Making Your Gratitude Journal Work

Gratitude Journal Rules

I don't think there are any rules. . . I think they are more like guidelines. LOL

Never under estimate the power of your gratitude journal. It is one of the best tools to give you an attitude for gratitude. And subsequently bring you sustainable happiness. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

My Dollar Store Gratitude Journal

1. Write it down. 

There's something about writing down a gratitude list in my journal that makes it real.  I can go through my list in my mind or out loud to myself but it just isn't the same. Seeing it, and writing it helps so much. 

2. Feel it.

Close your eyes and repeat it then say thank you, thank you, thank you and really feel it.

3. Daily. 

The journal has to be daily. We want it to become a part of our daily routine. You don't have to think about it or try to remember to make your gratitude list. Grabbing your journal and your pen will become second nature and eventually forgetting to write will leave you feeling off, like forgetting to brush your teeth.

4. Make it Ten. 

I believe your list should be ten. I have seen journals with less items but for me, five is easy. After five, I need to think a little harder, dig a little deeper and sometimes an item that I am grateful for will just hit me. Why had I not thought of that one before?

5. Keep it Close. 

I like to keep my journal with me so I can write whenever the inspiration hits. Plus jotting down items through out the day helps me stay grateful. And happy. Because that's what my journal does for me. 

6. Review it. 

While I have my journal open, I like to reread some of the previous items and I get to feel grateful all over again. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Do you have a rule you would like to add? I think I am forgetting something. Oh, I like laughing at myself.

Gratitude Journal

This is how my journal looks today.

I Am Grateful:

1. To Nick for driving me to work and picking me up each work day without complaint. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
2. For the free yummy lunch at work because it is so nice when we all get together. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
3. For such a great team at work because it is the people not the job that makes work memorable.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
4. To Nicole for making another delicious dinner for the family.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
5. To Nicole for keeping the girls occupied while I checked my email.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
6. For Faith and Sidney because they are the sunshine in my day.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
7. For the beautiful weather because I didn't have to turn my furnace on.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
8. A working vehicle because it comes in handy when I need to get someplace.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
9. For the internet because I enjoy relaxing and reading at the end of my day.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
10. For having everything I need because it is comforting.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Gratitude Stone

Since I am at it, I'm going to hold my gratitude stone, contemplate yesterdays gratitude list and decide what I am most grateful for.

I am most grateful for the beautiful day because it was wonderful and weird to be able to open the windows in mid January to let the fresh air in. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you for visiting. Will you remember to write in your Gratitude Journal? 

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Nine Reminders to be Grateful

Happy, Happy, Happy
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Gratitude Habit

If an attitude of gratitude is new to you, it may be difficult to remember to say thank you. Until it becomes a habit, I have found it helpful to surround myself with reminders.

1.) Gratitude Stone

My gratitude stone is a wonderful tool. It sits at the bottom of my purse so every time I dig around in there, I catch a glimpse of my stone, I smile and think "thank you".

At the end of the day, I dig out my gratitude stone and roll it between my fingers. I often close my eyes and review the list in my journal to decide which item I am most grateful for. Feeling grateful and happy as I drift off to sleep - sublime. It is a wonderful way to end the day.

2.) 16 Gratitude Practices to Find Happiness

This is a list of practices outlined in Rhonda Byrnes book The Magic. I have a copy of this list in a few conspicuous places and it give it a quick glance when I feel the need to remember some of the other ways to integrate gratitude into my life.

3.) Gratitude Key Chains

Gratitude Key Chain

Recently, I made this key chain that says HAPPY. You know I can't remember what made me think about making it. Weird. Anyway, I chose colours that I knew would make me feel happy. To me, happy means gratitude and vise versa so of course this chain is a fantastic reminder to be grateful. 

I feel grateful for my home as I unlock the door with my keys. I am grateful for my car as I unlock my car. I am grateful for my job as I unlock the office door. You get the picture. Think about how many times you take out your keys in a day. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I made a couple of other chains. One says THANK YOU in square white beads with lettering in pink and green. Another one says SMILE in square white beads with multi-colour lettering. I think they turned out nice. I want to make one more, then I can give each of my daughters a keychain. Who wouldn't want a pretty dangling key accessory telling them to be happy? 

4.) Gratitude Book Marks

My wonderful daughter, Nicole loves to read. This is my gift to her and all you avid readers out there. Book marks. But also a reminder to be grateful and happy every time you open your book.

5.) Magic Check

I have my magic cheque posted on my gratitude board which hangs on the wall across from my computer desk. Every time I look up to contemplate my next sentence I can see it and say to myself thank you for the money. Money comes easily and frequently.

6.) Post Notes

I haven't used these as reminders yet but I have thought about it. If I am going through an especially difficult time I could use the extra reminders. I think something simple like Smile written on a sticky note in your favourite colour would suffice. I could put it on the mirror for an extra boost to start off the day. My family might even appreciate it. Smiles are contagious don't you know. Pass it on.

