Lessons From My Gratitude Journal

I read an interesting post over at the Simple Dollar today. It seems he has been keeping a gratitude journal recently. I don't know if you remember, but that was one of my own Goals for 2009. A gratitude journal is a very simple concept - at some point during the day you sit down and write out a few things that happened during the day that you are grateful for. In many ways it is like counting your blessings, except on a micro level. Instead of being grateful for "friends and family", for example, you might write down "I am grateful for the lunch I had today with a friend. We got the opportunity to catch up and hear about each other's lives."

You can have your own way of doing it - each person should find their own method. The important thing is taking a little time each day to reflect on what is good in your life. Personally, I have a little notebook by the side of the bed. Each night before going to sleep I write down ten things that were important to me or that made me smile during the day. I believe that writing about your gratitude is more valuable than just thinking about it. There is something very special in the act of writing down what you are grateful for - plus, when you are blue, you can flip back and see what you have written. It is an instant pick-me-up.

The author of The Simple Dollar noticed an interesting thing....

I have a collection of about twenty five of these entries now, and many of them (...) usually involve my family, enjoying some quiet time alone, a writing success, or a period of feeling really good (like an after-exercise rush).More importantly, though, virtually none of the items I’ve listed in nearly a month revolve around spending money. The high points of my day usually don’t revolve around any sort of financial exchange at all.

I would have to agree with that.

I did have lunch with a good friend yesterday, and I did put it in my journal. But it wasn't the food or the idea of spending money that I enjoyed, it was spending quality time with someone I care about who is important to me. As I think about the kinds of things that I jot in my gratitude journal each night, they tend to be about moments that are special to me: seeing a perfect blue sky, a long luxurious nap, seeing friends and family, getting a project done. When they do involve money, it is thankfulness for what I have: a good job, extra income, book sales. When things are particularly hard, I think about all the good things that I have that many do not: a well stocked pantry, a car that runs well, a safe and warm home.

In my situation, it would be easy to let myself slide into a "poor me" attitude, but the gratitude journal keeps me grounded - it reminds me of what I do have. When I find myself wanting throw my hands up in the air and go on a shopping spree, it reminds me that I can find just as much pleasure - more, in fact - in quieter things, such as having a cup of tea and sitting and reading a chapter of a good book. When I start to wonder what I am doing all this for, I need only open a page at random.

I admit, I am not perfect about writing in it every day, but the point isn't to be "perfect." The point is to regularly remind myself all the wonderful things I am blessed with - and grateful to have.


Photo by: SnoShuu