I've Been Thinking . . . The Journal

Introduction

Dear Friend,

As you open this new journal of yours, the first thing I want to do is thank you for having the courage to think about your own life. The fact that you even picked this up should tell you that you're already on the path to a meaningful life. You wouldn't be reading these words if you weren't. So, bravo!

The truth is, no matter our age, no matter our background, we all could use some guidance, wisdom, and inspiration to help us live a life that is uniquely our own. My book I've Been Thinking . . . was my attempt to share with you my own thoughts about a meaningful life. I hoped in doing so that it would get you thinking about what you value. About what you believe in. About what's really important to you.
The response to the book was incredibly humbling, and along the way, many people asked if I would consider creating a journal where they could write their own thoughts as well. Well, voila! Here it is!

Writing has always been one of my most therapeutic tools. Time and again, it's helped me figure out what I'm thinking and feeling. It's also helped me get centered and get clear. In this journal, I wanted to give you the space and the encouragement to explore your own thoughts and feelings for yourself. I hope it helps you gain clarity and that it centers you on your path forward.

Throughout this journal, you'll find writing prompts inspired by the essays in I've Been Thinking . . . . There are inspirations for each week of the year. I've made this a weekly guide, because I myself sit down once a week to gather my thoughts and write.

My hope is that this journal will be a tool to help you make time each week to reflect on your life and write down what you've been thinking. You see, I believe that everyone is a writer, even if they don't think they are good at it. If you can think, then you can write. Your voice deserves to be heard as much as mine or anyone else's, so start using it here on these pages. (And if you need more inspiration, then pick up I've Been Thinking . . . , which has additional writing on all the topics covered here.)

In addition to providing space for you to respond to the writing prompts, I've also included additional space for you to reflect midweek and for you to write down your "yippee! moments" of the week as well. "Yippee! moments" are what I like to call any experience or encounter that made me smile or jump for joy. Sometimes those moments are big. Other times they're small. But trust me, even during our hardest weeks, there is something worth celebrating.

As with I've Been Thinking . . . , you can use this journal in whatever way suits you best. The essays are organized according to the seasons and holidays of the year, but feel free to jump around and respond to whatever inspires you in that moment. This is your journey and your journal. How you use it is up to you.

In addition to the weekly inspirations, you'll also find quotes and prayers to inspire you and make you think. In I've Been Thinking . . . , I wrote about how I use "Dear God" to start my prayers because those words reflect my faith and my beliefs. That said, I know that not everyone prays to the same God or uses that word. Some don't pray at all. That's why in this journal I've included my own prayers, and left space for you to write your own. That way you can fill in the blank however you'd like.

I've also included a "midyear check-in" within the pages of this journal. That's because I like to make a point of allotting time throughout the year to stop and take stock of how my life is going. Is my year going the way I expected it to go? If not, can I redirect myself to better serve my goals, hopes, and dreams? I like to ask myself these questions every few months so that I can evaluate where I am on the path of my life.

I'm so excited for you to start this process. I hope you'll dig deep in this journal, as I did when writing I've Been Thinking . . . . And, when you're done with your writing, I hope you'll be brave enough to share some of your words with others. That could just mean sharing an essay with someone you love. Or it could mean sharing it online with a community of other people seeking wisdom and inspiration. If you ever feel ready to share publicly, I invite you to visit my website at www.mariashriver.com/sundaypaper/ and submit your essay to my team. We'll consider publishing it in a future edition of The Sunday Paper newsletter, which is where all of the essays in my book I've Been Thinking . . . originated.

So, off you go. Turn the page now and get started. I wish you all the best on your personal journey to a meaningful life.

With love,
Maria

Every morning, I start my day with this version of Saint Teresa's prayer. I included it at the beginning of I've Been Thinking . . . , and I wanted to include it again in this journal because I really do believe it's a great way to start things out. I hope it helps you. Enjoy.

May today there be peace within

May you trust God that you are exactly

where you are meant to be

May you not forget the infinite

possibilities that are born of faith

Maybe you use those gifts that you have

received and pass on the love that has been

given to you

May you be content knowing that

you are a child of God

Let this presence settle into your bones

and allow your soul the freedom

to sing, dance, praise, and love

It is there for each and every one of us.

-Saint Teresa of Avila

Week 1

What I'm Carrying with Me into the New Year

"I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copy-books; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end." -Laurie, in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

A new year is always thrilling because we have the chance to make it our best one yet. At the beginning of each year, I like to make a list of all the things I want to leave behind. I also like to make a list of the positive things in my life that I want to carry forward. I encourage you to try this same exercise. As you enter this new year, ask yourself: What do I want to bury from my past, and what do I want to bring with me into the future? Also ask yourself: How do I define a meaningful life, and how do I want it to look for me? What steps do I need to take today to begin this journey?

Dear God, living with regret and guilt for my past mistakes is a heavy burden to carry. Free me from the chains of remorse over things I've done that I wish I could do over. Please help me know in my heart that I can make a fresh start whenever I decide to. Free me to look ahead and not keep looking back. Amen.

Dear                              ,

MidWeek Reflection

How are things going for you this week, so far? What more can you do this week to focus your intentions and move forward on your path to a meaningful life?

My Yippee! Moment of the Week . . .

What brought you joy or made you smile this week?

My Intentions for the New Year . . .

(A little more space for you to reflect on your goals for this year.)