The Importance of Keeping a Journal

The Importance of Keeping a Journal

Throughout life we experience moments of dread and joy, heartache and bliss, terror and security. When I was 8 years old I almost lost my life. After days of being in the hospital I was released and inclined to do the things that 8 year-olds love to do. Even while playing kickball, and running around yelling “tag, you’re it,” my thoughts were often filled with the notion that I could have died and how terrifying that actually was.

One evening I decided to write these notions down on a piece of paper. Then I thought, why stop there? I started writing my dreams and my hopes down too, which at 8 years old were always changing! Eventually I started writing down my daily thoughts and feelings about different encounters and exchanges I had, and by the time I was in middle I realized what an significant outlet that really was for me (outside of playing my viola).

I admit (painfully) today, that I do not write in my journal as often as I would like. I do manage to make a few entries a week, however. It is even more of my outlet today. It helps keep myself whole and centered and, as a young adult I think it is crucial that I maintain a degree of wholeness. Journal writing helps me clear my thoughts at the end of the day so that I can rest easier at night.

In my journal I ask myself tough questions about myself and the people in my life. Likewise, I learn a lot about myself through past entries; I see how much I've grown and how much I still need to develop as a person. In short my journal writing is therapeutic and quite necessary in my life for balance and sanity.

Continue discovering yourself by keeping a journal. 

Community Impact

My graduate assistant position in the Community Service Office at Catholic University is a challenging, albeit fulfilling role. I develop and maintain relationships with community partners in the DC area. Therefore a large part of my job is communication. I communicate with my director on a daily basis, as well as my site leaders (the students I oversee who physically travel to the service sites and volunteer), and finally the volunteer coordinators at the different sites in the DC and Maryland area.

Another big part of my role as a graduate assistant is logistics. For example our office is hosting an event on Saturday, October 19. To list a few major components of the workflow and the planning for the event, I am contacting volunteer coordinators (some CUA have work with, and others with whom the University would like to build a relationship), arranging transportation for the volunteers to and from the service sites (includes maps, buses, and vans), purchasing food and beverages, and implementing a marketing strategy.

If someone asked me what I enjoy most about my internship I would say:  my colleagues, my student volunteers I oversee, and finally the impact that our work has on the DC community. Some part of the city are in poverty and peril and the service that our office renders is helping to alleviate some of that suffering by feeding the homeless and spending time with those who feel neglected.