| Author |
Family Matters:  Do you keep a Gratitude Journal?  |
|
|
Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 16 2004 : 8:07:26 PM
|
Hello my friends,
Does any one else keep a gratitude journal?
I began a gratitude journal in 1994 when we as a family were experiencing some extreemly challenging times and I was having difficulty focusing on what was good about my life. Things seemed so dark for a time. I read a book about journaling called "Lifes Companion" I will have to go look up the author. I can't tell you how very much it changed my life! I now keep a note posted in my office to remind me that even when life is good and things are going along smoothly that I still need to take time to do this exercise for my mental health.
It is in the form of a statement I sign. Statement:
Today I will look for ten things in my day about which I can be thankful!
Today I will begin to journal those ten things at the end of the day faithfully for twenty one days.
At the end of twenty one days I will read through my journal of gratitude. I will then journal about the changes that have occured in my attitude as a result of this exercise. I will then begin a new twenty one days of journaling and reflecting on all the fragments of my life that blend together into something for which I can have a grateful heart.
Signed;
Dated;
I have recently read through some of my old journals and am in wonder at the wealth of blessings I have experienced!
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
|
|
Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2004 : 8:13:57 PM
|
Reminds me of the book "Simple Abundance-A Daybook of Comfort and Joy" by Sarah Ban Breathnach. That was a good book for me. I reflect daily on what I'm grateful for. Good topic, Eileen.
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
Edited by - Clare on Nov 16 2004 8:19:27 PM |
 |
|
|
Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2004 : 8:56:23 PM
|
I tried to keep a gratitude journal after hearing about Sinple Abundance and seeing Sarah on Oprah a long time ago. I was never any good a journaling things. I do try and remeber everything good about my life on a daily basis. It's easy to do when I'm on the road driving home from work.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
|
|
|
Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2004 : 05:48:39 AM
|
Kim, I'm not a good journalier either. I love to write, but this just doesn't get me going... and this has bothered me somewhat, but I've finally decided that I'm the "thinker" type and I think things through so thoroughly that when I'm done with them, I'm done... it's off to "reconcilation land" and I don't spend any more energy on it. I do; however, do alot of quiet meditation things, like my walking, medicine wheel, and even my yoga stretching time, which I use to reflect on everything in life that I'm grateful for. I'm convinced that in order to have health/balance of body/mind/spirt that gratitude has to be a part of every day of my life.
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
Edited by - Clare on Nov 17 2004 05:55:41 AM |
|
|
|
Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2004 : 09:41:12 AM
|
I must admit. Journaling on a regular basis was a difficult thing for me to do. It is very likely not for everyone. There are weeks that go by now when I find that I have not done any and I now find a big hole in my life when I have gone without doing it. In the beginning when I started I really needed something to get me out of the thought processes that had become habitual, so in my case thinking things through and then moving on had become impossible. I could not move on, I had been stuck in a deep despair and could not see the light.
The process was suggested by the medicine woman I had gone to see. Nobody else had any answers for me so I tried it. At first I was even afraid of writing down any of my thoughts because I was afraid of someone reading them someday and having something not very nice to say about my thoughts but when I got through that barrier I began two different journals. One was my gratitude journal and it was my life saver. I had a great deal of difficulty coming up with ten things everyday and sometimes just had to write down that I was grateful for the lead in my pencil and the eraser that could correct my mistakes.
I read somewhere that it takes twenty one days of doing something consistently to create a new habit so that is why I chose the twenty one day cycles. I desperately wanted to recreate my thought processes.
This forced me to gain a new perspective on my day and forced me to be on the lookout for the good things and to remember them so I could write them down at the end of the day. The wonderful thing about the process was that I began to see my thought processes changing even in regard to the horrible things I was experiencing so my gratitude journal was the one I wanted to write in and the other one which was more like an events diary was beginning to become hard to write in because it was not uplifting. I no longer wanted to focus on the cause of the pain but on the journey forward through it to the song in my life.
