journaling

Prayer Journaling: The Spiritual Practice I Can’t Live Without

Prayer journaling is an essential spiritual practice for me and has been since I was in my late teens. But it was only recently that I realized how much I need journaling to feel connected to God.  

“On a scale from 1 to 10, I’d give us a 3.”

That was my answer when my life & leadership coach recently asked me how things were going in my spiritual life. And by “us” I meant God and me.

“Why so low?” she inquired.

I gave an easy answer: “I haven’t been to church in weeks.”

In March, I started a new job, and I have yet to get a handle on my schedule – hence the absence at church. But I knew that this had little to do with the low score.

When I signed up for life and leadership coaching, I promised myself I wouldn’t spend this money only to spend an hour every other week lying to myself and my coach. So, I got honest.

“But if I’m being real, that can’t be why my spiritual life is in shambles,” I told her. Alice Walker once wrote, “Any God I ever felt in church I brought in with me.” And that’s exactly how I feel, I shared.

“So, what helps you feel close to God?” my coach asked.

“Prayer journaling,” I answered without delay.

As I struggled to adjust to my new life as editor of one of the last few remaining print publications in Birmingham, I not only neglected going to church but prayer journaling was pushed to the back burner too. This chat with my coach showed me that I had to fix this.

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6 Questions to Ask Yourself This Week

On Friday, April 17, I had the honor of delivering the keynote address at the Youth Leadership Birmingham graduation. Youth Leadership Birmingham (YLB) is a program by Leadership Birmingham for high school sophomores and juniors who are dedicated to creating meaningful change in their community and the city we call home. Founded in 1986 by visionary Leadership Birmingham alumni who recognized the need to cultivate young leaders, YLB creates transformative experiences by bringing together diverse student cohorts across Jefferson County for comprehensive leadership development – all at no cost to participants.

Many of the parents and other adults in the room told me that even though my talk was for the kids, they found themselves taking notes. What a compliment! So, I’ve decided to share my remarks here on the See Jane Write blog.

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45 Birthday Journal Prompts

Today is my birthday, and I kicked off my own personal new year with two hours of journaling. Yes, TWO HOURS. You know journaling is my jam.

Some people think of journaling as juvenile, equating it with the “Dear Diary” ranting and raving we did as kids or angsty teens. But I turn to journaling for self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-care. I turn to journaling to grow up and glow up. In fact, the older I get, the more important journaling becomes. At this point in my life, it feels as necessary as water and air.

It’s my birthday, but I want to give you a gift. In honor of my 45th birthday, I’m sharing 45 birthday journal prompts for you to try when your special day comes back around — or even right now.

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28 Days of Self-Love Journal Prompts for February

February is the perfect month to write your way through 28 days of self-love journaling prompts. With Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day on the horizon, February is a month that’s all about love. And it’s my favorite month because it’s also my birthday month and Black History Month.

While we spend much of February focusing on our love for others – from best friends to romantic partners – we must be careful not to neglect self-love along the way.

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