Your Peace Journal

After returning from Africa, I decided to begin living my life with intention and in peace. Everyday in Ghana presented a new opportunity, a rare interaction, and the chance to walk with gratitude. One of the most important lessons I learned through my daily mentors was to use my voice in any way possible. I learned that in silence, great ideas about peace, love, and change are suppressed. I learned that by building our inner voice, we are preparing ourselves for sharing that voice with others. Listening to our inner voice is also very important in becoming a better listener, learner, and a more confident person! With all of that in mind, I created my first Peace Journal.

A Peace Journal is not a rigid homework assignment or a burden. Instead, Your Peace Journal adds calm and joy to your life. It is a collection of notes, pictures, clippings, anything that reminds and helps us on our path to peace. Many times, life's trials can cause us to forget what we are thankful for and working towards. The Peace Journal allows us to revisit our purpose and keeps us focused on the progress we make with every single step towards peace.

For me, the process of creating a Peace Journal is as important as the ideas inside. Although I am not what I consider to be an extremely artistic person, I love arts and crafts. Using materials that I find for free in my neighborhood (eg. dried leaves and flowers), craft store finds, etc., I start from scratch creating my own Peace Journal. You can find a very easy, detailed, and unique guide to creating your own journal at: Curiously Crafty.

If you don't have the time or the desire to start from scratch, you can also find some very unique and affordable journals at many places such as: Michael's Crafts (and other craft stores), Target, Amazon, and various Bookstores.

After you've created your perfect Peace Journal, you can begin adding any thoughts or ideas that you wish. One suggestion I have is to write down at least one thing that you are grateful for everyday, even something as basic as: "I am thankful for waking up today." You will find that making the journal a part of your day gives you something to look forward to and to be happy about. You can even share your Peace Journal with others if you choose.

Tips:
1. Try using the present and future tense in your journaling as a way to keep you focused on your positive present and future.

2. Make your Peace Journal a part of your daily meditation and/or "self-empowerment" activity

3. Don't focus on your writing style or the "depth" of what you write about. Instead focus on what makes you feel happy, peaceful, calm, and grateful.



Resources:
Curiously Crafty
Target
Michael's
Barnes and Noble
Amazon-Simply search "Journals" in the search tool