The Secret Weapon Of Spiritual Progress

---

---

Good journaling is not just an exercise in introspection, it’s a pathway for life-changing decisions.

Writing down what the universe reveals to us is the spiritual habit of journaling. This is not the same as keeping a diary. A diary is, ‘Dear diary, this is what I did today.’ A journal is, ‘This is what I learned today.’ So it’s not about what you did, it’s about what you are learning, what you are seeking, and what the universe is saying to you. For many people on a spiritual journey, it is their secret weapon.

Perhaps you’re sold on the potential spiritual value of the discipline of journaling, but you just don’t know how to get going or keep going. This short list will give you some much-needed pointers!

---

---

SEE ALSO: Living A Luminous Life

• Set a time each day to sit and self-reflect on your spiritual journey. This is so crucial! To really get the most out of your journaling, you have to bite the bullet and sit down regularly to do it! It’s like anything you want to excel at, really. It’s all about consistency.
• Keep your spiritual journal with you at all times. You never know when something will make you wonder about spirituality. Keeping your journal with you allows you to jot down random thoughts and inner perceptions.
• Date your work. Dating your entries allows you to go back and see how far you’ve progressed and what shows up in your life, again and again, to teach you lessons.
• Express what you’re grateful for.  What are you praying for? What are you most grateful for? Struggling to find the right word, writing out something and realizing the depth and at times anguish in an experience, discerning back and forth a decision, recording special quotes, verses, and inspiration, notes from retreats and conferences, and just plain talking with your Higher Power fills the pages. Write out what you are observing, hearing, tasting, reading, dreaming, risking. Pay attention and record your daily life. Just write. Don’t edit. Let your heartfelt thoughts flow. Make it yours.
• Set spiritual goals. These can be anything, like becoming more patient, loving, compassionate, etc. When you set your goals don’t forget to have start and end dates.
• Don’t worry – just write. If you miss for awhile, don’t kick yourself – just start again.
• Review your journal entries at least once a month. By taking time to reflect on your prior entries, you can see the direction you’re heading in. By reading your daily devotional writing, you can use the information to work toward new goals and give thanks for the lessons you have already learned. You can move forward with your spiritual journey in a measured way.