Do you have an attitude of gratitude? I think we all do. From time to time at least. Someone wrote that beautiful phrase in one of my blog comments yesterday and it spurred me into writing about one of my daily practices, perhaps the ONLY daily practice that I actually do practice daily--that of gratitude journalling. The idea came from reading Sarah Ban Breathnach's wonderful mood-shifting, life-changing (for me) book, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. Sarah encourages starting a gratitude journal and writing 3 things/ people/ events we're grateful for each day. I've been doing this daily for at least 9 years (the number astounds me but it could even be longer than that). As a writer, I'm often given blank journals as gifts...one of my absolute favourite things to receive, especially pretty ones with decorative inner pages. I use these books as my gratitude journals. Paraphrasing Sarah, there is always something to be thankful for even if it is as basic as a piece of paper, a pen and a hand with which to write. Those are my thoughts...hers went along the lines of a shelter, health, love etc. She warns that there are days where it may be hard to find something that we could be thankful for. We all have them. Those tough days. It's good to have a few basics to fall back on...a toothbrush, toothpaste, this breath, the next, a warm blanket, soap, running water... But this practice shifts your mindset. When I first started it, I found myself taking little notes, either mental or physical, about things I could be thankful for, that I could use to write down before I went to sleep each night. I began to realize how rich my life is. Even on the toughest days. I want to write so much more and will return to this topic another day with examples of how my practice has shifted over time. For example, I write 5 things/events/people I'm grateful for that day, then 3 FTD(from this day) things which distinguish this day from any other then finally a starred something which represents a big win that day (this latter idea from Mary Morrissey. Sometimes, like yesterday, my big win is simply someone whose birthday it is and the big win represents them being in my life....yesterday my favourite aunt who died several years ago but whose birthday it was and I heard her favourite song...a big win twice). But right now I have to get ready to meet Dad at the vets. He has to take his little dog, Tally, his faithful, ever-present companion, to the vets as she seems to be having some issues. For sure, I know that Tally and the knowledge of vets will be noted in my gratitude journal tonight. What are you grateful for today?
9 Comments
Corinne
4/20/2018 11:50:02 am
Beautiful writing, beautiful practice. I hope to read more. It sounds like doing it for so long has deepened and deepened the practice. <3
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Sue Blott
4/20/2018 12:25:42 pm
Thanks, Corinne. You're right. I think it has. Thank you for reading.
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4/20/2018 01:54:26 pm
I too journal every day in a gratitude journal. My sister got me a great one; the left side is for current gratitude and the right side is for future gratitude. I can always be grateful "for unknown blessings already on their way to me" if I can't come up with anything else.
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maggie pattison
4/20/2018 04:31:53 pm
you got made started with the gratitude journal a few years ago so I am grateful to you for giving me the nudge to explore the subject oh and Oprah Winfrey too. today I am grateful for my garden and friendship, tomorrow I will be grateful for Ibuprofen because of said garden.
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Sue Blott
4/20/2018 05:04:13 pm
Thanks, Souley. lol re garden and ibuprofen! I hear you. No time today but for one blog I'll be taking a pic of the bookmark I use for my gratitude journal which is my Souley one from you. xx
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Kat
4/20/2018 10:21:34 pm
Gratitude is my heart song <3 I'm actually going to be writing my post today about gratitude as well! Love how your practice is going strong after 9 years! It feels so good <3
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Sue Blott
4/20/2018 10:23:59 pm
Thanks, Kat. Will look for your blog too.?
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Karen Harwell
4/22/2018 01:21:28 am
So inspiring. I should do more work with gratitude. Thank you.
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AuthorWelcome! I'm Sue Blott: a writer of all things, a poet at heart, mom, wife, daughter, step-mom, grandma, tea drinker, tai chi-er, mystic, artist, dreamer...and now a blogger! This is my world. Categories |