“People often use the excuse that their lives are uneventful and nobody would be interested in what they have done. But I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on through the generations. Each of us is important to those who are near and dear to us—and as our posterity read of our life’s experiences, they, too, will come to know and love us. And in that glorious day when our families are together in the eternities, we will already be acquainted.”
President Spencer W. Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Personal Journals”, New Era, December 1980
I’ve been pondering lately the importance of keeping a record, or journal, of our daily or regular challenges in life and how we overcame them. Also, about our regular joys in life and the positive happenings as well.
I need to get better about journaling. For a couple of reasons I should record my life’s happenings; one, so that I will remember my own experiences in life and how I made it through them when I look back. I will not always remember. I may think I will but the older I get, well, you know.
The second reason to keep a record is so that my children and their children, and their children, etc., will not only get to know me, but they will also, hopefully, learn from my mistakes, my experiences, my life and I may be of some help.
Afterall, did not prophets anciently keep a record to help generations beyond them through life? Did not my great, great, great grandfather, Wilford Woodruff, keep a record of his life? I have not only been able to know him on a personal level and not through just Church history, but I have learned how he made it through struggles and heartache, as well as the easier moments in life.
One thing I need to be aware of, is the need and temptation to portray myself better than I really am. I need to be cautious so that I come across as honest and full of integrity and not come off as superficial or fake. I see that bi-polar behavior constantly in social media. I may not be perfect or very close to it but if I am sincere and genuine, someone may benefit and learn, even myself down the road.