I read this one a while ago, but I do remember that it did a good job of persuading me to keep a diary. I have been working on my family tree, but it never occured to me that one of the most important things I can do for my genealogy work is to keep a record of my own life. This book also gives several hints on how to make your entries more meaningful both to look back on yourself and for for future generations. It's short and sweet and I highly recommend it.

I'm passing this along in the package with the perpetual journal as the topic is so appropriate. It's a quick read and I thought everyone might enjoy it.

A great tool if you need some ideas on getting started with writing. I found it in the envelope with the perpetual journal. I'm sending it on to the next person on the list.

What a wonderful traveling companion for the perpetual journal! Thanks for adding it, Dolphie!

This arrived today in the envelope with the Perpetual Journal. I plan to read it before making my contribution to the journal. Good idea, Dolphie!

When I sent out the Perpetual Journal in August, I forgot to journal that this book was also released along with the journal. Since I had already sealed the package, I couldn't recall the name of it, and I couldn't find it on my bookshelf! At last I have come across this title, and want to inform you that it is indeed traveling with Uppdoc's Perpetual Journal. Sorry about that!

Received in the mail yesterday in same package as Uppdoc's perpetual journal. Will give it a look for some ideas - Thanks!

On its way to Marinaw along with the Perpetual Journal as soon as I can get to the post office this week.

Received along with the Perpetual journal. Will see if it inspires me! Will send with the journal to the next person in line.

Many thanks to Dolphie97 for packing this along with the Perpetual Journal. While I didn’t use the tips within for this project, I did take notes for future journals and maybe even a family history. The following are my thoughts that were inspired by the books’ content. My husband says that it rambles, but aside from one paragraph split, I can’t seem to clean it up any better.

I want to leave more of what my life has been than can be guessed at by college transcripts, volunteer certificates of appreciation, pay stubs, and the occasional grocery receipt. Yet I don’t want whoever I wind up being an ancestor to [I’m planning on one kid, and will be lucky to live long enough to know any grandchildren] cleaning up the landfill all those things would be. Hopefully, I am more than my hard copy, and that the detritus points in some way to lessons I’ve learned in my life context. If it doesn’t, then perhaps the life needs an overhaul; hence a whole new lesson of itself to pass on. Objects do not necessarily convey the morals under which one operates (although I bet I could make a really good argument for books versus nail polish), and I’d really like to get my evolution out of my head and in a form accessible to others (even if the content proves not to be so clear).

The daily writing assignment isn’t the worst thing I can do to myself. I may have a story to tell, but I’m sure I’m capable of making it a boring one to anyone who doesn’t care about the characters, values, or plot within. I believe that it’s going to be just as important to be worthy of passing “wisdom” on to my descendants than it will to have said wisdom between the covers of a once-blank book.

Obviously, pearls of wisdom aren’t just going to develop in my mouth until they’re attractive enough for someone to pry them out. Whatever I have to impart is going to come not only from milestones and special events, but from repeated mundania. The author suggests looking “for the unusual cloaked within the usual.” I’m not so sure much will come of that, but I do think that everyday things I’ll deal with repeatedly will trigger some mental or emotional response from me, or they’ll habituate me into a different mold, and, Goddess willing, I’ll notice and figure out if it’s something that I want for myself and those who put up with me.

As far as visual content goes, yes, I think that I personally need to get better about chronicling my life and the world around me with my camera, digital technology be damned.

Update 3/4/04: Both books are ready to be mailed, as soon as I get address confirmation from bayouposte. I'll be making a town trip tomorrow for the cat's medicine and a color cartridge for making new BC labels, so I hope to have word from her soon.

Released on Thursday, March 25, 2004 at Fellow BookCrosser in Postal release, Postal Release Controlled Releases.

Finally mailing to HikingReader, along with the Perpetual Journal.

Included with the journal- what a nice surprise. I will take a look at it as I begin my section. I am hoping to embark on a long-term journal, someday! Thanks for putting this in the package!

Oh dear! I just found this little book inside an envelope I was about to re-use! Never noticed it when I received/read/mailed the Perpetual Journal.
Hmm - I'll try to figure out who should have it.
It's been sitting with my recycled envelopes for quite some time, I fear.
Apologies to all!

Mailed to TexasWren to rejoin the Perpetual Journal!

This poor little book seems destined to be forgotten. JDT sent it to me, and I put it with the perpetual journal, then forgot to journal it. It's with me, and, JDT, the note you put inside was just the kick I needed. Thanks!

I've always loved the idea of journal-writing, it's just the execution of it I haven't gotten on board with. Hmph, maybe this book will give me a jump-start!