Journaling
Few practices are more important in establishing a personal narrative than journaling. In order to journal, one must actively create the story of one’s life. This activity exercises executive function. It is a practice in meditating on one’s purpose and the sacrificial means through which one will achieve his or her life’s goals.
Question: Do you write in a journal? How often? What do you write about? Do you review what you have written? How far back do you review?
Writing: Write your personal narrative in 10 sentences or less
Question: Are there other sources you could use for your personal narrative? What are they?
Writing: How has your personal narrative evolved over time?
Universal Narrative
Many people turn to religion to understand a universal narrative. Religious texts have guided individuals and have offered the wisdom inherent in simply framing one’s personal life and experience within a broader narrative.
Religion is not, however, the sole source for universal narratives. There are thousands of non-religious texts that establish universal narratives and inspire people to contextualize their lives within a greater, more meaningful history.
Question: Do you have texts that you read regularly which help you to understand a universal narrative? What are they? How have they helped you?
Writing: In 10 sentences or less, write the universal narrative that you have learned from these texts.
Question: Are there other sources you could use for a universal narrative? What are they?
Writing: How has your understanding of the universal narrative evolved over time?