Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.
- Lao Tzu -

Sometimes, in order to move forward, you must stop looking behind you and just forge onward, no matter how scary or unfamiliar. You must simply shut your eyes and take that first step into the unknown. And sometimes, you must give up, give away, or throw away everything that blocks your way - no matter how much psuedo-comfort you think it is bringing to the table ...
My journals have always brought me tremendous joy. I loved writing them and they always helped calm the rough seas during my stormy weather.
They have guided, comforted and healed me and at times - they have been mentor, confidant and one true friend. But, if you are a journaler, then you probably already know this.

Over the years I have created many journals - I currently keep a Daily journal & Blog as well as several Gardening Journals, a Wishes & Dreams journal, a 'Things I Love' journal, a Birding, Nature and a Gratitude Journal ... just to name a few.
I have been chronicling almost every single event, dream, thought or fear I've had - almost daily - for the past 7 or 8 years (as well as sporadically all my life).
I loved to journal. It kept me focused, centered - it was my only needed therapy.
They were my proof of life, my paper-trail, as it were, my autobiography.
My journals lined the walls of my office. They were never been neglected for I loved to take them down and look at them - update them - color them - doodle on them or simple relive them. They were my emotional safety deposit box. Until to today ...
Recently, I have come to understand, that for me, a big part of moving forward, is letting go of the past because in much the same way as Emotional Eating has kept me overweight - emotional safekeeping has slowed me down and held me back.
When you put all your time and energy into trying to hold on to, what is now, the past you simply haven't anything left over to propel you forward ... into your future. I don't need or want to weigh myself down anymore - it's time to clean house.
And so, without much adieu, I have tossed out years & years of journaling and journals because I have come to realize that if it is a memory worth keeping - I will hold it tight and keep it inside me always - everything else is garbage.
I was afraid that I would start to panic as I emptied each binder and tossed out each handmade journal ... but I actually began to feel lighter, calmer, more in control with each toss into the recycle bag ...

I have made the decision to keep only my day-timer (which I track appointments and such in) and my Love journal, Gratitude journal and my Nature journal. That's all - oh ya, and my blog. I feel comfortable keeping these because they are ones that I only write in once and a while (and they do not chronicle my everyday life).
Well, I now that I have emptied my office and filled the recycle bin I feel so much more able to move on and begin my new adventures.
My journals are the first of many major purges that I will undertake in
the next few weeks/months as I move forward into my new life - so stay
tuned.
There is so much I want to do with the rest of my life and I will not allow anything to hold me back or weigh me down any longer. I now know I don't need the safety nets & padding - I only need Mike to catch me when I fall! That's it.
Have a great day
N