. You’ll have a much greater chance of becoming consistent. You can embellish and tweak your system as you go along.
If you already journal, maybe you’d like to share your thoughts.
The Power of Your Written Word
In this age of digital communication and teens who rack up literally tens of thousands of text messages a month, it seems almost heretical to suggest that anything can be gained by writing words on real paper. Nevertheless, that’s exactly what I am going to do. Take this as a suggestion for your careful consideration at this end of the year when many of us are pondering improvements for the future.
Those who hear me preach know that I regularly mention the benefits of journaling. There is something both powerful and therapeutic about the daily discipline of expressing yourself with pen and paper. When PDA’s were new, I went through a phase of trying to keep an electronic journal. Sorry. That didn’t work for me, although I gave it a run for two or three years. In the end it seemed somewhat sterile and I found myself becoming inconsistent.
I was amused today to discover an article from Australia reporting that academic research confirms the advantage of journaling. A quarter of a century ago, Dr. James Pennebaker of the University of Texas did a landmark study into the benefits of journaling with people who had experienced trauma, He found that, “Writing about their deepest thoughts and feelings about traumas resulted in improved moods, more positive outlook, and greater physical health.”
The article goes on to say, “Subsequent experiments have shown that writing boosts health in myriad other ways, including strengthened immune function, a decreased reliance upon pain medication, improved lung function in asthma patients, and reduced symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Some studies have further demonstrated reduced blood pressure and improved performance at work and school.”
If you are interested you can read the whole article here.
This blog is almost a year old and I have truly enjoyed this daily mental striptease. But, my risqué metaphor is precisely the point. A blog (web lob) is written to be read by others. I expose my life and thoughts to others with whom I might not have the advantage of daily contact. I do so in the hope of expanding my circle of friends and influence and to be enriched by the interaction of those who post comments in response to my thoughts. I’ve written about blogging a couple of times, here and here.
I write a journal to be read by no one but me.
My system is intentionally simple. I read my Bible according to whatever plan I am following. At the moment, I am using the plan devised by the late Robert Murray M’Cheyne. Check it out here. Then, I read a daily devotional book (an early printed version of a blog). Currently, I am reading through one by F.B. Meyer that I have installed on my PDA. Then, I open my journal. I write the date, and then I write out the verse or passage that most spoke to me in my reading today — either my Bible reading, or one mentioned in the devotional guide. I may or may not write some basic comments in interaction with that passage. Finally, I write down any specific prayer requests that I have for this day. Each morning I look back and put dates by those requests that have been answered. (I do both my reading and writing in Spanish, by the way).
If you decide to try journaling, I strongly suggest that you keep it simple and basic. You’ll have a much greater chance of becoming consistent. You can embellish and tweak your system as you go along.
If you already journal, maybe you’d like to share your thoughts.