Trust

“Always trust your gut. It knows what your head hasn’t figured out yet.” (Anonymous)

Gut instincts are the physical reaction you have to both the internal and external stimuli around you. Gut instincts can often be tampered by emotions such as fear and prejudice. When you experience an overwhelming gut instinct, your being is carrying out a primal response to intuitive information. The ultimate purpose of your gut instinct is to protect you. As your gut instinct is the most ancient and primal “sixth sense” you have, it is the one you can rely upon the most.

Put simply, your body is like the television screen on which your subconscious (the radio waves) transmits its information. When you can learn to read your body, you can learn to accurately tune in to your gut instinct. Our primal impulses don’t just disappear. By honoring the wisdom of this and its impact on the body to produce your gut instinct, you can save yourself much suffering. When it comes to your gut instincts, never ignore the ones below:

“I need help” Your gut instinct doesn’t only warn you of danger. It also helps to preserve your emotional wellbeing. If you receive a strong sensation that you need help (whether physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually), seek it out. Don’t linger.

“I need to help them” At some point in our lives, the overwhelming desire to help someone will arise. There may not be any rational reason why. The other person may appear to be perfectly fine on the surface. But don’t let appearances deceive you. Have a conversation with the person. Ask them how they are. This might make you feel vulnerable or uncomfortable, but you will at the very least make the person feel special, and at the most potentially save their lives.

 “I’m in danger” Remember that your gut instincts reflect what your subconscious mind already knows. Although you may not be able to pinpoint what exactly the danger is, please listen to this inner warning. It could be the difference between life and death.

 “Something feels off in my body” Your gut instinct rarely lies about the state of your health. If a sudden strong and clear desire arises to see a medical professional, do it. Get a full health assessment, and even if nothing comes up, feel proud of yourself for practicing self-care.

“They’re in danger” You might sound like a lunatic. You might feel embarrassed or perplexed. If you genuinely feel that someone is in danger, tell them. You have nothing to lose. You might just prevent the person from making a big mistake or endangering themselves.

 “This is it” Often when a good thing in your life comes along your gut instinct will immediately notify you. If you receive a strong and clear feeling that practically screams “yes” don’t ignore it. This is one of the most important reasons why it’s essential to listen to your gut instinct. It could make all the difference for you in your life.

 “This isn’t the right choice” If you get a strong and clear feeling that what you’re doing isn’t right, pay attention. Even if there is no moral or logical reason why you should be feeling that way, take heed.

“Never discredit your gut instinct. You’re not being paranoid. Your body can pick up vibrations, some better than other, and if something deep inside you says something’s not right about a person or situation, trust it and keep it pushing.” (Anonymous)[i]

---

[i] Sources used:

·        “5 Gut Instincts You Don’t Want to Ignore” by Tina Williamson

·         “7 Gut Instincts You Should NEVER Ignore” by Mateo Sol

 

The Little Things

“Enjoy the little things for one day you may look back, and realize they were the big things.” (Robert Brault)

An attitude of gratitude can help you get more happiness, better health, deeper relationships, and increased productivity from your life. Gratitude is taking time to think about all the positive aspects of your life rather than the negative ones. Having an attitude of gratitude doesn’t cost any money. It doesn’t take much time. The benefits of gratitude are enormous. Gratitude touches on many aspects of our lives. This includes our emotions, personality, social dynamics, career success, and health.

A grateful heart is a contented heart. A contented heart is a simple heart. A simple heart leads to a simplified life. Gratitude opens the door to simplicity. A person who is grateful for the things they own will care for them, enjoy them, and waste less energy seeking more. They will experience fulfillment in the things they already possess rather than looking outside themselves for more. Those who can find gratitude in their current existence will be less influenced by life’s empty promises. Gratitude is the magic medicine that you no one bottle. Practicing gratitude has many benefits that will help you:

 Gratitude can help you experience fewer aches and pains-You too, can experience fewer aches and pains by practicing gratitude.  Researchers found that an adult writing in a gratitude journal (even once a week) was helpful. The participants experienced: Improved optimism, better sleep, improved exercise patterns, lower levels of anxiety and depression, and reductions in physical ailments for fewer aches and pains.

