Reread what you described. Then ask yourself why each listed item is important to you. Think about what you wanted and listed, and then think about why you wrote it down, then write that down. Remember that there is no right or wrong way of doing this journal exercise. Whatever is important to you is correct. Whatever you journaled is exactly right answer.

You can use a blank book, a notebook, or a computer for this journal.

What can happen is that you can focus and clarify what is important to you and why. You may want to journal about same topics from time to time, say every few years, using same blank book. As time passes you can reread what was important and what is important.

Copyright Doreene Clement All Rights Reserved

Doreene Clement, a cancer victor and author of The 5 Year Journal, is currently writing a new book, Blessed, about her life and her cancer experience. For more information www.the5yearjournal.com 480.423.8095 Copyright 2005 OMDC, LLC All Rights Reserved

I hope you know whom I’m talking about? If you are a regular student of Sunday school class you should know. Anyway, I’m talking about Noah, who like you and me had a dream and work towards its accomplishment. Did you say his vision was divine?

The vision was nothing different from one you had in your mind. It’s nothing different from that dream you abandoned because your friend said it wouldn’t work. It’s nothing different from that vision you tossed through window because your parents think such dream is insane. It’s nothing different from lifetime goal you shy away from because you got so many people laughing at you. Those are simply your critics at work.

If you are not criticized, you can’t get better. If you are not laughed at, don’t expect to be successful. If people did not say, “It won’t work” then you still have a long way to travel. I’m not saying walk into streets sharing your dreams with every passer by but people don’t have to like what you are doing or where you want to go. They don’t have to come giving you backslaps or some courageous words to push you on. They are basically there to dislike your dream, then wonder how good you are doing and finally they will be left with no choice than to like your dream.

Coming soon, “Haiku with love” An inspiring poetry collection by A.Z. Alfred. To be published by Author House, USA. www.writesight.com/blackzeal101

A.Z. Alfred is a writer and a motivational speaker whose greatest pleasure is observing the world through a window while listening to inspirational songs.