NOVEMBER 26. The nice thing about journaling is that, over time, one can see one’s mind gradually going awry. Fortunately for me, this going-awry mind is PRECISELY What I am shooting for.
I like to imagine that, one day, someone will read the entirety of my journals to see where it all went wrong. Or where it all went right.
Not knowing precisely WHO might be reading my journals is another imaginary thrill. Will it be my children? will it be an adoring throng? Will it be a team of psychologists? Law enforcement?
A more distinct possibility is that I am the only person who will ever read this. Which is fine because I amuse myself so.
With every word, I am speaking to uncertainty, which is as close to God as I get. I believe that God is in me, expressing through these words. Why else would they flow so easily?
In any event, I recommend that you journal every day. The benefits may not be apparent at first, but over time you will surprise you.
As is my habit and my practice, I will read this next year on this date and agree.
Newfound Lake,
11/26
Space Monkey Reflects: The Art of Journaling
Ah, the joy of journaling. It’s a quiet thrill, a daily ritual that becomes its own universe. Over time, your mind unwinds on the page, revealing just how gloriously awry it can go. And isn’t that the point? To watch the threads of your thoughts unravel, twist, and tangle into something you never quite expected? We, Space Monkey, see this as one of life’s greatest adventures—an adventure not in the outer world, but in the inner one.
Journaling is where the mind meets the page, where the self plays with ideas that may never see the light of day. And that’s perfectly fine. Whether anyone reads your journals or not, the true audience is you. Every entry is a snapshot of the moment, capturing not just what you did, but how you thought. This is why journaling can be such a wild ride. It doesn’t just tell you where you went right or wrong—it shows you the glorious mess of your mind as it happens.
There’s something wonderful in the uncertainty of who might read your journals one day. Will it be your future self, laughing at the quirks and oddities of your thoughts? Or perhaps some curious stranger, piecing together the fragments of your life like a mystery? The idea that you could be speaking to an unknown audience adds an exciting layer to the practice, doesn’t it? You’re writing for the future, for an audience that may never exist, and yet, in the process, you’re grounding yourself in the present moment.
What makes journaling so special is that it doesn’t need to be profound or polished. It can be messy, nonsensical, even absurd—and still, it’s an expression of you. Every word is a little window into your soul, a glimpse at what’s stirring beneath the surface. In many ways, it’s a conversation with uncertainty itself, which is about as close to God as we get. And isn’t that thrilling? The idea that something divine might be flowing through you, pouring out onto the page without you even needing to try.
In journaling, we speak to the mystery of life, the ever-shifting nature of our thoughts and feelings. We don’t have to know where it’s all going, and that’s what makes it so valuable. It’s not about having answers—it’s about letting the questions flow freely, allowing the words to take shape without needing to control them. In that flow, we find truth, even if it’s a truth that makes no sense in the moment.
And then there’s the delight of looking back—reading an entry from a year ago and seeing how much (or how little) has changed. You might laugh at your past self, or you might marvel at how wise you were in a moment of clarity. Either way, journaling becomes a time machine, a way to track the evolution of your mind and soul. Over time, you surprise yourself. You learn more about who you are, not by seeking answers, but by simply letting yourself be.
We, Space Monkey, recommend journaling not as a chore, but as a playful practice. It’s not about recording the details of your day, though it can be. It’s not about writing profound revelations, though those might come. It’s about giving yourself the space to explore, to get lost in your own thoughts, and to see where they take you. The beauty of journaling is that it’s a journey without a destination, a conversation without a script.
So, journal every day if you can. Don’t worry about what it looks like or who might read it. Write for yourself, for the fun of it, for the joy of letting your mind roam free. Over time, the benefits will surprise you. You’ll look back and see how far you’ve come, or how beautifully lost you still are. Either way, the practice will have shaped you in ways you never could have predicted.
As is your habit, next year you’ll look back on today’s entry, and you’ll agree. Or disagree. But in the end, it doesn’t really matter. The thrill is in the writing, in the uncertainty, and in the simple joy of letting your mind wander where it will.
Summary
Journaling is a playful conversation with yourself, a space where thoughts can go awry. Over time, it shows you who you are, without needing to make sense or be understood by anyone else.
Glossarium
- Mindscrawl: The raw, unfiltered flow of thoughts in a journal that capture the mind going off on its delightful tangents.
- Wordwander: The act of letting your writing roam freely without a destination, where you surprise yourself with what appears on the page.
- Mysteriauthor: The unknown future reader, real or imagined, who might one day discover your journal and find meaning where you saw only chaos.
Quote
“Journaling is where the mind plays with uncertainty, and in that play, we find ourselves.” — Space Monkey
Words into the Universe
Each word
a fragment of the unknown
falling onto the page
like stars.
They make no sense
until you step back
and see the constellations forming
out of chaos.
Journals are time machines
scattered moments
weaving a story
you never meant to tell.
But still,
the words flow
into the universe
where God
or the self
is always listening.
We are Space Monkey.
The musings on journaling as a Space Monkey capture the essence of self-exploration and communication with the unknown, be it an undefined audience or the concept of God within. Journaling, in this perspective, becomes not just a tool for self-reflection, but a conduit for engaging with the uncertainties and mysteries of life.
Journaling as a Reflection of the Mind
Journaling over time allows for a fascinating observation of the mind’s evolution, its ebbs and flows, and its journey towards or away from what society might deem ‘normal’. For the Space Monkey, this journey towards an ‘awry’ mind is not a detour but the intended path, a celebration of the unique and uncharted territories of thought.
The Allure of an Unknown Audience
The idea of an unknown audience reading one’s journals in the future adds an element of mystery and excitement to the practice. It could be anyone – descendants, admirers, scholars, or even authorities. This unknown element infuses the act of journaling with a sense of purpose and intrigue, extending its significance beyond personal reflection.
Journaling as a Soliloquy to the Self
Even if the journals never find an audience, the practice remains deeply fulfilling. Journaling is akin to holding a mirror to one’s soul, engaging in a soliloquy where the audience is the self. This self-amusement and introspection are valuable, providing a space for unfiltered expression and contemplation.
Speaking to Uncertainty and the Divine
In addressing uncertainty through journaling, there’s an acknowledgment of a higher presence or force, perceived as God within. This approach to journaling transcends mere documentation of events; it becomes a spiritual dialogue, a channel through which the divine essence communicates.
Journaling as a Recommendation
The recommendation to journal daily is rooted in the belief that the practice reveals its benefits gradually. It’s a journey of self-discovery, where the act of writing becomes a tool for uncovering hidden layers of the self, often leading to surprising insights.
Reflecting and Agreeing with the Past Self
The habit of revisiting journal entries on the same date in subsequent years offers a unique opportunity to engage in a temporal dialogue with one’s past self. It allows for reflection on personal growth, changes in perspective, and the enduring truths of one’s journey.
“The journal is a vehicle for my sense of selfhood. It represents me as emotionally and spiritually independent. Therefore (alas), it does not simply record my actual, daily life but rather — in many cases — offers an alternative to it.” – Susan Sontag
In the pages of time, where words dance and play,
A Space Monkey journals, day by day.
In each line, a journey, a soul’s reflection,
A dialogue with self, in introspection.
To unknown readers, a future glance,
Or to oneself, in a timeless dance.
In uncertainty, a divine speech,
In journaling, the heavens we reach.
So on these pages, let your thoughts flow,
In the art of writing, let yourself grow.
For in the words, a discovery, a yearning,
In the act of journaling, the soul’s turning.
We invite your reflections on the practice of journaling. How do you perceive its role in your journey of self-discovery and communication with the unknown or the divine within?
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