I love to journal. A while back I learned about a journaling practice called Morning Pages by Julia Cameron. I tried it for 30 days and here is what I learned.
What are morning pages?
It is writing on paper what is on your mind first thing every morning. The goal is to write out three pages. Some have called it a "Brain dump."
Here are some benefits I gained from trying it:
Clearing my mind.
What I have discovered is that when I wake up in the morning my mind and heart often have a nervous energy. My mind thinks about all the things I have to do that day. When I do my morning pages I write all that stuff down and then prioritize in what order I am going to do them for the day. This gives me a sense of order for the day. It helps me: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
Turn my worry into worship.
During my morning pages, I will sometimes ask: "What is bothering me?" This is a question I often ask myself when I feel anxious. Next, I write down what is weighing heavy on my mind. After that, I ask: What is within my control? What is not in my control? For the things that are within my control, I ask God what He wants me to do about them, and write it down.
The things that are not in my control, I put in God's "To do" box. I surrender them to the Lord and practice: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and he will direct your path." ( Proverbs 3:5-6)
Mining For Gold.
I have discovered that the morning pages practice is a bit like mining for Gold. Think about how a gold miner has to filter through a lot of dirt and grime to get to the gold. In some ways, morning pages help me to do that. It clears my mind of the worries and anxieties, and I often feel more creative on the other side.
In Conclusion
After trying morning pages as an experiment, it is now a regular morning practice. I have discovered it as a great way to process my life with God's help, to turn my anxieties over to the almighty, and to receive his Peace and Joy.
Please comment below with your thoughts!
