Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the most genius men that ever lived. He was in perpetual awe of the Present and gained tremendous inspiration from his surroundings. We know this because he chronicled his awe towards significance in his diaries. It is said that he carried his journal wherever he went and noted down insights as and when they came. The man whose artistic and scientific exploration has continued to marvel us to date was aware of his own growth and maturation through his journals.
This is what journals can help you achieve:
Identify the Design in your Life
Journaling helps you to see the ‘wood for the trees’. It helps you to see that a string of events helped you to be where you are in the present moment. You begin to see a design emerge from the apparently random events in your life. The design that you begin is see is marvelous because you could not have conspired 15 years ago to make yourself who you are right now. And over a period of time you realise that what IS is exceedingly better than what you wanted and could not be. You begin to trust life.
Read the Text of your Life
With time you will notice that a certain set of situations in your life are recurrent. And as you observe further, you will realize that something in your own behavior or attitude brings them on. So if you have attracted bullies left, right and centre you might have a problem of trying to please others, or not being able to say NO or being unsure of yourself. Each of us is unique and each of us have our own distinct ‘Text’. Only we can unravel it and move on to the next level. Journaling will help you read that text.
Better Decision Making
As you approach life with a sense of gratitude and trust, you will be able to make decisions that have the right balance of reason and emotion. Journaling helps you see situations with hindsight. And the ‘design’ will help you develop a foresight.
A Reflective Demeanour
Numerous conflicts around the world can be solved if those who are engaged in them, use their hindsight and foresight to reflect upon their intent and actions. We can improve only when we realise that we have done before could be done better, and journaling can help achieve this reflective atttitude. It is quite like a car manufacturer improvising on the make after using, and reflecting, on the previous model.