Guest Post - Melanie Bowen

 Hi - Today I'm having a guest blogger post on my blog, Melanie Bowen. Melanie is a contributor on the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance blog and asked me to share her article on my blog to highlight the importance of inspiration and self motivation when dealing with an illness. I hope you all take the time to read this and maybe it will help someone you know

Journaling - Tracking The Path To Our Goals.  

What is the appeal in journaling? How does cataloging and tracking your progress in goals or recovery help you find success and happiness in life? Take a look at some of the basic ways that putting thoughts and feelings into words can be a cathartic experience that has many positive effects. 

Clearly Defined Goals  

A fulfilling life is goal-driven. As humans we are naturally ambitious and obtain tremendous satisfaction by setting out to reach what may appear just beyond our reach. George Mallory, the famous mountaineer was once asked, “Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?” His response was, “Because it’s there.” We have an innate desire to overcome this seemingly insurmountable. For this reason, tracking our progress through a journal or blog helps us see where we are and how to get there.  

Journaling the Path to Recovery 

Not all goals are those we chose. Due to the difficulties and unforeseen circumstances in life, we might find ourselves in a situation of recovery. Whether from an accident, disease or other obstacle, logging progress can be essential and inspiring. For example, those who have received a prognosis of mesothelioma or other physical diseases such as fibromyalgia may face a long road to recovery. Journaling their progress and measuring the results will help patients maintain a positive attitude toward their situation. It is an accepted fact that our mental attitude can make the difference in successful recovery or continued problems. 

Quality of Life 

Not all of us are artists or musicians or have a strong desire to create things. However, we can all benefit from having a creative outlet. You don’t need to be a grammar expert to create a journal or blog about your experiences. You don’t even need a dedicated audience. The very act of putting our feelings on paper can help us work through emotions, clearly define goals and also gives us an interesting perspective to look back upon in the future. Journaling provides this creative outlet that anyone can enjoy. It can also be therapeutic to those who want to reach goals or who are trying to surmount certain obstacles. Make time in your life to keep a record of your progress. You might find that simply keeping a journal makes all the difference in the world.