7.) Gratitude Buttons

I guess it would depend on your age, but gratitude buttons would look nice pinned to your knapsack, a favorite t-shirt, your shoes, or jacket.

8.) Printables

If you haven't checked out my printables page you should take a look. Maybe you will find something you'd like to hang in your home. You can check it out now then come back here to finish reading this post. It's okay. I wait.

I hope you found something to your liking. I have printables scattered throughout my home. Stick one on the refrigerator, frame one and put it your washroom or pin it up on your gratitude board. You could print a small version and place use it for a book mark either in the novel you are reading or in your gratitude journal.

You might not even like my printables. You may find an image with an inspirational quote on Pinterest that you prefer. That's fine too. Although I would be ecstatic if you loved my printables and pinned them. Yahoo.

I will be adding more printables over time so come back occasionally to see if one of those spark some interest.

9.) Gratitude Journals

The last reminder I am going to talk about today are gratitude journals. There are all kinds of ideas on Pinterest to inspire you when choosing your journal. Make it fancy or keep it plain. You could pick up a dollar store notebook and carry it around with you to write your list as you go through your day.

If you would like to see some journals here are some links to see what others are doing:

http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/2012/02/gratitude-journal-how-im-using-it.html

http://theno-noroom.blogspot.ca/2012/01/mini-altered-journals.html

http://www.meloveletters.com/mirror-mirror/grace-of-gratitude/

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Oprahs-Gratitude-Journal-Oprah-on-Gratitude


Well I hope you found this post helpful or least interesting. Making gratitude a habit may be a challenge but with a few reminders strategically placed can assist you on your path to inner peace and happiness.

Like what you see here? Consider becoming a follower or subscribe via email! Have a fantastic day!

Attitude of Gratitude . . .

and How it Relates to Happiness

For some people happiness is just an unattainable dream because they have never known true sustainable happiness. 

For me, that first sentence provokes images of starving, poverty stricken children because it would have to be something as severe as this to cause life long depression. Right?

Wrong. There are countless reasons for unhappiness and depression in this world. It may be biological. It may be a series of life's bumps in the road of life or a catastrophe that shakes your world.

When it comes to those bumps or tragic events, not everyone reacts the same. Some people may be able to bounce right back while others suffer for years. What could be the difference between these two types of people?

The answer lies within you. Happiness is a choice.

Before you jump all over that, let me explain.

Stop and think about it. No one can control your feelings except you. Once you take ownership, you need to take control of your emotions. 

I know, easier said than done right. The truth is, making a change can be difficult and it takes commitment  It has been a struggle for me but I can now say that I have found happiness. I am still working on it; improving it ; but at least I am on the right path now.

So what makes me happy? What brought sustained happiness? The kind of happiness that has no reason but just glows from within?

Yes, getting a good night's sleep helps. So does eating properly, regular exercise and setting goals. But for me, those fall in line once happiness is achieved.

And you know it isn't that nice new shiny car that brought it or my beautiful home. Not the raise at work, not the weight loss. Surely those things do bring happiness but it is short lived. 

So what is the secret of attaining sustained happiness - inner peace? 

The answer my friends is gratitude. 

Attitude of Gratitude

When I wake up, I say to myself, "Today is a great day to be alive. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Throughout the day I take a moment to relax, and just be grateful. I keep a gratitude journal. Before I fall asleep at night, I review my gratitude list from the previous day and decide which one I am most grateful for.

Are you wondering how being grateful makes me happy? It works like this;  when I feel grateful I can't feel sad, angry, resentment, jealousy. When I am grateful all I can feel is happy.

And you can too.




Are you ready to invite happiness into your life? Are you ready to have an attitude for gratitude?

You can start right now. I hope you can learn from my experience. The road to inner peace and happiness.

Seven Paths - Lesson 7

Your Wish is the Universe's Command

Lesson 7 is called Allowing.

If we continue to practice the instructions provided in the first six lessons, all that is left for us to do is allow. My interpretation of allowing is waiting. Waiting patiently leaving no place for doubt that your dreams and desires will materialize.

Doubt is our enemy because it will slow down materialization. And sustained doubt will stop our dreams and desires from coming into reality.

Easier said than done. Although the one thing that I have learned through my journey is - practice. If it doesn't come easily then you just need more practice until it becomes second nature.

I have placed my order with the Catalogue of the Universe. Now I am waiting for delivery!


Seven Paths to Freedom Summary

Lesson 1 - What do you REALLY want?
 
Lesson 2 - Planting Seeds in the Subconscious
 
Lesson 3 - Focusing the Image
 
Lesson 4 - Gratitude
 
Lesson 5 - Coincidence?
 
Lesson 6 - Taking Action
 
Lesson 7 - Allowing