In another study, spouses kept a journal of the changes they saw in their ailing partners. Those who practiced gratitude had fewer aches and an improved outlook, just after two weeks. Even their partners could notice the difference without knowing what they were writing in their journals each day.

 Gratitude can help you manage your stress more effectively-Appreciating what you already have, instead of focusing on what you don’t have, will create a dramatic shift in your energy and how you manage your stress. Stress is a major drain on your energy. Appreciating where you are and what you have, is the greatest step on personal development, to help you meet your goals, and recognize your potential.

By practicing gratitude for people, things, and the environment around you, you allow your body’s natural responses to stress, to do its magic. Shifting your perspective from ‘what’s wrong’ to ‘what’s going right’ leads you to look for reasons to be grateful. Dopamine creates feelings of satisfaction, pleasure and reward, which motivates you to repeat a specific ‘good feeling’ behavior.

 Gratitude will help you have more energy-You will have more energy by practicing gratitude and appreciation. Everyone knows a restful sleep leads to more productivity and a better outlook. However, dopamine, also affects your energy level. Adding gratitude into your life by simply actively being grateful, keeping a journal, or thanking someone out loud, you can increase your productivity. Happy people are more productive. Researchers at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania randomly divided university fundraisers into two groups.

One group made phone calls to solicit alumni donations in the same way they always had. The control group were assigned to work on a different day. They received a pep talk from the director of annual giving, who told the fund-raisers that she was grateful for their efforts. During the following week, the university employees who heard the director of annual giving message of gratitude, made 50% more fundraising calls than those who did not. Gratitude increases your productivity and energy.

 Gratitude will help you sleep better-Focusing on the positive, shifts your body from the fight or flight state (hormones released by hypothalamus), to more relaxed state.  This response can come from thinking you are in danger when you’ve only forgotten to take out the garbage. Practicing appreciation increases the dopamine levels, while decreasing adrenaline and cortisol (the Stress hormones) allowing for a longer, and more relaxed sleep. There is a direct correlation between dopamine and gratitude.

Hypothalamus is also responsible for secreting three good feeling hormones: Dopamine, Oxytocin, and Endorphins.  Practicing gratitude, can keep you healthier and happier, increase exercise patterns and frequency, improve sleep, decrease depression, and result in fewer aches and pains. You can enjoy these benefits, by simply focusing on the positive interactions you had at work, helping your family on a project at home, or thinking about something relaxing.

 Gratitude will improve your focus and attention-Practicing gratitude is related to 23 percent lower levels of stress hormones (cortisol), and an increase of dopamine levels. Thinking about cuddly animals and sunsets will enhance feelings of abundance in life and satisfaction to increase.

 A study in 2013 looked at young adults who practiced writing daily gratitude journals found these young adults experienced increased determination, improved focus and attention, improved enthusiasm, and had more energy. This study demonstrated that junior high school students who report higher levels of gratitude, also report higher academic achievement. Grateful students get better grades. I am sure if it is helpful to teenagers, adults can benefit from gratitude and appreciation.

 “Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” (Henri Frederic Amiel)[i]

---

[i] Sources used:

·        “31 Benefits of Gratitude: The Ultimate Science-Backed Guide” by Happier Human

·        “5 things you didn’t know about Gratitude that you can start today to enjoy your life more” by RecognizeYourPotential.com

·        “6 Steps to Find More Gratitude in Your Life” by Joshua Becker

 

Awareness

“Mindful eating is about awareness. When you eat mindfully, you slow down, pay attention to the food you’re eating, and savor every bite.” (Susan Albers)

Have you ever sat down in front of the TV with a bag of chips that is full one minute, empty the next and wonder how they disappeared so fast? How about stopping by your co-worker’s desk to grab some candy out of the candy jar every single time you walk by? What about continuing to go up to the buffet just because the food is there? We are unaware of making over 200 daily food decisions. We’re on autopilot. It’s no surprise that this mindlessness leads to overeating and weight gain.

