I've kept a journal that I've sporadically written in on-and-off for the past four years, it's the notebook that's led to creation of this blog. I've kept it to myself, not letting others know that I write at all, much like all the other people I've met who are also closeted journalists. One night, my significant other asked me what I wrote about after spending some time with the pen. I told her I took some time to write down an appreciation that I had of our relationship and at that moment I realized the importance of sharing it with her.
Many of us either keep a journal or talk to someone close to us about events we experience without ever mentioning to or sharing the significance of the event with the person we experienced it with.
Why do we hold these meaningful events to ourselves?
Ultimately, that would make those experiences meaningless if they went unshared. I can tell a reflective story to a good friend of mine on how it made me feel, but if I never share those thoughts with the person I created the story with, then I'm being somewhat selfish with the experience.
Meaningful events deepen their value when we share them with the ones we experienced it with. If we don't tell them, how will they know that it meant something to you.
It will eventually lose its meaning if its kept tucked away in your Mind or in a journal or in a conversation with someone you didn't experience the event with. You would be the only one aware of its existence and what good does that provide in the grand scheme if only you hold the value of its meaning.
Writing down appreciation or letting someone else know how much you appreciated something is good for your personal self to be aware of. However, I guarantee that if you take that extra step with the person you appreciate, or experienced something with that was meaningful to you, you will strengthen the bond of your relationship. Allow them to be aware of the things that are meaningful to you, otherwise those feelings will eventually fade in your Mind without recognition.
They say to live Life with meaning, but forget to mention inviting others on your journey. Share meaning with the people close to you.
Embrace gratitude.
