journaling class

Lesson 2

Some parts of lesson 2 that I found interesting:

Different types of journals:

Thought journals help you explore your own thoughts, ideas, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes. They're often used for stress management, as people often find it helpful to name and analyze what is causing the stress in their lives. The key word in that last sentence is analyze because it reveals the true purpose of a thought journal: To analyze your intellect and its myriad components. Thought journals reveal your intellectual self and support your ability to make rational decisions.

Feeling journals create space for you to name, explore, vent, and feel your emotions and feelings.

An emotion is your physiological and biochemical reaction to perceived outer events in your life. A feeling, on the other hand, is your internal response to your physiological and biochemical reaction. It's your internal reaction to your emotions.

Gratitude journals give you space where you can record those things in your inner or outer life that have generated in you a feeling of gratitude or thankfulness. The purpose of a gratitude journal is to see, accept, and be thankful for what is.

Dream journals help you to understand your sleeping dreams.
The purpose of a dream journal is to learn how to communicate with your unconscious self.

Goal journals challenge you to set and document your achievements. The purpose of a goal journal is to reveal your internal and external assets and liabilities to attain your desired goals.

Historical journals chronicle the special times and history of your life and that of your family. The purpose of a historical journal is to preserve history and capture wisdom.

Travel journals describe your explorations of places and cultures new to you. The purpose of a travel journal is to document your subjective experience of those people, places, and activities.

Writing journals grant you space to record and explore your writing, plot, and character ideas, and try out exercises that build or expand your writing skills. The purpose of a writing journal is to expand your creativity and your awareness of the writer within.

Art journals, like writing journals, grant you artistic space in your life. The purpose of an art journal is to expand your creativity and your awareness of the artist within.

Health and healing journals help you chronicle your healing from, or experience of, injury or disease. The purpose of a health and healing journal is to deepen your awareness of and relationship with your physical self.

Career journals aid you in exploring your career options and professional identity. The purpose of a career journal is to deepen your awareness of your values, passions, life dreams, and purpose.

Spiritual journals support you in developing a more active faith life using the spiritual practices of your preferred faith tradition. The purpose of a spiritual journal is to deepen your awareness of your spiritual self.

The Assignment:
Review Chapter 2, paying particular attention to the list of the different types of journals.

Now review your journaling goals from your Lesson 1 Assignment. Which one or more types of journals will help you to achieve the journaling goals you have set for yourself? Select at least one type of journal and make a note of your selection.

I will be writing a Thought/Feeling Journal.

Next, visit one or more department, book, or specialty stores in person or online to explore some of the journaling tools, aids, and resources you learned about in Lesson 2. Make sure you investigate both blank books and writing utensils if you prefer to journal by hand. If you prefer to journal on your personal computer, you might want to compare and contrast several different word processing, desktop publishing, or journaling software programs. Choose a blank book or software program that will enable you to begin the type of journal you selected in Step 2. If you chose a new software program for your journaling, begin exploring the program now in preparation for the journaling you will do in Lesson 3.

I will be using blogger to document my journaling sessions.