Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters.

~Margaret Peters

Choose a few things that have happened in your life where time has shown you what really matters. In your journal, record one or two of these, paying particular attention to what it was about the event or situation that really made “what really matters” crystal clear. Also, include smaller details such as whether you had the revelation about what really matters immediately or if it was only on further contemplation.

Journal writing prompt bonus: One thing I stress to my kids in the importance of living your priorities. In my mind, this is an excellent way to keep from falling into the hamster wheel - running & running and going nowhere, all the while loosing track of what is really important - what *really matters*. Over the years, I’ve developed little tricks to help keep myself “in check” when it comes to my schedule. So, when I feel myself getting away from what really matters in my world, I can catch myself before I fall into the hamster wheel.

In your journal, keeping in my the situations/events that you wrote about earlier, consider the following. Have those events/situations that made you realize what really matters changed the way you live your day to day life? Do you have to “keep track of yourself” to keep those things that matter most in the forefront of your schedule?

Happy Journaling!

We do not believe if we do not live and work according to our belief.

~Heidi Willis

In your journal, ponder today’s quote. Do you agree? Disagree? Is her idea too simple? Too black and white? Explore this in your journal.

Journal writing prompt bonus: Examine your own life. Do you live and work according to your belief? Or, do you see work and life and separate and prefer to keep your belief confined to one area or the other? Do you feel that you believe, regardless of the separation? Or do you feel your belief is stronger because it influences all areas of your life?

Happy Journaling!

When you have got an elephant by the hind leg, and he is trying to run away, it’s best to let him run.

~Abraham Lincoln

Freeform journaling exercise….. In your journal, simply take this quote and “run with it” - write about whatever comes to mind - allow your writing to wander in whatever direction it may want to go, without trying to stay “on topic”.

(No bonus prompt today….today is really about letting yourself go in your writing - with little rules or direction….sometimes it is nice to allow yourself to have a “mind dump”. If you choose to comment here, please keep the political comments to a minimum….I know this particular quote really lends itself to political commentary and while I enjoy the mental jousting…I don’t want this to become a topic that gets way too heated.)

Enjoy!

“This is our purpose:Â to make as meaninful as possible this life that has been bestowed upon us; to live in such a way that we may be proud of ourselves; to act in such a way that some part of us lives on.”

~ Oswald Spengler

In your opinion, is this our life purpose? Does Mr. Spengler’s quote fall short or expect too much? Reflect on this in your journal.

Daily journal writing prompt bonus: Some people (including me) believe that everyone has something unique that they were put here to do….their “life purpose”, if you will. Some people seem to know this from birth on….while others of us seem to spend alot of time trying to figure out what it is. What group do you fall into? Have you always known your life purpose or did you search for a long time to find it? Do you know your life purpose? If so, what is it and what are 3 things you can do today to work toward it? Write about it in your journal.

Happy Journaling!

So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause.

~George Lucas, Senator Amidala in Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
US movie director & screenwriter (1944 - )

In your journal, consider today’s quote in a today-oriented context. What do you suppose George Lucas (via the Star Wars character) means by the quote? Do you see this happening in today’s society? Alternatively, is the fictitious character simply stating an untruth?

Journal writing prompt bonus: Sometimes, it’s easy to take our liberties from granted. In your journal, write out a short list of the liberties that you value most in your life. Can you envision a time when they may be gone? If so, imagine the context in which it could be taken? How do you suppose it would be presented to you - something “for your own good”? A life lesson? Write about it in your journal.

Happy journaling!

Adventure is just bad planning.

~ Roald Amundsen

Consider today’s quote…do you agree or disagree - is adventure just bad planning? Or, is it a vital part of this thing we call “life”?

Journal writing prompt bonus: Using today’s quote as a starting point, think about your life.   How do you view your life? Is it safe and well planned? Or, is it adventurous and fly-by-the seat of your pants? Or, is it somewhere in the middle?

For me, while most people wouldn’t see my life as adventurous…I do feel like life, itself is an adventure - planned or not. How do you see life in general? Is it an adventure? Explore the questions and your answers in your journal.

