Notetaking
Two days prior to my retirement, I gathered all college rule spiral notebooks filled with notes on conversations, meetings, trainings, etc. and disposed of them a secured shredding bin at work. Some dating back 6+ years. The policies and programs frequently changed during my years of employment at the state so having a record of what policy, WAC, or procedure changed was a helpful resource, especially when case resource managers would ask "when did this change?" or "Why did this change?"
My first journal or diary began when I received a small dark red corduroy autograph album signed by classmates when our family moved from Seattle, WA to Parker, Idaho. Written on pastel-colored pages were rhymes such as
to think you want One is sliver at last I thought
my autograph." The other gold. I'll write my name."
That little red book moved with me from home to home for years, but the memories of their effort to lessen the sadness and anxiety of moving away lasted longer than the book itself.
In our bedroom is a wooden chest full of thin journals written on my Rome Italy mission, some scrapbook style, some filled with partially written entries, and others with quotes or talks had an impression on me at the moment. Most of what was written in them at the time has little value to me now. I don't imagine keeping them but one day I may go through them and extract pages that are amusing or memories I want to keep. The last time I read anything in them, whether in English or Italian, the words seemed foreign to me.
My Dad kept a mission journal of his time in the East Central state mission in the 1950's. I was so curious to read it, but was denied access by Dad, which increased my curiosity even more. The fact that he wouldn't share it with me, made no sense to me. When after Dad passed away, I finally gained access to the contents of his mission journal. I felt ashamed of intruding into his privacy, against his wishes. The mission journal was disposed of during one of Mom's moves after his passing. Dad had dictated his personal history to Mom who typed it. Last year my sister, Teri, thoughtfully created a "Dad" book of his history with pictures and gave a copy to each of us girls last Christmas. (Side note, we also have a book "Mom" book of pictures and personal history which I created, mom edited, and we all received around her 80th birthday.)
This morning, I stumbled on a notebook what I decided to re-purpose but beforehand read a few pages I had scribbled from a previous East Stake Women's conference.
What do I record? Notes like this:
Counsel to relief society sisters: Ministering with youth companions' instruction-
"Send youth with solid sisters on service opportunities. Help them engage by assigning a question to share as they visit and let them know they were hand selected because we believe you have something to offer."
Counsel on life:
"Life has a way of throwing curve balls and surprises. The scriptures (Matthew 7:9-11) offer reassurance that all things, even the surprises, will eventually be for your good. Why? because God only gives bread, never stones, in answer to our petitions." "Scared in life; transcendent in eternity."
"The plan is to have experiences. Love your children where they are. Wandering and wondering does not mean "lost". We learn through experience and through questions. When we repent; they will forgive. Touch His wounds; he touches our words. Bring them back through keeping your covenants and let God do His work with them."
Worthiness = 'trying'.
When overwhelmed by life, think to yourself - "a lot of people have done this before me; I will survive."
Realign, remember, repent. Attune yourself to God and bring yourself into harmony with Him. Our loving Savior rescues and holds us.
Wait for answers in patience. Ground my pain and act in faith.
"Do you need a priesthood blessing? Ask for one."
Step into the darkness and light will follow. Faith is being OK through trial.
Don't set a watch to your healing.
Find Christ in whatever circumstances you may be in.
Think deeply and seek divine guidance; essential inspiration will come.
Joy through temple experiences.
Plant the seed, nurture it, apply the doctrine, sacrifice, lovingly lift in gratitude.
Set aside the anxieties of the heart. Follow promptings. What matters most lasts the longest.
Meditation:
You have been blessed.
Expand.
Trust.
Make time for still conversation
doubt not
fear not
reflect His light
listen
visualize the Lord in front of you.
Attune.
Re-align.
Notetaking helps me to focus when my thoughts so easily wander. Reviewing the notes helps me to evaluate priorities. Most of these notes will be discarded at some point, but the process of recording these words by pen on paper, text on the phone, or computer is enjoyable and helps de-clutter my mind.
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