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.

Visit my Notice and Journal Blog for a daily tip!