This is a small, heavy journal with nice weight to it. It is not hardcover, but the covers are more sturdy and thick than the average paperback. The subtitle "365 days of Inspiration, Gratitude, and Joy," suggests there are 365 pages (I admit I didn't count) of writing prompts with lined space. The lines provided for writing are spaced approximately like that of a standard (not college) notebook and should allow writers with average-sized handwriting to form a healthy paragraph. It does include a ribbon style bookmark, and each page simply says, "Date:" at the top, so one could feel free to write on different pages/prompts out of order as they fit with the reader's daily experience or outlook. The author has written and compiled a variety of prompts, some which leave more room for freedom regarding the topic you choose to write about, such as a page that simply states, "So, what's on your mind?" Another day has a paragraph encouraging us to be grateful for what we have rather than focusing on what we want, along with a quote from Epicurus and a prompt to express gratitude. |
From a Christian perspective, there are prompts within this journal which promote a humanistic perspective on life. The focus is heavily on detaching from or disregarding anything or anyone that doesn't please us and chasing after that which we deem fulfilling. One page says, "NC-17" and prompts you to write out "naughty thoughts". Another states"Wrong Thinking: Life does stuff to you. Right Thinking: Live gives you stuff. Translation: Things happen for you, not to you." There's a fair amount of talk about "energies," it's like the word "vibes" has made a come-back with a facelift.Many pages do promote ideas which are consistent with Christianity, encouraging forgiveness and gratitude and promoting love as powerful. There are pages which prompt us not to be overcome by our fears, and some which call out that we won't be happy if we try to control everything or if we say one thing and do another.
While I love the idea of the book, the colorful and creative design, and some of the prompts, I am disappointed by the mixed content and the misleading signals this book sends off. I just don't think, "Fall in love with being good to yourself. How might you be good-er to you?" is steering broken, hurting people in the right direction. I think finding meaning and purpose in life is much deeper than seeking our own personal happiness and that a journal to urge us toward positive, pleasant mindsets could have been done with more consideration of the content and perhaps a bit more class.
Because of the triggers contained in this book, I would not feel comfortable giving it as a gift. I may just fill out the pages I enjoy and appreciate and ignore the others, or I may cut some pages out to use in scrapbooks.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. I was not required to give a positive review, my opinions are my own.