I really want to have a committed meditation practice. Because when I do commit to it, I feel so refreshed afterwards. But actually making the time to do so is quite tricky between a full time job + podcasting + blogging + being pregnant.
When I stumbled upon the I AM Journal, I was inspired to take a different approach to meditation. The I AM Journal, which the creator Lauren will explain more about in a minute, is the PERFECT way to collaborate both a meditation and gratitude practice.
You fill out one page in the morning or at night, or both, and can spend as MUCH or as LITTLE time as you want on it. Some mornings I spend a half an hour meditating and expressing gratitude, then nights like last night I literally took 3 minutes to complete it and then went to bed. The book is also FULL of inspirational quotes meant to inspire you with gratitude.
It is a really great way to start or end your day. Want to learn more? Grab a booch and read on for my interview with Lauren Sanders, creator of the I AM Journal.
Lauren, can you tell us a bit about yourself!
Lauren: I’ve always subscribed to the notion that with a powerful mindset, work ethic and faith, you can make anything happen for yourself.
Now as a creator of a manifestation journal who wants to instill this same belief system in as many people as possible, I’m on a mission to change a limitless amount of lives through The I AM Journal.
On a personal note, I’m a mother to two young children with a third on the way. My husband Kyle is the one who inspired me to start my own spiritual journey, and I am so grateful we get to walk this path together in life.
What IS The I AM Journal?
Lauren: The I AM Journal is a simple, beautiful and powerful manifestation journal that helps you manifest the life you desire and deserve.
In just ten minutes a day, The I AM Journal’s guided morning and evening writing prompts help you radically transform your mindset. You’ll feel more joyful, have a quick and simple way to get into alignment with the universe daily and manifest your desires with greater ease.
What inspired you to create the I AM Journal?
Lauren: After I become a mother, I wasn’t my best, happiest self. My children deserved a mother who would show up joyfully in their lives every single day. I mean, I deserved that too!
So, I started a daily journaling routine that would help me tap into my joy — no matter how cranky I was feeling from a lack of sleep the night before. (With a two-year-old and a newborn, this mama wasn’t getting a lot of sleep. And I love — and need — my sleep!)
Once I found the best writing prompts that would help me feel happier every morning, I started weaving some manifestation techniques I had learned into the daily writing prompts. I was craving the need to set my own goals again for my life — and not just getting lost in my new identity of sleep-deprived mom whose days revolved around feeding, cleaning and entertaining kids.
Thus, what is now The I AM Journal is born. I love using this journal as an example to my children of how the right mindset, your faith and the actions you take can make any dream of yours become a reality.
Who is the journal designed for?
Lauren: The I AM Journal is designed for people who want more for their lives — who believe their dreams are worth pursuing until they become a reality. If you believe in the power of manifestation and love the idea of co-creating your life with the universe, God and whatever else you believe in — you’ll love The I AM Journal.
It’s also meant for people who are not only big dreamers — but big doers. One of my favorite parts of The I AM Journal is how it prompts you to list three intentional actions you’ll take that day that will get you closer to manifesting your burning desire. I like to think of it like a spiritual gym buddy, holding you accountable for showing up and doing the work daily.
What do you hope others receive from it?
Lauren: My hope is that everyone who uses The I AM Journal realizes they can manifest the life they’ve always dreamed of having. So many people have told me how they always were intrigued by the Law of Attraction, but they didn’t know how to make it work for their own lives. The I AM Journal helps you put the Law of Attraction into action. It essentially takes the guesswork out of manifestation.
Some of my favorite praise for The I AM Journal revolves around how it makes them feel after they use the journal every day. It makes you feel unstoppable and happier than ever before — and this kind of positive mindset will help you supercharge your manifesting!
What I also hope that people take away from The I AM Journal is understand the power of their I AM affirmations. What follows your I AM becomes your reality. As one of my favorite quotes in The I AM Journal says, “I AM. Two of the most powerful words; for what you put after them shapes your reality.” This quote by Bevan Lee beautifully explains how our I AM affirmations determine our destinies.
Any tips for completing the journal?
Lauren: Remember that it only takes 10 minutes per day! Everyone has five extra minutes they can spare in the morning and evening, especially if it helps them drastically transform their lives. Anyone who says they don’t have the time to do this daily is probably underestimating the amount of time they spend mindlessly scrolling social media or watching TV. If it’s important, you’ll make time for it. And I can’t think of anything more important than taking time for yourself to make your dreams become a reality.
I love all of the quotes in the book and especially your references to Wayne Dyer and such. Who are some of your favorite people who inspire you?
Lauren: Thank you! Wayne Dyer’s “Wishes Fulfilled” book was a major inspiration for The I AM Journal, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to understand more about the power of manifestation or who is ready to take their manifestation abilities to the next level.
Gabby Bernstein was the first spiritual teacher who I really “clicked” with, as I find her work to be very approachable, especially to those beginning their spiritual journeys.
My husband Kyle was the person, though, who really inspired me to start my spiritual journey. He had been focusing on his spiritual growth for many years before I took my first step on this path, and I was able to witness the peace and happiness he found from his studies and practices. Once I was ready to join him, I’ve never felt happier, confident or more at ease in my life.
As I often joke about, I’ve become the person who used to make me cringe — and I’ve never been happier!
Do you intend on creating a second edition?
Lauren: So many fellow parents and educators have asked me to create a kids’ version of The I AM Journal, and I am feeling really called to do that. When you think about it, who wouldn’t have loved a journal like this as a kid to help you feel happier, develop a more positive mindset and hold you accountable for taking action steps every day to make your dreams a reality?
My younger self would have certainly benefited from something positive like The I AM Journal WAY more than all of the horrible teen angst I put in my diaries!
Our daughter has even created her own version of it, so I’m sure she’ll be one of my first guinea pigs throughout the creative process!
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To snag your own I AM Journal head over to this link.
To win a copy of the I AM Journal, comment below why YOU ARE GRATEFUL. Open to US and Canadian residents only. Giveaway closes Friday, June 22nd at 9am EST. For an extra entry head over to my instagram.
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I am grateful and pray that who stole my phone is blessed with good fortune. I know that at the right moment god provide me with a better upgraded phone. I put in the work, meditate and let God handle it. I am grateful that I have mom that instilled me the art of prayer and forgiveness and now that she is in Heaven I am still following the lesson learned as a child. I am blessed that I have 3 great kids and even when they get on my last nerve my love for them grows even more. I have been blessed for over 20 years to have a best friend/ sister in my life, cheering me on, consoling me, listening to me without judgement, making me laugh and truly holding our friendship and sisterhood in her heart.
Erica, thanks so much for the post.Really thank you! Keep writing.