I think of nature, and flowers, trees that bloom, there are also steep hills to climb, narrow trails to navigate, and we are not born with a map

Our Christian walk is not a straight path.  It is more of a hike in the woods and, it can be like a walk in the park with many things to enjoy along the way.

I think of nature, and flowers, trees that bloom, there are also steep hills to climb, narrow trails to navigate, and we are not born with a map that lets us know what lies ahead.  We have unsuspected storms and other weather conditions that can make us cold, frightened, and hungry.

The Bible gives us many lessons to help us find our way, and a journal can also help us keep track of this journey and find comfort.  As we write each day, we consider our circumstances, actions, and emotions.   Every one of us has a different path, and we make different connections from one Bible verse to another bible verse.  Our inspirations also come from our spiritual leaders, friends, and other surprising places in literature, T.V. movies, and YouTube videos. As we write, our trail becomes more tranquil.

There is no "right way" to write in a journal, some of us write prose, some poetry, and sometimes we doodle or write a stream of thought allowing ourselves to imagine and vent our emotions.  Keep these journals private.  It is between you and God -  Do not worry about grammar, spelling, political correctness.  A journal belongs to you and you alone.

Rose Elaine Journals is a play on words.  For me, journaling is a "rosy lane"  filled with flowers and pleasant photos and paintings.   Find your journaling path and enjoy the exploration!

"What did you do today? " The question is asked and answered, "Not much, same old sixes and sevens.

"What did you do today? " The question is asked and answered, "Not much, same old sixes and sevens." my Grandmother would say.  On her scale, one would be rotten and ten extraordinary so,
a six or seven would be nothing worth mentioning.  There can be comfort in the mid-range. There is less stress as we move through our day with or our routines.  The radio alarm clock goes off without exception. Coffee made to your specification and the morning news offers the normal state of affairs.

You probably have a routine, perhaps you are aware, and maybe you are on autopilot and do not consider these daily activities as life fulfilling.  Good habits can ease stress by removing a lot of decisions.  You don't have to think about brushing your teeth and general hygiene.  Perhaps you go to the grocery store the same day every week and make a menu.  Do you exercise, do you meditate or write in a journal every day?  I suspect you take the same route to work and see the same faces as you start your day; perhaps you can rely on a smile and "good morning."

So what if today was just another day.  Nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary, nothing particularly good or bad. 

Can we be grateful for these days too?  I think so!  We allowed ourselves to have room for creative thinking.  We brought order and predictability to our life, and as a result, we promoted a healthy lifestyle.

I will consider "getting out of my comfort zone" at another time, but today, I am grateful for the same old sixes and sevens.

I had a man stop me the other day while I was at a show sharing

I had a man stop me the other day while I was at a show sharing the value of my journals. He was probably in his mid 50's, and as we talked, he told me that he had been keeping a little notebook for years. "I go on these fishing trips with family and friends every year," he continued, "And, I write down where I went, and who came with me, what kind of fish we caught, what the weather was like and little stories of our adventures together. Some of these men are long gone and have passed away, but the memories are fresh in my mind. As I flip through this notebook, I remember." The man smiled and said, "I understand what you are doing."

What a beautiful example of how the act of writing things down in a notebook or a unique journal can bring us joy, bring back memories, or help us remember when things occurred.

Do you have a notebook or journal that you use to help keep track of family gatherings?