Gratitude Journals + Manifestation Books: My Moleskine Obsession

Today, I thought I would share this slice of the chaotic way I try to organize my creative self.

I have an embarrassing love affair going on with Moleskine journals. It has gotten out of hand. But, honestly, I can’t help myself. Every time I see a new style, I try to figure out a way to bring it into my life. More interesting people collect shoes.

moleskine journals | Dianna Bonny Photography

I have not completely moved into the technological world. I steadfastly refuse, because I am still very much a person who has to touch life with her hands. I find the physical process of writing things down to be the most naked outlet, the way to the truest part of my truth.

My Moleskine collection includes a Life Ideas book, where I house all of my personal creative visions and ideas: Pictures, inspirational sayings, goals, and such. Did I say all of my creative visions? Well, I also have binders, which is another obsession story.

creative binders | Dianna Bonny Photography

Then, I have my Gratitude Journal, thanks to Oprah. I am a grateful person, but there was a time when I didn’t write it down. Then, I wrote it down but forgot to keep doing it. Now, it has become a practice I love dearly. When I look back over the one-liners I record before I go to bed, it is a trail backwards, through my life that illuminates all the goodness that has happened right along side the other stuff.

I find my memory can be very selective and limited. Having a record of daily gratitude is like having a box of your childhood mementos miraculously arrive out of the blue. I find myself reading over things that happened, not that long ago, and getting that mushy, sentimental sensation and thinking, “Oh, I remember when that happened! That was so amazing. How could I forget that?” Because we forget.

My Blog Journal, which is the written history of this blog, began in earnest on February 12, 2012. The first line, on the first page says:

“Intention: Connect people to the wisdom and knowledge that they are more capable than they know and provide resources, inspiration, advice, insight, solutions and hope.”

I had not read that since I wrote it. It makes me smile.

This journal is full of ideas and notes I have taken along the way, as well as the recommendations of generous people I have spoken to, who guided me, cheered me on and encouraged me to follow this path. It is my compass and I refer to it all the time.

I also have a small Daily Notebook I carry around with me. I always have paper with me. You can ask my friend, Suzani, who watches bemusedly if I forget it. I have a tendency to lose ideas if I don’t capture them immediately. Some of the most amazing thoughts were lost in the ether because I thought I would remember and didn’t write them down. Don’t let one of your brilliant ideas get away from you.

And finally, or a least this is the last one I will admit to, because writing this down has made me self conscious, is my Manifestation Book. It stores all the beauty I want to call into my life, which gives me hope.

You don’t have to be a Moleskine collector like me, but keeping notes about the journey, as it happens, creates a path. When things get dark, your notebooks will light the way. You will be amazed, when you revisit them, to see just how far you have traveled.

This is a miraculous thing, especially if you are in the throes of a traumatic experience.

May your creative healing endeavors cultivate appreciation for your journey and light the way back home to your true North.

Sending love,

-db

Who is Dianna Bonny?

Hi, my name is Dianna Bonny. It’s my mission to candidly share my journey with you. For me, it’s all about the healing: to create a radiant healing energy for others who have befallen a similar fate. Together, we can forge beautiful lives of belonging and connection. Thanks for joining me today! I look forward to hearing from you.

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