The purpose of this journal is to document your personal and spiritual growth year by year and day by day. We will explore character defects, character assets, and the process of transitioning from one to the other. At the beginning of the journal, you will find a list of defects and assets, and a blank page where you can add your own.
The journal contains 365 days of entries, each with a section at the top to record how you slept the night before. This will give you an idea of how you feel after practicing defects or assets since there is a direct correlation. The journal also includes a section to record the duration of your meditation, which is helpful in identifying what works and what doesn't.
We have included a few prayers, principals, and affirmations that have helped us along our journey, and we hope they will help you too. To illustrate how to use this workbook, here is an example: Suppose you had a conflict with a coworker and practiced a defect of character. Instead of justifying your behavior with a storyline, write down only the facts of what happened and what defect you practiced. On the next page, identify an asset you could have practiced and exactly how to do it. If you encounter the same situation again, you will have a plan of action to grow in a higher state of character.
If you have difficulty practicing an asset, talk to your spiritual advisor about why you are unable to show up in this new character. This is called a shortcoming, and you may need to identify a feeling, belief, or perspective that needs to be softened or illuminated. The journal includes a note section at the bottom, where you can ask questions or record your thoughts about the journey.
We encourage you to find your own way to use this journal. It is important to notice when you are practicing assets because how you treat yourself has a direct correlation to how you treat others. In every relationship, pointing out assets leads to more of them, while focusing solely on defects leads to more defects.
