It's time for you to crack open the brand new journal and make your first entry. Here is what you need to do:
1. Find a quiet place outdoors
2. Sit without talking for five minutes and observe your surroundings.
3. Stay seated and close your eyes for the next five minutes. Listen, smell, even touch your surroundings but do not talk or open your eyes.
4. Open your journal and write!
5. Comment on your experience in the comment section of this blog. Do not rewrite what you put in your journal, just comment on the overall experience.
The time outdoors journaling for me was really cool. I was reminded of the harmony of nature and how complex it all is. The time also reminded me that everything from the smallest blade of grass to the biggest tree has a purpose in this world. It truly is a great world that God created for us to live in, and the time journaling was a great way to get connected.
ReplyDeleteJournaling was first off, rather hot (its summer!!), but so enjoyable. Just staring up at the sky made me remember how small I am but how big God is. The beauty of his creation can be experienced in your own back yard, and i can wait to experience it in Costa Rica.
ReplyDeleteWhile writing in my reflective journal, I thought it was amazing to witness how precise and in control God is. Everything I was touching and hearing was made for a certain puprose and when I was writing I thought of how truly wonderful it is to be able to just sit down for 5 minutes and enjoy God's creation. I never thought about how many animals live in my back yard and how they each were created individually for a certain purpose. That amazed me in my time outdoors. I hope to witness it even more in Costa Rica.
ReplyDeleteAt first it was a little difficult to relax and calm down! Once i could just chill it was really nice and calming, like take a step back and look at Gods wonderful creation around you, His big picture! To think he thought up all that beauty and cares for it, yet he care about us more and thinks of us as being even more beautiful, its astounding. It got me looking forward to be doing that in Costa Rice, i feel like i am going to be in awe the whole time i am there!!
ReplyDeleteSince school is out, its been nice to slow down and look around. While journaling, i saw how intricate everything was. It was getting dark when i was outside and watching everything change as it became night was really interesting. Watching your surroundings is different depending on where you are and seeing what Costa Rica is going to be like will be really cool.
ReplyDeleteAs I was sitting outside, the feeling of being able to be one with my surroundings was a wonderful experience! Once my phone was turned off and I got to feel the sun on my skin, it made me feel very happy and content. It showed me Gods intricate works! I adore nature and its beauty, and it just made me look even more forward to how it will feel to take in the brilliant and stunning outdoors in Costa Rica!
ReplyDeleteImmediately when I sat down, I felt at peace; it felt really personal after such a long school year. Hearing the bird calls and feeling the cool breezes of mid-morning put me into an observant mode. My mind was opened to many different experiences. It was a great experience and was good practice for the trip we are about to take.
ReplyDeleteThese ten minutes sitting outside helped remind me of God's creation! During school, there was no time to relax, but now that summer is here, I can enjoy the beauty. God hand-crafted every single bug and cloud, and I couldn't believe He has created it all.
ReplyDeleteThe time I spent this morning observing God’s creation and writing in my reflective journal was such a peaceful experience. I was amazed at how much I was able to write and all the detail that I put into my journal! I heard and saw things that I would usually never even pay attention to! This was a great way to start a busy day packing for Costa Rica!
ReplyDelete-Michaela Kern
I spent some time this afternoon at my lake house. The voices of nature tell the story of that area if you really listen to it. I listened for five minuets and I was so relaxed to the point were I fell asleep, but It was the peace of nature that is so relaxing. If east Texas was this peaceful, then I can not wait to see how God's creation in Costa Rica compares to here!
ReplyDeleteI love reflective journals! We used them in Biology AP in this year, and it really helps you learn because it makes you really think about what you just learned and then try and look in your life and find an example or just to give your opinion on it. So I took no time in getting ready for this one. Just another reminder that God created everything so intricately, I experienced something amazing. I think we're always just so rushed and busy, and that we don't take time for the little things, which can be just as rewarding. It's alright to take a breath once in a while, and thankfully school is out, and we have a great summer ahead of us. This really helped me to relax personally and the experience was so much better because of it. I know Costa Rica is much more extravagant maybe than Texas, but it's those little wonders we can't forget! God made Texas too, and it's just as beautiful. Looking forward to the trip, we leave so soon!
ReplyDeleteAt first, it was hard to tune out the busy noises and focus on the nature around me. Once I accomplished this, I enjoyed the peaceful environment. It was nice to spend some time listening to the nature God has placed here in Texas. I'm eager to experience the Costa Rican atmosphere and how God has made everything unique in His kingdom. - Kyle
ReplyDeleteIt was nice, finding time to be with just God and His creation, free of the stress and distractions that typically come with the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. I noticed how small humans really are, in the big scheme of things but also how intertwined we are under God's creation. For example, how the stars I look up to at night are the same ones that shine all the way across the world. And, although humans are small we are also so powerful. Taking a look at all the development around the neighbourhood and so on, it's crazy how far we've come. Now, whether it's for the worse or for the better is up to you to decide. Earth is also fragile, and honestly, we aren't taking care of it the way God intended. We came from the very dust of the ground, life was a blessing and we need to give back to the Earth. Honestly, with how powerful humans can be, with our ability to destroy but also to re-build, we can make difference. We just need to be the change that we desire to see.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited that I'll be playing my part in Costa Rica, learning and helping.
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ReplyDeleteHas i sat outside by the lake today writing in my journal i realized how amazing God and his creations are. From the Bluegill perch in the lake to the giant oak trees all around me i realized that everything had a purpose. Also i found my self having trouble tuning out the all the noise in such an urbanized area. I think this is on of the reasons i am so eager to visit Costa Rica, to see it closer to what God had intended it to be.
ReplyDeletePosted for Cam: When I was outside i sat on my roof observing the nature in my back yard. I saw a lot of different kinds of birds. And the sun was reflecting on my skin. It made realize nature is just like us. How God made us different and special just like all the plants and animals in nature.
ReplyDeletethis was really good for me. Its hard for me to just sit and think and this activity required me to do that. I felt so good after and calm, i love how the breeze was blowing and all the calmness and beauty around me. God has made such a wonderful world for us and i can't wait to go to Costa Rica and see more of it!
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