There are many factors that can contribute to mindless eating. It could be boredom, tiredness, anger, or sadness. Sights and smells of food can also trigger mindless eating. Even multitasking while you’re eating, checking your phone, watching TV, driving. Mindless eating means you're eating food just because you see it. Mindful eating means paying attention when you eat. Here are some principals to know about mindful eating:

Focus- Sit down when you eat, listen to yourself chew, turn off all electronics, eat slowly, and finally enjoy your food one bite at a time. Eating healthfully is not very difficult. It just takes some thought, time, and mindfulness.

Hunger Cues- You may not be physically hungry at dinner time, and that’s ok. Listen to your hunger cues. Do you need to clean your plate or can you stop when you feel satisfied? When you do this, your body naturally regulates. Reset your eating schedule and focus on eating when you're hungry and stopping when you're full. You should feel full, but not stuffed.

Log It-If mindful eating is new to you, take a few days and write everything that you eat down on paper. This will illustrate and highlight your personal habits and areas for improvement. You can do this with paper and pen, computer, or one of the many food log apps available on a smart phone.

Plan, Pack, Prepare-Always have something on hand for those times when you are truly hungry and can't get to a healthy choice. This is when convenient and healthy options, like homemade trail mixes, fresh fruits, and Greek yogurt are helpful.

Portions- Think about what it feels like when you're satisfied. This should dictate your portion size. Research has shown that the more food we're served, the more we eat, so put a little less on your plate. Follow the Diabetes Plate Method by filling half your plate with nonstarchy vegetables. Then fill one quarter of your plate with whole grain (or starchy) foods and the remaining quarter with lean protein foods.  

Make sure each bite of food counts. Slow down when you eat and avoid rushing through your meal or eating with the TV on – this can also help your body naturally control portions. Did you know that it takes 20 minutes before your body's satiation signals make their way to your brain? Sit down, relax, and savor your food.

 “When practiced to its fullest, mindful eating turns a simple meal into a spiritual experience, giving us a deep appreciation of all that went into the meal's creation as well a deep understanding of the relationship between the food on our table, our own health, and our planet's health.” (Nhat Hanh) [i]

---

[i] Sources used:

·        “Mindful vs. Mindless Eating” by O’Neal Hampton

·        “Mindful vs. Mindless Eating” by the Staff

·        “Mindless vs. Mindful Eating: What You Need to Know” by Jennifer O'Donnell-Giles

·        “The Difference between Mindless Eating and Mindful Eating” by Xenia Ayiotis

·        “What Is the Plate Method?” By Lara Hamilton

 

Forget

Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. (Isaiah 43:18 NOG)

Why do we hold on to things that are no longer relevant in your lives? Why is it so difficult to let go of experiences that have caused us pain and suffering? Do you want to be free emotionally, and know the open-heartedness and enthusiasm for life that come with making peace with the past? Learning to let go of the past means stepping into the unknown future, and having the courage to let go of what is familiar (even if it’s negative) and being vulnerable enough to embrace and learn from what’s ahead.

Are you limited by distrust, neediness, and a stunted view of what is possible for you. You can learn how to move on from the past and start living a life full of more joy and freedom. Many of us get stuck in the past because of your need for certainty. We all need to feel certain that we can avoid pain, and find some comfort in your lives.

It’s difficult to learn how to let go of the past has to do with the way we link emotion to information. Information with emotion makes an indelible impression. When there is still emotion tied to a memory, learning to let go of the past becomes increasingly difficult. How is not learning to let go of the past impacting your relationships, your lives and your happiness? Here are 9 ways to opening the door of your life to a more joyful expression of you:

Let go of anger-While almost all of your emotions are manageable, the toughest one to deal with is anger. You’ll want to blame and hold responsible all the people who contributed to your suffering. You will walk around with unresolved pain and a burning sensation of injustice. You can’t move on until you forgive. The burning anger in your heart burns only within; it doesn’t affect the people you’re angry at. Being angry at others only makes you more unhappy and miserable. Don’t let the people who contributed to your downfall continue hurting you. Forgive them no matter how terrible the trespass. Breathe a sigh of relief and welcome in peace again.

Let go of attacking yourself-It’s one of the easiest things to do when your life falls apart. We want to blame, scold and attack you. Your family did this to you when you a child, and now you do it to yourself naturally. You attacking you is not going to help the situation. Instead of tearing yourself down and blaming yourself, give yourself some credit for knowing how to get out of the situation you’re in. You have the creativity, resilience, and ability to move forward. You’ve done this before. Remind yourself that you’re worthy, able and smart enough to get through this situation. You may have made mistakes that landed you here, but you’re smart enough to learn from those mistakes and not repeat them in the future.

