by Leslie Coleman

Created on: July 15, 2008   Last Updated: November 05, 2011

"Can't see the forest for the trees" is an expression used to describe someone who is so focused on the details that they lose sight of the situation as a whole.

Our own lives may suffer from that analogy as we busily go about our daily tasks. Some call it "human-DOING versus human-BEING." In the process we become distracted from ourselves, our souls, our hearts and minds.

However, we can easily regain that connection. Our sense of purpose will come into focus, our value systems will surface, and we emerge better human-BEINGS as we begin to make choices from a strong inner core - all achieved by simply keeping a journal.

Consider that inside each one of us dwells a safe and quiet place; it is filled with all of our experiences, hopes, and memories. When we write down our thoughts in a journal we share our feelings to that safe and quiet place.

The mere process of writing down our thoughts will immediately reveal information about ourselves; yet, it is when we flip back to last week, last month or last year that we begin to break through to a deeper understanding of why we think what we think, why we say what we say and why we do what we do.

While there are no rules for keeping a journal, here are a few tips that may provide helpful:

• Be honest.

• Include your real feelings.

• Write down your goals or dreams.

• Keep your journal safe from others.

• Record the moments that made you laugh out loud.

• Write about your worries, or when you are angry or sad.

• Include photographs, concert tickets, draw pictures or doodle.

Journals are a reflection of our lives. Some of us will type their entries into a secure computer folder. Creative ones may keep a journal scrapbook-style. Others may choose leather or cloth bound volumes.

Regardless of the method used to keep a journal, all will be rewarded with a deeper understanding of themselves. We learn these truths from the most well-informed expert on this earth: ourselves.

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