Journal in a Jar

On Tuesday, December 2nd, Mary Hunt suggested a unique gift for the holiday called a Journal in a Jar. Mary writes a column called "Everyday Cheapskate" and I have found many of her suggestions to be very worthwhile. The Journal in a Jar appealed to me on many levels. Here's what is involved: Assemble in a container everything that the recipient would need to write a journal about his/her life. This starts out with a blank journal and several writing implements and at least 365 separate questions that could be answered - allowing for a full year of answered questions that will explore many aspects about that person. Many years ago I asked my Dad to do something similar to this. Unfortunately, even though he was an author, he never turned his writing skills to this. But I can and you can, no matter what your age. Mary provided hundreds of potential questions for all types of age groups on her website (DebtProofLiving.com). Go to "Mary's Web Desk" under "Quicklinks" at the left side of her home page.

What brings this to the forefront so long after the original article was published? On Saturday December 27th, my hometown newspaper published 47 questions for a Journal in a Jar and there are even more available now at the MinnMoms forum. I am going to take some of these questions and answer them over the next year as a way of exploring myself. I believe that knowing myself better, my artwork will be more personal, more focused, and a more well-rounded experience. I urge my readers to allow themselves the opportunity to answer some of these questions for themselves. Self-exploration and self-realization can only be positive and help all of us "find ourselves" - a goal that many of us "flower children" had while we were growing up in the 60's.