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Making a Memorable Mark on Notebook Day

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Everyday Living

Do you have fond memories of your early “Dear Diary” days? Or were you more of a “note-to-self” kind of young writer? No matter where you fall on the written self-expression spectrum — from sappy to succinct — there’s a day in May that’s dedicated to inspiring you to pick up your favorite pen, grab a stack of paper, and scribe away.

The second-ever Notebook Day falls on Thursday, May 18, this year. On this day, journal lovers celebrate the invaluable notebook and the powerful role that written reflection plays in our lives. Committing our deepest, and sometimes darkest, thoughts to paper in an age when most of our written communication involves swiping, punching, tapping, and scrolling engages a whole other part of our psyche and soul.

Five wonderful ways to celebrate Notebook Day

1) Spend an hour or two reviewing your old journals, poems, or day planners, reflecting upon everything that’s changed in your life between those moments and now. What have you learned? How have you grown?

Using 19th century playwright Oscar Wilde’s thoughts as a springboard — “I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train” — list five sensational ideas or dreams you hold dear. Read them aloud to a trusted friend or family member.

2) Make a list of 10 of your most pressing issues, worries, and fears. After spending quiet time in prayer, burn the paper. As it disintegrates, feel yourself releasing your troubles into God’s hands for the perfect resolution. Use Psalm 55:22 for inspiration:

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

3) Are you holding grievances or resentments toward others? Write them out, being honest about how stressed, sad, angry, or hurt you feel. Releasing these painful feelings to paper tamps down the intensity and helps you stay more calm and centered.

University of Texas at Austin psychologist James Pennebaker believes that writing about stressful events helps you make peace with them, thus reducing the impact of these stressors on your physical health. He also contends that regular journaling can boost your immune functioning.

Meditate upon Matthew 11:28-30 when making your list of grievances:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

4) Treat yourself to a brand new Gratitude Notebook. Vow to record five things for which you’re grateful three times per week. Studies show this might have a greater impact on your happiness than journaling every day.

 

5) Write an original prayer and commit to reading it once each day between now and Notebook Day 2018.

You might find Notebook Day so fulfilling that you’re motivated to start a daily journaling practice. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, punctuation, or penmanship — and don’t self-censor. Write quickly and freely for 15-20 minutes, treating your journal as a trusted, nonjudgmental friend. When Notebook Day rolls around in 2018, you’ll have something very special to review.

If you’re interested in learning more about the biblically based, Christ-centered education at Geneva, we’d love to explore the possibilities with you. For more information on how Geneva College can help you pursue your career goals, please phone us at 855-979-5563 or email web@geneva.edu.

Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.

May 16, 2017

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