I have kept a journal off and on since high school. My journal writing has been neither structured or consistent, but it has been therapeutic. I recently reengaged with a daily practice as a result of a gentle suggestion from Colleen. Since we see each other nearly everyday she is a witness to my shifts. I had just lost one of my dogs, Annabelle. My heart was broken. Colleen was very concerned about me. I took her kind and gentle advice and began placing my thoughts elsewhere rather than letting them roll around in my head. I have a goal of posting them weekly. Before I proceeded with placing my words out in the ether I had to engage in some major self examination about why I felt the need to place them in a more public forum. Was it ego? No, that didn’t resonate with me (at least at this point in my life). If I had landed on this being a pursuit solely driven by ego you wouldn’t be reading this right now. My sincere hope is this will provide an opportunity to connect on a different level the next time I see you at the restaurant, in the grocery store or walking down the street. This exercise is about humility. We cannot truly connect with others without it. It is also about where I am, what has shaped me and where I am headed. My hope is that I am headed in the direction of becoming a really good human being. I can’t do that alone.
I know there are a lot of people that feel very alone. I read a book several years ago titled Anam Cara by John O’Donahue. Anam Cara is a Celtic term translated as soul friend. Everyone needs an Anam Cara, a person to reveal their innermost secrets and struggles without feeling judged. I suppose those that read this, by default, have become my collective Anam Cara. I sincerely hope that some of you feel less alone by reading my honest and vulnerable words.
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