A month

Many people like to take November to intentionally acknowledge what they are grateful for.  What are your blessings?  Can you see your blessings even at moments that are intense, scary, or even life changing?

Many years ago Eric's Grandma gave me (and others) a simple notebook with a message that it was a grateful journal.  The challenge was to each and every day write down 5 things you are grateful for.  I am not really much for writing a journal.  Most often I think I'll keep a diary or a journal, after a few minutes of pondering what to write about, realizing how mundane my life is, and even if I were to let my thoughts free flow, would I want anyone ever to come across those thoughts and read them?  The answer, a paralyzing NO! So after maybe half an entry I would abruptly stop as quickly as I had started.

The grateful journal was an intriguing idea to me.  So I thought I would try it. To be honest, the first day was brutally tough. The second day wasn't any better!  UGH! By the third day I had at least come up with 5 things the first two days that I could just copy down and it was slightly easier. That went on for a few days. Then, I because I didn't want it to be an empty list of items, I became more conscious of finding things throughout the day that I could write down new that night as something to be grateful for.

I only kept up the journal for about six weeks.  I think mid terms hit about then. However, I was no longer writing 5 rote items down each night. I was listing and listing different items every day. Some things made the list often or even nearly every day, but the INTENT was different.  I was really looking at the world differently.

That was the longest I ever kept a journal. It made a difference!

I still have challenging days to remember all that we are blessed with. I can be as snarky as the best of them! When hit with unexpected news it might feel like a punch to the gut, but give me some time and I will see our blessings and be forever grateful for them.

We are blessed with a place to call home, employment-which comes with medical insurance. We are able to provide for our needs, a few personal interests and still squirrel away for a rainy day or a family vacation. We are blessed that our home is filled with music, laughter, love, and beautiful memories. We are blessed with comforts of the first world and still take time to acknowledge and reach out to others who are not.

Is your life overflowing with blessings? If life is challenging you, might I suggest a grateful journal? Really commit to it, give it time, and watch your blessings grow.

Thanks Marge for the journal!