DEAR DIARY: Self reflection
I just paid for a journal online, which is unlike me to buy anything stationary, but lately I’ve been having an urge in my spirit to document things more frequently. I sometimes think I’m super woman who can store everything in my head, only to find myself forgetting important details.
At the beginning of the year I started writing out daily thoughts but lack of consistency deterred that, and the book I was using wasn’t in anyway motivating.
I just paid for a journal online, which is unlike me to buy anything stationary, but lately I’ve been having an urge in my spirit to document things more frequently. I sometimes think I’m super woman who can store everything in my head, only to find myself forgetting important details.
At the beginning of the year I started writing out daily thoughts but lack of consistency deterred that, and the book I was using wasn’t in anyway motivating.
I discovered that great people keep journals, not necessarily in the form of an essay/diary or nightly rituals but they document. From mark twain, to winston church hill to Anne Frank.
You see, over time I’ve learnt that God tries to make things aware to me using various ways. He knew I wasn’t too enthusiastic about the whole ‘journal idea’, and he wanted me to self reflect more so he decided to make his spirit one. Let me explain.
My friend Biola and I were having a chat recently and she asked me out of no where “ Tosin do you keep a journal”? and I was like No, and she said, “me too, although i’m trying to cultivate a habit of documenting thoughts and ideas, I noticed that many great people keep journals”, after she spoke I just smiled because I knew what God was trying to communicate with me.
On sunday in church the sermon was about vision and four step way to actualising it. The preacher emphasised greatly on the essence of documenting ideas, as they come swiftly so also they leave. I knew this was meant for me, because I get most of my ideas when am in the bathroom, shower time (and i’m not joking, I’ve turned my bathroom to a sanctuary for reflection, brainstorming and prayers).
And of course God had to use his word to prove the point, See Habakkuk 2:2
Then the Lord replied:
“Write down the revelation, and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it., For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
I asked myself what was the point of writing down thoughts, opinions,events or ideas in a book, besides ease of remembrance; as my walls are already full of sticky notes on what I need to do/buy and affirmations. But the difference was made clear to me.
Journaling aids self reflection, very few people analyse how they live, I want to be great therefore I can’t just act and ‘keep it moving’. Self development cannot occur without acknowledging the need to . As you recount the experiences of the day/an event, you assess the way you handled situations, and how things could have been done better.
Documenting provides accountability, you can track expenses/ideas. It also improves self awareness, its allows you to know yourself better. You daily begin to identify your strengths and weaknesses as you analyse thresholds. Also just the way shopping lists and do to lists helps you focus, Journaling improves your thinking and helps to breed your vision.
But then, I also figured I don’t have to literally write, I can type in a word document or use the note pad on my phone, but I like my ideas handwritten, I feel its more authentic. Plus Who knows, my kids may read it and could be the manuscript for a biography after my time on earth is done. After all, the point of my existence is not just to occupy space, but to make an impact in whatever capacity.
Today I tweeted
“Self reflect, identify problem areas, acknowledge, repent, keep pressing on, and self reflect again”.
I sincerely pray that God gives you and I the tenacity and grace to not just live, but to Live meaningfully.
Goodnight
xoxo
Tosin.
AFRICANISM COSMOPOLITAN 
Dear Tosin, thank you for this piece of writing. Ts truly inspirational. Av been trying to keep a journal for years. Ts always among my new year resolutions but lack of consistency deters me too. I agree with everything u said up there. I want to be great. Hopefully I too can embark on this journey with you. God bless you abundantly!
Thank you Josephine for your comment, its always good to have people with similar goals, I’m glad you liked the writing, and hopefully in a few weeks/months we’d see how far we’ve gone. God bless you for commenting !
There is a need for daily self examination as Christians! I hope to meet you someday Tosin. You are a blessing to me, every post I read on your blog is refreshing. May the fire in you never quench.IJN
I totally agree, we as christians need to work more on our selves than just being altogether self righteous. I hope to meet you soon too ^.^ and I scream a big AMEN!!! God’s blessings to you today and forever more. Thank you for commenting !!
Ahhh Tosin you’ve done it again, God bless you for this piece..I couldn’t help but smile gleefully when I read about the ‘shower and bathroom inspiration’ because that’s the same thing with me. You’re indeed great, you shall be greater, in Jesus name. Amen *going to order my journal ASAP*
Awww Chinomso ! my fellow bathroom lover loool, its good to see you can relate, I’m happy you are on the journal writing path with me. God bless you hun ^.^
I always have a jotter around with me. Always! I’m always scribbling or writing down one thing or another. I think its a really good way to get your thoughts organized and also when I come across old jotters, its always nice to see how my mind used to work back then.
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This is beautiful dear. I actually started to do this recently. I realize the need to always pen down stuff, because sometimes the way it comes to you is just perfect from God, when you don’t pen them down, you tend to try to remember, thereby forgetting some of it. To me the originality of the Idea or thought might me lost.
I’m inspired
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Reblogged this on My View On Life.
Hi T! I have been following your blog more often like I should. Its wonderful that you are sharing your gift (words) with the world. I am proud of the woman you are becoming. And yes I did buy the journal.glad I was a blessing to you as you are to me always. Xx
Awww Biola ☺️☺️☺️☺️ thank you so much! I appreciate your words and comments ! God bless you for being my friend!!! Love you long time!
Wow! Tosin, this is very thought provoking. You know how you said ideas go as quickly as they come? It made me remember so many songs I’d failed to write as I thought I’d remember later.
Ain’t nobody got time for anything less than greatness. I shall now be known as ‘The self reflecting Moyo-Pita dragon’ -__-
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I totally agree.. Self evaluation is important for every human and most especially christains. Personally i am very forgetful so writing helps me a lot but i don’t do journals.. i write my thoughts down or my plans . i need a lot of discipline for the journal thing to work for me.
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