|
Is it time
to practice the Art of Noticing…and Journaling?
When I first
created my book Notice and Journal, I wrote this poem as my
introduction.
I Notice My Life
by Joyce Chapman
I notice my life.
Notice my self.
I laughed so hard
today.
I notice the times when I laugh.
I notice how laughing makes me feel.
I notice what my true feelings are.
 I notice the
changes in me.
I notice what brings them about.
I notice: am I laughing enough lately?
I notice what’s here for me to learn.
I’m a scientific
observer
Of my own life.
I’m gathering the material
For reflection and decision making.
I notice what I
really want.
I notice what I need.
What is the gift in each situation?
I especially notice opportunity.
I notice my
gentleness.
I notice my vulnerability.
I notice my strength.
I notice beauty.
I notice love.
I notice you.
I know one thing:
It’s what I don’t notice
That gets me in trouble.
What does that tell me?
To notice what I don’t notice!
Noticing is my
tool,
My wakeup call,
For taking responsibility.
The more I notice,
The more I take charge.
I notice
And I learn.
I enjoy the learning.
Or sometimes hate it.
Often laugh at myself.
But in noticing,
I accept.
I make my experience my very own.
I stop blaming anyone else,
Stop resisting the truth,
And create each moment anew.
I learn.
I laugh.
I grow.
I become.
I notice--
And celebrate.
So… if you want to try out Noticing and
Journaling here are some guidelines:
Noticing is the most powerful tool for self-realization and growth
that I've ever discovered. Noticing invites us to be conscious
creators of our own reality.
The ground rules for incorporating the habit of noticing into your
life are simple; begin by noticing what it is that you
characteristically notice. Pay deliberate attention to what you are
noticing, from one minute to the next. Notice everything there is to
notice in each moment. Notice what you feel and think, and also
notice how you react. Through fully embracing your life experiences,
endless possibilities will present themselves for your observation.
The more you notice, the more you'll find to notice, experience, and
learn!
There is no right or wrong way to notice. When you are ready and
eager, pick up your pen and journal to actively examine and record
your observations, your thoughts, your feelings, and your insights.
As you begin, begin directing your attention to noticing, write
about your observations right on the spot, or live with them for a
day or a week and then write.
It is essential to summarize each time you write with a brief
feedback statement that captures the learning and provides the
opportunity for insight. The feedback statement is a definitive aid
and with the help of this short summary, the new concept can be
integrated and a true change of consciousness can take place. In
this way the feedback statement can actually result in a raising of
your consciousness.
As you begin noticing and journaling, remember to be gentle with
yourself. Offer yourself unconditional love. Become the one who is
sure to love you no matter what presents itself. Applaud your
achievements. Accept your humanness. Be understanding while
encouraging your best to come forth to be congruent with your truth.
 
|