Let go of comparisons-It’s not life’s circumstances that make us feel bad, but your own life in comparison to everyone else we know. We are a culture that uses your friends and neighbors as a measuring rod for your own personal success. Personal success doesn’t mean doing what others are doing. It’s figuring out what you want and doing that. Don’t measure success by where you need to be at this point in your life. Measure success by being able to do what you want and living a life that’s true to you. Don’t let society be the measuring rod; go within and pursue your heart’s desires.

Let go of expectations-Expectations are the silent killers of happiness and life. Don’t you wish that everything worked out exactly as you imagined it? Don’t you miss all the wonderful possibilities of what could have been? You can spend a lifetime thinking about how good things could have been and how they didn’t turn out as you’d hoped. Then again, you could wake up 15 years later and realize that you should have abandoned the expectations and practiced acceptance. Instead of feeling sad about how things didn’t work out, practice being grateful for how things did turn out. Don’t play society’s games and don’t let outside forces measure you. True happiness comes from within: from your being able to accept life’s twists and turns.

Let go of feeling helpless-Instead of going to bed or disappearing from the world, why not take some time to rest, reflect, and refresh? You can overcome feelings of helplessness by checking in with yourself and thinking about the life you want. You can rebuild from the ground up and create the life you have been craving. If your life falls apart, know that you have the creativity and freedom to design a more intentional life. Take the small steps. Make the internal shifts and work toward a new and improved life for yourself.

 Let go of grudges-Step away from grudges and, for the sake of your life, seek to understand. Try to see each person who wronged you in the best light. Instead of silent wishes that fate run over each perpetrator, whisper silent prayers of forgiveness. Say, “I forgive you, I let go of you from my life and I wish you well. I thank you for the lessons you have taught me and for contributing to my growth.”

Let go of hopelessness-You can view the world through two pairs of lenses. One pair of lenses – the one we pick up most often – is gloom and doom. Everything is falling apart and your life is over. The other pair of lenses is the sense that this setback – even though it’s a serious one – is simply preparing you for something greater. In this setback is something good. In this setback are a message and a lesson for you to learn. This setback is going to turn your life’s low point into your high point. You’re not going to fall further (as you fear). Instead, you’re going to rise higher.

Let go of the pain-It’s easy to nurse your pain and hold onto it for much longer than necessary. Feel the intense feelings that overcome your body and spirit. Cry as much as you need to. Feel as much as you want to and experience the intensity of the pain. Talk to a counselor or friend who can help you unload the feelings of guilt, shame, and anger. Write down the heavy feelings so they are off your chest. Emotional pain is a like a heavy anchor that weighs you down. You can gain your momentum again only when you lessen its grip on you.

Let go of what was-You can continue watching the past over and over. It’s a lovely exercise that makes you feel warm and fuzzy until you realize you’ve wasted years of your life holding onto the past. You can stop living in your past by becoming aware of every time you daydream about happier days gone by. Remember – it likely wasn’t that happy. We have a tendency to hold onto the good stuff and let go of the hellish memories. Catch yourself each time you do it and bring yourself back to what you were doing today. Immerse yourself in whatever activity you’re engaged in right now. Practice mindfulness so you’re no longer living in a time that doesn’t exist anymore.

“This is life. Things get taken away. You will learn to start over many times — or you will be useless.” (Mitch Albom)[i]

---

[i] Sources used:

·        “10 Life-Changing Facts to Heal the Pain of the Past” By Gail Brenner

·        “9 Ways to Let Go of Your Past and Start Over” by Vishnus Virtues

·        “How to let go of the past” by Tony Robbins

 

Changes

“Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.” (Soren Kierkegaard)

Many of us have religious traditions that we grew up in, and sometimes we wonder if that custom is the only acceptable way. For example, many of us grew up beginning our prayers with “our Father” and ending it with, “In Jesus’ name, amen.” That is the way we learned it. I think children should grow up with that form as the main to pray. Pray to God the Father in the power of God the Spirit, in the authority of God the Son. That is the Trinitarian structure of prayer in the Bible.

