Some people write words on crisp, clean pages–forming a journal. Every day, perhaps at dawn or right around sunset, or maybe before retiring to bed or at any opportune moment in the schedule, they write down an account of the activities of the day and the lessons learned from the progression of life. I never maintained a journal.
I write quite frequently—every day, almost. The writings come in the form of essays, op-eds, blog posts, poems, chapters of a novel, or just a few scribbles on the pages of a notebook. But I do not maintain a journal. Sometimes I wonder, should I?
I have no reason to argue against the idea of having a journal. As someone who wishes to write an autobiography someday, I see value of a diary. However, I just have not been able to get myself into the habit of maintaining a journal.
However, almost every day, I feel prompted to write. My writings are my response to things I see and hear. The words I write can be tribute to memories that have driven past the barriers of the mind to make their way to the front row of my thoughts.
I write about the need for change. I argue in favor of holding on to things of spiritual value. Through my words, I oppose that which must not occur. In the sentences I craft, I insert truth and nothing but the truth.
Truth is the foundation of existence. Any deviation from the truth, sooner or later, brings about corrective action. No one can move away from the truth. Truth must be accepted, embraced, nurtured, recognized, and valued.
An essay I write represents the truth in my thoughts. An op-ed I write reveals the truth of the situation I write about. A blog post I publish reflects my true desire to express the contents of my mind. A poem I write helps express the truth of the joy and sorrow that coexist in the human heart. The chapter of a novel—a work of fiction—still represents the true possibilities that humans are faced with. The words I scribble on the pages of my notebook show my true efforts to ensure the continuation of writing.
I do not maintain a journal. But I write, and I write the truth in the most natural way.
Words are powerful. As we learn to organize words, the words define us. Words that represent the truth are the most powerful. When we follow the truth, we find the words that lead us to our destination.