Journaling

Journaling During a Time of War

Lets dig deep.

Living during a time of war, the written words of Anne Frank come to mind.

“It’s an odd idea for someone like me to keep a diary; not only because I have never done so before, but because it seems to me that neither I — nor for that matter anyone else — will be interested in the unbosomings of a 13-year-old schoolgirl. Still, what does that matter? I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart.” —Anne Frank, The Diary of Anne Frank

I began keeping a journal during the COVID lock-down two years ago. Being alone in a small condo, going no where, and no one coming in, I began to journal. At first as a reminder that I may someday want to look back on. I was already a meditator, and I continued to teach trauma sensitive yoga online, but journaling was new for me. I found journaling did help clarify my thoughts and feelings. I found that I was solving problems more effectively.

Meditation is great, but not for everyone. Some enjoy taking a walk in nature to clear their thoughts. I am a meditator, and I walk on trails in nature, and my mind calms and quiets, but now as I make journaling a practice, I look forward to writing in my journal the inpsirational thoughts that emerge in my quiet mind.

Journaling in itself evokes mindfulness. When I am struggling to find words I change my focus by writing a letter. I write a letter right in my journal and don’t share it with anyone. Sometimes this letter is directed to my self, my future self or my past self. Sometimes to someone who is no longer with me.

Sometimes I enjoy having deep philosophical discussions, with thought-provoking questions…

-What harsh truths do I prefer to ignore?
-Is free will real or just an illusion?
-Where is the line between art and not art?
-What should be the goal of humanity?
-Where does self-worth come from?
-Is intelligence or wisdom more useful?

Whatever you’re journaling about doesn’t matter – write from the heart and you can’t go wrong!

I find that journaling helps free my mind. There are times I don’t even realize what I’m feeling until I sit time and write it out. Even if you don’t have a specific topic in mind, just start writing and see what feelings reveal themselves to you through your words.

Having clarity in how we respond to trauma triggers is the responsibility of each individual. This is our ability to respond. Bringing our coherent self to co-create a coherent group of people is how trauma recovery happens.

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