Gratitude Journaling

In order to for me to help you, you must also help yourself. Journaling is a great way to gather your thoughts together, but it is also a great way to remind ourselves what we have to be grateful for, despite the hard times we may be going through at the moment.

One example of a homework assignment may be…

Becoming aware of all elements in our lives is important.  Often we keep a record of all the work we have to do to becoming a better person.  In other words, an account of what is “wrong” with us.  Why not take a fuller look into our lives, by recording the things we have to be grateful of and what is right with us?

How would you answer the comment:  “Today I am grateful for…” ? This statement asks us to look full spectrum at our lives and to balance the good with the bad.  Think about keeping a gratitude journal or including a record of things you are grateful for in a journal or diary you currently keep.  Take a look at what you do right.   Keeping a record of what you are grateful for will become a personal gift to yourself.  Take time for yourself to take a look at what you have rather than what you lack.  This may mean you begin to believe the compliments about yourself that others give you.

I can hear the silent grumbling now from some of you - who has time to journal?  I never know what to say, etc.  Taking care of ourselves does require time.  Start your gratitude journal in a reasonable manner for yourself.  Record daily, weekly or monthly depending upon your ability to focus on self-care.  Use a notebook, journal or even a piece of paper.   Use whatever is handy to write with or choose colored pens.  Start by writing,  “Today, I am grateful for…” and go from there.  You may find only one or two things at first but soon you will be counting your blessing all over the place.  Some ideas may be… Today, I am grateful for… The alarm clock waking me up with one of my favorite songs.  My daughter who gave me the sweetest hug or my friend that reminded me that I am worthy of God’s love. 

You will find that your gratitude journal becomes a gift to yourself.