It seems right that this series on journaling comes to completion as we near the end of what has been an historic and tumultuous year. A year in which the world effectively came to a standstill and brought us face to face with the questions about life that we are usually too busy to ask. Acknowledging that we’re feeling a shared impulse to make the world a better place, we’ll end our time together by exploring how journaling can help us identify where we can best contribute to healing the world.

We are designed for connection so it stands to reason that there will be a natural reciprocity between what we have to give and what others need. Today I’ll share journaling prompts that will help you get perspective on where and how you can contribute your gifts in service to healing the world. And remember, it’s the thought that counts, not the size of our impact.

The first thing to do is to get clear on what our natural talents and gifts actually are. The simplest way to do this is to make a mind map of all the things you’re good at, things that come easily to you and things that you enjoy. Be generous and big hearted with yourself. Don’t hold back – include everything that gives you a warm feeling inside. Write down the things that friends admire in you or about you. Create your mind map in the shape of a heart or a tree and know that when you write down the things that give you joy in life, you are in fact pointing directly to your natural gifts and talents.

Whether it’s being in nature, cooking a meal for family or friends, delivering an amazing service for a client or writing a chapter of the book you are working on – include all the things that give you pleasure in life. If there are things you would love to do but don’t yet do, include them too. Then allow yourself to feel the glow these activities naturally produce in you. Enjoy the feeling.

The next step is to reflect on your heart map and try to discover which of these activities, or combination of activities, makes you feel most alive, most energised and most yourself. Draw connecting lines between your top choices to highlight the things that give you the most joy and then you’ll know what you have to share with others.

Begin a new map setting down how, in an ideal world, you would love to share this joy with others. Imagine situations in which you could offer this activity or talent to others who would benefit from your gifts in their life. Brainstorm situations where you see your gifts being received with gratitude by others. Visualise your offering being valuable to people who need this thing in their life. Go wildly outside the box, let your imagination run free. Write down how you would love to offer your gifts in service to others knowing that you are helping to heal the world in some small or large way. Visualise scenarios in which your gifts help, support, comfort, encourage or inspire others and where the return to you is the joy of giving.

Emboldened by this process, turn back to yourself and brainstorm ideas about how you can get your gifts to those who would benefit from them. Believe that making the necessary connection is possible and ideas will surface into your consciousness about how to achieve it. Keep brainstorming and writing until you surprise yourself with a eureka moment. This is the joy of creative journaling – something totally new and unexpected always comes through.

We’ll end with some tips on self-care because it’s important to take care of ourselves before we try to help others. We should only give when our own well is full. To this end, the final prompt today is to journal about how you can nurture and care for yourself in the area of your natural gifts and talents so that in giving, you do not deplete yourself. How can you invest in yourself in this particular area of your gifts so that you have surplus to share with others?

Giving from the heart, to those who need what we have to share, is how we make the circle whole. I have given this journaling series from my heart to yours. It is one way in which I share what I have to give the world. I hope it has been of service to you and will inspire you to share your own gifts with the world in your own unique way.

Happy writing. Happy living. Happy giving!

Aedamar’s new book Light on Fire: Waking up to Divine Love is available for pre-order on Amazon or through her website www.aedamarkirrane.com/book