Henry David Thoreau, Charles Darwin and Anne Frank all kept journals and the world is a richer place because of it. The personal journaling that you may keep enriches your own life and can be a great companion
Being reflective through writing brings us insights we never would have achieved by simply sitting around thinking about things. We learn as well through our conversations with others but why not use all three methods for our own growth…reflective thinking, journaling and conversation with others?
One real advantage of journaling is that it is always there for you. Pen and paper, or computer keyboard readily equip us to reflect, ponder, dream, express, track, and plan. As we work on improving our lives it can also be a place where we keep track of our efforts and our progress. Self-deception is reduced when we write it down!
Knowing the power of journaling and combining it with the methodology of the Wellness Mapping 360° Wellness Coaching approach has resulted in our creation of a whole series of publications: The Paths of Wellness Guided Wellness Journals. Volume One is Your Journey to a Healthier Life. This first volume is for anyone to work on their wellness and improve their life either on their own, or preferably, working with a wellness coach individually or in a group. Subsequent volumes will be similar, but will focus on providing a guided journal for people who are facing specific health challenges such as heart issues, diabetes, arthritis, etc. It gives wellness seekers a place to put all their wellness efforts in one place, respond to powerful questions, crystallize their own well life vision, create a wellness plan and keep track of their behavior, reflect and find inspiration.
Your Journey to a Healthier Life is available through our publisher, Whole Person Associates (www.wholeperson.com) and wellness coaches and organizations can get significant quantity discounts by contacting Whole Person Associates (1-800-247-6789).
I’ve kept a couple of journals for many years. One is a personal journal where I can just go wherever I need to with my thoughts and feelings inside a confidential container. The other is a personal wellness journal. That one allows me to focus on my own lifestyle improvement, plan, keep track and seek the motivation and inspiration that I need to give the consistent effort that pays off in being healthy and well. When I contribute to my wellness journal I feel more fully engaged in a conscious process of attending to my health and devoting awareness to my own personal growth. I keep it fun, including experiences that bring me joy, not just writing down how many times I went jogging this week.
When I ask my wellness coaching clients “How will you know when you are being successful?” they usually have to come around to some kind of conclusion that they need to keep track of their behavior. Writing it down works, even if it’s as simple as X’s and O’s on a wall calendar. Journaling though, can be so much more.
Michael Arloski, Ph.D., PCC
