B.O.B. J.A.S.P.E.R.

Using a Template to Compose a Story

I like to spread joy and make people feel loved. I hope this example of using a template creates some joy for you.

B.O.B. — This one is easy. I’ve used it on my journal covers for 20 years

B — Book. This particular “book” is my journal which I try to write in every day. Often I write just a few lines. Sometimes it’s pretty mundane: the weather and how I’m feeling. Other times it can be profound. Often I write a prayer or a gratitude list or a Thank You to God for…

O — Of. Quite simple. What can I say other than it’s necessary to know the connection? It’s all about connection.

B — Blessings. The journal records the blessings I’ve received: The things God has given me or done for me, the times that have brought me joy. And the journal itself has become a blessing. When I’m down or need inspiration, I read back through it. A few pages show me how God has been at work in my life. I see how I’ve weathered past storms and come out safely.

I’ve kept my Book of Blessings for almost nineteen years. It started out as a record of my thoughts and condition when I was going through a really rough period in my life. I kept it up after that. It provides me a record of how I’ve spent my days. Now, as memory fails me more and more, I find such a record helpful. My wife keeps a diary, too. Hers is organized differently with each page having a few coded entries and that day in subsequent years appearing on the same page. She can tell me what we did and what I did on a given day going back twenty years or more. She writes in Japanese, so she can include a lot of detail in a small space. Unfortunately, I can’t read a word of it.

J.A.S.P.E.R

J — Journal. Something I do every day. The Book of Blessings is the place where I record my thoughts, the issues I’m having, the plans I have. A record of yesterday and the day before and… I write of my hopes and fears, my sadness and joy. What each day brings, the good and the bad. Mostly I write first thing in the morning. Occasionally, I write in the afternoon or evening, but morning is my preference and fits my routine best. I’m fresh in the morning.

Writing in my journal also serves as a warm-up exercise. I do it longhand, scrawling almost illegible lines of longhand writing mixed with printing (a hangover from my engineering days). It provides some small motor muscle exercises. No doubt it uses a part of my brain that would otherwise lie dormant.

A — Awareness. I need to be alert and aware, not just for safety, but for seeing what’s out there correctly and for knowing what’s going on in my head. I’m easily led astray, so I must stay alert and on guard. I watch my motivations, my self-talk.

• Why am I doing this?
• What is my goal?
• Are my actions appropriate?
• Am I using my time well?
• Am I doing what I feel I’m called to do today?

My journal helps me answer such questions or, at least, to ponder them. It keeps me on track. Being retired, I need all the help and guidance I can get. So, I spend some time in prayer and meditation each day seeking guidance from within and from above.

S — Stories. I write stories each day for others to read and for my own entertainment. Many are factual; some are not. I try to be enlightening and entertaining.

I’ve lived 75 years. It’s time to share what I’ve learned. Right or wrong, good or bad is for others to decide. I speak from the heart. I love to write them and when one finds its mark and touches someone’s heart, I feel successful. Hopefully, others will find inspiration in what I say and are moved to write or do something themselves.

P — Poems. I like poetry and I like to write poems. I’m not good at it, but as my friend and mentor Holly Jahangiri says, practice, practice, practice. So I read as many poems as I can and try to write at least one every day. I pay attention to feedback, too. I love getting critical comments as they help me improve.

E — Every day. I write every day. Sometimes it is only a journal entry or a few Medium-article responses or Facebook posts, but I make it a point to write something every day. Lately, I’ve been trying to write something to share with my Medium followers each day. But I confess, some days I just don’t feel like writing anything, so I don’t. That’s one of the joys of retirement. I find very few things I absolutely MUST do. If I’m so inclined, most things I can let slide. However, as a good friend noted, procrastination is the enemy of the retired person. So, I need to be on guard against it, or I’ll never get anything worthwhile done.

R — Reciprocity. One of the ways I encourage others and share my thoughts is through posts called “Responses” on Medium and “Comments” on Facebook and symbolized by a bubble on Twitter. Often, I spend time doing this as a way of reciprocating. If someone has spent time reading and interacting with something I’ve written, I feel obliged to return the favor.

I also do it to enter into a dialogue. One of the things I love about Facebook, Twitter and Medium is that ability to have two-way or multi-way conversations. I love being able to reach out to an author and tell them when something they write strikes me as funny, interesting, insightful or inspiring. I love it when a reader does that for me. I endeavor to respond to everyone who takes the time to encourage me by commenting on something I’ve written, liking it or clapping for it.

I love the Slack channels, too, for the same reason — they provide a place to have some interaction and dialogue. Without interaction and dialogue, I become bored. I need that feedback, that personal contact. Although I’m an introvert and basically a loner, I can’t survive long without human contact. But I prefer to have it online where I can take time to think and respond appropriately.

A hug or handshake now and then keeps me going for long stretches. Crowds bore me. If I can, I’ll stay away.

I hope you enjoyed this little template exercise. I’m following the lead of my friend Rasheed Hooda who got the idea from Tim Maudlin, so a huge bucket of thanks to both of you!

This story told you a little more about me and things I think about. Learn more here and, especially, in the following two stories:

Happy Reading, Writing and Connecting.