“Write the vision, and make it plain” was a familiar Biblical text from Habakkuk that my pastor and paternal grandmother Theresita C. Neblett regularly quoted. Grandma was not only a hearer of the Word but also a doer. On the steps in the main room of her house were 5×7 sheets of paper with handwritten notes which included sermons, definition of words, and prayers for her family.
As a little girl, I did not fully understand nor appreciate her journaling practices. But, as I have aged, I realize that journaling for Grandma Neblett was just as therapeutic for her soul as it is for mine. I adopted a journaling ritual when I was in my early teens but more consistently over the past 20 years. It was not until a few weeks ago that I confirmed that journaling for me is just as important as breathing.
You see, for more than six months, I have been without my beloved journal due to a recent move. When I located it after unpacking a few boxes, I was careful to place my journal in that special place so I would not forget where it was. To my amazement, my mind is not as sharp as I would like it to be and I am now unable to locate my journal. All is not lost because I am certain it is in my house somewhere and once the boxes are fully unpacked my precious journal will reveal itself.
For now, I am journaling in a temporary book so that those pages can be transferred into their proper place. It is true that all of my journals are handwritten just like Grandma Neblett, although I progressed beyond the 5 x 7 pieces of paper and purchased many beautiful books. I tried journaling by dictation or from a blank computer screen. Nothing would come to mind for me using that method. Only when I put pen to paper do the words from my heart and brain flow. Reflecting on those handwritten words has given me an opportunity to celebrate how far I have come.
Journaling allows me to not only vent my frustrations and rationally outline a solution but to celebrate my accomplishments. As a teen mom, I thought my dreams of going to college and landing a “good” job were crushed. Journaling allowed me to write down my goals and the steps needed to achieve them. When I was able to complete the coursework for not only one but five academic degrees while being attentive to my family, journaling permitted me to put into words what my body language could not fully articulate.
Tangible dreams were realized because of my journaling practice but I also journal my night dreams. The process of dissecting every aspect of my night dreams is intense but helpful, especially when I reflect on the interpretation many months or years down the road. I do not immediately have clarity on the meaning of my night dreams but my journal is the keeper of my thoughts. In due season, I am able to reflect on its meaning and appreciate the warnings or revelations afforded to me.
The beauty of journaling, an unstructured writing process, has led to literary art that others enjoy. When I documented, at least a decade prior, my desire to write a book, it is through the journaling process that the title of the book was revealed to me. I had no clue what the book would be about or whether it would be nonfiction or fiction. I just knew I would write a book entitled The Metamorphic Journey. Surprisingly, the journey of three teen moms was expressed to me utilizing a journal format. More recently, when writing my essay for a new book, On Womanhood, I was able to journal, reflecting on the many ways I was inspired by women like Grandma Neblett.
No matter your journey or the journey of your characters, journaling can be therapeutic, a record of life, and a tool used to celebrate accomplishments. The sky is the limit on what beautiful canvases you can use to write on. Spiral. Bound. Inspirational quotes throughout. Beautiful images on the cover. The goal for you is to simply enjoy the process of finding that perfect book to journal your metamorphic journey. This reflective practice can be a key to your success, one word at a time.
About the Author
DaNika Robinson has always been passionate about her personal and professional development. Because of her strong desire to succeed, she was able to complete five degrees (Associate in Business Administration; Bachelor’s in Business Administration; Bachelor’s in Religious Studies; Master’s in Public Administration; and Doctor of Education in Leadership). She was able to persevere despite having two children, being a first-generation college student, and working a full-time job. DaNika currently serves as an administrator in higher education. She enjoys inspiring, motivating, and empowering tomorrow’s leaders to achieve their goals, in spite of life’s obstacles.