The Gratitude Journal

Last week I wrote about being in a funk … admittedly, this week wasn’t much better.  Every day seemed to come with more bad or sad news.  Each morning, I got out of bed thinking that day would be better, and ultimately there would be a text or news that would throw me back.  I know these things should make me count my blessings and be grateful for my life, but I was struggling to get there.

I received a lot of messages from many of you feeling the same way. (Thank you, everyone!)  The purpose of sharing is for people to know they aren’t alone in their thoughts and so we can support each other. Many times, I don’t know where I am going with these posts, but I put it out there.  I have mentioned at times that when I ask for help or put it out into the universe, I wait for God to give me the answers.

For the first time in months, I went to church and actually prayed a little bit for me.  I asked God for help – that’s how bad I needed it. I never ask for anything because there are so many people who need it more than me. People are dying, getting murdered, fighting cancer … who the heck am I to ask for help because I am a little depressed?  

Well, how can I help others if I don’t have the strength? How can I help anyone else to be more positive if I am not? I had a few different conversations with my mother this week about the glass being half full or half empty. How can I be a friend, a mom, a grandma, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a wife, a voice of reason or of help to anyone if my cup is half empty?  I can’t.  Every once in a while, that vessel needs to be filled up; otherwise, it defeats what I believe to be my purpose.  

The Gift

Yesterday, I got a gift. I am trying not to cry as I write this because I am so grateful.  This gift was a journal;  A 5-minute daily journal for gratitude. I am the first one to say that keeping a journal will help and I am not the only one who feels that way; here is a great article from some mental health experts. So why don’t I ever follow my own advice, you ask??? I have no idea – how many of us actually follow our own advice??

I have told people over, and over I write to give myself therapy with the hope of helping others by sharing. You don’t have to be me and splash it all over the internet for the world, but write it down for yourself, it will help.

One of the other pieces of advice I give to young parents is to keep a journal every day to remember the small moments of their children growing. My memory is terrible, and although I have remembered more by writing this blog, it would be a heck of a lot easier had I ever written anything down in my life.  (My oldest son apparently played the trombone for a year, and I have no recollection of that whatsoever.  Maybe I blocked the noise so well in my brain, the memory of him playing went with it? I don’t know, but it’s pretty scary stuff.)  How I wish I remembered more of the little moments.

So here I am, and I am going to follow my own advice with the help of a kick in the butt from a friend.

I needed a change in attitude, and that was gratitude. I am going to do this journal and let you know how it goes, but this blog isn’t a book review.  It’s about the gift, the message from God.  Sharing and not being afraid to talk about my innermost thoughts and feelings helped gravitate a response, an opening of dialogue, and for me … what I believe to be my answer right now.  I put it out into the universe and it answered.  Again, God and my friend being the universe. How beautiful is that?  This writing stuff really does help. 

Moving Forward With Gratitude

I am going to work on practicing gratitude every day by building this ritual into my life and seeing what changes take place. Today was my first day, and I kept it simple:

I do believe that it’s the little things for which we should be grateful. Too many times I let the big things interfere and overtake my mind, so this will be good practice for me. Following through on this is the first thing I have been excited about in a long time because that is how much I believe this will work. Navigating life is constant work, just like marriage and parenting, but we have to put it in. Having a healthy outlook and mind will only enhance everything else that touches our lives. Maybe that’s what this summer is about for me; rediscovering, replenishing, renewing and reviving my identity and spirit.

A Different To-Do List

I make a list most days of things I want to accomplish. It is usually a long list with a bunch of chores. But a little change in the attitude can make a world of difference. Why ten things? How about three so it seems less daunting. And instead of things I have to do, what if accomplishing those few items made it a great day? Wow – it’s actually blowing my mind! Maybe after all these years of being in five different places at the same time and my head being in too many directions on a daily basis, I should cut back. LOL! Yep – I am enlightening myself as I write. Time to switch gears.

I am sure getting the laundry done isn’t what this is about, but this is my list and I will feel good if I don’t have to do it on Sunday. (Also, going to get on the treadmill right now … be back in an hour.)

I did it – I finished the laundry and the exercise. So onward and upward.

Is this journal the only reason I feel better? No – it is never just one thing. It was the lunch with friends, the outpouring of response after writing about it, the conversations with my mom – who I am so blessed to still have in my life, and of course the gentle support I always get from my husband. But it was absolutely the icing on the cake!

The Prayer of Gratitude

Lord knows that the world needs a lot more smiles and kindness, so if that isn’t reason enough to keep practicing gratitude, I don’t know what is!

This all reminds me of another gift of a book I got about a year ago, so will end it with this from Maria Shriver’s book, I’ve Been Thinking:

Dear God, thank you for all the times when I am blessed by the kindness of others. You have surrounded me with people who care for me and bless me every day with kind words and actions. Help me to show them the same kindness they have provided. Help me to know how deeply I appreciate them and to know that I treasure them as a gift from you to me. Amen.

I have such gratitude for all of you and the gifts of love (and books) in my life. My list to make today great is complete and now my night will end with three amazing things that happened today so I go to sleep on a positive note – I will keep you all updated! Namaste.

Much Love today and always,

Sandy

#enlighten #empower #inspire #educate #Bekind