My idea of Seven Learnings comes from the Seven Laws – which I first learned about in a wonderful book by Michael Phillips called The Seven Laws of Money. There is an ancient tradition of developing seven laws by starting at the centre and then moving through a series of polarities to something that transcends the sequence. 

Since I prefer Learnings to Laws, I use the process to develop Seven Learnings. So here, with thanks to Devon for the inspiration, are my Seven Learnings on Journaling. 

1. WRITE NOW
Begin writing now and write about anything 

The easiest way to begin writing is to pick up my pencil or pen and write something – anything. Sometimes I write: “I don’t know what to write. I wonder what I will write next”. As I write, something (whatever I am thinking or feeling) comes up. That is what I write about. 

Why do I keep a journal? Three reasons: the Past, the Present, and the Future. 

I keep a journal for the Past. I look back at what I wrote yesterday or last year or thirty years ago. I see patterns of thoughts and feelings that continue over the years. 

I keep a journal for the Present. I write about what happened today or I just write – and discover what I think or feel as I write about it. 

I keep a journal for the Future. I write about possibilities and dreams. I imagine the best that could happen. And I try to be as honest as I can. 

2. WRITE REGULARLY
Write at a regular time each day 

When I began my journal, I built the habit by writing every night just before I went to bed. Now I write each morning. Most important, I keep going even when I miss a day. 

3. WRITE IRREGULARLY
Write at a regular time each day 

As I got used to writing in my journal once a day, I began writing at other times as well. When someone says something interesting, or when I have an idea, I write it in my journal. 

I copy quotations into the back pages of my journal and make my own entries from the front until the two meet in the middle. 

4. WRITE WHAT I THINK
Have a conversation with myself 

When I don’t know what to do, I can write about the situation and consider various possibilities. Often new ideas emerge as I write. 

5. WRITE HOW I FEEL
Go beyond events to their impact on me 

I write about what happened and about what I think, but I also write about how I feel. 

If I have just talked with a friend, I write how I’m feeling (angry, sad, frustrated – or excited, encouraged, enthusiastic). Writing about my feelings helps me clarify how I feel. 

6. GO BEYOND WRITING
Use colour, pictures, mindmaps, headlines 

I used to write with blue or black ink. Now I use colours. I use green when I am learning. I use purple when I am happy and blue when I am sad. I use red to record a dream. Or I just choose a colour I like. 

Sometimes I draw pictures instead of writing. I put photographs of my friends in my journal. When someone sends me a funny card, I tape that into my journal. 

When I have had a busy day, I start a mindmap with one word in the centre of the page – then I draw lines from that word and write other words that connect with the first word. Or I use headlines to summarise the day quickly. 

7. LIVE TO WRITE
Live life fully and then write in my journal 

My friend George teases me that while he lives to eat, I only eat to live. I do write to live. But I must also live to write. So I go for a walk by the river. Or I have dinner with a friend. Or I work with a group of people who want to change their lives. From all these things I learn. And I write about the learnings in my journal.