My Moleskine Message

Thanks to everyone who took a guess about what I write in my moleskine notebooks. (See Messages to Yourself.) In a way, everyone who guessed was exactly right.

A. Please don’t steal this.

No one guessed A, and everyone was right. Moleskine loss is on my mind, but I’d never put such a negative thought at the beginning of my book.

D. Don’t Panic.

As much as I love this sentiment, Douglas Adams, and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy — and despite what my agent might tell you — I am not prone to panicking. Stressing? Yes. Worrying? Okay, maybe. But full-on panic is not generally my style.

B. Write your passion.

This is my writing mantra and would make an excellent Moleskine message. The only reason I don’t use it is because my Moleskine ends up holding so much more than just my writing within its pages — to-do lists, journal entries, life goals… The message needs to apply to more than my short stories and novels. (Really awesome guess though, since it is a phrase that is terrifically meaningful to me.)

E. Take what is useful, discard what is not, make what remains your own. [paraphrased from Bruce Lee]

Most people picked this answer, and I have to say, you guys know me really well. This concept affects almost every aspect of my life — from martial arts to writing, and everything in between. Maybe that’s why I don’t write it in my moleskines, because it’s already such an integral part of me.

C. I can do anything.

This phrase is the winner, mostly because although I truly believe it, I need regular reminders. It’s so easy to set limits for myself that I do it without thinking. When I open my Moleskine and see this phrase, I’m supposed to kick those limits to the curb.

It’s the most cliched phrase I listed, but you know what? That’s okay. Whatever you write in your Moleskine only needs to be meaningful to you. It is, after all, your message to yourself.