In this third and final part of my Journaling series, I want to share with you some effective writing tools I’ve acquired over the years. These tools will help transform your written wants into reality. Whether you realize it or not, you are either living with intention or you are merely being reactive. When you are reactive, you are a slave to your emotions. But when you are a conscious creator you are taking charge - you are taking responsibility for your life.

Here are some key tips for successful creating:

Reflect. Before you design your life going forward, pause to contemplate the last year. What were your highs and successes? Take a moment to record how great that felt. Then examine briefly your lows, your pains. What did they teach you about yourself? There is always something valuable to be gleaned from difficult circumstances, so jot down those things so you can take those valuable lessons going forward.
Select a Mantra. Choose a word or a phrase that will highlight the year to come. If, for example, you suffered poor health last year, you might list the word STRENGTH, WHOLENESS, or maybe VITALITY. This mantra has the power to change your course, so choose your word or phrase thoughtfully.
Write in the present tense. Always write as if what you desire is already happening. This tells the subconscious mind that what you want is real, which then plants the seed of change. Instead of writing, “I want to lose 10 pounds”, put down “It feels great being 10 pounds lighter!”
Journal in specific detail. Just as a house plan requires detailed instructions, so does your successful life. If it’s a better job you want, describe that job in as much detail as possible. This will help your mind construct the realization of your design.
Remember that you create with God. We often don’t understand our potential, but God does. You weren’t meant to navigate this world alone, so when you map out this new year remember that He is your guide as you learn and grow.
Trust and surrender. Once a desire has been stated, give it time and don’t panic if things don’t happen immediately. “A watched pot never boils”.
Or something better. My friend and mentor Carolyn Cooper taught me this. At the bottom of every situation you create, you should write “or something better” at the end. No matter how big we dream, we always manage to limit ourselves. All things are possible, so make sure you include this phrase in your writing.
Practice the magical art of Gratitude. Be grateful no matter what shows up. This life is your journey, and you should be learning something every day. Sincere gratitude for even the smallest of manifestations has an uncanny way of clearing the way for bigger and more magnificent things.
Whatever you put out there comes back. This is the universal Law of Vibration in action – make sure your thoughts, words, and actions are on that high vibration you want to match.
Envision what you want in your mind. Seeing it play out on the stage of your mind, while experiencing the happy emotion that accompanies it will help cement your goals into every cell of your being.

If you are not actively creating your life, you are reacting to what life hands you. This puts you in defense mode where your desires find it hard to break through and become realized. When you write to create you are using one of the tools God gave you to be both proactive about your life and to respond with spiritual maturity to anything that comes your way. Writing is healing. Writing is recording the highlights, defeats, and lessons of your life. It is a way to de-stress, to calm, to clear a cluttered mind. And it is a powerful means to bring about a happy, successful, healthy, and prosperous life.

In the last edition I wrote about writing to heal the body. In this second of three articles, I will address how journaling your concerns can de-stress your life and mind.

Philosopher and psychologist William James once said, “If you can change your mind, you can change your life” – and journaling can help you do just that! I assign many types of writing assignments to clients, as the therapeutic benefits are many. Three of my favorite ways to de-stress through writing are:

Gratitude Journal. Write just 3 things every day for which you are grateful. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big or small thing, the requirement is that it’s sincere. Think of the “small” things for a minute: when was the last time you felt grateful for clean drinking water? Unless you’ve spent time in a third-world country, or been a victim of a natural disaster, you’ve likely taken this for granted. Sincere gratitude expressed daily will open your eyes to all that’s right and good around you. Over time, it will become your habit to look for the silver lining in every cloud you encounter. Not only will it improve your outlook and your mood, it will boost your body’s overall ability to manage stress, which will result in a healthier, happier you.
Free Writing. This is when you just put pen to paper and write. Don’t think, don’t punctuate, just write. Fill a page, then read over (hopefully it’s legible enough) what you wrote. You will likely be surprised at what came out on your paper. Many times there are deep frustrations, false beliefs, and anger that you’ve had festering inside on a subconscious level. Any time you write a thought, you bring out the intangible and make it real. Once it is real, you can process it, and when you’re done with the negative, you can throw it away. It is so empowering to be able to “toss” your worries away!
“Reality Check” Writing. A friend and mentor taught me this technique, and I use it often. This one can take a while, so make sure you’re good and comfortable, with plenty of time before you begin. Take out a piece of paper and list everything that is bugging you. Number the items, and detail exactly why you are irritated with each situation. Make sure you’ve written until you feel that everything is out. When you are finished, take out a fresh paper. On this list, you will address each item of irritation, and you will answer it with Truth. To do this, you will look at each item without the distortion of emotion – you will take a step back from the situation you’ve written about – and you will look at the bigger picture. As you do this you will notice that there is a different way to see your problems, and you will feel a shift as you do so. You’ll see the good through the bad, and you’ll recognize growth and learning in your troubles and stresses. This exercise is perfectly effective, as it broadens your mind to infinite possibilities. Tame your negative thoughts with Truth!

One interesting side-note about journaling: it matters that you use a pen/pencil and paper. You won’t get quite the same result if you type your feelings, as there is something healing about creating letters with your own hand. Try expressing feelings on paper and see if it doesn’t cool your brain, slow your breathing, clear your thoughts, and deepen your sleep. What better gift could you give yourself than the gift of a calm, balanced, and relaxed mind?