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YouTubeI don’t know about you, but I am a BIG fan of journaling! I have 12 Composition notebooks completely full and sitting on my bookshelf. I’ve been writing in my journal—coffee cup in hand– since I was about 22. I find that it helps me solve problems, it (now) keeps my husband from having to listen to me vent (a thing most husbands don’t do well), and it’s an emotional snapshot—if you will—of a particular day in my life. However, just the other day, I decided that I needed to change my approach to the entire process. I realized that most of what I have been writing over the last decade had to do with negatives that pop up in the course of a given day or week—relationship troubles, work troubles, family troubles, friendship troubles, confusing situations. There was very little about all the great things that happen in my daily life. I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. I think that our minds are capable of far more than our modern culture has us believe. I have always been very positive and extremely focused when it comes to the big picture (mostly my short-term and long-term goals). But, I didn’t realize that I wasn’t doing a great job of focusing on the positive when it came to the day-to-day chronicling of my life in my journal. So, I decided to do something about that; and as a result, I’ve started something that I absolutely love! I write about my day, my thoughts, and my emotions. Then, I write down the situations that occur during the day that made my thoughts go negative. I come up with solutions for dealing with those situations more positively so that I’ll be prepared the next time something similar occurs (life’s all about self improvement, right?). Lastly, I list (at least) 10 things that went really well, made me smile, made me laugh, or just gave me a good feeling deep inside during the course of my day. I list things big and small—my awesome morning cup of coffee, the sweet phone message from my husband, the jokes that Kristy and I share on the set, or the fact that my sister-in-law is pregnant! It has made a HUGE difference in my everyday life. I am actually even surprised at what an impact it has had on me. The more often I do this, the easier it is for me to find (and focus on) all the great things that happen. I find that I feel anything is possible! It has literally helped my life skyrocket! We have so many wonderful things that go on in the course of our days, but we have been trained to focus on the negative—the drama! If we focus on the drama, the more drama we will attract. Have you ever noticed that? The same is also true for the times we focus on happiness. Anyway, this was just something I wanted to share. I would love for you to try it out and let me know if it changes your life!
Much Love,
Beth
Thank you not only for making positive differences in your own life but sharing your passion with others. I am going to start making lists in my own life and for every negative thought, I will balance it with something positive that has happened in my day (after all, it is A Balancing Act)
. So that one day, when I go back and read my journal, I can laugh, smile and celebrate all of the things that made me happy at that time in my life.
Hi Beth, This is a great thing to do. We don’t think about the little things in life. Its always the big picture. I am older than your mom but can learn from a young lady. This is awsome. Keep up the good work. Love U, Bonnie
YOU ARE AWESOME! The show is great and although I’m not the target of the show or material, It’s presented well and thorough and you are so comfortable with your guests and co-hosts that it makes you seem like an instant friend. Keep up the great work! I’m taking a GREAT product that gives me energy and allows me to sleep better. You should share it with your viewers. Visit the website for more info.
I think it was Thomas Carlyle who said, “The unexamined life isn’t worth living.” Congratulations on your daily self examination.
Beth I love it. I just found your blog and enjoyed this post. You are right- focus on the positives, or at least notice them, and suddenly life becomes much more enjoyable and doable. I find sometimes it is hard to remember to do it, but it definitely works. Thanks for reminding me to really keep this up. I like your system, I never though about writing down a different way to handle things, I believe that could help me to spend less time brooding about things that I didn’t do so well. Cheers!
Beth, how true!!! In fact I am sending this on to Hunter! While she is a positive person, she is still 17 and can get so bogged down in negative drama sometimes. She misses the ‘fun” things in life worrying about small stuff!!!
Have a great weekend!
Beth-
Are men allowed to post comments? Been a long time. Very excited all that is happening in your life. Loved your thoughts about positive journaling.
Liked this entry on positive thinking. I’m going to try it and quit being the person who sees the glass half empty. Thanks
In 1974 I wrote a humorous story and sent it to our local newspaper, called The Pioneer Press. That started a weekly column called The Farmer’s Wife. Most every week I can think of funny happenings in my life. When I wrote my first few columns, I was called The Chronic Complainer. I am so much happier when the publisher changed it to the latter. To this day I am still writing at the age od 71 and it keeps me going with no depression in sight. Just remember, ”don’t fret the small stuff.”