Yes Lorij any kind of journaling counts.
Clare, My medicine wheel came out of this process and I to do a lot of my meditation time out there and during my yoga.
The neet thing about a gratitude journal is that it is always uplifting to read. No wasted energy there.
My other journals of the dark times I have ceremonially burned releasing them to the healing of the fire.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
|
|
|
Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2004 : 10:09:52 AM
|
Good for you Eileen! I'm glad the process works so well for you. The journey has many paths, doesn't it? Finding the right one for ourselves is what life is all about. It's a continual, work in progress for me!
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
|
|
|
Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2004 : 4:18:54 PM
|
One thing that helps me is coming here and reading everyone thoughts, both thoughtful and frivalous(sp?). You, my beloved friends, make me THINK about things. Things I already ponder and things I'd never ventured to.
This website has a catharis effect. Mindful, peaceful and ever loving.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
|
|
|
jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2004 : 4:30:10 PM
|
I have had other friends tell me they are part of chat rooms that become real friends. I never understood that - how could they be real friends with strangers, I thought to myself. Now I know. You, here, are good people, and this website has become my gratitude journal, in a way that is important to me. I get honest feedback from you, I read heartfelt thoughts and memories, and between the lines I see good-hearted folk.
It is therapeutic to read and speak with you all who feel the same way about the earth, our families, and, well, thank you!
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
|
|
|
Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2004 : 5:02:11 PM
|
Lorij, The second journal that I was keeping during those years was much like your letters. And the day I spent in a ceremonial burning of them was one of the most releasing days of my life!!!
Clare, It is a continual work in progress. I was just wondering if anybody else had found this path in their lives. It is wonderful how we all have found a way to release.
jpbluesky, thankyou too! I have been surprised by how much I have grown to appreciate each woman and man that shares a little window of themselves here and how close I feel to all of you in my heart. You all are encouragers. I have not participated in any kind of chat room before and had no idea it would be so much fun! On the days I cannot participate even a little bit I feel I have been deprived of something beautiful.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
|
|
|
pnwchica
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Suzy
WA
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2005 : 4:54:31 PM
|
At one time I had a home biz where I taught journaling classes in homes. It was my version of a 'tupperware' party! I'd like to get started doing it again. The 'parties' were always well received, 'chicks' only. I always left feeling so renewed and blessed at sharing my love with journaling with others. Over the past few years some of my 'Soul Party' participants have kept in contact with me and have shared how journaling has impacted their life.
Looking for new beef recipes, frugal gardening tips, any and all tried and true ez home crafts & recipes. |
|
|
|
marlyn
Farmgirl in Training
36 Posts
marlyn
Norwood
Ontario
Canada
36 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2005 : 8:34:44 PM
|
Suzy
Those partie sound so wonderful. I had noticed during the winter months that there was a class or journalling at the community college. It wasn't expensive but time wise, with the distance to drive in what could be bad weather I didn't sign up.
What did you do at these parties? Please share!
Simply Marlyn |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2007 : 1:38:54 PM
|
I was just re-reading through some of these posts and saw this topic.
"How Perfect!" I thought to myself because I am feeling particularly grateful to life right now. I think I am going to try to do a gratitude/blessings journal.
Alee |
|
|
|
Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2007 : 10:22:04 AM
|
I think this is a great idea Alee..
I really think i need to start this as well..!!
Thanks for that!
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2007 : 12:56:36 PM
|
I have a old red journal that I got on clearance at Waldenbooks- oh forever and a half ago. I think I am going to fill it up with gratitude notes, especially now, so that when Nora is a teenager I can have them to remember! :P
But seriously, even just thinking about what I would write in the journal when/if I had the time helps me stay more positive when she is cranky and won't sleep or nurse.
Alee |
|
|
| |
Family Matters: Do you keep a Gratitude Journal? |
|
Do you keep a Gratitude Journal?