Happy journaling!

“Character - the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life - is the source from which self respect springs.”

~Joan Didion

In your journal, ponder today’s quote. Is the source of self respect a willingness to accept responsibility for your own life? Or is there more to it? Does that willingness to accept responsibility for your own life play a role in self respect? Do you agree that character is defined as the willingness to accept responsibility for your own life? Why or why not?

Journal writing prompt bonus: In your journal, list the qualities that a person has that you consider a person of character? Are these qualities the same for everyone you consider persons of character? Is it different, according to the person? What is your internal definition of a person with character?

Happy Journaling!

“When a miracle happens, even if not to you, it’s nature is to naturally expand. You can almost feel the warmth on your face.”

~Hugh Elliott

In your journal, consider the topic of miracles. Do you believe that miracles really exist? Or are they a folklore-ish remnant of days long gone? What constitutes a miracle in your mind? Is it something as extraordinary as one cell becoming a complete being, leaving a water filled environment and taking its first breath? Or, does it have to be a sea parting or the dead coming back to life?

Daily journal writing prompt bonus: Personally, I believe that there are miracles that happen around us every single day. The problem is that we just don’t take notice! In your journal, think about this idea - do you think there is some truth in it? Have you ever witnessed a miracle? What was it? If you haven’t, do you know someone who has claimed to have witnessed a miracle? Write about that.

Happy Journaling!

“Blaze with the fire that is never extinguished.”

~Luisa Sigea

In your journal, consider today’s quote. Have you experienced blazing with a fire that is never extinguished (I suppose, if we are taking this more technically, that would mean that you are still experiencing this)? Have you ever blazed with a fire that *felt* like it would never extinguish, but, it did? What were the circumstances surrounding it?

Daily journal writing prompt bonus: While I believe all of us would love to experience blazing with a fire that would never extinguish (at least it sounds good, right?), what do you think the upside to that state would be? Would there be a downside? Whether you’ve experienced it in the past or not, would you want to experience it in the future? If so, how can you go about bringing yourself to that state?

Happy Journaling!

“The secret of all success is to know how to deny yourself. Prove that you can control yourself, and you are an educated man; and without this all other education is good for nothing.”

~R. D. Hitchcock

In your journal, write about today’s quote. Do you agree or disagree? Is success really all about denial and self control?

Daily journal writing prompt bonus: Whether you agree or disagree with today’s quote, in your journal, reflect on your own success (in all areas of life) in light of today’s quote. Does it “prove” or “disprove” the quote? Is there more to it?

Happy Journaling!

“Every day we do things, we are things, that have to do with peace. If we are aware of our life…, our way of looking at things, we will know how to make peace right in the moment, we are alive.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh

In your journal, recount your day (or recount yesterday if you are journaling in the mornings). Look for little encounters throughout your day, and list them. The list doesn’t need to be long - maybe 10 encounters or so. These can be anything from going through the checkout at a local store, passing a co-worker, or talking on the phone with someone. If you are struggling to come up with 10 things, think hard on this - usually we have hundreds of encounters a day…most are just so commonplace that we don’t even take notice.

Now, for each encounter, write a short description. Did you smile at the checker? Say a kind word? Were you gruff and hurried?

Next, evaluate each encounter in the light of today’s quote. Was it a peace-promoting encounter? If it was not, why not? How could you change the encounter to make it a peace promoter?

Daily journal writing prompt: I consider myself, most of the time, a “peace activist”. No, I’m not carrying a placard promoting the usual peace activist causes, nor am I participating in marches. However, I do make an effort to be kind and promote peace one person at a time. Every interaction, no matter how insignificant gives you the opportunity to potentially change someone else’s entire day. Think about it - have you ever had someone yell at you (or be gruff) first thing in the morning, and your entire day seems to go downhill? What about the flip side - have you ever had someone say something kind and it “picked you up” for the entire day? I really believe that is how we all can be “peace activists” - regardless of political affiliation or our opinions on hot button topics.

