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Re-Energize Your Journal Writing 
Today for Tomorrow

By Michael R. Boyter

Some write journals and diaries for the therapeutic value of it. Admittedly, there is value in this exercise, but I have always written a journal with a sense of historical perspective. When I write, I envision my children, grandchildren and their children reading about me and the era in which I lived.
  

I highly encourage you to expand what you may currently be doing with your journal. As journal-keepers aren't we always looking for something more to write about? What you write today may be the only record of your current families' existence. Think about it! 
 

Write What You Think and Believe

Don't miss your chance!
 

Write About and For Your Children

Your children will appreciate reading about themselves once they reach adulthood. Encouraging your children to keep a journal is highly recommended but nothing can substitute for your view on their early lives.
  

Write About the World Around You

Instead of generically learning of the invention of the automobile from a textbook, you could perhaps relive the thrill your relatives experienced as they took their first ride. All of this is possible when historical happenings are included in journals.

If you are one of those who believes that "Well, yes the invention of the car was exciting but what have I to write today that can compare to that?" Here are some things that I believe will be of huge interest to future generations. If you agree, write about them.
   

• Write about your first computer
    

• What was your early impression of the Internet?
  

• What was your first purchase online?
  

• Write about the first time that you saw the space shuttle blastoff.
  

• Man walking on the moon
  

If you really think about it, you could make a huge list of historical happenings and tell of your thoughts and how they affected the family.

For those days when you can't think of what to write or if you just want something different to write about, print out the news headlines from your favorite web portal such as Yahoo or CNN.com. Jot down your "take" on the day's happenings. You may even want to subscribe to free news services, such as the one provided by The New York Times, where the daily headlines are sent to your e-mail inbox.

It doesn't matter whether the news is about international things or Hollywood. If a particular news story doesn't interest you, simply write, "this doesn't interest me", then go on to the next headline. Even a no comment tells something about you.

If you use journal software or a word processor to write your journal, you may even want to copy and paste parts of articles and news into your journal entry and write a little bit about your opinion of it. Is that article, for example, having a direct impact on the family?

A headline about war may mean that a brother, sister or cousin may be heading for the war front! Or, the article you include may be a local light-hearted article about your winning entry at the county fair.
  

Name Drop

For example, "Today I spoke on the phone with my brother Jeff". Maybe mention a little about what you spoke about and don't forget to occasionally mention his wife and kids and a little bit about them. His son is your nephew and what you write today may be the only bit of information that his descendants may know of him. Maybe you think that this is a little overboard but, to be sure, hundreds of indirectly related relatives will someday be thankful to you.

Family Stories and Traditions

So don't forget to include all of those stories in your journal. The treasured family stories that you grew up hearing just might be told for hundreds and hundreds of years to come, but only if you act now to preserve them. Get with other family members so that they can help you recall those that you don't remember.

A journal writer’s work is never done. There is always something else to write and endless stories to tell.
  

Michael Boyter is the creator of The MemoryGrabber. MemoryGrabber is a downloadable "e-book" that makes writing life story and journal writing simple with it's fill-in-the-blank format and self-interviewing style. Over 600 questions, prompts, lists and activities to spark your memories.  Visit Family History Products