Are you a person who longs to make your life better?  Do you want to improve your health, save time, experience less stress, change jobs, find a mate, have a deeper relationship with the divine?

Have you joined a group or read a book, or found someone you trust to talk with about your desire and goals? And has that author, guide or group leader suggested or even requested that you keep a journal?

It’s probably just good manners that’s keeping you from saying out loud, "Are you kidding? Me!  Keep a journal? Why would I want to do THAT?”

 “I couldn't write every day... I'm awful at spelling/grammar... What if someone reads what I've written?”... I don't have time, and anyway, what would I write about?"

What if you discovered you don't have to be a writer with a capital W, or write every day?  And that grammar and spelling don't matter? Would you believe me?

Since you've read this far, how about hanging out here just a little longer, long enough to grab a piece of paper and a pen and set your timer or cell phone for three minutes. Now, write a list, a list of anything. Things you have to do; places you want to visit; what you'd do if you had a million dollars; what you love (or hate) about the place where you live...  Go for it.  Write as fast as you can.  If you get stuck, repeat something or write, "I can't think of any more (name your list)" and keep going.

If the specter of your least favorite teacher haunts you, or you hear him/her whispering inside your head, just ignore her. You're a grownup now and can write whatever and however you want. Besides, you’re using a piece of paper and a pen, not a slab of granite and a chisel!

I know, it’s not necessarily easy, and it’s just an experiment. If your heart is beating rapidly, and your hands sweat, just take a breath. No one is forcing you to write. It’s curiosity that’s moving you forward, curiosity about what doing this feels like... just this once... maybe.

When the timer goes off, give yourself a huge “Congratulations!” You've just written your first journal entry.

How was that?

Take another minute and write what happened when you wrote the list. Were you surprised you could think of so many things to write?  Amazed that the three minutes went so quickly?? Were you curious about what ended up on the page, or what would come out if you kept writing? Whatever you felt or thought is okay.

Whether you decide to rip up your list, or date it and keep it tucked away in a notebook, you’ve done the writing, experienced the process. And no one can take that away from you, not even you!

By Becky DeGeorge

As a woman who has been blind since birth, Becky DeGeorge is now the author of her blog, living a hands-on life, in the literal sense it is what she knows! No living life at a distance if you can’t see. Touch is a vital sense as well as a skill for getting to know the world. With touch, Becky gets the  details, — the good, the bad, the ugly, but always, the truth. Visit her website at www.willingandablesolutions.com/ to learn more about Becky's services as a Life Coach and Journaling Facilitator.

As a woman who has been blind since birth, and is now the author of this blog, living a hands-on life, in the literal sense  is what I know! No living life at a distance if you can’t see. Touch is a vital sense as well as a skill for getting to know the world. With touch, I get the  details, — the good, the bad, the ugly, but always, the truth.As a woman who has been blind since birth, and is now the author of this blog, living a hands-on life, in the literal sense  is what I know! No living life at a distance if you can’t see. Touch is a vital sense as well as a skill for getting to know the world. With touch, I get the  details, — the good, the bad, the ugly, but always, the truth.