Thursday, February 5, 2026

Thursday, February 5, 2026

My earliest attempts at writing freely on the pages of a notebook were during the time of extreme trauma. That led me deeper into journaling. Within the span of eighteen months, my youngest brother was killed in an automobile accident, soon after that my grieving mother passed away and my father followed her, his soulmate, within a few months. 

This all happened during the months which were supposed to be celebratory for the family, especially for my husband and me. But we were in mourning when I gave birth to our second child. Her presence and my daily pouring out of emotions in words kept me sane and brought me back to my senses from the doldrums. 

Journaling was the source of emotional relief and healing. Tending to our beautiful baby, practicing journaling, some days more than once, transformed my life. I simply poured out my distress and despondence, pain and sadness on the pages. It didn’t matter what I wrote, only that I did. The very process of journaling kept me calm and brought me much needed solace that I needed to care for my infant. 

When you frequently jot down things in your notebook, you uncover secrets and facts that you didn’t even realize you had. So scribble the things you have “zipped your lips” about or “held your tongue” for. Be sincere and bold with your outpourings.

Putting your pen on paper is under your control but how your day unfolds is not. So go ahead write your raw and bitter thoughts and feelings as well as those that are filled with anticipation, joy and rewards. When you release intense emotions on the pages of a notebook, possibilities open up and a calm envelops you.

Oprah says, “We all want to make the most of our lives . . . to become the highest expressions of ourselves. There is no better way to find that aha! moment than by keeping a dairy.” 

Make the ritual of journaling an integral part of your day. This daily ritual of sitting still with focus on your breath and journaling grounds you. You plant the seeds for the projects you want to accomplish even if these pertain to complete relaxation and self-care. You also sow seeds of experiencing complete attention and awareness of the present moment. These two qualities further deepen your Meditation Practice. Trust that these seeds will eventually sprout and blossom.