10 Inspiring Journaling Prompts for Challenging Times 3

IN CHALLENGING TIMES, it is easy to get lost in the dark or negative aspects of what is going on around us and forget to look for the good—especially when newspapers and online media sensationalize the negative in order to take advantage of our natural, though morbid, sense of curiosity. And because we see what we pay attention to, it’s easy to notice only the baser aspects of humanity and forget to look for the elevated qualities. In this state of mind, it’s easy to become discouraged, to feel isolated, and to despair.

However, we can keep or raise ourselves out of this frame of mind if we consistently seek the light in ourselves and others, notice the positive positive and generous actions of others, and develop confidence in our own gifts.

[bctt tweet=”Writing positivity into the world is a powerful act.” username=”writingthrulife”]

With this purpose in mind, I’ve excerpted and, in some cases, slightly revised the following prompts from Week by Week: A Year’s Worth of Journaling Prompts & Meditations:

1. Think about the people you’ve read about who exceed their physical limitations—septuagenarians who compete in Iron Man Triathlons, wheel-chair bound athletes who bicycle miles over steep mountain roads using their arms to propel them, and blind artists. How can their examples inspire you? What, in particular, makes these people extraordinary? In what ways are you extraordinary?
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2. Write your response to the following quote by Helen Keller: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” In your opinion, what are the “best and most beautiful things in the world?”
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3. What is one thing that you know you can do—no matter how small—to make a positive difference in others’ lives? How can you make that action a regular part of your life? Are there other actions you could take that would benefit others? What is the first step you need to take?
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4. Find a piece of positive news—for example, a story about a hero or a person who is making a difference in some way. What is your first response to this story?
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5. Write about a world event or organization that gives you hope for the future.
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6. Make a list of five to ten abilities, things, or people you take for granted. For each item or person on your list, write what positive contributions those items or people make to your life and/or to the world.
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7. Remember a time in your life that was difficult for you. In what ways are you now thankful that event occurred? What did you gain from it? In what ways might you find the positive in a current difficult event in your life?
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8. Who is the most inspiring person you know? What qualities does that person have that are inspirational? What similar qualities do you have?
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9. Complete the following sentence ten times: “I hope . . .” Review what you have written. How do you feel?
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10. In all of nature, what inspires you the most? Close your eyes and, in your imagination, travel to that place. Breathe deeply of the air. Look closely at the images in your mind. Now, open your eyes and write a description of that place, why it inspires you, and how you can use thoughts of that place to life your spirits and bring inspiration into your daily life.

Writing positivity into the world is a powerful act, and one that all of us can do each day. Do you have inspirational thoughts or prompts you’d like to add?