I am not one who journals, not sure I have both the words and discipline to commit to the daily task of replaying my life. Maybe I just seem too mundane. But I must admit that I am very proud of the small little trip journals I have produced while away on vacation. Over the past few years I have made a promise to myself to journal while on vacation. At night I sit with receipts, tickets, postcards, business cards, etc. and write out the days adventures telling all about where we ate, what we saw, and what I bought. In a world where all things are electronic and email is king, these little handwritten journals have become one of my dearest possessions. Why? They recall amazing sights, the days when we met people we call friends now, and they are road maps to advise others what to do or where to go when visiting the destination.
Simply pick something to write in (I have been lucky enough to have friends give me blank journals before my trips=more special), find a good writing instrument, add double sided tape and voila, you are an author. Really it is all about you and while our mind is a fantastic filing cabinet I find as I leaf through my trip journals that I am floored by things my mind has forgotten, but the journal didn’t.
I dream that one day when I am old and my adventures have slowed that I will select these books from my library and read the exhilarating tales of adventures on distance shores, then realize these stories were my lucky life. I will never have the discipline Oprah does to daily log her life, but I will continue to savor the daily jotting of dreamed of places whether I am away for a week or month. So next time you pack, don’t forget a small bunch of bound paper. You will be happy you did.
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