Friday, February 26, 2010

Gratitude Journals

A good friend of mine, Joanne, is a Life-Coach. When I was going thru a rather forlorn time, she encouraged me to start a Gratitude Journal. "Don't make a big deal out of it (she knows me well)....just write two or three things you're grateful for at the end of the day..even a word. Like your breath, your heartbeat".
Well, an amazing thing happened...as I focused on things in my life that I was grateful for, my view on life shifted. My attitude adjusted towards the positive. Nothing physically had changed in my life, but I 'felt' better! Yeah, I know..you already know all this. Funny thing is, I did too. But sometimes one finds themselves suddenly in a funk and has no idea how they got there! Like me. I wasn't paying attention to what I was thinking about. What I was dwelling on. And there I was again...in my pity pool!
Joanne's gentle encouragement to start a Gratitude Journal helped me get back on track. I found I liked the little journals..I could keep it in my purse. Sometimes I'd keep it handy in the car because often when I'm stopped at a light, I see something that inspires me, or thoughts come to me that I want to record right away.
So I made a couple of extra journals and listed them in my esty shop in case anyone should be in need of one. I liked that they are small~it was less intimidating for me to get started on my list-- maybe you're that way too!
I like this little reminder. It's stamped on the back of the journal as well as this cute little tag that comes with it..serves as a little bookmark for ya!
While I was listing goodies I also put this in the shop. It is this month's Mind Wide Open challenge.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~ Melodie Beattie



12 comments:

  1. Beautiful post, awesome journal.
    Debby

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  2. Beautiful thoughts & beautiful journals, Myrna! Gratitude is an amazing gift--isn't it funny that when we give thanks, we just get more blessings in return?! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Hope you enjoy this wonderful day!

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  3. Oh, this is just lovely! Thanks for popping in to see me.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  4. Myrna, these are lovely, as are the sentiments. I have always like the idea that we can change our outcome by our thoughts and ideas! I think I'll go make some right now! Sherry

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  5. Oh Myrna, this post is perfect and your little journals are beautiful. I try very hard to live my life this way, but every once in a while it's great to be reminded again. I just wish I could get my husband to wrap his head around the concept. He knows it works but he's so unhappy in his job that he just can't get his brain to think that way! I'm going to print out the quote
    and put it on the fridge!!!

    Karen

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  6. So pretty! I kept a gratitude journal for awhile a few years ago and I think it helped me form a habit of listing my 'gratitudes' in my head throughout the day. Again, yours are very pretty! Blessings, Debra

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  7. Oh Myrna...this is the most wonderful idea ever!!! Thankfulness and gratitude is of the utmost importance for me and it truly does keep all things in perspective, doesn't it? Your journal is so beautiful to me...but everything you make is!!!! hugs and love sweet friend, Dawn

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  8. Hi Myrna,
    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a sweet comment. I love Dawn's blog and am grateful that she was there for me to find. I'm also greatful for you and all the other women who stopped by to wish me well and send a welcome. The words on the tag on your gratitude journal could not be more true. Thank you.

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  9. Hi Myrna, your little journals are wonderful and I really love the idea of keeping one in your purse. You did lovely work on them. It's amazing how things change when we really take the time to put our thoughts into words. Words are so powerful in our lives and make such a difference to ourselves and others.
    hugs,
    Debra

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  10. Just joined your blog...because I KNOW you have hit upon ONE of the answers to finding happiness in our lives. And I want to be around positive people too.
    I will be reading more of your blog later tonight.
    Heading for Church to an olde fashioned HYMN sing soon...so love the old Hymns.
    They do not sing them much anymore in our Sunday Services.....and we who are over 55 ...miss them, so they have a HYMN SING NIGHT for us.
    So that's nice.


    Rose

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  11. This is my first visit to your blog, Rose from Delightful Clutter recommended that I visit your blog...and I am so glad she did!

    I've joined as one of your followers!

    Love your Gratitude journals such a wonderful way to validate the positive aspects of our lives!

    Thank you!

    Sandy

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