Gratitude
My apologies for the wonky colors and spacing in this post. I am not sure what is going on, but at least you can read it for now!
Andrea mentioned the other day the magic of the internet and computers. She talked about how we meet each other and share our thoughts and ideas in ways which were never dreamed possible when I was growing up, and we do it with the click of a button. When I think back on it, I often wondered how I possibly was able to get through all of those papers without spell check (an important feature for those of us who have an issue with spelling and hearing particular sounds). I constantly carried around a huge paperback dictionary with a font so small I struggled to see it. There was all the long hand writing (which I sometimes miss and just want to write in my journal – the reason I do not keep a journal on the computer) which caused callouses on my third finger. That callous did not leave me until just a few months ago. I look at my adult children’s hands and guess what, no callouses from writing long hand. They can’t imagine the work it really took just to write a paper, although their academic papers are so much better than I ever dreamed of writing. The computer and the internet are magical and I am very grateful for the connections it has allowed me to make and keep.
by Elis Cooke at Journey by Journal
by Elis Cooke at Journey by Journal
Journal keeping is a huge part of my creative process and my gratitudes are a part of what goes into keeping my journal. Without these tools, I would probably not come to the conclusions I do about art (mine and others) and life. This particular journal I received as a gift from my husband and it was purchased from Elis Cooke at Journey by Journal. I love this journal because the pages can easily be replaced and I have 6+ sections to utilize for different things. The touch of this book is amazing. I love running my hands over it and feeling the pages. Just coming to write in this journal is a meditation. Knowing it was touched over and over by Elis, my friend, makes it even more special. Without my computer and the internet, I would probably have never heard of the work Elis does. She is very knowledgeable about journaling (and painting) and has inspired me in a lot of ways. I have two types of paper in this journal one for writing and one for sketching. I carry it with me everywhere! I have art writing, personal journaling, complaining (I actually have another name for that section), doodling, lists, etc. in this journal. Elis was kind enough to share some divider paper with me (her own creations) which I adore! I also love how the pages of this journal lie nice and flat making it easier to use.
- divided pages
Now I don’t mean to sound as though every part of my life is full of nothing but perfection because nothing could be further from the truth. I have my issues, too, like not being able to sleep, dealing with too many left-brained tasks (which drive me insane), struggles trying to figure out what the heck I was doing when I last left a painting (for which I am grateful to ask art friends to have a look and help me out), some times I spend too much time thinking about what I could be doing or what I should be doing rather than focusing on the task at hand, and I berate myself for looking so dumpy - see, I am no different from anyone else. What I can tell you, though, is having gratitude for what I do have keeps me focused on the positive in life. Today, I just read an article in the mainstream press which says optimism keeps you healthier. Well, that isn’t rocket science, but it means naysayers are probably getting it if it is in the mainstream press. I don’t know about you, but clearly I am eager to stay healthier and being positive is right up my alley! So go ahead and pull out a journal, better yet see what Elis Cooke has on offer. If you decide to keep a gratitude list, don’t forget to put your computer and the internet on there because I am glad you are using it! If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
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There are 8 Comments to "Gratitude"
Kim, I love the idea of keeping a journal with different sections in it! I have a journal, and a sketchbook, and notebook for art ideas; it would be great to have them all in one place! I have been journaling since I was about twelve years old, but in the past few years I have spent less and less time writing. I sometimes think this is because I’m not an angsty teenager anymore and my life is more or less on an even keel. I find I write more when I’m upset about something.
I do, however, love the act of writing. I’ll often write my blog posts by hand in a notebook before typing them out. My ideas flow much better when I’m writing than when I’m typing and there’s not as many distractions on the couch as there are on the computer!
I am most definitely grateful for my computer! I could give up just about any amenity, and would glady, but I don’t know if I could live without the computer! I just love how it keeps me connected and that anything I want to know is right at my fingertips!
I have to tell you, Miranda, I do love this journal so much. While I still work with a large A3 Moleskine (I am one of those Moleskine freaks), this is my main journal. One day, I will get a larger journal from Elis (the one I have is the next to the largest she makes) and use it exclusively in my studio/office. Her method is great and makes all the sense in the world.
I have not been journaling as long as you (only about 20 years or so now), but I have to say it is a practice I also RUN to when I am irritated or need to work something out. The thing is, lately I have been able to get out more creative kinds of writing which is unusual for me, so I am grateful for this kind of place to dump my brain. Like you, the act of just writing is amazing and the feel of the pen moving across the paper can relax me if the combination is just right.
