How You Ask the Question in Your Journal

by Judy Shafarman

For many of us journalers the first hour or two in the morning is the best time to write—after basic needs are met or a dog, spouse, or children are sent out into the world. Finding a great routine for spending that quiet alone time can be the foundation for a wonderful life or simply a day in good spirits. That time might include a healthy green shake (green tea, or brewed coffee), 20 minutes of meditation, or a 30 minute fast walk, but my emphasis here is on time with my precious journal.

Well you know that you can start a writing session with a blank page or a prompt or a rant about the thing that bugged you yesterday. Prompts can come in the form of open sentences—which I love, such as, "Today I feel. . . . " or "Right now, I really want to write about . . . . " This is a talk to myself. I want to write about . . .

But sometimes a different sort of writing will come out when we turn the words around or put them in question form. What I am specifically thinking about goes like this.

For years now when it will help me to get organized I like to write "TTD" at the top of a page or in my datebook on the first page of the week. It's not a journal exercise but a plan—things to do, listed in fragments as an agenda (Sometimes I write TTB for things to buy).

As a journal exercise rather than a lists of items to be crossed off, I can turn it into a loving question or an open sentence and see what emerges.

• What will provide me with a satisfying sense of accomplishment on this day?
• How can I advance toward my (short, medium or long-term) goal today?
• What will make me feel really good today?
• What would I like to do in the next 24 hours to make my soul sing?
• Before I go to sleep tonight I would like to have. . . .
• Today's the day that I will . . . .
• I am so grateful for this day because . . . .

Opening up the TTD in a freeform allows me to be whimsical and include, "smell flowers" or "Skype my old friend from high school who really gets me."

It's not just "things to do." It's things to do in order to soar and glide.

And I am completely permitted to write, "today's the day I want to treat myself to a triple feature of Katherine Hepburn movies and popcorn in bed." It might not advance my professional goals, but it just might be what my spirit, mood, and energy level needs. Just for today, I'll be grateful and satisfied with what I choose to do with my time.

* * * * * *

Judy Shafarman is the compiler/creator of 3 books for journal writers, most recently My book of grief and loss: A journal preceded by Journal: 365+ writing prompts, ideas, and quotes to cultivate joy and well-being, and My Book of Appreciation. She writes at judyshafarman.net.