Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death. ~Anaïs Nin
You might be surprised when I tell you I have never kept a diary. I've never kept a journal. Yes, I write for a living, but I've never seen the need to just write for myself. I've always liked writing for an audience. An audience that can immediately respond. (Thus, you see why I like this blogging thing.)
Still, it's become apparent to me, this needs to change. Last Saturday I went to a meditation/journaling class without a journal. I scribbled in my reporters notebook. Something was just so wrong about that. Everyone else opened beautiful well worn journals. (yes, I had journal envy) It occured to me these personal books are treasures to come back to and read to see where you've been.
A friend of mine recently pointed out this Year of Firsts is very much a journey. And this journey needs a daily journal. Beyond what I write for you to read, there's a voice inside me thinking a lot about what's behind this blog. I guess I need a place to put it down even if it's just chicken scratch nonsense.
So you are my witness. Here it is.
I have terrible handwriting which is why I learned to type in fourth grade. These days, there's hardly a need to write something out. But writing by hand feels organic, pure in some way. It's so personal, your writing by your hand.
Today I wrote about a few things I've learned in these last 52 days of Firsts.
-It is possible to keep your car clean.
- Some days I have no idea what First I'm going to do, but one always comes like a door opening. I just have to walk through.
-Doing Firsts every day is like using a new muscle. I feel stronger and more confident the more I "use" it.
- Some of the best firsts happen when someone shares their passion with me.
Things like that. Random thoughts or pieces of thoughts taking me somewhere or just in circles. Anyway, glad you are on this journey with me. Thank you for your input, your ideas and your encouragement to keep going.
Go out and find your first. I'd love to hear about it. Email me at luann.cahn@nbcuni.com.
Lu Ann Cahn is an Emmy award-winning journalist who's been in the biz for more than 30 years. She's survived motherhood, breast cancer and chasing down bad guys. Now, Lu Ann's trying to complete a year of "firsts." Can she do it? She'll be posting daily here on NBCPhiladelphia.com.
