Origin of My Spark

I’m reading a book on creativity that suggests having notebooks and paper everywhere to jot down ideas. That way when inspiration comes, we are ready for it. I thought “great idea,” but did nothing.

Later while relaxing in a hot bath, a flash of brilliance, okay an idea, came to me and I wanted to write it down, but didn’t have any paper nearby. I decided to round up all my old journals and writing notebooks, there must have been 8-10 piled high on my bed, most barely used. I placed them all over the house, even in the car, ready to catch the next big idea.

I started glancing through and reading some previous entries and couldn’t believe my eyes. On May 11, 1979, in a journal titled “The Days of My Life,” I wrote about experiencing for the first time “living in the moment” and how I felt this total peace come over me that I fantasized was the peace that I’d feel at the time of my death “totally in the here and now” is how I described it and then I joked that “I didn’t even have to die to get it.”

Wow, I have been on this path since 1979! I am fascinated that I have been on this journey for twenty-nine years (almost to the day) and that I still value and pursue the same things in life.

May 11, 1979 was my first “present moment” experience and without this journal page, I would NEVER have remembered it. I vow, AGAIN to embrace journaling. Can you help me? Do you journal? Can you offer suggestions and ideas on developing a journaling habit so that I don't miss any insightful moments?

There are only three entries in “The Days of My Life” journal. Perhaps that’s where I will start. On page four I’ll write “May 12, 2008, I discovered the origin of my spark!”