An old high school friend had started a Grateful/Gratitude Journal. This was probably two years ago. She had survived a car accident. She went through a lot as a result of that accident. So, she started a Grateful Journal. She actually did it with her son. I always thought it was a wonderful thing to do, but had never made the time to do it myself. However, my friend’s active journal writing never left my mind.
Then, last night, I watched an old Oprah’s Lifeclass episode. It was titled “Mastering the Art of Gratitude.” It was an old one that I hadn’t had the time to watch, but had saved on my DVR. As I watched Tony Robbins talking to the Oprah audience, I closed my eyes and did as he recommended. I remembered things in my past that made me happy, proud, and grateful. Something as simple as lying down on the carpet of my new home, doing snow angels. It was a silly moment with my husband. We were happy in our new and unfurnished living room. I hadn’t thought about that moment that occurred 12 years ago, in a long, long time.
Then, I felt a shift. What if I do start a grateful journal? How much time can it really take to write a list of a few things I am grateful for each day? I think the positive energy will only serve to benefit my life and those around me. So, at last, last night, I started a Gratitude Journal. Already, the contemplative time left me more peaceful last night.
There are also some apps titled Grateful Journal that are easy to use. I might eventually just do it electronically. Until then, I’ll do it the old-fashioned way; I’ll handwrite it. And I may even start doing it with my son too. However, I’m going to enjoy that as some special “me” time, for now.
As of this moment, I am grateful for that high school friend who shared a special moment in her life, that brought me to the Grateful Journal writing today; gratitude is contagious.
As I sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I am trying to find something positive in this very “stuck” moment. About 40 minutes later, I decide that maybe if I take a picture of the moment, perhaps I can find the beauty in it.Of course, looking at the picture, I see the clouds pop out. I had focused on the cars and being stuck. However, I had completely missed the sky.