Journaling

Below are listed different styles of journals that you could keep.

Many people keep a “free” type journal in which they record events, discuss feelings and explore ideas. There are other styles of journals, however, that focus thinking and responses. If these journal ideas interest you, you may also want to look at the pages, “on your own.” The retreats tend to be narrow in focus, and extend through a limited time period; whereas these journals can be sustained indefinitely. However, you may, after a time, want to switch up your journaling focus.

Also, many people suggest that you create a routine around journaling, such as writing at the same time every day, setting up a special spot, desk or room, or chair, or using a specific journal or notebook. You may need a mug of fair trade coffee, want to light a candle or some incense, or use a certain kind of pen. Whatever works for you, but most people find establishing a habit helpful.

Additionally, you may want to incorporate a vocal or written prayer into your routine. Dearest Teresa of Avila suggested beginning prayer with an articulation of who is praying, who he/she is praying to, and what he/she is praying for. This may seem simple, “me, God, wisdom,” however, we have many facets, as does God, and we have different needs at different times.

Some ideas:

1) If you are writing at the beginning of the day, you may want to imagine the events of the day. Envision your actions, explore where you expect to see God in your interactions, or yourself responding to people as if they were Christ.

2) Write a list daily of your petitions for others. You may want to frequently look over past lists, and see how God has answered your prayers. You may want to incorporate prayers of thanksgiving into your daily petitionary lists.

3) At the end of the day, you might want to write a list of the blessings, graces and gifts you received throughout the day. These could be written in the form of thanksgiving, with a consistent sentence starter, such as “in thanksgiving for…”

4) At the end of the day, or after your work day, journal an examen of conscience. You might want to follow the following format, a) pray for light, b) review your day in thanksgiving, c) replay the day and review the feelings that surfaced throughout the day, d) choose the most dominate feeling, e) pray about it (in thanksgiving, praise, contrition, petition, etc.). You may want to conclude with looking towards tomorrow or the rest of the day. Basil Moreau, founder of Holy Cross, says that one most have zeal for personal holiness and zeal for helping others towards holiness. You could also look at your day with those two questions in mind; how did my relationship with God deepen today (or what held me back), and how did I inspire others to greater holiness?

5) If your time is limited and writing daily is tricky, you might want to “follow the thread.” In this exercise, write something that “stopped you in your tracks,” i.e. something that somehow moved you in an unexpected way. When you have done this for three days, take a bit of time to review them, looking for threads and connections between these events. Often we become so cluttered with emotions and ideas that we miss overriding patterns. Often God communicates the same thing to us over and over because we do not catch on.

6) Keep a Divine Providence journal. This may seem similar to the thanksgiving journal, or the examen journal, but you would simply list all the events or interactions throughout your day that showed God’s presence in your day. He is often in living color and everywhere, but we miss Him in our little preoccupations and to-do lists.

These are various ideas to manipulate into your current life-style. I also offer days of reflection, spiritual direction, and written material on a program to adapt examen into a journal routine. Please read the retreat’s description and contact me if you are interested in learning more.

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