For the past several years, I’ve tried to keep a regular gratitude journal. Some days, negative thinking and bad moods start spinning a web around my mind, making it difficult to appreciate my life and all of its richness. Simply reflecting on what I am thankful for at the end of the day helps to sweep that web away, enabling me to reconnect with what is truly important. I go through spurts where I’m very active with my gratitude journal, but more often than not I’ll open it and find a two or three-month drought since my last entry. With that in mind, I’ve decided to use Sundays on the blog to post ten random things I am grateful for from the preceding week. In addition, I’ll throw in a few quotes about gratitude from greater minds than my own.
Quotes on Gratitude:
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” — Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer” — Maya Angelou, Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer
“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” — Alphonse Karr
Gratitude List for the week ending February 28th
- Blocks of uninterrupted hours to write
- New friendships made from the SCBWI conference
- Being with my stepmother on her birthday
- The sun is shining in Michigan this morning
- Phil, for taking care of the kids this weekend
- The indie bookstore in my hometown
- A long chat on the phone with an old friend from high school
- A friend who complimented my writing and provided much-needed reassurance
- The deer that kept vigil through the window during my treadmill run yesterday
- My kids sharing their enthusiasm for a weekend hike taken with their dad and their dog
What are you grateful for this week?
What a fantastic idea, Julie. Sometimes the negative aspects of life seem to weigh too heavily against the positive – but things happen every day that we should be thankful for. Me? I’m really grateful I managed to drag on my thermals and wellies, and go out in the cold and rain for a walk by the riverbank. Chancing upon a family of otters was a once in a lifetime gift – and even though the photos are really fuzzy, they will remain in my camera forever. Maybe even the children will appreciate the experience eventually! Otters are now a rare and protected species here in the UK, and hardly ever spotted – I’m still smiling now!
Thanks for this great reminder Julie! And such a beautifully written intro to Gratitude Sundays. Today I am especially grateful for the warmth and light of the sun.
Thanks for sharing you guys. Isn’t it great how nature gives us so much to be grateful for? Lara, I read your story earlier and I’m so jealous! Seeing otters in the wild must have been such a thrill. They are such amazing animals!
Also, I’ll add one more thing that I’m thankful for. A peaceful conclusion to yet another fabulous Winter Olympic Games. I’m already looking forward to 2014.
I really love Eckhartt Tolle’s books. Really thought provoking and profound stuff!
What a wonderful idea! I’m inspired, Julie!
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