Ink and Echo - The Practice of Commonplacing
Do You Keep a Commonplace Book?
If you don’t, I’m here to suggest that maybe… you should.
A commonplace book is one of the most meaningful and quietly powerful habits I’ve ever adopted. At its core, it’s a simple journal—a place to collect and preserve the thoughts, words, and moments that shape us. It’s not a diary, not a planner, not a to-do list. It’s more like a curated museum of wisdom, inspiration, and truth—handpicked by you.
So what goes in a commonplace book?
Anything and everything worth remembering:
Bible verses that speak to your soul
Quotes that stir something in you or put you into hysterics
Book excerpts that make you pause and think
Song lyrics that echo something deeper
Poems, prayers, sermons
That offhand comment your child made that was surprisingly profound (I often make note of clever things my students say!)
A story your friend told you that made you laugh or cry
A line from a movie that stuck with you longer than the credits
A cool and clever advertising line from an advertisement
And of course, notes from something about which you learned
It’s where you record life’s little treasures, the fleeting thoughts and moments that might otherwise disappear.
You're in good company
This practice isn’t new—it’s centuries old. Some of the greatest thinkers in history kept commonplace books. Thomas Jefferson, John Milton, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Jane Austen, Mark Twain, Virginia Woolf, Mary Chesnut and Ronald Reagan—these just people of words, they were people of reflection. And their commonplace books became both a source of learning and a legacy of thought.
Even the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, encourages us to dwell on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Writing these things down is one way to do just that—to anchor our thoughts to what matters most.
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure… think about such things.”
(Philippians 4:8)
That’s the heart of a commonplace book.
Why I love it
For me, the act of physically writing something down—pen to paper—helps seal it in my memory. It’s more than copying words. It’s a moment of meditation. Of reflection. Of presence. In a world that moves quickly and encourages us to skim, swipe, and scroll, keeping a commonplace book invites us to slow down and savor.
There’s no pressure to write every day, no structure to follow. No dates. No rules. It’s yours.
Some pages might be beautiful and deep; others might be scribbled thoughts in the margins of a day. That’s the beauty of it—it’s an ongoing conversation with your soul. Sometimes serious, sometimes silly.
A gentle invitation
So, I want to invite you to join me in this practice.
Starting next week, I’ll be sharing a glimpse into my own collection of inspiration—what I’m calling Commonplace Monday. Each Monday, I’ll post something from my commonplace book: a quote, a verse, a passage, or even just a thought that’s stayed with me. I hope it will bless you, spark something in you, or maybe even encourage you to start a commonplace book of your own.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. A notebook, a journal, an index card box, notes on your tablet or phone—anything will do. You don’t need to be eloquent or artistic or even consistent. Just open your heart, pick up a pen, and begin.
Because life is full of sacred and special moments worth remembering. Let’s not let them slip by unnoticed.
Let’s write them down!