In your journal, write about a few things you can do today (or tomorrow) that will promote peace for those around you. Make a plan to do them…if you need to, write them out on a slip of paper that you will carry with you - not so much to refer to, but, just to remind you of your goal. Come back to this entry after you carry out some of those things, and write about how you felt and how you suspect it made that person feel (if you didn’t get immediate oral feedback).

Happy Journaling!

“The ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence.”

~Robert J. Shiller  Â

Today’s journal writing prompt seems pretty straightforward. In a society where so many people seem to have multiple warning signs of ADHD, what do you think? Is the ability to focus attention on important things a defining characteristic of intelligence? If so, are you concerned about the future of our society in the age of our short-attention span media, get it now lifestyles? Write about it in your journal.

Daily journal writing prompt bonus: Quite often, I find myself not only focusing my attention on important things, but, also on not-so-important things. It feels like, at times, “shiny objects” are much more interesting and attention grabbing for my mind than anything else. Actually, not often, but, at times, I feel like my entire day is spent in a series of attention grabbing nothingness. Now, I understand that the longer I allow myself to live a life as a professional artist, the closer I get to insanity (maybe this is just the warning signs!), however, I do know many people (who aren’t professional artists) who live the same way - with their dedicated, focussed attention moving from one thing to the next sequentially throughout the day. Some of the people I’m thinking of are also quite intelligent.

So, I wonder, in your opinion, what do you think the sequential-focussed-attention on important and not-so-important things means. Is it a defining characteristic of higher intelligence? Or, is it insanity in the making? Can you relate to this in your own life? Write about it in your journal.

Happy Journaling!

“Before you contradict an old man, my fair friend, you should endeavor to understand him.”

~George Santayana

It’s not uncommon, in our society, to (at least occasionally) quit listening to opposing viewpoints - no matter who’s view it is - in defense of our own views. What seems to be quite uncommon (at times) is to take a moment to attempt understanding of the other viewpoint, before we stop listening or start defending. In your journal, consider today’s quote. Do you find yourself contradicting others (whether they are older or younger than you) prior to endeavoring to understand the viewpoint? Do you think this is a defensive move on your part or what do you suppose causes this reaction in your own life?

Daily journal writing prompt bonus: In matters of politics & religion, this contradiction prior to the endeavor to understand seem to be quite rampant. We tend to shut down when the other viewpoint is espoused, instead of really listening and endeavoring to understand before espousing our own views. With this being a political “season” (okay, I know, I know, it’s come to a point where it’s more often a political season than not with campaigns growing longer and longer and our “downtime” between them shorter and shorter), I would like you to think about a recent political event, speech, debate, etc, where you had an opposing view to the candidate - and, instead of endeavoring to understand his or her position, you “tuned out”. In your journal write about it. Was this a “classic” issue or is it something that stems from more recent world events? What is your viewpoint? What was the candidates? Is his or her viewpoint one that, in light of today’s quote, you should have explored further to endeavor to understand his or her views?

Happy Journaling!

“It is impossible to walk rapidly and be unhappy.”

~Dr. Howard Murphy

In your journal, consider today’s quote. Do your experience with walking rapidly seem to confirm Dr. Murphy’s assertion? What about walking rapidly due to lateness - what sort of effect does that have on your mood (if any)? Do you make an effort to walk rapidly (or jog or run) daily? If so, does it keep your mood elevated? If not, why not & do you have some other activity to boost your “happy level”? What is it?

Daily journal writing prompt bonus: I am the type of person who needs a “healthy dose” of cardiovascular work every single day - I know that it keeps my mood elevated & my creativity levels high (which is essential when one is an artist!). So, whether it’s walking (alone, in groups, or with the dogs), rollerblading (which, quite honestly, I don’t do often), running, or some sort of cardio type DVD or class, I get in at least 30 minutes to an hour every morning. It’s like my daily happy pill.

I know that, for others, the happy pill comes in different forms - such as reading a bit or painting or sewing….What does your happy pill look like? Describe it in your journal, along with what effects that activity has on your mood and what effect not taking that “happy pill” has on your mood (if any).

Happy Journaling!

“A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.”

