Journal Writing: Aging with Passion and Purpose

Guest Blog Post by Karen Silsby 

What does aging with passion mean to you? Have you lost purpose in your daily routines? Are you confused about what is guiding you?

Here are some tips to help you mine your passions and purpose and to explore how you can make your dreams for a more loving and happy life come true. We’ll begin by taking a quick trip down memory lane to clarify what makes you happy. Lynn Johnson, PhD, a psychologist who studies happiness says, “…people high in curiosity are much happier.” So pull out your journal and look at what motivates you, something that puts a lilt in your step and a spark in your heart.

According to psychological studies on well being, when we work from our strengths we are more content individuals. So the first step is to clarify these. List five strengths that you typically use in your daily life. If you’re stumped for five, look backward in your life for some clues. Go through old photos if that helps. Were you a good friend, a hard worker, or a leader? What did you do innately, without thinking? Next list five of your abilities. These might include learning how to build things, play an instrument, climb a mountain, or the like.

Now, let’s look at how you used these traits and how this contributed to your happiness. List five experiences in which you used your abilities and strengths in a way that gave you a feeling of true accomplishment and pleasure. Another thought here, Lynn Johnson says that, “Increasing social connections will raise happiness.” Look for accomplishments that include your work with others. For example, I use my love of words, research, and healing in my work as a writer and in my life as a caregiver. You might find any of a number of satisfying life experiences by taking a minute or two to survey your life. But for now, just pick out five of the most significant ones. Don’t worry about whether you are finding the best ones, or the most meaningful. Just do the exercise fairly quickly to keep your pen moving without editing your thoughts.

Now that we’ve looked at your strengths and passions, let’s look further at mining specifics. Sit quietly and calm your breathing for a minute or two. Think about one of those experiences in more depth. Imagine the sights, smells, and sounds of that time and the people with whom you were in contact. Note, especially, those individuals who supported you as you learned how to move towards your closely held goals. Notice any sensations of lightness and where this feeling is located in your body. Take a nice cleansing breath and come back to the sights and sounds of the room. Write for seven minutes about this experience. By bringing up these close connections between mind and body (our thoughts and feelings), we tap into our deep and true inner resources and bring them to light.

Over the next week record some of the ideas that come to mind, those that hint at what you might like to do on a more regular basis. Take note of whether these inspirations incorporate a number of your abilities and strengths. Journal about one or two of the more promising ideas for five minutes to see where these thoughts lead you. Enjoy a sense of adventure into the unknown. You may find that this inspires you to do some volunteering or to spend time with your family and friends. I hope that you find these exercises fun and reacquaint you with your unique and purposeful nature. My best wishes for a renewed sense of happiness as you go forward on this wonderful and expansive journey of life!

About the Author

Karen Silsby, of WriteYourWayHome.com has been an avid journaler and writer for over twenty years. Her interest in journaling began when she took a class in Ira Progoff’s, Intensive Journal method, to help her organize her thoughts and write more clearly in her stories. Soon she found that her journaling practices could do much more. Karen was able to keep centered through a challenging period when she was treated for cancer and became a caregiver for her mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. She teaches and writes about this important life enriching, self-development tool. When Karen is not at her computer, she is out walking the lagoon trails in San Diego with her Australian Shepherd, Sam.