Thursday, April 26, 2012

Penning Down Life

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I sit here tonight thinking of all that is currently happening in my life.

I think about my writing.

I love to write; however, you probably already know that, and I try to get my students to love writing, too.

Did I ever mention that I carry a small notebook with me wherever I go?

I probably have. I have about fourteen of them. Some are filled to capacity with single lines, random thoughts, and even lone words. Others are jammed with pages of thought that came to me at one time like the rushing of summer wind.

I will sometimes peruse through these books and recall the time in which I penned these reflections down. Some of the events are exultant, whilst others are despondent.

It all depends, really.

I was wondering…do you carry a notebook around with you? What type of things do you enjoy writing and/or reading about?

19 comments:

Rachel said...

I don't carry a notebook around with me. I should because the kids always say things that I want to record and I think I'll remember later. I don't.

I do keep a journal though. Most nights I write. Sometimes my entries are long, other times, my entry is quite simply, "To tired to write". I figure as long as I write something...... it counts.

I think mens shirts with their pockets are more helpful and conducive to carrying a notebook. I don't always have pockets..... I rarely do actually.

Justin said...

My wife gave me a notebook a while back. It has a leather cover, and it's filled with some of that paper with the uneven edges; you know, to kind of make it look old-ish. It was really a nice little gift. I think maybe I should start carrying it around to make notes and write down my thoughts.

I haven't really used it yet. I think I'm afraid to "ruin" it with writings that I may later find unimportant. Or something. Consequently, I'm sure I've missed out on writing down some memories or funny things that have happened.

Gerb said...

There is always a notebook in my purse and it is always filled with all sorts of great random thoughts that come to mind. I have been writing in notebooks since I was 14, in journals since I was 8. I love reading things I wrote that I have long since forgotten.

Mindy said...

A notebook...
A computer...
An iPod....
My blog...
Each of these things have become repositories of my sometimes rambling thoughts. Happy, sad, and the whole range in between - they capture snapshots of my life. Sometimes the words seem to flow in poetry, still others rush forth as prose. Some I share willingly with those around me. Others may only be shared with a few, and still others may never see the light of day. But still it gives a sense of freedom to put thoughts, feelings, and emotions into words.

(And now, I must admit - I think you've just given me an idea for a post of my own...)

Mindy said...
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Sierra @ Sierra's View said...

Yes, I do! Have 8 million journals for vents, thoughts, quotes, etc. Love writing all my thoughts down.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

No notebooks here, but I do keep one by my bed, for jotting things down in the middle of the night.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

I carry one just in case.... usually its to write down titles of books, something that I need to be reminded of, something I see that I may research later or buy... Also its good if you need to document something step by step.

Linn said...
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momto8 said...

oh yes, I have a notebook. I don't carry it around though, it is on my bedside table. yesterday at the gym i used a paper towel to write something down.

Susan Anderson said...

I usually do. And I keep one on by nightstand, too.

I write down ideas that come to me...things I think might become a poem or post later.

=)

Mrs. Bianca said...

I used to, but now that I carry so much other stuff (small children and their needs) something had to be sacrificed. I always have a pen, though. And have many, many receipts, napkins, gum wrappers, and even a diaper with words scrawled on 'em.

Stephani Cochran said...

Yes, I do! I have four different notebooks. One is a gratitude journal that I just jot down simple blessings that come along my way. One is a random notebook to just jot down anything that comes to mind or that I need to remember, I have a notebook that I write in every morning after I read my Bible. I use it to write what I learned or what God spoke to me through that time. Last but not least, I have a hardback journal that I write quotes, verses, revelations, or my own thoughts that have had life changing affect on me or that I think define who I am. Right now, all four are in the big bag I carry, but I don't usually have all of them with me all of the time. ~ Oh, I almost forgot. I use the Journal 10 also. A 10 year diary where you right down one thing from each day. You can see 10 years of days on one page. It's great! For example, when you turn to a certain date, you can see 10 years worth of memories that occurred on that date all located on one page! As you can see, I like notebooks!

Unknown said...

I go through phases, but more times than not - there is some sort of journal or notebook with me to capture my thoughts as they roll around in my mind!
I takes notes in church, I journal my thoughts for the day - my prayers, my ideas.
Someday when I'm gone my family will find them in the various places I've left them & maybe read through them....or even get to me because I lived in a time they didn't.

Rebecca said...

i do to i always have a notebook with me

wendy said...

well I SHOULD take a notebook around with me, because often I am searching for a scrap of paper to "write something down" I saw or heard, or felt.
I think it is marvelous that you do this.
I'd like to see some of those pages myself.

Teachinfourth said...

R -I think that it's great that you are writing at all. Isn't it amazing how things come to us that are prosaic and thoughtful in ways we never knew?

J - My mom gave me one like that, too. At first I felt the same because it's so cool. Then, later, I realized that it was just for me . It has become my desert journal.

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2007/10/desert-journal.html

Use it, my friend...you writing is SO worth it!


G - Aren't these portals into our past the most amazing things? Sometimes I like to take a little journey back.

Kudos to you!


M - With the vistas you have available, I can see why you have so much you can write. The desert area is where I feel the most fluid with my words.

I think you're right, some we share with others and some of it is simply for us.

S - You and me both. There's something about putting down what you're feeling, isn't it? I love being able to capture those moments.


L - Isn't it amazing some of the thoughts that come to us in the midnight hours when all the would sleeps?

Rock on!


K -Sometimes mine gets things like that, too. It also serves for new words I find that I find captivating.


L - I think not, my friend. I'll bet it captures some moments from time to time.


M28 - I can't tell you how many things I've written on throughout the years when my notebooks simply weren't available. Make due with what you have, right?


S - One of the best ways to get posts. Sometimes I'll read back on something I'd written and it inspires me on something in the present.

MB - A diaper? No way! Okay, now I'm officially impressed...


DL - I used to try keeping separate notebooks for a while and then they all sort of melded into a conglomeration of this, that, and the other.


P - There are times I go through phases as well...one of the best things I found was a message from my mom after she'd died.

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2009/11/november-26-2009.html

I can't tell you how grateful I was for writing at that moment...

tammy said...

I should use one more. I seem to only use one during General Conference or meetings. I once kept one on my nightstand to jot down dreams that I didn't want to forget. Wonder what became of that one?

Karen M. Peterson said...

I carry one around too. Mine is a random jumble of incomplete thoughts and doodles and sometimes just names I hear that I really like. It's fun to collect things like that.

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