I used to carry a lot of guilt for not writing in my journal regularly.
It seemed like this was a big focus when I was a youth— to write in a journal!
And so I’d write what happened each day for a couple days in a row, and then I’d forget for a few days and try to catch up…
And then it would be months until I had another church lesson about writing in a journal and I’d start the process all over again.
Can anyone else relate?!
Somewhere along the way, I’ve gradually started to “spiritually mature” when it comes to what I believe I need to be writing down.
And I was excited when I saw that the Lord said something similar about John Whitmer, too:
“He shall continue in writing and making a history of all the IMPORTANT THINGS which he shall observe and know concerning my church”. D&C 69:3
The idea that my great-great-great grandchild is someday going to want to know what I ate for breakfast on Wednesday and why that was different than Tuesday doesn’t really appeal to me.
(Although, if you love writing all the details of your life, go for it!)
In fact, the idea of recording my life for future generations doesn’t seem very compelling for me either.
Maybe someday, someone will read what I write, but I’m not necessarily doing it for them.
Instead, I’ve been motivated by two ideas:
I am writing down IMPORTANT THINGS due to the value of writing things down. (Idea formation/memory/pondering)
And
I am writing things down in ways that seem natural and simple to me.
So I’m not writing every detail of my life. Instead, I’m focusing on writing down the important things.
And then I’m writing them down in simple ways.
In my life, this looks like:
A note in my phone where I write down one or two words for what I’m thankful for that day.
A physical journal where I write down my emotions and impressions after General Conference.
An app where I quickly jot down funny stories from my kids that I want to remember.
Social media posts where I document important life events.
The margins of my scriptures where I write down spiritual impressions and ponder.
And so on.
For me, the idea of compiling every detail of my life into a single journal is not something that I’ve been impressed to do.
But when I’ve found my own unique ways to follow the counsel to write important things down, I feel blessed.
I’m able to slow down, process, and see the joy in my life as the Spirit brings certain, important things to my mind.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
12 Responses
I have been writing in a journal since 1963. Some of the things I wrote back then seem a little embarrassing to me now, but that was what I did and thought about back then. I recently have began to type them in a word processor and inserting photographs taken at some of the events I wrote about. I laugh at some of the funny things our children did that I wrote about, and the feelings I wrote about my wife. The struggles to provide for my family, the cost of living and of course my church callings. I am so thankful I took the time to write and record the events of our life. I have not had time to write my life story, but most of it is recorded in my journals.
Great ideas for journal writing! Thanks <3
About 20 years someone suggested that I write down 10 successes I accomplished each day. I’m talking about 1. I got my heart rate up for 5 min on the mini trampoline 2. Studied The Scriptures 3. Meditated 4. Made the bed 5. Got cleaned up & ready for the day WITH make-up 6. Earned $45 at Grifols (sold my plasma) 7. Laundry 8. Made supper 9. Got to bed before 11 pm 10. Had a prayer with Brian (my husband). And that is what a typical day looks like. I just use a 3 ring binder & use notebook paper & I date each page. If an event happened that day that I want to remember, I write it at the bottom of the page. When I read back to see what I’ve accomplished I don’t feel so bad about myself after all. A lot of times I will do something good (call or text someone I’m thinking about, get some tricep exercises done, take a gift to a sister I minister to, etc) just so I make sure I’ve got at least 10 good things on my list for that day. It keeps my mind thinking of good things to do & accomplish each day. It works for me plus I’m not writing down, “Got up this morning, wanted to go back to bed, had raisin bran for breakfast, played games on the computer, blah, blah, blah.” The 10 things are fun to think of at the end of the day & I’m not writing a chronological story of my day, which takes up so much time. Easy!
I love that idea! Thanks <3
I write in my journal regularly. My kids and grandkids don’t journal – they don’t have a record of their life to look back on. They have their phone. I keep a record of – Childhood illnesses – medicine used; important events; sports medals and school awards; church ordinations and callings; family vacations and family reunions; important dates. Most importantly, how I love my family – how I struggle sometimes, mine and my husbands medical history, my joys; my testimony (many times); music and poetry I write; letters and notes my family sometimes send; whatever feels important to remember, especially during trials. I just feel it a duty to write things down – and my journal is full of pictures! I feel like the hymn lyrics – ” Angels above us are silent notes taking of every action then do what is right.” I’m just an angel on earth. I have one special journal, it’s my “spiritual experiences” journal. I hope I can be a strength to my children, grands, and great grands when they need it and I’m in heaven. When I pray about what I can do for my family the answer is often “keep your record.”
Wow, that’s awesome! Thanks <3
I love this ; I’m not good at “journaling” and often feel guilt about that. But don’t see enough to write about for my posterity. This post makes me think a little differently about “journaling,” thank you!
I have a desk calendar, that has pages for each month and also the weeks at a time. I try to write down the important things for each day; sometimes they are only appointments etc. I do TRY to record events that I want to remember. I can look back and see the Hand of God in so many of those events.
I keep a 2nd calendar, week at a glance that I record what scriptures I have read, at my age, I have read them so many times, unless I record what I have read, I can’t remember the next day where I was!!!
I love all of your study snippets – keep inspiring us Sister Black!
Oh great ideas, thanks so much! <3
I don’t think anyone ever said write every detail. I write in a journal because of my love for my Heavenly Father and the Savior. It was never for my kids to read. They will probably burn my journals. I figure I will be blessed for my efforts.
What a lovely thought! I love that.
My husband recently started journaling…he keeps one journal of day to day happenings, and one for spiritual awakenings, study, pondering, etc. He refers to them as “the small plates” and “the large plates”!
Ooh I love that idea!