The Serendipity Circle Journal
Would you like to experience more real closeness and empathy within your family? Or enjoy a fun and effective way of bonding with relatives and friends? Shared journaling that focuses on the good in life can be the answer. Consider starting a Serendipity Circle Journal!
What Is It?
“Serendipity” is defined as accidental, but fortunate discoveries. Those times when in the middle of trying situations we unexpectedly uncover their positive aspects. And a circulating journal based on these discoveries encourages us to look for that silver lining while sharing our experiences with each other.
Why Do It?
In our busy society, it sometimes is hard to slow down and find enough time to spend with others. A circle journal helps solve this dilemma by allowing journal writers to share their thoughts with loved ones on paper, at their own leisure.
In my case, I started a “Girls Only” journal to help our family’s women stay connected. Entitled, “The Moore Sisters Serendipity Circle Journal”, it still circulates between my mother, sister, niece, two great-nieces, and myself – aged 7 – 81 years old!
From the beginning, while providing a place to build rapport, and record appreciations of life’s gifts, it presented some serendipities of its own. We learned to see and feel things differently as we read each other’s experiences and viewpoints. And to receive the gifts of encouragement, humor, and differing perspectives from one another.
Setting It Up
To set up your own Serendipity Journal, begin by deciding who will be included. Will your journaling circle consist of your immediate family members, relatives, or friends? Will it include males and females both, or only one sex? How old will the participants be – all ages or similar ages?
Interesting journaling circles might include sisters only, brothers, cousins, grandparents and grandchildren, co-workers, close friends, aunts, uncles and nieces and nephews etc. The types of circles that can be created are as diverse as the people who will form them.
Set up guidelines, if you wish, for the journal. In my case, I listed several tongue-in-cheek “rules” at the front of the journal along with an invitation to join. Each “Sister” signed their name next to the rules before writing in the journal for the first time. The rules were:
1. This is a Girls only journal. Only we Sisters are allowed to read and write in it.
2. No complaining or whining is allowed. Misadventures may be written about as long as they are followed by a serendipity discovered by the writer.
3. Sisters are encouraged to give heart-felt compliments to each other at any time.
4. Sisters shall keep the journal no longer than a couple weeks then send it on.
If you decide to include young children of school age, they can include entries of their own with the help of parents. These simple writings can be surprisingly insightful. And it is amazing how quickly young people pick up the concept of positivism and begin discovering serendipities of their own.
Benefits of the Journal
Over time you will probably come to know your family, relatives, or friends much more closely due to the intimacy of journaling. And build stronger bonds of empathy and understanding between you. And as your journal is sent round and round feel the simple yet steady support of your own Serendipity Circle!