~Grace Murray Hopper

In your journal, consider today’s quote in the framework of your life. Sometimes, we are encouraged to play it safe - in work, in life. However, we must weigh the security of that safety with what we were “built for” - our purpose. Sacrificing our purpose to stay in port and be safe can be damaging to our minds, bodies, and spirits. Do you feel like you are staying in the port of your life or are your actively pursuing what you were “built for”? Explore this in your journal.

Daily journal writing prompt bonus: At times, we may be staying in the port of life in some areas of our lives while actively pursuing what we are “built for” in other areas. In your journal, take a good look at your life. Write about 1)whether you are staying in the safety of the port in some areas but not others 2)The costs and benefits of doing so (make sure to include the non-tangibles in this) 3)If this is a state you consciously chose or whether you did it without realizing that you were doing it.

Happy Journaling!

“But pain… seems to me an insufficient reason not to embrace life. Being dead is quite painless. Pain, like time, is going to come on regardless. Question is, what glorious moments can you win from life in addition to the pain?”

~ Lois McMaster Bujold

Today’s quote provoked some mixed feelings for me. As someone who was diagnosed with a chronic, incurable illness years ago, and quite literally felt like guinea pig number one for my doctors, but, through the experience learned life lessons that changed me forever, this was bitter sweet. On the other hand, as someone who has successfully implemented natural ways to keep my body healthy since the diagnosis, I was quite opposed to other parts of this quote. So, if you feel yourself fighting with parts of today’s quote while agreeing with others (or vehemently opposing the whole thing), please bear with it….I believe this quote can provide everyone valuable self-insight.

If you’ve experienced intense pain - whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual, you know that it can be difficult to embrace life in the midst of it. However, when we are in the midst of pain, the most valuable life lessons can be learned if we just embrace the circumstance and allow ourselves the opportunity to find those lessons. What life lessons have you learned through pain (of any origin)? Did you find it difficult to embrace life while dealing with pain? Why or why not? What do you suppose the author meant when she wrote about embracing life? Write about this in your journal.

Journal writing prompt bonus: For me, I do not believe that pain is going to come regardless. I’ve known people who lived a life without pain, who took care of themselves - mind, body, and spirit, and refused to accept that pain was an inescapable aspect of life. What do you think? Is pain a mandatory part of life? Are there ways to embrace life without experiencing pain? How would one go about this? Consider this in your journal….expanding on each point as necessary.

Happy Journaling!

P.S. Did you know that the author of our prompts, Dee Phipps, is a finalist for the Al Marks Inventive Mind Small business grants and needs your vote? Please visit her website, DeePhipps.com, read more about the Al Marks Inventive Mind Small Business grant and vote before August 11th at midnight, pacific!

“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.”

~William Ellery Channing

In your journal, write about a recent difficult that arose. Did it rouse your spirit or did it discourage you? Why or why not?

Daily journal writing prompt bonus: I know with some difficulties, particularly when they are out of your control, are quite discouraging. I experienced a situation like that recently - it was completely out of my hands…leaving me with a helpless, frustrated, and, yes, discouraged feeling. However, that same situation did make my spirit stronger, and taught me some life-lessons that will stay with me and help me avoid a similar situation in the future. Have you faced a situation like that recently? What was the life lesson you learned? How do you feel you grew due to that situation?

Happy Journaling!

“The secret of happiness is not in what one likes to do, but, in what one has to do.”

~ James M. Barrie

In your journal, explore today’s quote. What do you think James Barrie means when he says that the secret of happiness is is in what one has to do? Do you think it has something to do with finding joy in those daily necessary tasks? Or, is it about choices - choosing the have-to-do’s wisely? All of us have some similar have-to-do’s… Laundry, house work, cooking, etc… How do you find happiness in the daily mundane tasks? Take some time to fully explore this in your journal.

Daily journal writing prompt bonus: I am a huge proponent of choosing your occupation according to what you are passionate about. I know this flies in the face of some advice given by money-making gurus (who claim that it doesn’t matter what you do - even if you hate it or have no interest - as long as you make lots & lots of money), but, I really believe this is one area of your life in which you can exercise some control and thus create a more harmonic and happy life.