Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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

6 comments:

Miss M said...

What a wonderful idea, I'm sure it will make for great memories. Do you have trouble coming up with 10 things each day?

Kari said...

What a great thing to do. After reading this post and the one at Simple Dollar I'm thinking this is something good to do with my daughter as well as myself.

Anonymous said...

I hadn't really thought about a gratitude journal, but that sounds like a wonderful idea. One of the things I am trying to focus on this year is being more positive in general. I'm doing pretty well, but I think something like a gratitude journal would help.

Even without the journal, though, I've discovered I have much better days when I don't spend money. There are the occasional days where I'm excited to spend a little money - like when I buy a new DVD, or the other day when I bought my Blu-ray DVD player; however, I typically find that my days are more rewarding when I've focused on enriching a relationship.

Dawn said...

Miss M - Not really. When I get down to the last one or two it sometimes takes a minute, but there always things that come to mind. The key is not to worry that they have to be "big" things. I can be grateful for soft, perfect sheets on my bed, or a funny voicemail from a friend. Plus, there are always all the things that happen day to day - having a steady job, a car that runs, a roof over my head, health for friends and family - it just goes on and on.

Kari - Oh, this would be a lovely thing to do with a child! What a great way to teach them to appreciate the important things in life!

Kristy - What an interesting discovery! Kind of goes against that whole consumer mentality we are taught, doesn't it?! I am going to start paying attention to that as well. I've never really looked at the difference between my no-spend days and days I spend.

HowtoBEaCOOLoldLady said...

am so liking your blog

Dawn said...

Hey there Getting Stuff Done, thank you so much!!!