The beginning of a New Year speaks of fresh starts and new beginnings…ways to make the coming year the “best year yet”. It’s a time to pause, reflect and make a new and improved plan. But this year I’ve been struggling a bit with motivation to get started.
Shortly after Christmas, I lost a dear friend to her 12-year battle with breast cancer. She was 58 years young with three grown children and my heart is hurting. While my intellect tells me she’s no longer in pain and my faith tells me she’s in a better a place and that we’ll one day be together again…in truth my heart hasn’t quite caught up.
Praying for strength and contemplating what could help, I was reminded of a wonderful exercise I’ve done many times to make myself feel better. A Gratitude List.
Personally it helps me to settle the mood by dimming the lights in the room and lighting several candles. I pull out my Gratitude Journal and begin to write as many things that come to mind of the many blessings I have in my life. I list everything from friends and family, job and colleagues, transportation, my church community, health and home. Lines on the pages are soon filled with so many things in my life for which I am so grateful.
This simple exercise helped lift the fog I’ve been in since Stacey’s passing, reminding me that life is full and rich and good even in sorrow. Having an Attitude of Gratitude even in the most difficult times is what my faith teaches me to do and helps re-center myself when life can get me off kilter.
So, this is my suggestion: Start your New Year…with an Attitude of Gratitude. It’s a simple process but incredibly powerful.
This is how to begin a Gratitude Journal:
1. Grab a journal and simply begin. Write the date and start writing ALL the amazing blessings you have in your life to be grateful for. List as many as you possibly can.
2. When you have exhausted your additions, put your pen down and just spend a few minutes taking in all those beautiful life gifts you’ve received.
3. Next share your reflections; what you feel about this list you’ve just written. Write it to yourself or address it to God or whomever you call your Higher Power. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, just from your heart.
4. Each day thereafter, write 3 things you are grateful for each day. Write more if you’d like, but try and come up with at least three. I like to keep it easy so it is something that is doable. If it seems too daunting a task then you’ll be less likely to do it.
5. Every three months or so, pause again and reflect on how you’re feeling. How has it affected how you start or end your day? Jot down your thoughts.
6. Be consistent but don’t beat yourself up if you miss here and there. Progress not perfection is what we’re going for.
Reminding myself to always find the “Bless in the Mess” is a game changer for how to live life. I admittedly fell out of habit of writing it down daily, but do have the practice of always having mental lists of gratitude at the end of the day. I find though when I’m consistently writing it down, my attitude and outlook improve. (Sort of like when you fall out of going to the gym. Then when you make it a regular routine again, you feel better.)
Here are several options of Gratitude Journals should you want a journal designed with this in mind, but a plain basic journal will work too. I personally like a hardbound lined option, but hey you can even grab a spiral notebook you already own. Whatever gets the job done.
*As an Amazon Associate I earn a little something from qualifying purchases at zero additional cost to you.
This is how I organize my Gratitude Journal (though I do change it up a bit during the Lenten season). Take what you like and leave the rest. Adjust it to best fit what variation works for you. The best version is the one you will actually USE! Pictured above: The Gratitude Journal, A Daily Gratitude Journal and. The Five Minute Journal.
A New Year doesn’t necessarily mean completely revamping your life. Simple, small changes in habits can prove to have a big impact and real growth…and are often more sustainable. Focusing on our many blessings instead of what we are lacking will most certainly culminate in an Attitude of Gratitude. Can you imagine if we all were just a little more grateful?
May this New Year bring with it peace, serenity, love and laughter…and fill your heart with God’s many blessings. Would love to hear about your Attitude of Gratitude journey. Share in the comments below or drop me an email.
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This post is so powerful and thankful for you and those reminders to be grateful, especially in light of these awful fires.
My heart is saddened by your loss and for Stacey’s family.
Jen
Thank you so much for you lovely words. We are certainly keeping all those affected by the fires in our prayers~ XO