“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward
Gratitude is personal and comes in many forms. In our thoughts, words, hearts and actions. Being grateful is good for us. If you’re a data geek like me, there are an infinite number of studies and articles that spell out the benefits. But the proof is really in the practice.
We invite you to nourish yourself with gratitude. Pick up any notebook or stop by the studio and we will gift you one! (warning, despite our quote above, this gift will be unwrapped.)
Each day write down one thing you are grateful for. Start simple. Just one thing. One word even. Family. Friends. Coffee. Chocolate. Whatever comes to mind first. Notice the connection between the thought or feeling and the expression (pen to paper in this case) and how it impacts you in that moment. What if you return to that word, thought or feeling again throughout the day?
As you get into a rhythm and and make it a regular part of your day (like brushing your teeth or checking email), you can begin to elaborate. Perhaps reflecting a little deeper some days will enhance the benefits of your gratitude practice. Don’t overdo it. A little gratitude goes a long way!
Acknowledge that life is busy and stressful. There are so many challenges and sometimes that distracts us from all that we have to be grateful for. It’s ok. We are all Real, Raw and Human. This is not a chore. This is not an exercise of perfection. It’s an opportunity to reflect upon the good, the bad and the ugly. Without challenges we wouldn’t be able to appreciate triumphs.
The beauty of the Gratitude Journal is that it is for you and for you only. This is your gratitude adventure. You choose how long you want to do it. There are no start or end dates. There are no challenge boards. No stickers. No social media posts or public proclamations. This is between you and your journal. One day at a time. One word at a time. Try it for a week or a month and see how it goes. I hope you find it as nourishing as I do!
Side note: My first gratitude journal was going to be for a month and I wrote in it every single day for two years! Life got busy with a new baby and a new business. I have recently re-started my journal and it has given me a place to reflect on all that I have to be grateful for, including my amazing team at Alkalign and my supportive family of friends who have made this whole adventure possible. You know who you are and more importantly, I know who you are and am forever grateful.
