Good morning! It is good for you to be here today on this lovely Monday morning (or afternoon depending on where you are). I hope you had a beautiful weekend and are looking ahead to a fantastic week.
For those of you who do not know me very well, I write. This may be super obvious as I have started this blog and post on it about six days a week. But really – I write.
It all started when I was a young girl. My mom used to make my brother and I journal during our “quiet time” every day. I did not like it one bit and could think of at least five hundred other things I would rather do during those fifteen minutes in the morning.
But what was once a daunting obligation has slowly but surely turned into something I have come to deeply value and cherish. Since those days, I have fallen in love with this practice. Each morning my alarm goes off at 5:45 and I get to spend about an hour or so writing and reflecting before the day begins. The hour is set apart solely for that purpose and that purpose alone. It is what gives me the fuel I need to face each day as it comes. Even the most busy of days begins in this time of peace and quiet.
As you can probably imagine, over the years I have accumulated and filled up A LOT of journals. Each page is dated and contains the thoughts, reflections, concerns, worries, joys and excitements of each day and more. If someone were to go through them, they would find the raw story of me – the inner workings of my heart throughout the test of time. It is always surreal to go back through the pages of my journals and see where I come from, the lessons I have learned, where I have been, how I have grown, and thus who I have become.
My story is not glamorous. It is not one that I have always been proud to tell. Along with the amazing moments, have also been ones that are not so amazing. My journals contain it all. Still all of those moments have shaped me, formed me, molded me, and made me. They are all a part of my story and I have learned over the years to accept them as such, yet also not allow them to define who I will be moving forward.
Friends, I do not know your story. Even if I did know parts of it, I do not know who you are in your entirety. Only you have walked your journey in your shoes. There is no denying that. But if there is anything I can propose to you today it is this: your story is your own and it is beautiful. It is not over yet and there are still many pages of life for you to write on. Wherever you come from, whoever you are, wear your story proudly. As you go throughout this day, take the time to look back and reflect. Then firmly grip your pen with the confidence that your story is not finished. There is much more for you to write as well and that is indeed the opportunity of a lifetime.
Thank you for joining me in this Meaningful Monday! Please feel free to share parts of your story in the comments below! I would love to hear from you. Have a beautiful day! 🙂
This Darling Adventure 
“An unexamined life is not worth living”
Plato
Laura, your mom must really love you.
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I don’t think I’m sad today, but for some reason, while reading your post, I became Verklempt .
I was an only child for a long time, and all I had was pen, paper and my imagination … If everyone had a mom like yours – what a wonderful world this would be!
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
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Hi Mel, thank YOU for sharing a bit of your time with me 🙂 I am definitely grateful for my mom…. it is the little things you look back on that turn out to be the big things sometimes. As for feeling verklempt… well, once again, thank you for taking time out of your day to reply to this post. Being an only child with a pen, paper and your imagination is a beautiful beginning to a beautiful life. I truly hope you have the best of days today 🙂 thanks again!
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I started writing in a journal at the age of 13, I am now almost 50. Over the years my writing has evolved from a place where I would vent to a place where I will reflect. I find the problems I face are much more manageable when I write it down. I find a lesson in each entry – and some entries turn into stories worth telling.
I am happy I found your blog and look forward to reading more!
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Wow! That is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing a part of your story. That is truly remarkable and I bet it is really interesting and encouraging to go back 20, 10 or even 5 years and see how far you have come and how your perspectives have changed. Your comment just made my day 🙂 thank you again!
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Thank you for your meaningful Monday post – what a great way to start the week. I have kept a journal on and off for years, as like some of your other readers it is really only through writing that I make sense of some things. For the last few years I have been writing journal pages each morning before the day begins, and can relate to the sense of clarity and purpose that comes from getting these words down. I light a candle with scented oil, inhale and begin. It is my favourite part of the day and I’m glad that I’m not alone in this 😊.
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Wow! That is awesome to hear. Thank you so much for reading and sharing. I couldn’t agree more…. sometimes words just jumble around when I try to think or speak them, but writing just gives such clarity to thoughts and thus those words. 🙂 I like the scented candle idea as well. I think I will try that during my time in the morning! Thanks again!
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