The Power of Your Written Word
Posted by: Jeff Adams in Purely Personal, Social Commentary, UncategorizedIn 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.
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Join me each day as I share what's bouncing around in my head and heart. I wish I had time to sit down with each of you over a good cup of coffee, but at least we can thank God for blogs! Oh! I'll take the coffee, too, whenever I can!
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I do journal. It started in 1997 … my Ashlee was a year old… Josh … was “not” yet around…. I enjoy closing this year off.. 1 Decade + one… in electronic format.,…… it first started in Word Perfect….the quickly switched to Microsoft Word…. in the last few years I have spread the extant mss’s to both open source and Microsoft and UNIX (amen) …. just saying… a steady laptop and common file source has given me 11 years of journals…. it’s fun to look back……..wait….. I weighed HOW MUCH!??!? uuuuuuuuggggggggghhhhhhhh
I also tried to go paperless at one point. It didn’t even last a year. I longed for the feel of paper and the stroke of the pen.
My favorite type of journal is the Moleskine. The texture and weight of the paper begs to be touched. And my favorite type of Moleskine has become the daily dairy. There is a page for each day. Usually a page is quite sufficient for daily journaling, but occasionally my thoughts force me to fill in empty spaces on other days. I also roughly use it as a planner in which I record the events for the day.
Looking back over the years, it is interesting to see my joys and struggles and my activities and how they all interrelate. I’ve also noticed some seasonal patterns in my life. And strangely, answers to personal prayers often show up in my journaling long before my mind makes the connection.
I most frequently journal right after my Bible reading, often noting Scripture and writing out prayers, but my Moleskine goes with me almost everywhere, especially to my favorite neighborhood hangout, You Say Tomato.
And off topic, You Say Tomato is a must try. It is the most fabulous midtown cafe/coffeeshop/grocer spot, and it is owned and operated by my neighbors. I know that after the Midtown Burrito plug (which really went down-hill quick) my recommendations may not be highly valued, but I promise this is a tried and true treasure. The atmosphere is almost as good as the food. 2801 Holmes.
amanda
iguss i had a hang up about this bad school experiences. but your article has enlightened me again about starting journaling. thanks Jeff
Yes!!! Comments! We love comments! Good job, guys! Amanda, I loved the tortas at Midtown Burrito and returned several times. I have a hard time matching my schedule and geography to theirs, however. I will most definitely keep in mind You Say Tomato. I love to try new places. Thanks!
Also, I paused at your remark about how answers to personal prayers often show up in journaling long before my mind makes the connection. Me, too!
I have being delighted by following your thoughts, as used to be in Miramonte, several years ago. God bless you and let you be a jar of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God, been hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Always carrying around in your body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in your body. For you who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in your mortal body. So then, death is at work in you, but life is at work in you.
Jeff,
Mark has made journaling a requirement for our Saturday morning men’s group at KCBT so I’ve been doing that for almost 2 years now. We pick a book from the bible, read and journal a chapter a week. I will read the same chapter every day for seven days & pick one or two verses that jump out on that particular day. It is good to hand write those verses followed by my brief thoughts on what God is telling. Sometimes it’s only a few lines and sometimes it’s the entire page in my journal. I can’t tell you what an awesome experience this has been for me and how much closer and personal my relationship to God has grown because of this activity. I especially enjoy when we meet on Saturday mornings and several men share some of that week’s journaling as a group. Journaling is not complicated nor time consuming but is so rewarding. Thank you for your thoughts on journaling today!
Good feedback, folks! Way to go, Tom! Joaquin, es un gusto tener a alguien que era de la Miramonte aquí en este blog. ¡Bienvenido!
Thanks for writing this. I had never kept a diary before, but this does not compare. A journal is between you and God. It improves your communication with God which deepens your relationship with the person who loves you the most. People do not realize what they are missing.