In the workbook The Creative Call, author Janice Elsheimer encourages readers to write in their artist’s daybook every day. The artist’s daybook is essentially your journal. Not only does she encourage you to write in it daily, she advocates writing first thing in the morning. I used to do daily quiet time first thing in the morning, and have since slacked off in this area. I decided to give it a shot.

The first morning I tried it, I was half asleep as I stumbled into my music room/quiet space. I picked up my black and white floral journal and wrote some random words and phrases. I don’t know that anything made sense, and I didn’t feel very inspired by it. I honestly expected it to flow more and feel more spiritual.

I tried it again this morning. I set up my coffee last night so that I’d have a cup waiting for me. I figure that might be incentive to drag myself out of bed. Unfortunately, I didn’t set the delay timer quite right, so I staggered out of bed to start the coffee, then came back for some cuddle time with hubby until it was ready. Listening to the steaming water flowing through the coffee grinds did make me a bit more excited about the prospect of being vertical.

I fixed my cup of morning bliss, and retreated to the quiet space. I picked up my journal and began with random phrases to get my brain moving until the caffeine kicked in. I gave myself a bit of grace, and took a minute to listen to the birds chirping and even cracked the blinds so I could see the birds perched on the feeder outside. I’ve not been a morning person lately, and should allow myself a moment before expecting insightful greatness first thing in the morning. Besides, part of the purpose of this early morning exercise is to listen. First thing in the morning, you’re still fresh and have none of the day’s happenings to interfere with your brain quite yet. It’s easier to hear from God.

I sipped my vanilla flavored coffee, and thoughtfully began to write. I don’t know if it was the coffee’s help, or maybe I just felt more inspired, but writing came easier than the last time I tried this. I wrote four pages. It was mainly about some frustrations that have been churning below the surface of my life. It’s always helpful to me to get such things out on paper. They lose some of their power over your life when you take pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). One of my favorite quotes that I ran across recently says:

“Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through your fingertips.”
-Dawson Trotman

I think part of it is that I see how ridiculous a lot of it is when I see it before me. But when it’s all a jumble in my brain, it holds more power than I realize.

So like any new thing, I will give this early morning journaling a fair chance before deciding I’d rather stay in bed. This morning showed me that it can be productive. As my body and brain grow more used to it, I believe that God will continue to speak to me. With my journal and a cup of coffee by my side, I think it will be a great way to start the day.