I am grateful, too, and grateful for you. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment.
Hi Kim,
You are so lucky to have an Elis journal, your husband is so lovely to give you this as a gift. It must be magical to write and sketch in. Talking of writing long-hand, I had quite a break from writing in my art journal and when I finally got back to it, my writing felt very strange and wobbly and I realised that I have not written using long-hand for months. All my correspondence is done on the computer. Will “proper” writing die out?
I find I write better when I am typing because I seem to go back and amend bits as I go and find I can’t do this when writing long-hand. I suddenly think of more things I want to say in a previous paragraph and like to be able to go back and just insert it. I also type faster than I can write and so can keep up with my thoughts.
Hi Kim!
I’m sorry it’s been so long! As you know I had a fantastic trip to Tokyo and I’ve been flying around like a busy bee ever since!
It’s very interesting to read your words here. In the 10 years between the degree I’m currently doing and the last oone I did, the world has really changed. On the last one I had to get used to word processing as I didn’t have to do that at “A” Level. I sent my first emails too! That was exciting! The computers were just too slow for internet research so it was all done in the library. I hardly ever spoke to my parents as the queues for the phone boxes were interminable and nobody but the richest of foreign students had mobile phones. It’s a different world now. If someone (usually me!) is running late to meet a friend we can just text rather than having to hang around outside MacDonalds for ages looking lost! Most of my felow students don’t realise just how different things were only 10 years ago.
I’m going to go around checking for callouses! I still have my writing bump. Of course, we ought to all have painting bumps! :0)
Kim, am so far behind here as your blog doesnt register on my blog roll thing so I forget to look. I havea small journal Elis made, but actually I wanted it for my journal collection. Although I used to keep copious journals, nowadays I dont. I just received a hand written letter from a friend who sends one every once in awhile. So nice. Kim, will return to read more of the posts i missed. Be well, Suki
Hello Dianne, you are so right, I am very lucky to have one of these lovely journals. You know there are some things which I can’t imagine writing long hand, too. Basically any polished work I use the computer. Most of my journaling is so rough and so confusing only I really understand it. What the slow method does for me is gets typically hidden things from deep within my muse out and in some kind of form I can begin to work with. It also allows me what I call ‘brain dumps’ which clears my head and uncovers what I honestly need to get from deep in myself. Thanks Dianne!
Hello Busy Fiona! You were in the middle of the change that is for sure. I remember when I first started using the internet I couldn’t believe what was at my fingertips. Now remember I wasn’t writing papers back then, either. Oh I do remember my husband had a mobile phone his office provided and that thing was HUGE and heavy! It is funny, isn’t it? You know, I can’t imagine having to send my daughter and son off to school without their computer and phones. How did parents do it back then? Now who is showing their age? Thanks Fiona for sharing this perspective from both sides of the divide!
Hi Suki, I don’t think of you as being far behind at all here. You have been one busy lady that is for sure. I can imagine your journals must be incredible. I have always thought of writers as having amazing journals with all kind of notes in the margins, etc. I have to say, I do love my journals and find they not only keep me on track, but give me a place to leave stuff I do not need to be carrying around with me all the time. They just make me happier. A handwritten letter. Now that is beautiful. I am afraid I don’t do that too much any more and even use emails (or texting) in place of phone calls a lot. I will say, though, my daughter is excellent with sending handwritten notes. I think it is the writer in her (and maybe your friend). Thanks Suki, you always give the greatest insights to the literary arts.
Wonderful post, I have the writing bump on my middle finger;) And love to handwrite too, on beautiful paper, with a pen which runs along smoothly, it has a goldnib:),
I just ordered one of Elis’s beautiful notebooks, am so excited cause I have been thinking about this since you showed me your’s in NYC:)
love
Andrea
Thank you, Andrea. Isn’t it funny how we get that old bump on that finger? Oh, your pen sounds lovely. I kind of have a pen fetish. I love them so much. Ah, I am so glad you ordered a journal from Elis! You will be so pleased with it. I find it makes me feel so good just to touch it…and I have truly gained a lot more using it in sections. I still adore my moleskines and will always use them for sketchbook work, but this is just right for all the other things. I can’t wait to hear how you like it!