A while back I started to compare and contrast journal entries from 3 years ago, 5 years ago, and 10 years ago. Usually it is interesting, but today I randomly selected February 15th and went back in time, through my journals, and found that date to be screaming out for a little more excitement...and it also lets me know that I haven't moved forward personally, as much as I would have liked. It is what it is.
In any case, this is a good practice to adopt in your journal keeping. 
When I first began keeping a true journal (one that I didn't merely stop and start at random) I was fresh out of design school, and a marriage, and could not stand the thought of drawing or painting anything...it had been pounded out of me. I had however, just started collage covering plain old spiral-bound notebooks with divided sections that I would mark the months, and lined pages...I had lots to say at the time. On February 15th of 2000, I wrote a lot about listening to public radio...and, of course, snow.
"This Imperial Forest is wonderful, it reminds me of cut grass in the fields after a strong rain for several days. The earth of it, is intense. The body is dark and brown and stains the white cup. My insides and teeth are as dark as the Red River...."
My feelings about tea were apparently just as strong...and a little ridiculous.
By 2010, my February 15th page seemed embarrassingly concerned with getting people to my new blog, but the page I had written just before talked about the orchid I had bought for my Mom for Valentine's Day, that had dropped all its flowers suddenly, and was, for all intensive purposes, a big, expensive stick.
Such is life, and such is a journal. Random, full of important and petty concerns; strong rains, earthy tea, public radio, and large expensive sticks.
This is my gauge, my measuring tape...if I need a change, I can make that change, but the road so far, has all been worth it.
Pick a date, and go back through your journals, 3 years ago, 5 years ago, and 10.
12 comments:
What a beautiful way to reflect upon journaling. Thanks for sharing.
This post led me through lots of emotions, Lynn. Isn't it enlightening sometimes to see ourselves again the past? I will pick a date...and look. Thanks for the idea today! I love your blog. Kath
This is a beautiful post! I love your idea of looking back and measuring progress. I now plan to do the same once I get farther in my journaling practice. Thank you!
This is a lovely idea.
(And you made me laugh about the big, expensive stick.)
To look t my past journals is essential to me. I have been keeping them since I was 9 years old. It is like a window into my soul. It gives me insight in what has changed and what has remained the same.
i love this idea!
i wish i were less random
and all over the place
in my record/date-keeping.
i just open at inspiration
and let my eyes fall where it
feels squishy:)
you always, always inspire,
Jennifer
Kriebels, Thank you... It is also eye opening, funny, odd, amazing and disappointing, sometimes all rolled into one! : )
Lynn
Kathy, I hope you do...our recorded lives are powerful things...often not we expect, but powerful none-the-less!
Lynn
Moonsweetie, it goes by in a flash...soon you'll be hip deep in journals!
Get waders : )
Lynn
Hi Em! Yep, and we still have it in the basement...we are a hopeful lot: )
Lynn
Ana, that is so interesting. I had a few hand made "books" put together, but they were for jokes I had heard. I wasn't very astute at that age. ; )
XXO
Lynn
Jennifer, that could still work. Go back to what looks like your oldest journal, and start there...doesn't have to be exact...squishy eyes are pretty intuitive!
XXO
Lynn
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