Sunday Journal Prompt

“To care for the present is to care for the future.” 

– Thich Nhat Hanh, Our Appointment with Life 

Ninety-one-year-old Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, whom Martin Luther King, Jr. nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, has long advocated for mindfulness of the moment: Our past is in each moment because it leads up to where we are, and grounding ourselves in the present moment helps shape the future. Last Sunday I had the opportunity to observe this in action. 

During my once-a-year visit in California with my best friend, she got a phone call from someone saying that her husband had had an accident and was in the hospital. Despite this shocking news and its related uncertainty, she stayed remarkably calm. Past experience taught her that freaking out prevented her from thinking clearly. Practicing mindfulness in the present moment, she called a friend who worked at the hospital to see if she could check on her husband, made sure her pets—including her cat Charlie that had just had surgery—were all taken care of, put a phone charger in her purse and locked the doors before we started the thirty-minute drive to the hospital. By breathing and caring for the present moment, she prepared for the uncertain future. 

How can you practice mindfulness in the present moment to shape your future?

Sunday Journal Prompt

“Writing in a way saved me, kept me company.” 

– Carrie Fisher

From the age of twelve, actress Carrie Fisher “wrote things to get out of feeling them, and onto paper,” recognizing how therapeutic writing can be. While I can certainly relate to her experience, what I most appreciate from this Postcards from the Edge author is the way she described writing as like a friend who kept her company during difficult moments.

We have so many voices in our lives, some perhaps unwanted at times. Not only can our journals become a place to process all that input, but also a place to find our nurturing selves. Admittedly, sometimes it can be hard to be a friend to ourselves, especially if we’ve disappointed ourselves or others. During such times, journaling has helped me forgive myself—or, if needed, coach myself to ask for forgiveness from others—and inspire me to do better in the way a supportive friend would. When we feel alone, our journals can become a place where we can find a voice who gets us.

Who or what has most supported you during difficult times?

Who or what has most supported you during difficult times?

Sunday Journal Prompt

“What we think, we become.” 

– Buddha 

If, as Buddha said, we become what we think, what are you becoming? What types of thoughts consume your life? For many, thoughts of worry and fear take up a lot of brain space. We build intricate “What if?” scenarios in our minds, boosting our stress levels about things that may never happen. Why, why, why do we do this? Perhaps we think it’s a way to protect ourselves—to prepare ourselves for undesired possibilities so that we won’t be blindsided, so that we can strategize ways to deal with disappointments. Not only does this zap our energy, but it removes us from the present moment. And who knows? Maybe constantly thinking about worst-case scenarios helps draw them near.

When I picture myself falling or losing my balance while in half-moon or Warrior III yoga poses, I fall. When I look down while in crow position, I fall down. However, when I keep my neck in line with my spine, focus on my foundation and envision myself mastering a position, I maintain my equilibrium. In the same way, thinking about the person we want to be can guide us toward that vision. And journaling helps solidify it.

How might you shift your thoughts to think more about who you want to become?

Sunday Journal Prompt

“When you pen down your dreams, an inner strength and divine power is activated.”

– Lailah Gifty Akita

Last week I overheard two women talking, one sharing about the stress she’s feeling over her divorce. Her friend listened attentively then shared how journaling had helped her manage pain and stress related to medical challenges. “I journaled about everything, and in three months I was better,” the second woman said. While I imagine she pursued additional treatments beyond journaling, my experience has been similar. 

When I was sick with Crohn’s disease and grieving my mother’s death, writing about my situation and envisioning a life without physical and emotional pain gave me an inner strength and aided healing. I was able to unload some of my pain onto the page, reducing the weight I was carrying. It took time and wasn’t linear, but journaling was pivotal to my recovery—and eventually helped me position myself to pursue a new path as a stronger version of myself.

What stress are you experiencing? Imagine what it would feel like to reduce or unload the burden. What might your life look like?