Article and poem By Tanya Cheatham, MA, PCA

Necessary Storms

The storm’s presence looms;

seeds magnetized await bloom…

Water ignites life.

Incorporating a journaling mindfulness activity into your daily routine can add to your life in multiple ways and can help alleviate many physical symptoms associated with anxiety and stress in a constructive and healthy way. But for many, the challenge in starting new practices or introducing new healthy interventions into one’s life or family nucleus comes from not being able to see instant value in it right away. Here is why you may consider it advantageous to add journaling into your daily morning routine, or night if that aligns better for your schedule. Adding a new mindful writing exercise into your daily regime may be just what you need to evoke creative abilities, reignite passions that may have fallen dormant over the years, sharpen focus, and create pleasant thoughts which can set the tone for a positive and productive day. Journaling can also be included periodically into your schedule or as a nifty tool to get in touch with emotions, feelings, or processing thoughts.

In perfect timing for those inspired, April 22, 2023, may be just the right day to kick things off with your new mindfulness journal routine which can even be utilized as a family activity, marking the observance of National Haiku Poem Day, and serving as a bonding tool. As displayed in the poem above, “Necessary Storms”, there usually exists in every traditional Haiku poem arrangement, the “five-seven-five” syllable format to effectively capture the essence in which it was created (Gupta). With Japanese origins, the Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō adopted this popular poetic device as his hallmark style of writing during the 17th century. Furthermore, in the past, Haiku poems typically focused on nature or touched on an insight or emotions, the seasons or nature, usually analyzing life on a deeper intellectual level (Fitzsimon).

Interestingly today, there exists more flexibility being shown in the use of the poetic device and Haikus are now used to describe various topics, and subjects, opening this writing style up to be used in creative ways as an expression of art and mindfulness exercise without the rigid requirements of previous times that existed. The challenge of having to be precise and exact with the structural requirements associated with this poetic device is also cited as one of the many pleasures gained when one completes their own work of art, satisfying the requirements according to the original creation intended. There are so many other added benefits to be gained from choosing to observe this special day and actively participating.

Furthermore, improvements in cognitive functioning, critical thinking skills and the ability to simply follow directions, which is a key social skill for younger children and adolescence are to be gained in undertaking of this style of poetry. Among other things, using a journaling technique or choosing to create your very own Haiku poem strengthens focus and analytical skills as well as enhances self-awareness in the dissecting of feelings. Keep in mind the significant relationship of writing in relation to other areas developmentally, leading to improved language, communication and speaking skills. Additionally, positive traits associated with development of empathy, perspective and the expansion of world views are also shown to be connected to writing poetry and being intrinsically in tune. The intrinsic-examining that occurs can often be some of the most expressive reflections of a person’s authentic self and can prove to be enlightening, especially when used to explore life and its deeper meaning. It also serves to empower many and is seen as a cost-effective way of managing anxiety and symptoms of worry that arise with the woes of life. Writing or poetry of any sort would prove to be a viable solution and something to be included in any daily mindfulness journaling routine or exercise because it allows you to redirect your focus and reframe thoughts within specific parameters. It has been shown to be a fulfilling activity for any demographic and all ages can benefit from the creative stimulation evoked in this simple but effective technique for artistic expression. May you all create some amazingly impactful Haikus to evoke the spirit of the day and a new passion for mindfulness journaling and embodiment of the spring season; that reflects growth and blooming. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for this artistic, creatively fueled, and poetic injection in true Haiku style!

Gupta, SudipDas. "The Old Pond by Matsuo Bashō". Poem Analysis, https://poemanalysis.com/matsuo-basho/the-old-pond/. Accessed 6 March 2023.

Basho, Matsuo Basho: The Complete Haiku of Matsuo Basho, Andrew Fitzsimons (Translator). E-book ed, First edition. University of California Press October 2022 .Kindle