My Journey
Journal writing has always been part of my life. In elementary school, I received my first diary. I felt so important recording the events of my simple days and loved the ability to write down all my school girl secrets. As I got older, my diary writing advanced to a journal. I now wrote about navigating high school days, being a teenager, and all the wonderful memories of my time in college.
My journaling came to an abrupt halt when I hit my mid-20’s. I had officially entered the “young adult trying to figure out how to be married and work full time” phase and there weren’t enough hours in the day to write. I wanted to experience life and be completely present in it. I participated in every opportunity possible at my job and with friends. We worked. We traveled. We played. I dove into living life and creating memories. I put my journal on the shelf and more than a decade passed before I picked it up again.
At some point after having children, I realized I needed to be writing things down in order to remember their younger years. Even though days were a blur and activities non-stop, I managed to pick up my journal and start writing again. Instead of writing, it turned out to be more bullet points on what we did each day, but I considered that good enough.
As the years went on, I got much more consistent with writing and my revived practice became incredibly important to me. I needed the quiet routine it gave me at the beginning of each day. This routine lead me into reading anything I could find to be uplifted and inspired. I began to realize how powerful small snippets of words are to our lives and well being. When used in a positive manner, they convey a lifetime of wisdom, support, and encouragement. I began to collect any inspiring quote I could find and taped it into a quote journal. I found so many that it grew into an annual quote of the day rolodex. Each morning, I can flip over a note card and read a new thought to start off my day. This rolodex is now busting at the seams with some days containing 2 and 3 quotes that I have taped on top of each other. You would think after all these years I would get sick of reading the same quotes, but I don’t. I re-remember them and am inspired again year after year!
The last 25 years have been a gold mine to me of gaining experience and wisdom as I walked down my life’s path. I compare it to being in the last car on a roller coaster ride—humbling, uncertain, out of control at times, and grateful to make it back to the station in one piece.
With a new level of personal confidence and courage, my daily journal writing began to include quotes from situations I had experienced first hand. I made it through some tough things and felt I had wisdom to share. Quotes started to flow.
This is a joyful practice for me. I’m amazed at what a positive outlook I can keep throughout the day simply from reading a few kind words in the morning. Filling up on kind and meaningful words gives you fuel to keep the day going in a positive direction.
When we are full of joy, it radiates. Others notice. They can see and feel it. It’s contagious. I firmly believe it is our responsibility each day to uplift others with kind words, kind encouragement, and kind actions. We all have been at low points not knowing how a situation will turn out. Just a few kind words can make all the difference in the world to keep us going.
I invite you to sign up and receive a Quote of the Day each weekday morning from The Kind Word. Use these words to walk with intention throughout your day, sharing joy along the way.
Virginia Cochran Kerrigan