In the Bible, there is one God who reveals Himself in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. So when we pray to God, who are we to pray to? Is it ok to pray specifically to Jesus or even to the Holy Spirit? The answer is “yes. “ The most common way to pray is to the Father through the Son at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We can approach God confidently because of our relationship with Jesus through salvation, but we’d never be inclined to pray in the first place without the Holy Spirit working in our heart.

The Father, Son, and Spirit are not jealous of each other. Jesus says He and the Father are one. When we pray to the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are there and are interceding for us. When we pray to Jesus, the Father rejoices and the Holy Spirit listens in. Just like we sometimes choose which friend we confide in based on the nature of our problem, it is acceptable to speak directly to each person of the Trinity when it feels more natural to do so. 

God the Father

Most prayer is directed to God the Father. Jesus teaches us to pray to the Father, and He prays to the Father throughout His time on Earth. When we are saved, God becomes our Father, too. We can bring any request before Him, and He will hear us. 

Jesus the Son

The most basic prayer of the human heart is “Save me!” As our Savior, Jesus hears this prayer and will always answer it. When people around us are saved, it’s only natural to praise Jesus for His work on the cross. Jesus removed our sin and presents us as righteous before God the Father. When we pray "in Jesus' name," we're praying with His authority. Jesus is God and man. He came like a servant and took on human likeness. As a result, it’s often easier to pray to Jesus when our feelings are tender or we’re feeling weak.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a person just like Jesus and the Father are. He guides us, comforts us, and helps us remember Jesus’ words. The Holy Spirit also gives us the ability to experience the fruit of the spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). If you need an extra dose of any of those qualities, by all means, ask the Holy Spirit directly. We enjoy fellowship with every person of the Trinity when we pray. After all, there's nothing one person is involved with that the other two aren't. So whether we pray to the Father, to the Son, or to the Holy Spirit, the critical thing is that we pray constantly.

 “Prayers don't have to be long and eloquent. They need only come from a sincere and humble heart.” (Divine Inspiration & Prayers)[i]

---

[i] Sources used:

·        “Are we supposed to pray to the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit?” by Compelling Truth

·        “Do you pray to the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit?” By Alane Zlotnicki

·        “Should I Pray to the Father, the Son, or the Spirit?” By John Piper

·        “To whom do we pray: the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit? "By Matt Slick

 

Work

“Work is God's great investment in you.” (Sunday Adelaja)

14 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them. 15 To one he gave five talents [$7,000,582.85], to another two [$2,800,233.14], and to another one [$1,400,116.57] to every man according to his ability. And immediately he took his journey. 16 He who had received the five talents went and traded with them and made another five talents. 17 So also, he who had received two gained another two. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 He who had received five talents came and brought the other five talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted to me five talents. Look, I have gained five talents more.’

21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master.’

22 “He who had received two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more talents besides them.’

23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow. 25 So I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’

26 “His master answered, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not winnowed. 27 Then you ought to have given my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.

28 “ ‘So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And throw the unprofitable servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:14-30, MEV)

God expects us to be investors.

We must invest in building up others.

33 Sell the things you have and give that money to those who need it. This is the only way you can keep your riches from being lost. You will be storing treasure in heaven that lasts forever. Thieves can’t steal that treasure, and moths can’t destroy it. 34 Your heart will be where your treasure is. (Luke 12:33-34, ERV)

We must invest in building up ourselves.

No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body.  (Ephesians 5:29, MSG)

We must invest in building up the church.

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to him to account for his money. (Matthew 25:19, TLB)

God expects a return.

 44 “God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure. He hid it again and was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned and bought the field.

45 “Also, God’s kingdom is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 One day he found a very fine pearl. He went and sold everything he had to buy it. (Matthew 13:44-46, ERV)

As servants of Christ, we are called to be productive.

 Learn some lessons from this crooked but clever asset manager. Realize that the purpose of money is to strengthen friendships, to provide opportunities for being generous and kind. Eventually money will be useless to you—but if you use it generously to serve others, you will be welcomed joyfully into your eternal destination. (Luke 16:9, VOICE)

“We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you - your energy, your prayers and your money - in this work to which God has called us.” (Henri) [i]

---

[i] Inspired by the sermon “Investing God’s Money: Managing God’s Money” (installment four, part one) Sunday January 26, 2020, Josh Boyer (Interim Pastor, CenterPoint Lewis Center, Lewis Center, OH), CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH.

 

Pastor Dave is on a mission’s trip to our international campus (5^th) in Nagpur, India this Sunday.

 

Additional source used: “Talent (weight)” From Wikipedia

 

 

Memory

“Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.”  (Oscar Wilde)

Journals and diaries are among the most prevalent forms of literature written by common people, prominent figures, and celebrated authors alike. Dating back to the fifteenth century in Europe (and earlier elsewhere), diary keeping was well established by the time the first settlers arrived in British North America during the 1600s and 1700s. At that time diaries and journals served miscellaneous purposes, both practical and imaginative.

They were cherished as spiritual and intellectual anchors during turbulent times. By the 1820s diaries and journals, along with the new nation, had become more complex. They provided a forum for negotiating change experienced by westward pioneers, sojourning politicians, Civil War civilians and soldiers, and even professional authors pondering the national spirit of growth.

As white women achieved higher levels of schooling, they, along with some free African American women, increasingly turned to diaries as self-reflective and expressive outlets. So esteemed was diary writing as a mark of intellectual attainment that many people practiced it for its own sake, sometimes maintaining the routine for decades. Each one a unique artifact that reveals through its author's eyes how life was mentally constructed in another era, the diary surpasses other records of the past for its sense of social and cultural immediacy.

In talented hands, certainly those of eminent authors, the nineteenth-century journal achieved an elevated, literary quality. As multivalent productions, diaries and journals justly hold a notable place in American literary history. After reading the above historical account, maybe you’ve always wondered if there is a difference between the words diary and the journal, or are they synonyms?

A diary is a record of personal experiences which you face in your daily routine of life.  It’s up to you what things you include in the diary.  While writing a diary the things to be considered are date, time, and place. A diary is something which consists of feelings wrapped in words. It includes thoughts which are to be considered as confidential. 

A journal can have a variety of uses, but is often used for the purpose of exploring ideas. Unlike a diary, a journal is unstructured when you buy it, and then you can add in any structure you would like. Journals lend themselves to lists: a bucket list, a gratitude list, anything at all you’d like to note down. Another use is creative writing. Do you have a story inside you? Get writing in your journal.

Journal includes the daily news and events. Journaling means writing down thoughts into words. They are progressive reports about any content. Often journals are informative booklets. Journals consist of focused topics. Journals can be of any type comprising of academic journal, daily journals like magazines, public journals, and business journals. Nowadays, journals are used at many levels, such as in schools, colleges, business forums, and many others.

These two words—diary and journal—are often used interchangeably, but there is actually a difference between the two. A diary is something that is more likely to be used every day to record specific things that happened on a specific day. It can be used to record feelings, moods, and emotions. A diary can also track data to help you make an important discovery. For instance, writing in a food diary might help you uncover the source of your migraine headaches. Tracking your exercise habits may help you make a connection between your mood and whether or not you were physically active that day.

The contents of a journal, on the other hand, aren't necessarily constrained by the dates on a calendar. Journals can include random thoughts, lists, ideas, pictures, doodles, memories, song lyrics, and anything else that comes to mind. A journal is where you would keep design ideas, sketches, rough drafts, and notes.

Does it really matter if there is a difference between a diary and a journal? No. It doesn't matter which format you choose, as long as it works for you and your needs. Writing, whether in a diary or in a journal, can help you organize your thoughts and help you feel more balanced. Expressive writing can result in overall long-term improvements in both a person's emotional and physical well-being.

“If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.” (Benjamin Franklin)[i]

---

[i] Sources used:

·        “Diary vs. Journal: What's the difference?” by Hugo

·        “What’s the difference between a diary and a journal?” by Lucy

·        “Diary vs. Journal: What's the Difference?” by Sadie Holloway

·        “Difference between Diary and Journal” by Difference Between

·        “Journals and Diaries” by Encyclopedia.com